Speak Out!

By Bob LaCorte. With rescues and relief efforts happening, the Franklin Township GOP and the Somerset County GOP believe that now is not the time to criticize relief and response efforts. Now is the time to come together and help those in need. We would like to thank the police, fire, first aid and DPW in Franklin and indeed all …

Rutgers Prep students pitched in and cleaned up part of the Delaware & Raritan Canal towpath. (Photo: Franklin Township Environmental; Commission.) Submitted by the Franklin Township Environmental Commission. Earlier this year, the Franklin Township Environmental Commission was contacted by Rutgers Prep senior student, Christian Wright. Christian contacted us because he noticed that during the pandemic our environment became increasingly more …

To the Mayor, Council and Township Manager,  We recently learned that the Township is taking our recommended MV Anti-Idling initiative a large step further.  We have been advised that our DPW is in the process of making new anti-idling signs to be installed in all of our public parking areas throughout the Township.  Manager Vornlocker indicated that if we’re going …

By Bill Connell, Somerset. I am a citizen member of The Open Space Committee. Last night (July 20) we had a lively video meeting and debated to replace the Skate Park at Middlebush Park or do something else with the space like a Spray Ground (a small area with water features).  In this letter I am not speaking for the …

By Mayor Phil Kramer, East Millstone. You’d think being Doctor, Mayor, aerospace engineer and former Air Force pilot would afford me a little adoration from my wife, Laurie. Not so much. Yesterday, finally, something happened to win me that prize.  It started some time ago when the town agreed to spend $300K to add lights to the little league field. …

By Ed Potosnak. I am furious about the recent decision by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to approve Williams Transco’s request for an extension of a certificate to build the Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) pipeline. As those of us who live in Franklin know, our community would get all of the risk without any reward.  The new pipeline would …

Submitted by Barbara Lawrence, Middlebush. Keeping Rural Areas Rural is a goal in the Township Master Plan. That is the basis of my objection to Zoning Board of Adjustment approval of the applications by the Dada Bhagwan Vignan Institute and the Sai Datta Mandir to build temples on South Middlebush Road. Building large structures and large carparks in this protected …

Submitted by Arnold Schmidt. In reference to the proposed South Middlebush Road Dada Bhagwan Vignan Institute project, I have the following questions: 1) How does clear-cutting a mature dense tree stand (up to 12 acres) benefit the people of Franklin by the applicant paying into our tree fund and/or planting a few trees to satisfy an ordinance when doing this …

By Michele Rojek. Franklin Township Boy Scout Troop 113 is ready for some new recruits – and we were lucky to have five prospects come and join us on a fun filled day on Saturday February 27th in the Somerset Presbyterian Church parking lot where we held a skills building competition in lieu of the annual Klondike Derby and during …

By Mayor Phil Kramer. March 15th marks one year from the press release of the first PCR positive case of the virus which causes COVID. Within 2 weeks we will likely reach 5,000 cases and 200 deaths in Franklin. In that year many of us have learned about virology and immunology in ways we never imagined. We know the functional …