Township Council Taxes

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.

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 …

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 Council on June 23 approved the purchase of more than $1 million in equipment and services. The purchases were:

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 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.

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.

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 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 …