Taxes

Schools Superintendent John Ravally said that the district has applied for a grant for a “summer academy” for students in grades 1 to 4. The latest step in helping students who are suffering academically because of learning changes forced by the coronavirus pandemic was taken by the Board of Education at its January 28 meeting. The board during the meeting …

Township Councilman Will Galtieri announces that he will no longer pursue the proposed “Grandparents’ park” project at the virtual January 26 Township Council meeting. The push to build a pocket park on Willow Avenue formally ended on January 26, with Township Councilman Will Galtieri publicly pulling the plug on his brainchild. “I have heard you loud and clear and at …

Township Councilwoman Kimberly Francois said during the January 25 Redevelopment Agency meeting that the Council is “not going forward” on the proposed Grandparent’s Park project. A controversial plan to build a small park on Willow Avenue, near New Brunswick Road, appears to be dead, according to a comment made by a Township Councilwoman. Councilwoman Kimberly Francois (D-At Large) made the …

The township is looking into replacing deteriorating benches along trails, and may open up purchases to the public. In a plan discussed at the January 19 Open Space Advisory Committee meeting, residents would be able to “sponsor” the new benches, and dedicate them to loved ones or organizations. Many of the wooden benches that line township trails are falling apart, …

The Township Council heard from residents on January 12 during a virtual hearing involving a proposed park at Willow Avenue and New Brunswick Road. Residents opposed to a proposed “Grandparents’ Park” in Somerset spent more than two hours January 12 expressing their feelings about the plan to the Township Council. The Council held a special hearing on the plan, necessitated …

Getting almost non-existent response from East Franklin businesses to a COVID-19 relief grant program, the Township Council has decided to instead use the money to help township renters. Mayor Phil Kramer said at the November 24 virtual Township Council meeting that given that only one business owner applied for the special Coronavirus Aid Relief & Economic Security (CARES) Act grant, …

The township may temporarily absorb a nearly 7 percent rate increase from New Jersey American Water that has been approved by the state. But that won’t be indefinite, and at some point the increase will be passed on. Mayor Phil Kramer announced the 6.6 percent increase – approved by the state Board of Public Utilities – at the November 24 …

Franklin Township Education Association president Dan Mayer addresses the Board of Education at its November 19 meeting. Mayer refused to answer questions about his comments after the meeting. Plans are being finalized for the November 30 return to hybrid in-person learning in township schools, even as several more cases of coronavirus infection in the district have been confirmed. Another seven …

FTPD Lt. Kirsten Durham, foreground, settled her discrimination and harassment lawsuit against the township and police department for a bulk $300,000 payment and other considerations. (File photo.) The township has agreed to pay $300,000 to a Franklin Township Police lieutenant and keep her on paid administrative leave until mid-2021 to settle a discrimination and harassment lawsuit the lieutenant filed in …

Whether the township can legally lease the Six Mile Run Reservoir Site land from the state will be the topic of discussion soon between the Township Manager and township attorney. Township Manager Robert Vornlocker said he would discuss the issue with township attorney Louis N. Rainone. Vornlocker did not sound optimistic about the idea being workable for the township. Language …