Borough of Franklin Lakes

09/11/2026

09/10/2026

From the Police Department
Colonial Road Closure and Detour

The Colonial Road project is for the installation of sanitary sewers to service the Ridings development in Oakland. Importantly, Colonial Road is a County of Bergen roadway and the permitting for work on a County road is obtained, necessarily, through the County. The Borough is advised that all permits for the work have been obtained through the County. The Borough has no jurisdiction over excavations within County roads. The Borough does, however, provide traffic control. That is the extent of the Borough’s involvement in this project. Primarily through the cooperation and assistance of the Borough’s Traffic Bureau of the Borough’s Police Department, the Borough has done all that it can to accommodate the project so that the work is completed as expeditiously as possible.

The Borough is advised that the current expectation is that the first phase of the Colonial Road closure will remain in effect through September 18, at the latest. The Borough is advised that there will be a second phase when they dig under the culvert in the area of the Route 208 overpass. If feasible, the Police Department will keep one lane open northbound during this phase. The Borough was advised that this second phase, which is not yet scheduled, would take approximately two weeks to complete.
For more information:
•Police Department's Road Closure Traffic Advisory -
https://conta.cc/4xi7bX0
• Map showing the detour route -
https://conta.cc/3SAx7is
• Map showing the work zone -
https://conta.cc/3UH3wEE

09/02/2026

September 11th Commemoration Ceremony
25th Commemoration
"Remember, Reflect, Never Forget"
Friday, September 11, 5:30 PM

The Mayor and Council of the Borough of Franklin Lakes invite residents to join us as we mark the 25th Commemoration of September 11, 2001, and come together as a community to remember and honor those who lost their lives as a result of the terrorist attacks.

The ceremony will begin with a procession featuring the Mayor and Council, Franklin Lakes Police Department, Fire Department, Ambulance Corps, and Office of Emergency Management, followed by a meaningful program of remembrance at Memorial Garden.

This year, as we commemorate 25 years since September 11, we are especially honored to recognize FDNY first responders who responded on 9/11. Guests are invited to join us in thanking them for their courage, sacrifice, and service.

The ceremony will include musical selections, remarks by Mayor Charles J.X. Kahwaty, family speakers, prayers offered by local clergy, and special tributes honoring those we lost. The evening will conclude with a monarch butterfly release and procession to Memorial Pond.

Please join us as we remember those we lost, honor those who served, and ensure that future generations never forget.

09/01/2026

From Franklin Lakes Police Department
Let’s Work Together to End Drunk Driving!
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will be working alongside the Franklin Lakes Police Department to deter drunk driving and prevent tragedies during the Labor Day holiday weekend. The message is clear: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.
During the 2024 Labor Day holiday (6 p.m. August 30 - 5:59 a.m. September 3), there were 505 traffic crash fatalities nationwide. Of these 505 fatalities, 34% (170) involved a drunk driver. Seventy-seven percent of the impaired drivers killed had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .15 or higher. Among drivers between the ages of 18 and 34 who were killed in crashes over the Labor Day holiday in 2024, 40% of those drivers were drunk, with BACs of .08 or higher.
“We want our community members to understand that it’s our first priority to keep people safe, so we’re asking everyone to plan ahead if they know they’ll be out drinking,” said Chief Mark McCombs. “The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign is an awareness effort to get the message out that drunk driving is illegal and it kills. Let’s make this a partnership between law enforcement and drivers: Help us protect the community and put an end to this dangerous behavior.” Click on the link for full article. https://conta.cc/4zQGniY

09/01/2026

From Franklin Lakes Police Department
“OPERATION SAFE SCHOOL ZONES”
BACK-TO-SCHOOL TRAFFIC SAFETY CAMPAIGN
The Franklin Lakes Police Department is announcing the launch of “Operation Safe School Zones,” a comprehensive back-to-school traffic safety campaign focused on education, awareness, and enforcement in and around local school zones.

The campaign will begin on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, and continue through Friday, September 25, 2026. Enhanced traffic education and enforcement efforts will continue throughout the 2026–2027 school year.

The goal of Operation Safe School Zones is to help prevent traffic-related crashes and injuries by educating motorists, parents, and students about safe driving and pedestrian practices while taking enforcement action against dangerous and unlawful driving behaviors. Click on link below for full article.
https://conta.cc/4qPp7GV

08/28/2026

From the Memorial Garden Committee
This year marks the 25th Commemoration of September 11, 2001—a day that forever changed our nation and our community.

In 2002, Memorial Garden, located behind the Franklin Lakes Public Library, was dedicated in memory of Franklin Lakes residents Thomas Cahill, Frank Deming, Steven Schlag, and Alexia Tsairis, along with the citizens, first responders, firefighters, police officers, and workers who lost their lives in terrorist attacks.

For more than two decades, Memorial Garden has served as a peaceful place of remembrance, reflection, healing, and hope. Featuring an engraved monument, spring-fed pond, waterfall, gardens, benches, bridges, a serenity path, the Remembrance Tree (planted this year), and a piece of steel from the World Trade Center, it stands as a lasting tribute to those we lost and a reminder that we shall never forget.

Originally envisioned as an Eagle Scout project, Memorial Garden has been preserved solely through fundraising efforts and the generous support of our residents, businesses, and community organizations.

As we commemorate this significant milestone, we invite you to help preserve this special place for future generations by making a contribution to the Memorial Garden Trust Fund. See link below for Donation information.

Please submit your donation by September 1, 2026, to have your name recognized on the Borough website (unless you choose to remain anonymous).

Thank you for helping preserve this meaningful tribute and ensuring that future generations will always remember.

Thank you for your support,

Ann Swist and Kathy Cahill-Psirogianes, Co-Chairs
Memorial Garden Committee
https://www.franklinlakes.org/memorialgarden

08/13/2026

ROAD CLOSURE – COLONIAL ROAD
NOTICE: Starting on Monday, August 17, Colonial Road will have a 24-hour closure between Sunset Terrace and Sioux Lane for approximately two weeks due to utility work. Plan alternate routes and follow the detour as needed.
That section of the roadway will be closed to ALL traffic during the specified time above.
For vehicles traveling North on Colonial Road, make a Right turn onto High Mountain Road, Left turn onto Route 208 South, take Summit Avenue Exit. Afterwards, bear Left, make Left turn onto Summit Avenue overpass, and make Left turn onto Franklin Avenue.
For vehicles traveling South on Colonial Road, travel East on Franklin Avenue, turn Right onto Summit Avenue, bear Right onto Route 208 North, then take Colonial Road Exit.
Residents residing at and South of 558 Colonial Road must travel South towards Route 208 to avoid the work.
Residents residing at and North of 556 Colonial Road must travel North towards Franklin Avenue to avoid the work.
The detour route will be clearly marked with MUTCD compliant signs, and monitored by county inspectors and Franklin Lakes Police.
If you have any questions or concerns, contact the Franklin Lakes Police Department at (201) 891-3131.

08/12/2026

ROAD CLOSURE – PARSONS POND ROAD
NOTICE: Starting on Thursday, August 13th, the entire Westbound lane of travel on Parsons Pond Road will be closed from 7:00am until approximately 5:00pm for utility work. The duration of the work is approximately two weeks.
The Eastbound lane of travel, from Old Mill Road to Wyckoff Avenue, will remain open.
Access to Reed Academy and the commuter lot will be available.
If you have any questions or concerns, contact the Franklin Lakes Police Department at (201) 891-3131.

08/07/2026

From the Borough Clerk's Office
Voter Registration Deadline: Tuesday, October 13
General & School Board Election: Tuesday, November 3 – Polls Open 6 AM to 8 PM

The registration deadline for the November 3, 2026, General Election is October 13. Don’t miss your chance to vote!

Check your registration at VOTE.NJ.GOV if you:
• Moved to a different address
• Haven’t voted in a while
• Want to change political party affiliation
• Have changed your last name or other personal information

Questions? Call the Bergen County Superintendent of Elections at 201-336-6109

07/17/2026

As of July 19, 2026, New Jersey's new e-bike law is in full effect. Operating an e-bike or moped—whether a low-speed electric bicycle or a specific kind of motorized bicycle—can be an enjoyable and efficient mode of transportation. In New Jersey, e-bike and moped riders must follow the same traffic laws as any other motor vehicle operator or face potential fines and penalties as per State law. In addition, there are specific rules that apply exclusively to e-bikes and mopeds. It is also important to remember that riding or driving a motorized vehicle in New Jersey is a privilege, not a right. The NJMVC encourages you to drive safely in order to avoid harm to yourself and others.
See additional E-Bike Information by following link below.
https://conta.cc/44AA8BI