Borough Offices Closed
Thursday, November 27 and Friday, November 28
Borough Hall will be closed in observance of Thanksgiving and the day after Thanksgiving. There will be a special town wide garbage collection on Friday, November 28.
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Extra Holiday Garbage Collection
Friday, November 28
The Mayor and Council have made special arrangements with Gaeta Recycling for all Borough residents to receive an additional garbage collection the day after Thanksgiving.
The special collection is scheduled for Friday, November 28. All residents will have this extra garbage collection on Friday, November 28. Please place your garbage at the curb the night before or by 6:00 AM on Friday morning. Since this is a special collection, pickup times may differ than your regular garbage collection. Please limit your garbage to regular kitchen trash. No furniture, carpet or non-kitchen garbage items will be picked up. Information is available at www.franklinlakes.org/holidayschedule.
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From Police Department
Don’t Be a Turkey:
Make a Plan for Thanksgiving Eve
As people across the country make plans to kick off Thanksgiving on the night before the holiday, popularly known as Thanksgiving Eve or Drinksgiving, the Franklin Lakes Police Department and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reminds drivers that Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving. Drinking and driving is a deadly choice; drivers should always commit to sober driving or make plans for a safe ride.
Full article on website.
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From Police Department
Seat Belt Use Isn’t Just the Law, It’s Life or Death
The Franklin Lakes Police Department and NHTSA Remind Drivers to Click It or Ticket.
This Thanksgiving holiday, The Franklin Lakes Police Department is teaming up with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to remind drivers — and everyone in the car — to buckle up. The Franklin Lakes Police Department’s high-visibility Click It or Ticket seat belt enforcement campaign, which runs from November 22-30, 2025, focuses on reducing the number of fatalities that occur when vehicle passengers fail to buckle up. If law enforcement spot someone unbelted, they will pull the driver over and issue a ticket. Full article on website.
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Leaf Compost and Recycling Center
Holiday Hours
The Recycling Center will be closed starting at 2:30 PM on Wednesday, November 26, 2025 and closed Thursday, November 27, 2025 and Friday, November 28, 2025. The Recycling Center will re-open on Saturday, November 29, 2025 from 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM.
The Leaf Compost Facility will be closed starting at 2:30 PM on Wednesday, November 26, 2025 and closed Thursday, November 27, 2025 and Friday, November 28, 2025. The Leaf Compost Facility will re-open on Saturday, November 29, 2025 from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
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From Fire Department
Santa is Coming to Franklin Lakes
Sunday, December 7, 2025
The Franklin Lakes Volunteer Fire Department is excited to welcome Santa back to town for our annual Santa Run and Kids Christmas Party!
Santa Run – 10:00 AM
Starting at 10 AM, listen for the sirens and keep an eye out for Santa riding through the neighborhoods on a fire truck. Wave from your driveway and share in the holiday spirit as Santa tours Franklin Lakes with the FLFD.
Kids Christmas Party – 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Join us at Fire Headquarters, 479 Bender Court (across from Franklin Avenue Middle School) for an afternoon full of holiday fun.
Activities for Children:
- Meet Santa and receive a gift
- Enjoy hot chocolate and cookies
- Write letters to Santa
- Watch holiday movies
- Donate toys to support local families in need
Bring your family, your holiday cheer, and help us celebrate the season together. We look forward to seeing you on December 7th!
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From Community Director
Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
Veterans Plaza next to the Gazebo
Tuesday, December 9, 6:00 PM
Please join Mayor Charles J.X. Kahwaty and the Borough Council for our Annual Christmas Tree Lighting on Tuesday, December 9 at 6:00 PM at Veterans Plaza, located at the corner of Franklin Avenue and Bender Court. This cherished community tradition is sponsored by the Borough of Franklin Lakes, the Franklin Lakes Library, and the Franklin Lakes Mayors Wellness Campaign.
We are excited to welcome our special visitors from the North Pole, and the Franklin Avenue Middle School Choir will set the festive tone with a holiday performance. After the tree is lit, families are invited to continue the celebration by visiting Mr. and Mrs. Claus inside the gazebo, where children can share their Christmas wishes and take a photo. Guests will also have the opportunity to step inside our life-sized snow globe for a memorable holiday photo experience. Snacks and refreshments, generously donated by The Market Basket, will be served. The event will take place rain or shine.
The Franklin Lakes Girl Scouts, in partnership with the Mayors Wellness Campaign, will be hosting a Toys for Tots Drive during the ceremony. Residents are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to support children in need this holiday season. Operation Toy Train will arrive in Franklin Lakes on December 14, when all toys donated through Franklin Lakes Living Healthy and the Girl Scouts will be collected.
We look forward to celebrating the magic, warmth, and spirit of the season together.
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From Police Department
PULIS AVENUE ROAD CLOSURE
Now until December 15, 2025
Pulis Avenue will be CLOSED between Campgaw Road and Chapel Road for utility work by Sanzari Construction from Monday November 17 until December 15, 2025.
Traffic routes will be directed in both directions to utilize detours on Campgaw Road, Youngs Road, and Chapel Road.
The detour route will be clearly marked with MUTCD compliant signs, and monitored by Sanzari Construction, Mahwah Police, and Franklin Lakes Police.
If you have any questions or concerns, contact Sanzari Construction at (201) 342-6895.
Please sign up for Nixle at www.FranklinLakes.org to receive current notifications on road closure information.
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From the PBA
Coat Drive - Save the Date!
November 28 - 30, 2025
The Franklin Lakes Police Department PBA Local #150 will be conducting its annual Coat Drive Friday-Sunday, November 28th -30th by collecting new or lightly used coats. This year the donated coats will go to the organization “Jersey Cares” to be distributed locally to those in need. The PBA would like to thank those who generously contributed last year. We are again asking for everyone's help this holiday season. All coats may be dropped off anytime during the posted dates at the Franklin Lakes Police Department, 490 DeKorte Drive. Any questions please contact Sgt. Denny Knubel at 201-891-3131, ext. 2012 or email dknubel@franklinlakes.org. Flyer.
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From Borough Clerk
2026 Franklin Lakes Commuter Parking Permits Available
Renewals due by December 31
2026 parking permits for the Franklin Lakes Commuter Parking at Parsons Pond Park are now available.
To apply, visit franklinlakes.org/parking for application instructions.
Permit Info:
- Valid: January 1–December 31, 2026
- Required documents: Application, vehicle registration(s), utility bill (residents only)
- First-come, first-served; 40 non-resident permit maximum
- Transferable between registered vehicles; parking availability not guaranteed
- Rates: Resident $50; Non-Resident $310; Replacement Tag +$10
- Payment via SDL Portal upon receipt of invoice: Credit card ($3 fee) or e-check ($1.50 fee)
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Blood Drive - Be A Hero, Donate Blood
Donors Needed!
Multipurpose Building Parsons Pond Park – NEW LOCATION
Wednesday, December 10 - 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
The Franklin Lakes Mayor’s Wellness Campaign is proud to host a Community Blood Drive on Wednesday, December 10th at the Multipurpose Building at Parsons Pond Park, 700 Parsons Pond Drive (Jack Wallace Way).
Donating blood is safe, easy, and more important than ever. All healthy individuals are strongly encouraged to donate and help address the critical nationwide blood shortage. If you're in good health and meet the general eligibility requirements, you can likely donate and help save lives.
Remember: "Because of you, life doesn’t stop." Appointments are required.
Please refer to the links below for registration, the event flyer, and donor eligibility guidelines:
• FLMWC Blood Drive Registration
• Event Flyer
• Donor guidelines
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Hometown Heroes Banner Program
The Borough of Franklin Lakes Hometown Hero banners are proudly hanging in town. The banner program is open to all Franklin Lakes Veterans past and present! The banners will be hung for display for the month of November for 3 years from year of purchase. Please see a sample banner. For more information on how to order please see attached Hometown Hero banner submission form. All submission forms, copy of Veteran’s DD-214 (if available) and artwork (high resolution PDF or JPEG at 600dpi) must be submitted by email to drobinson@franklinlakes.org.
| | From Recycling Coordinator | | |
Styrofoam Collection - COMING SOON
Drop-Off At The Recycling Center
Drop-off staring on Saturday December 6, 2025 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Franklin Lakes Recycling Center,
500 DeKorte Drive.
Drop-off will be on the first Saturday of every month from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Items Accepted:
- Clean and dry white Styrofoam.
- Rigid, white, foam packing material.
Items Not Accepted:
- No ink
- No labels
- No insulation foam
- No food service foam
- No foam peanuts
- No colored Styrofoam will be accepted.
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Recycle Right
Scrap Metal
Don’t toss used metal cookware, stainless steel bottles, or metal car parts in your curbside recycling bin. Scrap metal put into your curbside recycling bin will cause mayhem at the recycling processing center. These items can be brought down to the Franklin Lakes Drop-Off Recycling Center and place in the scrap metal/appliance area. You can also schedule a metal curbside pick-up the first Friday of every month (details below).
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Schedule a Curbside Collection for Bulk Waste, and Metal/Appliance Recycling
Details on curbside collections that need to be scheduled, visit Metal/Appliance and Bulk Waste. Residents must schedule a collection by completing a request form for bulk waste and metal and large appliance pick-up no later than10:00 AM the day before the scheduled date of collection.
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Donate Bulk Waste Items
Before you place any bulk waste items out for curbside collection, consider donating any furniture or household items. A list of local organizations is available at www.franklinlakes.org/donations.
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Mayor and Council Special/Work Session Meeting
View the Mayor and Council Agenda for the 7:30PM Special/Work Session Meeting in the Conference Room at Borough Hall on Tuesday, December 2, 2025.
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Upcoming Meetings
- Tuesday, December 2 at 7:30 PM, Mayor and Council Work Session Meeting, Conference Room
- Wednesday, December 3 at 7:30 PM, Planning Board Meeting, Council Chambers
- Thursday, December 4 at 7:30 PM, Zoning Board Meeting, Council Chambers
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Upcoming Community Events
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The Old Stone Music and Coffee House – Friday, December 5, 7:30 PM - Join us for a night of great music by Tim Gysin. He will be performing from 8:00 - 10:00 PM. Doors open at 7:30 PM. $15 cover charge, which includes entry and unlimited coffee, tea, a cold drink and some yummy baked goodies. BYOBOW is allowed. Bring a donation for the CUMAC food pantry, and you'll be entered in a drawing to get your cover charge back. Flyer.
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Lorrimer Sanctuary - see a listing of upcoming events for toddlers, children and adults at Lorrimer Sanctuary at www.franklinlakes.org/communityevents.
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Franklin Lakes Library - For a full list of programs and services visit, franklinlakeslibrary.org.
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Franklin Lakes Chamber of Commerce - Monthly Networking Meetings, 7:00 AM, second Friday of the month at the OEM Building.
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The Latest Buzz
"The Latest Buzz" will give updated status reports on those issues that seem to generate the most buzz throughout town, that may be under-reported in other news outlets. We will keep this information fresh and up-to-date, with the "Last Updated" date noted at the end of each article.
For more information on the following topics visit: www.franklinlakes.org/buzz.
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