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From Community Director
Operation Toy Train Pick up & Toys for Tots
Saturday, December 13, 11:55 AM to 12:10 PM
803 Susquehanna Ave Cul-de-Sac
Operation Toy Train will once again be stopping in Franklin Lakes on December 13th! The Mayors Wellness Campaign, FLFD along with the Girl Scout who have collected toys for Operation Toy Train’s: Toys For Tots program who’s mission of the Marine Toys for Tots program is to collect new unwrapped toys and distribute those toys to less fortunate children at Christmas.
The train will be stopping at 803 Susquehanna Ave. (in the Cul-de-Sac) 11:55 AM to 12:10 pm.
Please consider donating a new, unwrapped toy this holiday season! Drop off locations: CRS, HMR, WAS, FAMS, Sunrise Senior Living, after Santa’s Run at the Kids Christmas Party (Sunday, Dec. 7th 2:00 – 5:00 PM at the Firehouse), and The Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony (Tuesday, Dec 9th 6:00 – 8:00 PM at the Gazebo on Franklin Ave).
While Toys for Tots Coordinators organize, coordinate and manage the campaign, the ultimate success depends on the support of the local community and the generosity of the people who donate toys. Please join the Mayors Wellness Campaign and he Girl Scouts on Saturday. All new unwrapped gifts are appreciate. Flyer.
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From Community Director
Chanukah Menorah Lighting Ceremony at Borough Hall
Sunday, December 14, 3:30 PM
On Sunday, December 14th at 3:30 PM, the Chabad NWBC will host their annual Chanukah Lighting Ceremony. This year a Chanukopter will land behind Borough Hall after the Ceremony. The celebration is centered around the lighting of the Borough’s Menorah by Rabbi Kaplan, and will be featuring for the first time a "Helicopter Landing”. There will also be costumed mascots, light-up giveaways, crafts and traditional holiday refreshments including potato latkes, hot chocolate, donuts, and chocolate gelt! Flyer.
All are welcome! There is no charge for food or participation. This event is sponsored by the Chabad Jewish Center in Franklin Lakes.
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From Franklin Lakes Volunteer Fire Department
Santa’s Home Delivery
The Franklin Lakes Volunteer Fire Department is proud to celebrate the holiday season with Santa’s Home Delivery – A Personalized Holiday Experience.
Back for another festive season, Santa’s Home Delivery brings Santa directly to your doorstep for a one-of-a-kind, personalized visit. Our volunteer firefighters will escort Santa throughout the borough on four select dates in December as he delivers a present to your child and shares a few magical moments right at your home.
This program is also a fundraiser that supports the ongoing efforts of your volunteer fire department—helping us continue serving the Franklin Lakes community with pride and dedication. It is a unique, intimate experience available by registration only. Sign up today for SANTA'S Home Delivery.
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From Community Director
Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
Thank you to our residents who were able to join Mayor Kahwaty and Council Members as Santa and Mrs. Claus lit our Annual Christmas Tree this year. The event was sponsored by the Borough of Franklin Lakes, the Franklin Lakes Library, and the Franklin Lakes Mayors Wellness Campaign. Special thank you to Franklin Avenue Middle School Choir, the Market Basket, The Franklin Lakes Parks and Recreation Foundation, The Girl Scouts, and The Chamber of Commerce, for their generous donations!
Please see the beautiful photos from Dick Stanton of our "special visitors" from the North Pole, Franklin Avenue Middle School Choir who sang Christmas Carols.
The toys the Girl Scouts collected will be loaded on the train during Operation Toy Train in Franklin Lakes on December 13 at 11:55 AM in the cul-de-sac at 803 Susquehanna please come and support a great cause.
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From Fire Official
Fire Prevention Week
Throughout the month of October, the Fire Prevention Bureau, together with the fire department, visited nine public, private, and religious schools to educate students on fire safety. Students learned important lessons about staying safe at home, including the value of working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and the need for a family emergency plan.
They especially enjoyed exploring the fire truck, seeing a firefighter in full protective gear, and even spraying the fire hose. The program was a tremendous success, reaching and positively impacting more than 800 students and teachers. View Photos.
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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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Borough Offices Holiday Hours
- Wednesday, December 24 - open 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM
- Thursday, December 25 - closed
- Friday, December 26 - closed
- Wednesday, December 31 - open 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM
- Thursday, January 1, 2026 - closed
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Mayor and Council Regular Meeting
View the Mayor and Council Agenda for the 7:30PM Regular Meeting in the Council Chambers at Borough Hall on Tuesday, December 16, 2025.
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Upcoming Meetings
- Tuesday, December 16 at 6:30 PM, Recreation and Parks Meeting, Conference Room
- Tuesday, December 16 at 7:30 PM, Mayor and Council Meeting, Council Chambers
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From the Community Director
Adopt-a Child Toy and Clothing Drive
December 12 through 17
The Franklin Lakes Mayors Wellness Campaign and the Franklin Lakes Chamber of Commerce are proud to host a Holiday Food, Clothing, and Toy Drive to benefit Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) and the Center for Food Action (CFA)—two nonprofit organizations dedicated to supporting vulnerable children and families throughout northern New Jersey. This effort reflects the Chamber’s ongoing commitment to charitable service and meaningful local impact.
The Chamber will be collecting new clothing, food, and toys, which will be donated directly to CASA and CFA for distribution to the children and families they serve. Community members are invited to participate through the Chamber’s “Adopt-a-Child” program, where you can sign up to provide a new clothing item, a toy, or both for one or more children—from birth through age 21. Each child will receive at least one new clothing item and one new toy.
Volunteers are welcome to join us as we assemble and organize donations on Wednesday, December 17th at 5:30 PM at Franklin Lakes Pizza. You may bring your donation to FLP or drop off at the Recreation Dept. between December 12th through 17th.
Register here: Adopt-a-Child Drive Registration
The donation link is available on that page, or you can access it directly here: How to Donate Clothes and Toys: Donation Link.
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Disco Days Karaoke
Thursday, December 18, 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM
Sunrise of Franklin Lakes
Please join the Franklin Lakes Mayors Wellness Campaign and Sunrise Living on Thursday, December 18 at 2:00 PM for Karaoke. This fun event will get your groove on!
RSVP by emailing Robin at support@tristatewound.com or calling 718-957-1342.
We hope to see you there, all are welcome!
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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
Drop-Off At The Recycling Center
First Saturday of Every Month
Drop-off are the first Saturday of every month from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Franklin Lakes Recycling Center, 500 DeKorte Drive.
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
Choose Sustainable Gift Wrap Options
- Eco-friendly gift wrap reduces waste and is just as beautiful as traditional options.
- Using fabric or tote bags can make your gift wrapping reusable and eco-friendly.
- Choose recyclable wrapping paper and avoid non-recyclable options like glossy or glitter paper.
- Reusing wrapping paper and gift bags for future gifts instead of throwing it into the trash is a great way to be more sustainable and help reduce waste.
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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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Upcoming Community Events
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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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