Tuesday May 4 I attended a Board of Education meeting which was originally scheduled as a combined Township Committee / Board of Education meeting to discuss the recently defeated school budget. Here is a link to the meeting announcement:
http://www.nj.com/hunterdon-county-democrat/index.ssf/2010/05/franklin_twp_committee_cancels.html
I attended the meeting as a member of the public but let's be honest, as a committeeman I wanted to hear what the public had to say about the budget. I will never by-pass an opportunity to hear what the public has to say about any issue. There were probably about 70-90 folks at the meeting and about 30 of them spoke publicly of their support for the school budget and teachers. BOE President Chris Piparo did a splendid job presenting the budget which included new information from the 3/29 public hearing. The link to the BOE webiste is http://www.ftschool.org/FTS_HOME/BOE.html but you can't click on many of the budget powerpoint presentations.. disappointing.
The Township Committee is deciding on the budget on at 7:30 PM, Thursday May 13 at the Faith Chapel Wesleyan Church, 43 Lower Landsdown Road http://www.faithchapelwesleyan.com/DIRECTIONS.php
Since the school budget vote I have received many phone calls and emails from Franklin residents; I am diligently gathering information and public opinion and I will be ready to cast my vote on May 13. Even if you have thought about dropping me a line or a emailing me- do so- I've learned a-plenty from our residents.
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Due to the Board of Education meeting I was not able to attend the Recreation Commission meeting- I have not yet received an update from the Commission on what happened but as soon as I do I will let you all know.
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Thursday May 6 I attended the monthly Rural Awareness meeting
http://www.ruralawareness.org/
The winners of the annual student essay contest were announced, members were updated on the October House Tour, they agreed to allocate $1,500 for the repair of the little red schoolhouse roof, there was a brief discussion about their mission statement, the Hiram Deats Award, the pros and cons on joining Preservation New Jersey, and the recent removal of 2 Norway maple trees in front of the municipal building. I really enjoy attending the Rural Awareness meetings- even if I weren't in public office I would be a part of Rural Awareness- they do good work and they care about Franklin.
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Of note: it's pothole season... you don't need a hunting license and there is no limit.. if you notice potholes on township roads report it by contacting Public Works manager Alan Dilley at 908-735-8384. When he gets a call a crew goes out there and fixes it. We have about 35 miles of township roads that Alan and his crew does an excellent job maintaining them. To report a pothole on a county road call the Department of Roads and Bridges at 908-788-1178; for potholes on state highways call 800-768-4653.
Showing posts with label Rural Awareness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rural Awareness. Show all posts
Monday, May 10, 2010
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Week of January 31
Thank you Public Works Department for doing a great job keeping our streets safe and clear of snow this past week. I had two meetings this week.. Tuesday Feb 2 with the Recreation Commission, and Thursday Feb 4 with Rural Awareness.
I am the Committee representative to the Recreation Commission. The Recreation Commission needs members!!! They are 5 members short and need your help! The Rec Commission runs the annual fishing derby, Easter egg hunt, they participate in a basketball league, run a 2 week summer day camp for Franklin residents, and participate in the Trunk or Treat program for Halloween. They run these activities well but they need new blood to get them to the next level.. thinking ahead.. creating and achieving longer term goals..Franklin needs an active recreation park.. ie a playground for residents. Are you tired of driving your kids to Union or Alexandria or Clinton in order to go to a playground? The Rec Commission by-laws allow them to purchase / acquire land.. pretty powerful stuff but as they stand now, it would be difficult to accomplish this. The Rec Commission first needs new members, then they need to define their goals, and incorporate them in the form of a Recreation Element in our master plan. Let's work together on reviving the Recreation Commission! Contact me or the Township Clerk if you are interested in being part of Franklin's Future.
Rural Awareness is a non-political non-profit group; I wont speak on their behalf- check out their website at http://www.ruralawareness.org/
I really enjoy attending the RA meetings- they meet on the first Thursdays of each month. Given the a-political nature, it gives me a chance to meet the people of Franklin who cherish and wish to preserve the rural nature and character of Franklin. They host candidates night for the School Board elections, they authored a picture book on the history of Franklin (about to be released soon!), and they are sponsoring a house tour of historic homes on October 9. Do check out their website for updates on their activities or stop by the Snyder Farm at 730PM on the first Thursdays of each month.
This coming week I have the Land Use Board meeting and Township Committee meeting. If you are interested in knowing more about the School addition, the Land Use Board will be reviewing the plans and representatives of the school board will be present to answer our questions. I look forward to keeping Franklin citizens up to date and aware of the progress of this project.
I am the Committee representative to the Recreation Commission. The Recreation Commission needs members!!! They are 5 members short and need your help! The Rec Commission runs the annual fishing derby, Easter egg hunt, they participate in a basketball league, run a 2 week summer day camp for Franklin residents, and participate in the Trunk or Treat program for Halloween. They run these activities well but they need new blood to get them to the next level.. thinking ahead.. creating and achieving longer term goals..Franklin needs an active recreation park.. ie a playground for residents. Are you tired of driving your kids to Union or Alexandria or Clinton in order to go to a playground? The Rec Commission by-laws allow them to purchase / acquire land.. pretty powerful stuff but as they stand now, it would be difficult to accomplish this. The Rec Commission first needs new members, then they need to define their goals, and incorporate them in the form of a Recreation Element in our master plan. Let's work together on reviving the Recreation Commission! Contact me or the Township Clerk if you are interested in being part of Franklin's Future.
Rural Awareness is a non-political non-profit group; I wont speak on their behalf- check out their website at http://www.ruralawareness.org/
I really enjoy attending the RA meetings- they meet on the first Thursdays of each month. Given the a-political nature, it gives me a chance to meet the people of Franklin who cherish and wish to preserve the rural nature and character of Franklin. They host candidates night for the School Board elections, they authored a picture book on the history of Franklin (about to be released soon!), and they are sponsoring a house tour of historic homes on October 9. Do check out their website for updates on their activities or stop by the Snyder Farm at 730PM on the first Thursdays of each month.
This coming week I have the Land Use Board meeting and Township Committee meeting. If you are interested in knowing more about the School addition, the Land Use Board will be reviewing the plans and representatives of the school board will be present to answer our questions. I look forward to keeping Franklin citizens up to date and aware of the progress of this project.
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