Meadows Foundation Presents N.J. Poets  On Saturday, November 7, 2 p.m. noted New Jersey poets Charles Johnson and Diane Lockward will present readings from their works at the Tulipwood property, 1165 Hamilton Street, Somerset, New Jersey. Both poets have been nominated for the prestigious Pushcart Prize in poetry, and have won numerous other awards for their work. Copies of their works will be available for sale and signing after the program. Tickets are $10 each and reservations are strongly suggested. They can be made by calling 732-560-1977. 10/24/2009

Want to help clean up the environment? Got a few hours to give to your community on November 7th?Then join us in a community clean-up of old trash from the beautiful Butler Road Natural Area. Due to the limited parking in this area, a municipal shuttle bus will take you to the site. When:                 Saturday, November 7, 2009 at 9:30 AM Shuttle                Shuttle will run between the Community & Senior Center and the Butler Road Naturaltimes:                  Area beginning at 9:30 and approximately every 45 minutes thereafter until 1:15 PM. Place:                  Meet in the parking lot next to the Community & Senior Center, 475 DeMott Lane, Somerset The Butler Road Natural Area is located at 134 Butler Road, Franklin Park.  Trail maps are can be downloaded at http://www.fra... 10/11/2009

The Franklin Township Public Library is seeking VOLUNTEERS to attend focus groups so they can learn more about what community members need from the library.    They hope we can join them for one of the dates listed below.  Please also share this information with family, friends, co-workers and neighbors in Franklin Township.      Saturday, September 12th @ 10:30am Monday, September 14th @ 7pm Tuesday, September 22nd @ 7pm Saturday, September 26th @ 10:30am Franklin Township Public Library 485 DeMott Lane Somerset, NJ 08873              09/11/2009

FYI - On Saturday, September 12, 2009 the Family Readiness Group of the NJ Army National Guard 50th Chemical Company in conjunction with the Township of Franklin will be welcoming home our local troops from their latest deployment in Iraq with a celebration in Somerset, NJ. As part of the celebration, troops will be honored at the Warrior Football Field located at the Franklin Middle School beginning at 12:30 pm. At 1:00 pm the troops will march from Hillcrest School, down Franklin Boulevard, to the Armory on Hamilton Street. 09/09/2009

LOCATION  LOCATION  LOCATION 79 Claremont Road, Franklin Park, NJ 08823 This small 3/1 Ranch on a great wooded corner lot (almost a 1/2 acre) may be just what a buyer needs. HOME WARRANTY included. Located in one of the most desirable sections of Franklin Township, you can leave the car in the garage because this home is within walking distance of the elementary school, shopping and public transportation to New York City. ASKING ONLY $325,000 08/24/2009

Broadband service tops the list among current users A national study of U.S. broadband consumers by RVA LLC Market Research and Consulting shows that 82% of those buyers who have had broadband service over fiber all the way to the home rank it as the leading real estate development amenity. Four other key prospective features ranked lower among buyers shopping for a new home. In another RVA study, very high-speed Internet-such as over fiber-ranked second only to landscaping and setting on a list of 23 amenities, ahead of features such as pools, home automation, shops, a fitness center, a dog park, a golf course, Wi-Fi at the pool area, day care or concierge services.  A national random survey of more than 600 fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) consumer users was conducted in May. Respondents were... 08/19/2009

-First-time homebuyer credit. This credit reaches $8,000 for purchases between January 1 and November 30, 2009. Taxpayers must be qualified buyers and satisfy income requirements. Eligible taxpayers also can file an amended 2008 tax return to receive the credit sooner.   08/07/2009

July 2009 Franklin Township Monthly Market Report   According to the Garden State MLS, the month of July, 2009 ended with 43 Franklin Township single family residences sold.  Sale prices ranged between $171,500 and $715,000 . The month ended with 400 active listings on the market ranging in price from $119,900 to $1,265,000 The month ended with 55 residential properties under contract. That's what is happening in the marketplace now, August 6, 2009 If you have a question about a specific property in town, or stats for surrounding areas, please don't hesitate to contact me. Source: Garden State MLS, L.L.C. **Info. deemed RELIABLE but not GUARANTEED - ALL Room Sizes are Approx.**  The links will expire 60 days from 08/06/2009. 08/06/2009

What's happening in the marketplace, now - August 6, 2009 According to the Garden State MLS, currently there are two (3) homes actively listed for sale in this Franklin Township Townhouse development, at the time of posting.  The three available are one 2-story townhouses with 3 bedrooms-2.5 baths and two single level ranches with 3-bedrooms-2 baths. View these active listings. There is one new listing since my last report to you on July 6, 2009.  The three actively listed home prices range between $249,000 and $309,000.  There have been no Carriage Homes at Quailbrook sales since the last report. One property is currently under contract for sale. That's what is happening in the marketplace now, August 6, 2009. If you have specific questions about a Carriage Home proprerty or any local ... 08/06/2009

Consumer disclosures and the Truth in Lending Act (TILA) Regulation Z" is a federal regulation requiring creditors to provide full disclosure of the terms of a loan including the terms or the loan and the annual percentage rate (APR). Changes that became effective July 30, 2009 requires that lenders must comply with new rules under the Truth in Lending Act (TILA) as required under the Mortgage Disclosure Improvement Act (MDIA) which was part of  The Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008. These changes are expected to slow the timeline for obtaining a new mortgage or refinacing to a minimum of two months - at best.  There are some predictions the new reality might be a timeline of up to four months.  This is because it is anticipated that many lenders may add their own time restricti... 08/05/2009

Events near Somerset What's Cooking? A Display of Kitchen Tools & Accessories  Through 01/15/2010 16 Maple St., East Brunswick, NJ 08816 www.eastbrunswickmuseum.org (732) 257-1508 Estate Park and Nature Tour  07/24/2009 - 07/26/2009 80 Route 206 South, Hillsborough, NJ 08844 www.dukefarms.org  (908) 722-3700  An Introduction to Native Plants for the Home Gardener  07/25/2009 80 Route 206 South, Hillsborough, NJ 08844 www.dukefarms.org (908) 722-3700 Rutgers Gardens Open House and Wine Tasting Festival   07/25/2009 112 Ryders Ln., New Brunswick, NJ 08901 www.rutgersgardens.rutgers.edu (732) 932-8451    Wonder Walk for Families: Mysteries of the Meadow  07/25/2009 80 Route 206 South, Hillsborough, NJ 08844 www.dukefarms.org  (908) 722-3700    Scenic Bike Tour of Duke Farms  07/25/2009 80 ... 07/23/2009

Nominations For Environmental Stewardship Awards The Franklin Township Environmental Commission is seeking nominations for the third annual Environmental Stewardship awards.  Awards will be presented in the fall of 2009 to an outstanding individual and organization or corporation that has contributed to the improvement of the environment in Franklin Township. For more information contact the Commission at franklinenvcomm@gmail.com 06/17/2009

The communities of Somerset and Middlesex counties will get a taste of Caribbean culture on June 27 when New Jersey Caribbean Festival 2009 will offer the spice-infused cuisine, diverse music rhythms and vibrant art of the islands, commonly called the West Indies.   Organized by the Jamaica Organization of New Jersey, the Somerset County Cultural Diversity Coalition and the Hamilton Street Business and Community Corporation, the street festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 720 Hamilton St., in the business district section of Franklin Township in Somerset County, N.J.   The Caribbean festival will be rich with familiar cultural expressions, such as foods embellished with curry and jerk seasonings, steel bands, cultural dances and performances by Caribbean artists. The event wi... 06/11/2009

May 2009 Franklin Township Monthly Market Report According to the Garden State MLS, the month of May, 2009 ended with 30 Franklin Township single family residences sold.  Sale prices ranged between $130,000 and $617,500 . The month ended with 401 active listings on the market ranging in price from $120,000 to $1,265,000. There are 100 residential properties under contract. That's what is happening in the marketplace now, June 6, 2009 If you have a question about a specific property in town, or stats for surrounding areas, please don't hesitate to contact me. Source: Garden State MLS, L.L.C. **Info. deemed RELIABLE but not GUARANTEED - ALL Room Sizes are Approx.** 06/06/2009

What's happening in the marketplace, now - June 5, 2009 According to the Garden State MLS, currently there are two (2) homes actively listed for sale in this Franklin Township Townhouse development, at the time of posting.  The two available are 2-story townhouses with 3 bedrooms-2.5 baths. View these active listings. There are no new listings since my last report to you on May 4, 2009.  Both actively listed prices range between $298,000 and $299,000.  There has been one Carriage Homes at Quailbrook sale since the last report; 246 Glastonbury Ln, 3-bdrm/2.5 baths - $300,000. *DOM=19 Two properties are currently under contract for sale and one additional is in attorney review. That's what is happening in the marketplace now, June 5, 2009. If you have specific questions about a Carriage H... 06/06/2009

 FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP GETS HONOR FOR HELPING GREEN AMERICA SEVENTH YEAR FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP NAMED TREE CITY USA   FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP, New Jersey-April 13, 2009-The National Arbor Day Foundation has named Franklin Township a Tree City USA for 2008 in recognition of Franklin's program to care for community trees. It is the seventh year Franklin Township has received this national recognition. The National Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service sponsors the Tree City USA program. Franklin Mayor Brian Levine said, "Franklin Township is proud to have again been designated Tree City USA, and we thank the members of Franklin's Shade Tree Commission and volunteers for their work in our forestry program. We also want to thank T... 04/15/2009

  An update of Franklin Township's Master Plan recommends the development of a park for active and passive recreation in the southern end of the township.  Officials have identified three(3) potential park locations in the Franklin Park area.  Prior to moving forward with the concept plans the Township has distributed a survey to Township residents asking for feedback on interest, need and preferred site.  The three sites are: THE CATALPA PROPERTY LOCATED ON SOUTH MIDDLEBUSH ROAD AND OLD VLIET ROAD THE DUNN & GUNTHER FARMS LOCATED AT THE CORNER OF SOUTH MIDDLEBUSH ROAD AND SUYDAM ROAD LAND CURRENTLY OWNED BY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION ON CLAREMONT ROAD Township residents are encouraged to participate in the types of recreational activities they would like included in the new park as well as... 04/15/2009

NOW ASKING $3750 PER MONTH - FRANKLIN PARK, NEW JERSEY THE RENTAL HAS JUST BEEN REDUCED ON THIS BEAUTIFUL 6 BEDROOM/4.5 BATH COLONIAL SITED ON ALMOST 3 ACREAS OF LAND.  UPGRADES INCLUDE BUILTIN CABINETRY, WALKOUT BASEMENT, SUNROOM, 2 FIREPLACES, 3 CAR GARAGE, AND MUCH MORE. GLORIA LAUGHTON ALLSTON, REALTOR, SRES BURGDORFF ERA - PRINCETON, 264 NASSAU STREET, PRINCETON, NJ 08542 - (609)252-2319 04/10/2009

I just completed the core course requirement for my NAR GREEN certification and it was unbelievably enlightening.  The course encourages the real estate professional to become an advocate for Green principles in the design and use of homes and to become a positive force for creating sustainable communities.  The next step is to take the Elective follow up course in April that specifically targets a field of interest and/or expertise - residential, commercial or property management.  I am very excited about this initiative and plan to ride this GREEN wave all the way in the residential field for the benefit of future generations. Gloria Laughton Allston, REALTOR, SRES BURGDORFF ERA REALTORS, PRINCETON, NJ         03/28/2009

Franklin Township - Sunday, March 28-29, 2009 Regardless of the listing agent, office or MLS service; if you are not already working with an agent, give me a call or send an e-mail and I will be happy to arrange a personal tour of any listed property or open house that you might find on the Internet, print media or yard sign. Contact MeThere is no need to feel overwhelmed. Click here for Buyer Advice.  And most importantly, as a buyer read why you might not want to venture out on your own... http://tinyurl.com/acv5zx            At the time of posting the following properties are scheduled for an Open House, this coming Saturday and/or Sunday.  Click here to view pictures of this week's Open Houses. Listing information provided by Garden State MLS  **Info. deemed RELIABLE but not GUARAN... 03/27/2009