OpenPublica

Accountability starts with access.

© 2026 · Filed for the public record

Use casesAboutAPIPrivacyTermsLinkedIn
Home/Franklin Township, New Jersey/Township Council
OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Franklin Township Council Meeting - February 14, 2023

Township Council — Tuesday, February 14, 2023
BodyFranklin Township, New Jersey
SessionTownship Council
DateTuesday, February 14, 2023
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:06:24

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
0:00

All the faithful hear our supplications and through thy infinite love and mercy graciously grant us the strength and power in our thoughts and decisions to be for the benefit of all people at all times.

0:15

Amen.

0:24

Madam Clerk, please call the role.

0:26

Deputy Mayor Ambarrison.

0:27

Here.

0:28

Councilwoman Francois.

0:30

Mayor Kramer.

0:31

Here.

0:31

Councilman Oni Jaka.

0:33

Yes.

0:33

Councilmember Botazman.

0:35

Present.

0:35

Councilwoman Pewett.

0:37

Councilwoman Udean.

0:40

Councilman Vasanova.

0:42

Here.

0:42

Councilman Wright.

0:46

We're on item number five of the agenda.

0:48

Copies of the agenda are up next to the clerk.

0:52

The hold off on the first item on the commendations and proclamations because Councilwoman Francois isn't here yet.

1:03

She should be here a little late.

1:07

The second one is uh a recognition proclamation by Councilman Wright.

1:23

Hello.

1:24

That didn't sound too enthusiastic.

1:28

Hello.

1:30

That sounded better.

1:32

I love it.

1:32

Oh, I want the family too.

1:34

Come on.

1:34

Come on.

1:36

You don't want your family to come up.

1:41

She went to kick them to the curb, actually, but you know.

1:45

Let me go roll this around a little bit.

1:52

Got a big voice.

1:55

What grade are you in?

1:57

Fifth.

1:57

Fifth grade.

1:58

What school do you go to?

1:59

Connolly Road School.

2:01

No, spell real slow.

2:04

C O N Y.

2:12

Now you see that's why she should go down to the script spelling B.

2:16

Okay.

2:17

We're gonna have a poem.

2:19

And being this is Black History Month, I invited her here to Black History Month.

2:26

I wanted her to say a couple words, and I didn't want a grown-up, because they can do anything.

2:32

I wanted somebody young.

2:33

Because when they're young, you can catch them early, you can train them, and they just grow right on up to be future leaders.

2:39

See, all those people up here, few never mind.

2:44

This is what you need in America.

2:46

This is what you need because when they grow up, they can handle business, take care of business, and they become worthwhile citizens.

2:53

Just like all of us in here have children, and when they grow up, we want to be right, be what?

2:59

Worthwhile citizens.

3:01

In addition to making money so they can take care of who?

3:05

Us.

3:06

Okay, that's the reason why you want to have children.

3:10

Okay, let me do the proclamation and then give the mic to her, and she can do what she needs to do.

3:15

Because I understand the little one definitely has to go home, right?

3:18

No?

3:20

She's trying to hang out too.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural████████████12%
History Education████████████12%
Land Development███████████11%
Warehouse Development██████████10%
Public Engagement██████████10%
Affordable Housing████████8%
Public Works████████8%
Public Safety█████5%
Racial Equity████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Franklin Township Council Meeting - February 14, 2023

On February 14, 2023, the Franklin Township Council held its regular meeting. Key actions included adopting an ordinance to eliminate warehouses as a permitted use in the Business and Industry (B-I) zone, approving a $19.3 million warrant list, and introducing several ordinances. Public comments addressed warehouse proliferation, affordable housing, and community engagement.

Commendations & Proclamations

  • Black History Month Proclamation: Councilwoman Francois's proclamation was presented by Councilman Wright, declaring February as Black History Month.
  • Recognition of Maryah Godbolt-Thomas: A fifth-grade student recognized for academic excellence and poetry; she recited a poem about Katherine Johnson.
  • 225th Anniversary of Franklin Township Proclamation: Councilman Vassanella presented a proclamation marking the township's 225th anniversary (incorporated 1798).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Dave Robinson (349 Biltmore Lane): Representing Somerset Run and other adult communities (2,400 homes, paying $22 million in taxes), opposed further warehouse expansion, citing harm to quality of life and property values. Urged support for the warehouse zoning ordinance.
  • Johnny Tibbs (25 Park Side): Criticized township policies on affordable housing, gentrification, and lack of economic opportunities for minority youth. Disputed allegations about the Housing Authority and RPM development.
  • Benjamin Guy (35 Patent Drive): Asked for next steps following public forums on master plan and housing. Requested Councilman Wright to publicly clarify statements about minimizing resources for a community organization.
  • Rob Simon (attorney): Represented property owners in the B-I zone, arguing the ordinance's procedural and substantive defects, including inadequate notice and lack of impact studies.
  • Peter Steck (planning consultant): Contended the master plan amendment lacked necessary studies and that the ordinance arbitrarily targeted warehousing while permitting high-traffic manufacturing.
  • Steve Finkelstein (attorney for Northern Nurseries): Opposed the ordinance, citing absence of research on tax base and job impacts.
  • Christian Habinsky (attorney for Heller Industrial): Objected, citing lack of meaningful participation and failure to study traffic or tax revenue effects.
  • Taylor (Canal Walk resident): Supported the ordinance, arguing common sense shows warehouse traffic impacts; questioned need for formal study.
  • Marlon Kwan (28 J's Corner): Supported the ordinance, stating warehouses do not belong near residential areas; criticized high-priced attorneys.
  • Michael Bryan (40 Bryan Court): Supported the ordinance, noting Franklin's taxes are stable and warning against overbuilding.
  • Sarah Zaharchak (4 Constitution Way): Supported the moratorium, calling for health studies on environmental impacts.
  • Unnamed speaker (Somerset): Noted variances can still be granted for warehouses through the zoning board.

Discussion Items

  • Warrants (Bill List): Approved $19,347,463.52 in payments.
  • CDBG Program: 2023 schedule presented; applications due March 8, public hearing set for June 28. The township received $312,761 last year.
  • Ordinance 4391-23 (Warehouse Ban): Re-introduced due to defective notice. Council held a second public hearing. After extensive testimony, the ordinance was adopted 7-0.
  • Ordinances on First Reading:
    • 4393-23: Amendments to foreclosure registration ordinance to align with state law.
    • 4394-23: Acceptance of conservation easement from Orion IV Elizabeth Logistics Center at 429 Elizabeth Avenue.
    • 4395-23: Vacation and acceptance of emergency access easement for same property. All three passed unanimously.
  • Consent Agenda: Items A through N (excluding J) approved 6-0-1 (Councilmember Pataznik abstained on A). Resolution 23-066 (Land Use Standing Committee) approved separately 6-1-0.
  • Road Paving Program: Public Works committee recommended a $4-5 million program for 2023 to catch up on backlog.
  • 225th Anniversary Historical Center: Councilman Vassanella proposed using the old schoolhouse as a permanent historical exhibit.
  • Community Relations: Council members praised police community relations, Amazon's $10,000 donation to the youth center, and the ANCHOR property tax relief program (deadline Feb 28).

Key Outcomes

  • Ordinance 4391-23 passed (7-0): Eliminates warehouses as a permitted use in the B-I zone.
  • Ordinances 4393, 4394, 4395 passed first reading (all 7-0): Final adoption scheduled for February 28, 2023.
  • Consent agenda approved (except J voted separately).
  • Appointments: Raj Sherman to Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission; Carla Visser to Historic Preservation Advisory Council; one vacancy on Sewerage Authority; Rebecca Hilbert to Planning Board (Councilman Wright abstained).
  • Directives: Township Manager to post ANCHOR application information; continue road paving planning.

Next Meeting: February 28, 2023 at 7:00 PM for public hearings and final adoption of ordinances.

Meeting Transcript

All the faithful hear our supplications and through thy infinite love and mercy graciously grant us the strength and power in our thoughts and decisions to be for the benefit of all people at all times. Amen. Madam Clerk, please call the role. Deputy Mayor Ambarrison. Here. Councilwoman Francois. Mayor Kramer. Here. Councilman Oni Jaka. Yes. Councilmember Botazman. Present. Councilwoman Pewett. Councilwoman Udean. Councilman Vasanova. Here. Councilman Wright. We're on item number five of the agenda. Copies of the agenda are up next to the clerk. The hold off on the first item on the commendations and proclamations because Councilwoman Francois isn't here yet. She should be here a little late. The second one is uh a recognition proclamation by Councilman Wright. Hello. That didn't sound too enthusiastic. Hello. That sounded better. I love it. Oh, I want the family too. Come on. Come on. You don't want your family to come up. She went to kick them to the curb, actually, but you know. Let me go roll this around a little bit. Got a big voice. What grade are you in? Fifth. Fifth grade. What school do you go to? Connolly Road School. No, spell real slow. C O N Y. Now you see that's why she should go down to the script spelling B. Okay. We're gonna have a poem. And being this is Black History Month, I invited her here to Black History Month. I wanted her to say a couple words, and I didn't want a grown-up, because they can do anything. I wanted somebody young. Because when they're young, you can catch them early, you can train them, and they just grow right on up to be future leaders. See, all those people up here, few never mind. This is what you need in America.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com