Franklin Township Council Regular Meeting – May 9, 2023\n\nThe Franklin Township Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, at 7:00 PM in the Municipal Building Council Chambers. The meeting included proclamations, extensive public comments on warehouse development and the proposed NESE pipeline project, council reports, adoption of the CY2023 municipal budget, introduction of bond ordinances, and approval of a resolution opposing the Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) project. An executive session was also held.\n\n### Commendations & Proclamations\n- Municipal Clerks Week Proclamation – Mayor Kramer presented a proclamation recognizing the week of April 30–May 6, 2023 as Municipal Clerks Week, thanking Clerk Anne Marie McCarthy for her service.\n- Mental Health Awareness Month Proclamation – Deferred to the next meeting due to the absence of Councilwoman Francois.\n\n### Public Comments & Testimony\n- Linda Powell (22 Buffer Drive) and Bernadette Maher (Norris Road) – Opposed the Williams Transco NESE project, which seeks a two-year extension from FERC (new docket CP-17-101-005). They urged residents to intervene by May 19 and provided instructions at scrapnese.org. They stated the project is unnecessary, polluting, and opposed by New York and New Jersey.\n- Kiki Anastasicus (3204 Enclave Circle, Citizens Warehouse Action Group) – Criticized a May 7 NJ.com article portraying Franklin Township negatively regarding warehouse impacts. She thanked the council for Ordinance 4391-22 banning warehouses in the BI zone and requested the council apply the ban retroactively to pending projects under NJ Municipal Land Use Law (N.J.S.A. 40:55D-1).\n- Rob Peterson (66 Wilson Road) – Questioned the use of $2.75 million from the Open Space Trust Fund for items such as bridge painting, EV charging stations, and irrigation at Middlebush Park, calling for greater transparency.\n- Kenneth Berkowitz (7 Mayflower Court, Canal Walk) – Thanked the council for the warehouse ban but argued the B9 warehouse project (Link Logistics) should be subject to the ordinance due to health and safety concerns. He cited N.J.S.A. 40:55D-10.5 and the New Jersey State Planning Commission’s Distribution Warehouse and Goods Movement Guidelines.\n- Beverly Vendivit (67 Bayard Road, Canal Walk) – Reported increased truck traffic on Mettlers Road despite weight limit signs, expressing concern for air quality and noise.\n- Jan Brandt (22 Bryant Court, Canal Walk) – Argued the B9 project is a last-mile fulfillment center that would generate far more trips than estimated (1,666 trips per 24 hours vs. the 980 claimed) and urged the council to demand proper traffic and noise studies.\n- Joe Hoffman (5 Congress Court) – Reported that a noise expert found the B9 application lacked adequate noise impact analysis given its proximity to Summerfields and Canal Walk.\n- Jim Johnston (34 Norwich Place) – Described the large turnout (≈300 people) at the May 3 Planning Board meeting, requesting better seating and parking for future meetings.\n- Canal Walk resident (name not given) – Raised concerns about flooding, stormwater runoff, and the risk of a catastrophic fire at the warehouse, noting a recent plastic fire in Indiana and a fire on Schoolhouse Road.\n- Fourth ward resident (name not given) – Criticized the council for lack of community center in the 4th ward, limited hours at the youth center, and urged relocation of the Somerset Community Action Program (SCAT) back to the neighborhood.\n- Unnamed speaker (economist) – Urged the planning board to suspend the B9 project pending an environmental review per state guidelines, citing health, traffic, and socioeconomic impacts.\n\n### Council Comments & Reports\n- Councilman Vassanella – Thanked residents for updates on the NESE project; announced award of a road resurfacing contract for Equator Avenue area (multiple streets) and ongoing water infrastructure upgrades; reminded about the Memorial Day parade.\n- Councilwoman Francois – Defended the youth center (one-year anniversary May 20), stating it has been positive for youth; addressed complaint about lack of community center, noting the youth center was built in response to community need.\n- Councilman Pataznik – Detailed opposition to the NESE project, citing New York’s permit denial, New Jersey’s clean energy goals (100% clean energy by 2035), and the IPCC climate report; thanked the clerk for rapid preparation of the resolution.\n- Councilman Wright – Promoted the Sister to Sisters Network town hall (May 19) and the Juneteenth parade and celebration (June 17).\n- Mayor Kramer – Announced a $500,000 grant from Assemblyman Danielson for a new police command bus; responded to open space fund questions, deferring to the township manager.\n- Township Manager Vornlocker – Explained open space capital items: conduit for internet at Middlebush Park (for security cameras, public Wi-Fi), bridge painting on an access road to open space, EV charging station (grant-funded, electrical work from open space fund), irrigation for natural turf fields. Also announced the Youth Police Academy for 8th–12th graders (July 13–14 and 17–21, applications due June 1).\n- Deputy Mayor Embarrison – Reported attending an Asian American Pacific Indian Heritage Month event at the governor’s mansion.\n\n### Consent Calendar\nItems A through S (Resolutions #23-126 through #23-184) were adopted unanimously. Councilman Wright requested explanation of Item C (Resolution #23-168 – Award of bid for MacAfee Water Main Replacement, $1,874,520). Township Manager explained the project will replace water mains on McAfee Road, Boulder Lane, Evergreen Road, and Newkirk Road, and will also pave the roads afterward. The consent agenda passed with all members voting yes.\n\n### Discussion Items\n- CY2023 Municipal Budget – After a brief public hearing (no speakers), Resolution #23-166 adopting the budget was passed unanimously (8–0). The budget was read by title only (Resolution #23-165).\n- Ordinance 4408-23 (Conservation Easement) – Adopted unanimously on second reading.\n- Introduction of Bond Ordinances (First Reading) – Four ordinances were introduced: \n - Ordinance 4409-23 ($5,273,500 for general capital improvements, issuing $5,000,325 in bonds).\n - Ordinance 4410-23 ($5,560,000 for road improvements, issuing $5,282,500 in bonds).\n - Ordinance 4411-23 ($6,225,000 for water utility improvements, issuing $6,225,000 in bonds).\n - Ordinance 4412-23 ($2,750,000 from the Open Space Trust Fund for capital acquisitions and improvements).\n All four were approved unanimously for introduction, with public hearings and final adoption scheduled for May 23, 2023.\n- Resolutions Voted Separately – Resolution #23-186 (Urging FERC to deny extension of permits for the NESE project) was adopted unanimously.\n- Old Business – 2023 Boards, Committees, Commissions vacancies were noted; no nominations were made.\n\n### Key Outcomes\n- CY2023 Municipal Budget Adopted – Resolution #23-166 passed 8–0.\n- Opposition to NESE Project – Resolution #23-186 passed unanimously, directing the township to urge FERC to deny the extension.\n- Bond Ordinances Introduced – Four bond ordinances were introduced for public hearing on May 23, 2023.\n- Consent Agenda Approved – All 19 items (A–S) approved.\n- Executive Session – Resolution #23-185 authorized an executive session for attorney/client privilege (topics: Code Chapter 167 - Noise and Warehouse Litigation update). No action was taken after executive session, and the meeting adjourned.\n- Next Meeting – Scheduled for May 23, 2023, at 7:00 PM.