Franklin Township Council Meeting - May 23, 2023

The Township Council met on Tuesday, May 23, 2023, at 7:00 PM in the Municipal Building Council Chambers. The meeting included a proclamation for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, a presentation on a proposed school-based health clinic partnership with Zufall Health, public comments on various topics, adoption of four bond ordinances, introduction of two new ordinances, and approval of a consent agenda with 26 resolutions.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously all 26 items on the consent agenda (Resolutions #23-187 through #23-212), including tax title lien redemptions, refunds, water charge adjustments, street opening bond releases, contract awards (e.g., two stainless steel dump bodies with spreaders and plows from Cliffside Body Corporation for $258,090; police department accreditation services from Lexipol, LLC for three years up to $36,418.76; risk management insurance from North American Insurance Management; CDBG housing rehabilitation contracts; photocopier lease with Ricoh USA, Inc.; codification services from General Code for $35,156; and others), acceptance of opioid settlement funds for the L.E.A.D. program, a fireworks display permit for The Palace at Somerset, support for cannabis retail license applications, special event permit for Franklin High School's Food Truck Festival on July 15, 2023, stormwater detention facility maintenance agreements, and authorization for an out-of-state conference for Sgt. Altwain Burwell.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Alex Carrazi (14 Margaret Drive, Somerset) expressed strong support for the Zufall Health partnership, noting that the Franklin Food Bank serves about 2,000 families in need of a clinic and that as a husband of a retired school nurse, he understands the importance of accessible immunizations and physicals for students.
• Debbie Stewart (Farrington Plaza) asked for a detailed explanation of the ordinance process: how ideas become ordinances, the difference between first and second readings, when residents can comment, what happens if an ordinance is changed after introduction, and when ordinances take effect. She also reported using the township's pothole/tall grass app.
• Doc Cunningham (11 Stile Court, Somerset) commended the school district's diversity festival and the one-year anniversary of the youth center ("the house that Kimberly built"). He announced the launch of "C America and Color," a series focused on civic engagement and the upcoming 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, and invited council participation.
• Kathy Mom (237 Samuel Place) reported seeing a construction truck bearing the thin blue line flag on her street and stated that this symbol is associated with white supremacy and should not be contracted by the town. She provided photos.
• Beverly Lawson (2004 Amwell Road) defended the thin blue line as a pro-police symbol and opposed defunding the police. She also asked about the cost and disposition of the old command post vehicle.
• Jan Brandt (22 Bryant Court) raised two issues: first, she objected to using shade tree trust funds to plant trees on private property (specifically Canal Walk), arguing that such funds should be used on municipal property only. Second, she reported idling trucks near her home on Jensen Drive and asked the manager to address truck idling in warehouse parking lots. She also noted a traffic study is needed for the many warehouses in the area.
• Shauna College (2201 Jockey Hollow Trail) reported seeing four 18-wheeler trucks on Weston Canal Road where they are not supposed to travel, and expressed safety concerns about traffic from warehouses.
• Alex Strauss (285 Haslett Way) spoke during the public hearing on Ordinance 4412-23 (Open Space Trust Fund capital ordinance), criticizing that no new open space acquisition was included in the ordinance and urging the council to acquire more open space given development pressures.
• Kiki Anastasica (3204 Enclave Circle, Canal Walk) supported the previous speaker and urged the township to conduct a climate change study to identify environmentally fragile areas for open space acquisition, citing flooding concerns and recent hurricanes Sandy and Ida.

Discussion Items

• Health Care Clinic Partnership – Zufall Health Presentation: Fran Palm, CEO of Zufall Health Center, together with Dr. Ravalli (Franklin Township School District Superintendent), presented a proposal to build a school-based health center on the Hamilton Middle School campus. The facility would include four medical exam rooms, four dental exam rooms, two vision rooms, and one behavioral health office. Services would initially focus on students, then expand to families and the broader community. The target area is a low-income census tract qualifying for CDBG funding. The Board of Education would own the building (funded by ~$1.5 million from the township's $7.7 million American Rescue Plan allocation), and Zufall would operate the clinic. Zufall currently runs a mobile unit on Tuesdays and Thursdays; a permanent site would allow Monday-Friday hours and eventual Saturday service. Council members expressed strong support, with Councilwoman Pruitt noting sustainability concerns were addressed and Councilwoman Francois highlighting the clinic's role in providing immunizations to keep students in school. Outreach efforts include translators, QR codes, and partnerships with school nurses. The township manager noted that a resolution to move forward will be brought to a future meeting.
• Ordinance Process Explanation: In response to Debbie Stewart's question, Township Attorney Richard Renault provided a detailed explanation of the ordinance adoption process under New Jersey law, including: sources of ordinances, first reading (introduction), second reading (public hearing and adoption), publication requirements, effective dates (20 days after publication under the Faulkner Act), the role of the planning board for land use ordinances, the time-of-application rule (replacing the time-of-decision rule), and the concept of prior non-conforming uses. He also noted that the council can adopt substantial changes only after re-advertising and a new public hearing.
• Truck Issues and Anti-Idling: Township Manager Robert Vornlocker responded to residents' concerns about truck traffic and idling. He clarified that the state anti-idling law allows trucks with sleeper cabs (post-2007) to idle for temperature control. Franklin Township prohibits commercial vehicle parking on public roads between midnight and 6 a.m. He encouraged residents to call police when violations are observed so the Traffic Safety Bureau can track patterns. The police are working with the DEP for additional training. The township is also installing a network of cameras to monitor truck patterns.
• Thin Blue Line Flag Discussion: Council members addressed the public comment about the thin blue line flag on a contractor's truck. Councilman Patasnik noted that symbols can have different meanings to different people and urged sensitivity. Manager Vornlocker explained that the thin blue line historically represents police standing between good and evil, but has been co-opted by extremists. He stated he would not apologize for being a police officer and that the contractor likely displayed the flag in support of law enforcement.
• Open Space Trust Fund: Manager Vornlocker explained that Ordinance 4412-23 is a capital ordinance using cash (not debt) from the Open Space Trust Fund for maintenance of existing open space and park improvements, not for acquisitions. He stated the township is currently in negotiations to acquire two additional properties, which would require a separate ordinance. The Open Space Advisory Committee is updating the 10-year open space plan, considering factors including climate resilience.
• Zoning History for B9/Schoolhouse Property: Mayor Kramer displayed historical zoning maps and explained that the B9 Schoolhouse Road property (currently proposed for a warehouse) was rezoned to M1 (allowing warehouses) on October 14, 1997, three weeks after Canal Walk was rezoned to SCV. The 2020 merger of M1, M2, and CB zones into BI made only a minor change: the east-side setback decreased by 6 feet (moving the building closer to an adjacent warehouse). All other parameters (height, floor area, size, scenic corridor setback) were unchanged. The property was already zoned for warehouse use long before 2020.

Key Outcomes

• Adopted Ordinances on Second Reading (all passed unanimously):
  • Ordinance 4409-23: Bond ordinance for 2023 capital improvements and equipment acquisitions, appropriating $5,273,500 and authorizing $5,000,325 in bonds.
  • Ordinance 4410-23: Bond ordinance for 2023 Road Improvement Program, appropriating $5,560,000 and authorizing $5,282,500 in bonds.
  • Ordinance 4411-23: Bond ordinance for 2023 Water Utility improvements, appropriating $6,225,000 and authorizing $6,225,000 in bonds.
  • Ordinance 4412-23: Capital ordinance appropriating $2,750,000 from the Open Space Trust Fund for capital acquisitions and improvements (no new land acquisition included).
• Introduced Ordinances on First Reading (both passed unanimously, second reading scheduled for June 13, 2023):
  • Ordinance 4413-23: Amends the Noise Ordinance (Chapter 167) to add restricted hours for non-residential properties on scenic corridors adjacent to or across from residential properties (weekdays 10 PM-7 AM, weekends 8 PM-9 AM, plus federal holidays).
  • Ordinance 4414-23: Accepts a conservation easement and deed of dedication of right-of-way from Franklin Storage LLC for properties on Davidson Avenue.
• Approved Consent Agenda: Unanimously approved all 26 resolutions (details in Consent Calendar section).
• No Executive Session was held.
• Next Steps: Township Manager will prepare a resolution for the council to formalize the health clinic partnership. The Open Space Advisory Committee will continue its 10-year plan update. The police department will work with DEP on anti-idling enforcement training. A network of traffic cameras is being deployed.

Council Comments & Reports

• Deputy Mayor Barrison reported on the Planning Board's approval of a 10-home subdivision on the Will Foundation campus (with solar field), the Greater Raritan Workforce Development Board's vendor selection, and negotiations with the Sewerage Authority union (26 members). He also performed four weddings and attended the AAPI Heritage Month and Eid celebrations.
• Councilwoman Udin attended the Governor's AAPI event and the youth center anniversary, and organized the first Eid celebration in town. She clarified that the "thin blue line" symbol was originally established to support law enforcement.
• Councilwoman Francois highlighted the one-year anniversary of the youth center, noting the presence of Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman and honoring sponsors.
• Councilman Patasnik reflected on the meaning of symbols, citing his experience as a Jewish teacher displaying a menorah, and urged sensitivity.
• Mayor Kramer praised the youth center's role in preventing unsupervised time for youth and discussed the zoning history of the B9 property to clarify misconceptions about warehouse development.