Taxes

School board business administrator Jonathan Toth was one of two administrators to receive merit bonus approval at the August 27 board meeting. More than $28,000 in merit bonuses for two district administrators were approved by the Board of Education at its August 27 meeting. Jonathan Toth, the district’s business administrator, earned $14,225.92 in bonuses, while Dan Loughren, the assistant superintendent …

Schools Superintendent John Ravally received a total of $16,689.96 in merit bonuses at the August 12 Board of Education meeting. The Board of Education on August 12 approved nearly $17,000 in merit bonuses for schools Superintendent John Ravally. This marks the last year that Ravally will be eligible for the bonuses. His new $230,000, 5-year contract, ratified in June, eliminates …

Schematic showing work to be done on part of Amwell Road. A part of Amwell Road will be closed from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. weekdays from July 28 through August 8, according to the Somerset County Engineering Department. The part of the road to be closed is between Mettlers Road and Elizabeth Avenue. A marked detour will be in …

Public comments are still being accepted for the township’s proposed plan on how to spend more than $500,000 in federal Community Development Block Grant program money. The money comes from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, and is used to support public services, public facilities and housing projects that service low-income communities. The township’s proposed plan includes $41,035 …

The Township Council on June 23 approved the purchase of more than $1 million in equipment and services. The purchases were: $351,613.50 to Z Brothers Construction of Sayreville for resurfacing of the Public Works parking lot at Ninth Street and Willow Avenue.$390,577 to DeSantis Construction of Somerset for the resurfacing of Jacques Lane.$30,000 each contract for appraisal services to Sterling …

Schools Superintendent John Ravally on June 18 was given a renegotiated 5-year contract worth $230,000 in its first year. (File photo). The Board of Education on June 18 approved a renegotiated contract with the schools Superintendent that gives him a hefty base salary increase while eliminating merit bonuses. Under the new five-year contract, Ravally’s salary will be $230,573 for the …

Franklin Township is not likely to join the “defund the police” campaign that is arising across the country, officials said on June 11. The reason, officials say, is that the township police department isn’t funded to the extent that would make that practical. The comments came from Mayor Phil Kramer, Township Manager Robert Vornlocker and Public Safety Director Quovella Spruill …

The township will distribute about $161,000 to support the Franklin Food Bank, COVID testing, and to help township businesses retain employees. The money comes from a special Coronavirus Aid Relief & Economic Security (CARES) Act allocation made through the federal Community Development Block Grant program. Council members decided to allocate $85,933 to small township businesses, $50,000 for coronavirus testing and …

Nearly $14 million in goods and services purchases were approved May 26 by the Township Council. The largest expenditure – $10,200,000 – was awarded to 17 companies for engineering consulting services. Each of the contracts is worth $600,000. The firms receiving the contracts are: Prestige Environmental, Inc., SomersetCME Associates, ParlinVan Cleef Engineering Associates, HillsboroughMott MacDonald, IselinBoswell Engineering, South HackensackGannett Fleming, …

Mayor Phil Kramer said the pandemic has not yet affected the township’s finances. (File photo.) Unlike some other towns in New Jersey, Franklin’s financial picture has not been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, revenues are up when compared to the same period last year, Mayor Phil Kramer said. The only area showing a decrease is the water utility, …