Township Council

The Township Council presented several commendations at its last meeting, including one honoring the founders of New Jersey Orators. Jim and Karen Hunter founded the youth organization more than 30 years ago, and in that time it has become a preeminent molder of township youth in the township and throughout the state. Township Councilwoman Kimberly Francois (D-At Large), presented the …

The Township Council at its Oct. 1o meeting awarded commendations and proclamations to Franklin residents. The first commendation was given to Jeff Baumley, a longtime member of the township Shade Tree Advisory Committee. Baumley, who was a member of the committee for 15 years, said the current committee is “doing a great job. I wish them luck, and if there’s …

Township officials are looking into whether loud fireworks displays can be curtailed. The effort came at the request of Mayor Phil Kramer, who said he received complaints about an Oct. 9 fireworks display at the Ukranian Cultural Center on Davidson Avenue. The venue was being used by Kallol of New Jersey, a Bengali/Indian social organization, which was hosting a three-day …

The Center for Great Expectations received a $300,000 donation at the Sept. 13 Township Council meeting. The money came from the township’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund. The center, located on Dellwood Lane, provides housing and treatment programs for trauma, abuse, homelessness and addiction for adult and adolescent women and their children. Peg Wright, the center’s founder and CEO, said she was …

Township officials, first responders, faith leaders and families of the fallen gathered Sept. 13 at the 9-11 Memorial to pay their respects during the township’s official commemoration of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Families of three of the six township residents killed in the attacks attended the short ceremony, held near the township library. Participating in the event was the …

Update: Two Republican state legislators from the neighboring 16th District are calling on Gov. Christie to recognize the Route 518 bridge work as “essential,” and free up the money needed to complete it. State Sen. Christopher “Kip” Bateman and State Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli made the announcement Sept. 1. The bridge “is a critical transportation link that residents and emergency and …

The Township Council next month will formally oppose a natural gas pipeline compressor station proposed for a site in Franklin Park. The decision came after a nearly four-hour special meeting Aug. 10, during which representatives from Williams-Transco – the company proposing the compressor station – were peppered with questions and comments by council members, area residents and environmental activists. The resolution …

Steep increases in their property tax bills sent a contingent of Canal Walk residents to the Aug. 9 Township Council meeting for help, but they didn’t really get any satisfaction. The residents were basically told that their beef is with the state Legislature, and the age-old process by which property taxes are calculated. They did, though, get an offer from …

Youths’ achievements in scholastics, scouting and sports were highlighted during the July 12 Township Council meeting. The Cedar Hill Preparatory School’s robotics team, which was part of a first place team in an international competition in Germany, was commended by the council for its milestone, as were two DreamCricket Academy cricket teams, one of which won a national tournament and the …

Saying its extended closure could endanger the lives of residents of Franklin and two other towns, the Township Council has asked state officials to resume work on the Route 518 bridge over the Delaware & Raritan Canal. “Not to overstate it, but this is a matter of life and death,” Mayor Phillip Kramer said. Work on the bridge was stopped on …