Open Space/Environment Taxes

Update: John Hutchison, the D&R Canal Commission’s executive director, shed more light on the issue. Hutchison said that at the March 20 commission meeting, it was learned that the new cost estimate for the bridge was $876,000, with a 10 percent contingency. “Commissioners agreed that in light of the revised cost estimate, that it may be appropriate to suspend consideration …

Members of the township Open Space Advisory Committee are willing to shoulder some of the cost of laborers to help maintain township parks, but they want the township to chip in, too. The committee on Feb. 17 voted down a suggestion from the Township Committee that it shoulder the entire $100,000 cost of two new laborers in the Department of …

An ordinance authorizing funding for the reconstruction of tennis and basketball courts at Castelton Park was introduced Aug. 12 by the Township Council. The council wants to earmark up to $275,000 for the project, which will involve reconstructing the park’s two tennis courts and two basketball courts. The money will come from the township’s Open Space Trust Fund, according to the …

A proposed design for new historic village identification signs was shot down Dec. 3 by the Historic Preservation Advisory Commission. The commission gave Tiffany Delaney, the township’s special projects coordinator, a new set of guidelines for what chairman Andrew Burian said he hoped would be a more “elegant” design. The original plan, approved in October by the Open Space Advisory …

Single-stream recycling is coming to the township. Township Councilman Ted Chase (Ward 1) told members at the Nov. 12 meeting that Somerset County wants to expand its pilot program, started earlier this year, into the township next year. The plan, he said, is to start the new pickups in June, “after extensive publicity.” Under single-stream recycling, all recyclable materials can …

New identifying signs for the township’s three historic districts were approved by the Open Space Advisory Committee. The committee took the action at its Oct. 15th meeting. The plan still must be approved by the Historic Preservation Advisory Commission. Each district would get up to three signs, at a cost of between $1,200 and $1,500 per village, said Tiffany Delaney, …

It’s that time of year again; the curbside leaf collection program will begin Oct. 28 and run through Nov. 29. The leaf drop-off program started Oct. 21, and also runs through Nov. 29. Regardless of whether they are picked up or dropped off, the leaves must be placed in brown paper biodegradable bags with the Franklin Township logo imprinted, or …

Seasonal agricultural signs would be allowed on township open space under a proposal approved by the open Space Advisory Committee. The committee at its Oct. 15 meeting voted to recommend that the Township Council amend the ordinance banning such signs to allow the temporary seasonal signs. Only the council can change ordinances. The proposal was added to the agenda at …

A pond dredging project at Colonial Park ended up costing about $300,000 less than anticipated. The Somerset County Freeholders at their Oct. 8 meeting are expected to authorize the final payment to Netcong-based Salmon Brothers for dredging and dam repair at Duck and Mettler’s ponds. The final cost will be $892,489.91, which is $307,470.09 less than what had been budgeted. …

The historic Wyckoff-Garretson Wagon and Barn House on South Middlebush Road will get a $53,000 fix-up, thanks to a grant recently received by the Meadows Foundation. The $53,380 grant is from the Somerset County Open Space, Recreation, Farmland and Historic Preservation Trust Fund. The Meadows Foundation’s grant was one of six totaling $895,000 awarded by the trust fund earlier this …