Oct. 27, 2006 - Voter Absentee Ballot Application

CIVILIAN ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Print and complete the form below to apply for a Civilian Absentee Ballot.
Mail to:

Mail requests for an absentee ballot must be postmarked no later than seven (7)
days prior to the election for which they are being requested. Registered voters may
apply in person for an absentee ballot up until 3 p.m. the day before the election.

For further information about absentee ballots, call the Somerset County Clerk's
Office at (908) 231-7006. For information about voter registration, call the
Somerset County Board of Elections at (908) 231-7084.

Civilian Absentee Ballot Application

Oct. 27, 2006 - Housing market softens

Oct. 27, 2006 - 5% Tax Hike!

Franklin is facing tax rises in 2007

Franklin Township residents will see a 5 percent rise in the municipal tax levy next year and can expect a similar increase the following year, township officials said.

The township council voted 6-1 to pass a $49.9 million municipal budget Tuesday night in what Councilman Willis Sumter called "record time." Councilwoman Teresa Danile cast the dissenting vote and Councilman Brian Regan was absent for the vote.

David Stegon, of the Home News, reported that Township Manager Ken Daly said in August the township faces a potential $5.5 million deficit in the 2008-09 fiscal year primarily because of rising health-care benefits and insurance costs the township has been forced to pay as state aid has not risen with inflation over recent years.

In order to keep the tax increase level, Daly has proposed cuts from various departments throughout the township, starting with small cuts this year and increasing in coming years.

"Many townships see a deficit and just raise taxes to fill the gap," Daly said. "We try to look at our budget not only this year but five years in advance. By doing so, we can see potential problems before they arise and make plans instead of putting the burden on the taxpayers."

Daly plans to cut $2.5 million from the township's budget for 2007-08 and combine that with a budget surplus expected to be more than $9 million in 2008 to help reduce the potential deficit of $5.5 million, while still keeping more than $3.5 million in surplus for future expenditures.

In the 2007-08 budget, Daly said the town will raise extra revenue and cut spending by altering the Police Department's vehicle-replacement program to every other year, starting this year, and holding capital programs under $1 million and increasing license and nonconstruction permit fees.

The township also will continue its plan of tying one-time revenue streams to one-time expenses, such as last year when the sale of an additional liquor license went to fund renovations to the animal shelter.

"Instead of just putting the money into the surplus, we feel this is an easier way to fund projects," Levine said.

Read the Star Ledger story.   Read more about it.

Oct. 24, 2006 - Volunteers Sought for Fall Clean-Up

 The Somerset County Office of Volunteer Services is looking for volunteers for its annual fall clean-up program.  Volunteers are needed to rake leaves for elderly homeowners around the county.  

The clean-up project will take place Saturday, Nov. 18, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  All participants are invited to lunch at the Office of Volunteer Services.   

The program benefits Somerset County residents age 60 and older, or residents with disabilities, who have no other means to do yard work.   

The Office of Volunteer Services also wants to identify seniors or disabled residents in the county who may need this service.  Yards must be free of dog and cat waste.  The program is free but donations are welcome.

 For more information about volunteering or about benefiting from the leaf-raking project, call Bill Crosby or Rita Donald at (908) 541-5715.

Oct. 24, 2006 - Public Health - PSA

For more information contact the Somerset County Health Department

Oct. 24, 2006 - QUAIL BROOK SENIOR CENTER - Nov Schedule

Line Dancing - Every Monday at 10:00, and Friday at 9:30

Healthy Bones - Monday and Thursday, 1:00

Country Western Dance Lessons w/Ann Gant – Wednesday, 1:30

Chair Exercise – Every Tuesday, 11:00

Bingo – Every Thursday, 11:00

Nov. 9 – Name That Tune Bingo, Donna from Chelsea Assisted Living, 10:30

Nov. 15 - Guitarist/Vocalist: Don Langreich, 11:00 

Nov. 30 – Breast Cancer Awareness – Mobile Health Center, St. Peter’s University Hospital, 11:00

Oct. 20, 2006 - Title Search Can Prevent Last-Minute Delays

Oct. 20, 2006 - 15 BENEFITS OF WORKING WITH A BUYER’S REPRESENTATIVE

Oct. 19, 2006 - Used Tire Drop - Off

Hillsborough - The Somerset County Division of Solid Waste Management is partnering with the Somerset County Road Department to collect old scrap tires, with or without rims. 

County farmers and residents will be able to drop off used tires at the South County Public Works Garage, located at 410 Roycefield Road in Hillsborough.  Tires, with or without rims, will be accepted between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 23, through Friday,
Oct. 27. 

There is no charge to county residents, although there is a limit of eight tires per household. The drop-off program is funded through a grant from the state Department of Environmental Protection.

"Proper disposal of tires benefits our communities," said Freeholder Denise Coyle, solid waste management liaison. "By taking advantage of this free service, residents and farmers will be removing unwanted items from their property that have the potential to collect standing water and attract mosquitoes, which may carry the West Nile virus.

Tires also may be dropped off at the county Recycling Center, located at 40 Polhemus Lane in Bridgewater, as part of the First Saturday of the Month drop-off program. If you miss the tire drop-off dates in October, the next First Saturday Drop-off will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Nov. 4. 

Oct. 19, 2006 - Road & Bridge Projects

Belle Mead – Blawenburg Road, (County Route 601), Township of Montgomery.  The railroad spur serving the 3M plant is scheduled to be reconstructed.  BelleMead – Blawenburg Road will be closed to thru traffic from Route 206 to Dutchtown – Harlingen Road.  A detour will be posted directing traffic along Route 206 to Dutchtown-Harlingen Road, (County Route 604). This project has been delayed until further notice.

 Union Avenue (State Route 28 and Monroe Street, Borough of Somerville/Township of Bridgewater.  Beginning the week of August 21^st this intersection will be under construction for the installation of a traffic signal.

Easton Turnpike (Co. Rt. 614) and Raritan Valley College Drive (Co Rt. 637), Township of Branchburg.   Easton Turnpike from the college entrance to Lamington Road will be under construction beginning the week of August 21^st for a period approximately two months. Traffic will be maintained during construction.

South Middlebush Road, (Co. Rt. 615) at Blackwells Mills Road.  Reconstruction of a retaining wall, replacement of a culvert and installation of a traffic signal will begin by early September of this year. Construction is expected to continue for approximately four months. Traffic will be detoured along Blackwells Mills Road to Van Cleef Road back to Amwell Road. Alternate routes are recommended to avoid delays.

Georgetown-Franklin Turnpike (Co. Rt. 518) from West of Van Zandt Road to Cherry Hill Road, Township of Montgomery.  The reconstruction of this road will begin approximately the second week of this September and will continue into the summer of 2007. Traffic is to be maintained during construction by alternating traffic lanes. To avoid delays alternate routes of travel are suggested.

BRIDGE PROJECTS

Oct. 19, 2006 - “First Saturday of the Month” Drop-off

BRIDGEWATER – The next First Saturday of the Month drop-off will be held on Saturday, Nov. 4, at the Somerset County Recycling Center, located at 40 Polhemus Lane. 

The Recycling Center is open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on First Saturday of the Month drop-off dates.  The last drop-off date in 2006 will be Dec. 2.  

As part of the program, the Recycling Center will accept VCR's, TV's, typewriters, radios, stereo equipment, modems, fax machines, cell phones and used computer electronics such as computers, CPU's, monitors, CRT's and printers. Other items that are accepted include CDs, DVDs, computer disks, diskettes, videotapes and cassette tapes.   

The Recycling Center also accepts tires, scrap metals, used motor oil, anti-freeze, used oil filters, microwave ovens and the usual curbside materials on these drop-off dates. 

For more information, call the Recycling Center at (732) 469-3363.

Oct. 13, 2006 - Lou Dobbs Speaks Up on Critical Need to Vote

 CNN's Lou Dobbs recently said:

“Our country's middle class is not just collateral damage in what has become all-out class warfare. Political, business and academic elites are waging an outright war on working men and women and their families, and there is no chance the American middle class will survive this assault if the dominant forces unleashed over the past five years continue unchecked.

“They've accomplished this through large campaign contributions, armies of lobbyists that have swamped Washington, and control of political and economic think tanks and media. Lobbyists, in fact, are the arms dealers in the war on the middle class, brokering money, influence and information between their clients our elected officials...Our middle class has suffered in silence for far too long, and it cannot afford to suffer or be silent much longer. Hardworking Americans have not spoken out about their increasingly marginalized role in this society, and as a consequence they've all but lost their voice.

“Without that strong, clear and vibrant voice, all the major decisions about America and our future will be made by the elites of government, big business and the dominant special interests. Those elites treasure your silence, as it enables them to claim America's future for their own.”

I could not agree more!

Oct. 13, 2006 - Franklin Township Survey

Oct. 13, 2006 - Franklin Township Housing Market Statistics

AREA MARKET ANALYSIS REPORT - BY TOWN, BEDROOMS (Month To Date)

SEARCH CRITERIA County Code: 27 Town Code: 2708 Period 1: 9/2006 Period 2: 9/2006

BY TOWN: Franklin Twp. (2708)

#Beds Active Listings New Listings Under Contract Sold Listings SP/LP   # Avg. LP Med. LP Avg. DOM # Avg. LP Med. LP Avg. DOM # Avg. LP Med. LP Avg. DOM # Avg. SP Med. SP Avg. DOM   0-2  230  286,539  279,900  77  58  276,459  274,000  16  15  266,306  269,000  80  17  277,068  285,000  69  97%  3  194  365,019  354,900  81  40  379,391  359,900  14  15  345,860  340,000  81  15  355,467  325,700  84  97%  4  214  514,762  479,000  98  34  478,096  449,900  19  19  457,520  435,900  87  15  480,793  480,000  87  97%  5+  37  655,091  596,800  109  4  537,725  417,000  19  2  497,400  424,900  76  0  00  00  0  0%  TOWN  675  401,652  358,000  86  136  364,827  339,000  16  51  370,004  349,900  83  47  367,107  325,000  80  97%

ALL TOWNS 675 401,652   86 136  364,827   16 51 370,004   83 47 367,107   80 97%

© Copyright, Garden State MLS, L.L.C. **Info. deemed RELIABLE but not GUARANTEED - ALL Room Sizes are Approx.** MICHAEL ADAMS

Rpresents period September 1 - 30, 2006

Oct. 5, 2006 - No Change in Local Deer Policy

Recent changes in the State's Deer Carcass Removal Policy will not change how Franklin residents should report dead deer, township officials said.

Roadside deer carcass will still be removed from roads within the township, and residents should continue the existing notification process, which is to call the Franklin Township Police Department's nonemergency number, (732) 873-5533.

Oct. 2, 2006 - It's now a buyer's market!

The National Association of Realtors announced on Sept. 25, 2006, that a key housing statistic, the median sale price of a home, had dropped in August 2006 for the first time in eleven years.

This means right now it's more of a buyers market for homes.

With the supply of homes nationwide currently outweighing the demand the housing market, which is typically a seller's market, has now become a buyers market.

"What that basically means is that your buyers have more purchasing power right now. Also, the interest rates have dropped a little bit, so with the combination of those two, anyone looking to purchase or buy a new home should do so in this time", Realtor Justin Watt said.

Watt has worked for Keller Williams Reality for nearly a year and said even before he got into real estate he knew of the business to be a sellers market.

"It is a long running sellers market for over a decade so we have now shifted into a buyers market, which is a very rare thing," Watt said.

But this rare occurrence could benefit you if you are a buyer looking for a home.

"It is a positive thing because interest rates are down, they have less competition in the market, so they can pick and choose which house they want and get it for a better price than if it were a sellers market", Watt said.

Watt also said that this increase in purchasing power and finance capabilities may also draw more buyers into the market which will not only be a positive for those selling a home but should in turn stabilize market conditions back to normal again.

Until then he offers buyers this advice.

"To look for the best mortgage company they can find, find the best rate, and to kinda be choosy with what home they want to go with", Watt said.

The National Association of Realtors also says that housing prices are expected to continue to have a limited fall throughout the rest of the year and that the sellers market transitioning to a buyer's market can be healthy for some local economies