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.

Kids can:

• 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!

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.

From Community Director

Championship Victory for Franklin Lakes Junior War Eagles!

Congratulations to our incredible Franklin Lakes Junior War Eagle Football Team on their NBJFL Super Bowl victory on Saturday, November 15th, at Indian Hills High School!

The Junior War Eagles delivered an unforgettable season, finishing with an outstanding 8–1 record, with their only regular-season loss coming against Wyckoff. The team powered through the playoffs with a thrilling win over Mahwah, setting up an epic Super Bowl rematch against Wyckoff. In a hard-fought championship battle, our War Eagles soared to victory, bringing home the Super Bowl Trophy with an exciting 8–6 win!

We are so proud of these dedicated athletes, their coaches, and the entire Franklin Lakes football community for an extraordinary season filled with determination, teamwork, and heart. Way to go, War Eagles! 

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.

From Community Director

Operation Toy Train Pick up & Toys for Tots 

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.

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.

From Environmental Commission

Well Water Testing

Test your well water annually:

• Even if your water looks and tastes fine
• Testing identifies contaminates early
• Water quality changes by natural and nearby events

More information can be found on our informational flyer.

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)

Borough Offices Holiday Hours


• Friday, December 12 - open 8:30 AM - 12:00 Noon
• 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

Blood Drive - Be A Hero, Donate Blood

Donors Needed!

Wednesday, December 10 - 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Multipurpose Building Parsons Pond Park – NEW LOCATION

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

Disco Days Karaoke

Thursday, December 18, 2:00 – 3:30 PM

Sunrise of Franklin Lakes

Please join the Franklin Lakes Mayors Wellness Campaign and Sunrise Living on December 18th 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!  

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. 

Styrofoam Collection - BEGINS

Drop-Off At The Recycling Center

Drop-off begins 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.

Recycle Right

Did You Know?

About 80% of what Americans throw away is recyclable, yet our recycling rate is only 28%. 

The average American uses 650 pounds of paper each year - 100 million tons of wood could be 

saved each year if all that paper was recycled. 

Every month Americans throw out enough glass bottles and jars to fill up a giant skyscraper

(think: Empire State Building), but all of these jars are recyclable! 

Recycling 1 aluminum can saves enough energy to run a TV for 3 hours. In spite of this, Americans throw away enough aluminum to rebuild our entire commercial fleet of airplanes every 3 months! 

An aluminum can may be recycled and put back on the grocery shelf as a new can in as little as 60 days, but an aluminum can that is thrown away today will still be a can 500 years from now! 

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.

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.

Upcoming Community Events


• 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.
• Lorrimer Sanctuary - see a listing of upcoming events for toddlers, children and adults at Lorrimer Sanctuary at www.franklinlakes.org/communityevents.
• Franklin Lakes Library - For a full list of programs and services visit, franklinlakeslibrary.org.
• Franklin Lakes Chamber of Commerce - Monthly Networking Meetings, 7:00 AM, second Friday of the month at the OEM Building.

Stay Connected with Ramapo Indian Hills Board of Education

Help Keep Franklin Lakes Safe!

www.franklinlakes.org/policeactivityblotter

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.

• Affordable Housing Update - 11/12/25
• Buster Box - 9/29/25
• International Overdose Awareness Day - 8/6/25
• Mayor Decorates Office with Student Artwork - 6/18/25
• Stormwater Pollution - 6/17/2025
• SHG Property and Affordable Housing Update - 6/12/25
• Grant for "Jake's Law" Playground Approved - 5/5/25
• Cigna Property and Affordable Housing Update - 4/30/25
• Fire Department Celebrates It's 100th Anniversary - 2/13/25
• No Charge and Anonymous Narcan Available Locally - 1/23/25
• NJ's Longest-Serving Planning Board Member - Julius Lauber - 1/14/2025
• Franklin Lakes Community Director Dina Robinson Awarded Mayors Wellness Campaign "Champion of Health" - 12/31/24
• Affordable Housing and Cigna Property Update - 10/17/24
• Lifesaving Narcan Available Throughout Franklin Lakes - 9/6/24
• International Overdose Awareness Day - 8/22/24
• One Pill Can Kill - 7/10/24
• New Jersey’s Good Samaritan Law Don’t Run, Call 911! - 5/14/24
• Ellen Trotta Carmody Appointed as Addiction and Recovery Advisor - 4/16/24

For more information on the following topics visit: www.franklinlakes.org/buzz.

ADA Notice and Grievance Procedure