Taxes

A section of Route 27 will be closed for several months starting May 4 to allow for the next phase of work on the Ten Mile Run tributary culvert project, state transportation officials said. The shutdown will affect traffic on Route 27 north, from just south of County Road 518/Georgetown-Franklin Turnpike, according to a press release from the state Department …

The Township Council introduced a series of bonding ordinances at its April 28 virtual meeting. The Township Council on April 28 took several actions that will lead to spending nearly $17 million on equipment and capital improvement programs. The Council voted to amend the 2019 Community Block Grant Action Plan by transferring $170,793.95 in unused grant money for unfinished or …

Amwell Road reconstruction work is hoped to reduce traffic accidents along the thoroughfare. The reconstruction of a portion of Amwell Road is scheduled to resume on May 5, according to the Somerset County engineering department. The work will be performed on weekdays between Mettlers Lane and Elizabeth Avenue, between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m., according to a notice posted by …

A $168 million preliminary budget for the 2020-2021 school year was adopted March 23 by the Board of Education. The board met in a conference call due to the continuing coronavirus pandemic. The $167,943,278 estimated operating budget is up nearly $3 million, or 2 percent, from the 2019-20 figure of $165,027,353. The budget is powered by a total tax levy …

Township Manager Robert Vornlocker presented the Council with a $63 million proposed budget. A $63 million spending plan was introduced March 10 by the Township Council. The $62,827,195.19 2020 budget – up $895,857 over the 2019 budget of $61,931,338 – is powered by a tax levy of $25,751,390.71. That’s an increase of $614,888.79 over the 2019 levy. Although the budget …

The Township Council on February 25 approved salary hikes for commissioners in two of the township’s Fire Districts. Salary hikes for Fire Commissioners in Fire Districts 1 and 2 were approved February 25 by the Township Council. The salary for commissioners in Fire District 1 – except the chairman – was increased from $7,000 to 8,000 annually, a 14 percent …

Carl Hauck, the township’s Public Works manager, FTPD Sgt. Brian Farrar, FTPD Lt. Phil Rizzo and Township Manager Robert Vornlocker, left to right, at the Township Council’s budget hearing on February 18. The Franklin Township Police Department presented the Township Council with nearly $3 million in budget wish-list requests at the Council’s second budget hearing on February 18. The requests …

The Township Council approved a number of purchases on December 10. Nearly $300,000 in purchases for the police, public works and fire prevention departments were approved December 10 by the Township Council. The council voted to award Atlantic Uniform Company of Belleville a $94,530 contract for the purchase of bullet proof vests for police officers. Kimco USA of Marshall, Illinois …

The township will increase its inventory of electric car charging stations in the next year. The township is adding another electric car charging station to its inventory, with more to come, but the “free ride” now given to electric car owners may end. The Township Council at its November 26 meeting formally accepted a $12,000 grant to install a charging …

Township Manager Robert Vornlocker said that some former Consolata Missionaries’ property is being looked at for a dog park. The township is considering creating a dog park on part of the former Consolata Missionaries property on Route 27. Township Manager Robert Vornlocker made the revelation at the November 26 Township Council meeting, in response to a suggestion from a resident. …