Franklin Township Council Meeting – December 13, 2022
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Franklin Township Council Work Session/Regular Meeting – December 13, 2022
The Franklin Township Council held a work session and regular meeting on December 13, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. in the Municipal Building Council Chambers. The meeting included public comment, introduction and adoption of ordinances, a consent agenda with numerous resolutions, and an executive session for contract negotiations. Key topics included feedback from a town hall held the previous evening, concerns about warehouse development, changes to the tree replacement fee, and routine administrative approvals.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes – Unanimously approved:
- Executive Session – October 25, 2022
- Work Session/Regular Meeting – November 22, 2022
- Executive Session – November 22, 2022
- Approval of Warrants – Unanimously approved payment of bills totaling $26,512,824.48.
- Resolutions #22-417 through #22-452 – Approved en bloc (one item pulled for discussion):
- Snow removal contracts (Patriot Paving, LLC; Jersey Sealcoating, LLC)
- Water testing services (Aqua Pro Tech, Inc.)
- Brine tank, leaf vacuum, carpet installation at court/police and council chambers, recreation programs, senior transportation, park fee exemptions, performance guarantee releases, downpayment assistance grants, insurance broker, health services, cannabis retail support, energy grant, shared services with Millstone (animal control & police), vehicles, land preservation consultant, psychological screening, hardship water charge adjustments, budget transfers, temporary budget, fire district salaries, tax lien redemptions, refunds, engineering contract amendment, emergency management grant, construction water meter refunds, senior center fire alarm.
- Councilmember Pataznik discussed the carpet color and removal of fixtures; all items were approved unanimously.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Debbie Stewart (Farrington Plaza) thanked the council for the December 12 town hall but criticized poor audio transmission. She requested improved technology for remote participation. She also raised concerns about trail crossings at Butler Road and asked about the prior tree replacement fee ($30) and the current tree fund balance (~$250,000).
- Kiki Anastask (3204 Enclave Circle) clarified the reading status of Ordinance 4391-22 (warehouse zoning) and noted the upcoming public hearing on January 24, 2023.
- Marlin Kwan (28J’s Corner) praised the town hall and asked about distance requirements for cannabis facilities from schools and residential areas, and about the process if an application “slips through” before a hearing.
- Shirley Tallman (57 Tallman Lane) inquired about the roles of the building inspection and engineering departments in monitoring residential developments, especially regarding site work approvals and bond releases.
- Jam Brandt (22 Bryant Court) thanked for the town hall and asked about implementation of a senior assisted living recommendation from the 2020 master plan, taxes on vacant warehouses, developer contributions to the tree fund vs. on-site replanting, and township involvement in mitigation negotiations.
- Shauna College (2201 Jackie Hollow Trail) asked when and why the scenic corridor overlay was created for Mettler’s Road (referred to planning board).
- Michael Hampton (319 Shilling Drive) criticized the lack of millennial engagement, noted poor social media outreach, and argued for more residential development rather than assisted living. He also expressed frustration with perceived bureaucratic obstacles and condescending responses from officials.
- Charles Inilterra (address not given) reported hazardous leaning trees along Weston Road and on informal town hall feedback.
- Jim Johnson (34 Norwich Place) described a 330,000-square-foot warehouse under construction across from a grocery store on Elizabeth Avenue and questioned the planning board’s approval process.
- Additional resident (name unclear) expressed concerns about warehouses near Elizabeth Avenue School (560 students) and asked about monitoring of air quality and health impacts.
- Another resident asked about the capacity of police, fire, and rescue squads given increased warehouse traffic.
Discussion Items
- Town Hall Feedback – Several speakers praised the December 12 town hall; the mayor and manager indicated future topic-specific meetings (e.g., tax assessments). The manager noted that a formal vision statement exists from 2000 but was unknown to current council members.
- Tree Ordinance Amendment (Ordinance 4389-22) – Township Manager Vornlocker explained that the fee for tree replacement contributions was increased from $30 to $300 after the low amount was brought to his attention. The change codifies the fee in the ordinance to prevent future oversight. The speaker earlier noted the tree fund has about $250,000 and is planned for an aggressive Hamilton Street tree planting program.
- Warehouse Zoning (Ordinance 4391-22) – The ordinance eliminates warehouses as a permitted use in the B-I zone. Introduced on first reading; public hearing set for January 24, 2023. The township attorney clarified that cannabis classes refer to state license types and that distance requirements from schools etc. are in the existing cannabis ordinance.
- Dog Licensing Fees (Ordinance 4388-22) – The late fee is reduced from a graduated scale ($5–$20) to a flat $5 to encourage more registrations. The clerk noted that licensing numbers dropped by 1,000 after the previous increase.
- On-Street Handicapped Parking (Ordinance 4390-22) – Establishes a designated spot at 248 Matilda Avenue but remains open to any vehicle displaying a handicap placard.
- Consent Agenda Items – Councilmember Pataznik discussed the carpet installation in council chambers (color: neutral, carpet tiles) and fire district salaries (Councilman Wright urged residents to vote in fire district elections).
Key Outcomes
- Unanimous votes – All three ordinances on second reading (4385-22, 4386-22, 4387-22) were adopted unanimously. All five ordinances on first reading (4388-22 through 4392-22) were introduced unanimously. The consent agenda (resolutions #22-417 through #22-452) was approved unanimously.
- CDBG Amendments – Resolutions #22-416 and #22-453 were approved (Councilman Vassanella abstained). These authorize amendments to the 2019, 2020, and 2022 action plans to allocate additional program income and leftover funds to: Alternatives Inc. for fire suppression ($15,000), Franklin Food Bank for freezer/refrigeration equipment, and David & Lena T. Wylant Senior Housing for bathtubs and monitoring system ($34,400).
- Zoning Board Appointment – Michael Doherty was nominated and approved by acclamation for the zoning board (alternate position unspecified). He must submit a citizen leadership form to meet state requirements.
- Executive Session – Resolution #22-454 authorized a closed session to discuss contract negotiations with Local 2426 AFSCME Blue Collar Supervisors.
Future Meetings
- January 3, 2023 – Reorganization meeting; public hearings and final adoption for ordinances 4388-22, 4389-22, and 4390-22.
- January 24, 2023 – Public hearing and final adoption for Ordinance 4391-22 (warehouse zoning).
Meeting Transcript
This work session regular meeting of the township council is called to order. Madam Clerk. In accordance with the open public meeting act of the city of New Jersey, adequate notice of this work session, regular meeting of the Franklin Township Council was made by the posting on the bulletin board in the municipal building, the township website electronically transferred to the officially designated newspapers indicating that this work session regular meeting would take place in the municipal building. Council Chambers at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, December 13, 2022. As we gather here today as members of the Franklin Township Council, let's pray that we are mindful of the opportunities to render our service to all of our fellow citizens, residents in our community. Keeping in mind the endoring values of life. Exerting our efforts in all those areas and those things upon which future generations can be bit can build with confidence and be proud of. Madam Clerk, call the road. Councilman Inverrison, Councilwoman Francois, Mayor Kramer, Councilmanka. Yes. Councilmember Botasny. Deputy Mayor Pruitt. Councilwoman Udin. Councilman. Yes. Councilman Ryan. So I'm going to vary slightly from the agenda for a special request I received tonight from one of the members of the audience. She asks us to introduce ourselves because she's new to this. So if everyone on the day is starting with the clerk, could just say their name and their position, and we're just we'll just move right down the day and then get on with the memory McCarthy, the township clerk. Called you cut out. Call right for councilman. Now is Jim, and I'm in the fifth word councilman. I'm the township attorney. Ed Patasnik, Councilmember from Ward One. And Bob Vorlocker, Township Manager. Great. Um the next item would be the item number five, and the agendas are up there along with the ordinances. Second. Opposed say nay. Motion is carried. We are open to the public. Anyone wishing to speak, come up to the mic. Five minutes uh per person. Uh no yielding of time. May only come up once. Please state your name and address. Hello. Uh Debbie Stewart to Farrington Plaza. First of all, I just want to thank uh the council for the wonderful meeting last night. We really appreciate that. It was a good learning experience. The only unfortunate thing uh many people could not attend, although you had a very good audience. The audio that transmitted to at least canal walk folks was very bad. Some people ended up turning it off very shortly into the meeting because they couldn't hear anything. So I don't know if that's something you can look into, maybe try it out at home yourselves or have a tech person. Because I think with COVID and with the inclusion, trying to include more people, we really have to make sure that the technology is there so everybody can watch from home. So that was one point I wanted to make. Um I've got a couple points related to trees, but before that, I want to um I'm a hiker and I love the Franklin Township trails. The one that I'm disappointed in is Butler Road.
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