Township Council Taxes

Acting on a suggestion from a Township Councilman, Township Manager Robert Vornlocker is researching prices for a mini-fleet of electric cars. Vornlocker said he’d like to have a recommendation to propose to the council during the 2018 budgeting process. Vornlocker said he’s looking at five cars, which would probably be used by the construction department. The cars cost about $35,000 …

The purchase of a data storage unit and amendments to several contracts were approved by the Township Council at its Oct. 24 meeting. The council approved a $70,000 contract with Starnet Solutions of Farmingdale for a data storage unit to replace an aging one in the township’s data center. The purchase was made through a state contract. A $25,000 contract …

Contracts worth more than $450,000 were awarded Oct. 10 by the Township Council. The council approved a $400,000 contract with Total Lawn Care & Landscape Services of Somerset for 20 snow plowing routes for the 2017-2018 snow season. The rate for the contract is $175 per hour for each truck, and the contract can be extended for two additional snow …

It looks as though issues with the state have been resolved, and the woes associated with a water main in Little Rocky Hill may finally be coming to an end. Township Councilman Ted Chase (D-Ward 1) made the announcement at the Sept. 26 council meeting. Chase has been working on getting the main replaced for at least the last five …

Among the goods and services purchased were: $36,700 for shade trees for Middlebush Park from Northern Nurseries of Somerset. The cost is for the trees only, the township’s Department of Public Works will plant them. $73,742.58 for two 2017 10-foot Stainless Steel Dump Bodies, $36,871.29 each. The bodies will be installed on: Two 2018 Model SD 108 Freightliner Cab and …

A $73,000 contract to create an AM radio station for the township was awarded to a Michigan-based company by the Township Council. The station – the frequency of which has not yet been determined – is mainly envisioned to serve as a way to reach township residents with important information during emergencies, especially during widespread power outages, Mayor Phil Kramer …

More than $240,000 in Community Development Block Grant applications were approved Aug. 8 by the Township Council. CDBG grants, as they are known, originate at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and are used to help communities “address a wide range of unique community development needs,” according to the program’s web site. According to Deborah Mitchell, the township’s …

Catalpa Park could be open by the fall of 2018, now that the Township Council has green-lighted the final concept plan. The park’s two cricket pitches – the source of much of the controversy over the park during the past three years – should be ready for play by the spring of 2019, according to one of the engineers planning …

Update: Franklin Township is one of three towns in Somerset County identified as possible branch sites, Somerset County YMCA David Carcieri said in an email. Carcieri declined to name the other two, but wrote that “the interest and enthusiasm of Franklin township officials, and the community, have been the catalyst for advancing this opportunity.” “Franklin was identified primarily based on …

The chaining off of Ari Drive at Julie Court was once again a hot topic during a Township Council meeting. Most of the residents of streets affected by the chains who showed up at the May 30 council meeting praised the decision, but there were some who opposed it. The council on Feb. 14 voted to install the chain in …