Franklin Township Council Regular Meeting - September 12, 2023
Franklin Township Council Regular Meeting & Work Session - September 12, 2023
The Franklin Township Council met on September 12, 2023, at 7:00 PM in the municipal building. The meeting included commendations, public discussion, adoption of ordinances, and a large consent agenda. Key actions included adopting a stormwater management ordinance despite legal objections, introducing a lease for the baseball league, and rescheduling the September 26 meeting to September 27.
Consent Calendar
- Approved numerous resolutions including: refund of water meter escrows, release of performance guarantees, conference attendance, downpayment assistance, tax billing correction, professional service agreements for appraisal services, award of bid for Beast Recycler, water works supplies, road resurfacing, guide rail project, sidewalk installation, recreation program contracts, tax sale contract, farmland lease extensions, lead grant assistance, shade structures, trail improvements, CDBG program, youth services grant, NJDOT backplate pilot program, LOSAP payment, fitness equipment, liquor license renewal, sustainability consulting, fireworks displays, opioid settlement fund, clean communities grant, tax lien redemptions, tax and water refunds, water charge adjustment, special event permits for Franklin Food Bank, Snyder's Farm, Sister2Sister, release of performance guarantee, and grant application. (43 items from a to ar)
Public Comments & Testimony
- Ben Guy (resident) questioned the township's commitment to youth programs, food insecurity, and social services. He urged the council to address these issues openly and noted the need for abatement of open permits at Franklin Day.
- George (last name not given) (3204 Enclave Circle) expressed support for Ordinance 4419-23 (stormwater management) on behalf of the Canal Walk Citizens Warehouse Action Group, citing flooding on Metlers Road and Schoolhouse Road. He read comments from the Sierra Club calling for stronger stormwater rules.
- Beverly Lawson (2004 Amwell Road) asked about the Human Relations Board membership increase from 12 to 14 and suggested the 9/11 memorial be held on the actual date.
- Sally Saharchek (Fort Constitution Way) shared personal stories of cancer in her family linked to environmental factors and urged the council to prioritize risk management, toxic emissions, and flooding protections.
- Michael Hampton (319 Shilling Drive) raised concerns about uniformed officers at the Community Affairs building deterring complaints, the lack of council meetings (only one in August), the status of the Kmart and Burger King properties, and asked each ward council member to name one thing they would change in their ward.
- Naveen Menon (48 Tree Tops) requested a traffic light at the junction of Route 27 and Princeton Highlands due to near misses.
- Johnny Tibbs (25 Pux?) thanked the township for sustainability efforts, youth funding, and highlighted the need for affordable housing and job training for young men, especially in the Fourth Ward.
- Kenneth Burkwitz (7 Mayflower Court, Canal Walk) showed a photo of flooding on Metlers Road and urged the council to declare an emergency and make the stormwater ordinance effective immediately.
- John DeLuca (attorney for B9 Schoolhouse Owner LLC) objected to the retroactive application of the stormwater ordinance, citing the time-of-application rule under MLUL and NJDEP guidance. He threatened litigation if the language was not struck.
- Assemblyman Danielson (noted as present) spoke in support of the stormwater ordinance, emphasizing the urgency of flooding in Franklin and criticizing the developer's attorney.
- Toby Kramer (55 Bryant Court) described flooding in her neighborhood and supported the ordinance, asking for immediate effect.
- Mr. Chase (159 Old Georgetown Road) supported the ordinance but noted minor wording issues and questioned whether a larger culvert on Metlers would help.
- Angelica Granada (2307 Jackihalo Trail) linked flooding to the need for evacuation of elderly residents, referencing Hurricane Katrina.
- Angela Kavaleski (1 Hail Place) shared her sister's experience of flooding in Canal Walk, leading to her selling her home.
- Another resident (name not given) argued the ordinance should be effective immediately given the 18-month state development process.
Discussion Items
- Rescheduling September 26, 2023 Meeting: Mayor Kramer proposed moving the September 26 meeting to September 27 due to a conflict with a special Planning Board meeting. The council approved the change by unanimous voice vote, amending the annual schedule.
- Ordinance 4418-23 (Police Outside Work): Adopted on second reading. Increases the hourly rate for police outside work to remain competitive with other towns. Councilman Chase suggested adding requirements for auxiliary power to reduce idling, but the manager noted that police vehicles are transitioning to electric.
- Ordinance 4419-23 (Stormwater Management): Adopted on second reading despite objections from developer's attorney about retroactive application. The township attorney argued the ordinance is more stringent than state rules and that the time-of-application rule does not apply to public health/safety. The council voted to adopt; the ordinance will become effective 20 days after publication.
- Ordinance 4420-23 (Agenda Amendment): Introduced on first reading to add "Address Public Comments and Questions" to the official agenda. Will be adopted after public hearing on September 27.
- Ordinance 4421-23 (Baseball League Lease): Introduced on first reading to authorize a lease of township property to the Franklin Township Baseball League. Will be adopted after public hearing on September 27.
- Consent Agenda: All items adopted except those pulled by Councilman Wright (AD and AP) which were discussed and approved. AD: Resolution 23-355 for fitness equipment at Naaman Williams Park using open space funds. AP: Resolution 23-367 for Sister2Sister breast cancer awareness run/walk.
- Resolution 23-371 (DDEF): Adopted separately to authorize insertion of $13,382.99 into the budget for drunk driving enforcement.
Key Outcomes
- Approved Commendations and Proclamations for Franklin Warriors 14U baseball team, Tinks Golden Girls, Daniel Pierson, Peace Festival, and Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.
- Adopted Ordinance 4418-23 (Police Outside Work) on second reading.
- Adopted Ordinance 4419-23 (Stormwater Management) on second reading over legal objections.
- Introduced Ordinances 4420-23 and 4421-23 on first reading; public hearings set for September 27, 2023.
- Rescheduled the September 26, 2023 meeting to September 27, 2023.
- Approved all consent agenda items (43 resolutions) and separate resolution 23-371.
- Executive Session authorized for contract negotiations with AFSCME 2859.
Meeting Transcript
Order. Madam Clerk. In accordance with the Open Public Meeting Act of the State 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 transmitted 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, September 12th, 2023. Thank you. If we could all stand for the Pledge of Allegiance and then remain standing for the invocation by Councilwoman Francois. As we gather here today, as members of the Township Council, we pray that we are ever mindful of opportunities to render our service to our fellow citizens and to our community. We always keep in mind the enduring values of life, exerting our efforts in those areas and on those things upon which future generations can build with confidence. Amen. Councilwoman Francois here. Mayor Kramer here. Councilman Oni Jaka? Yeah. Councilmember Pataznik. Councilwoman Pruitt. Councilwoman Udeen. Councilman Vassanella? Here. Councilman Wright. Councilwoman Udin is caught in traffic and should be here shortly. Commendations and proclamations. Councilman Vassanella, you are up. Your turn at bat, so to speak. Oh, Councilman Wright will join him. Good evening. So Councilman Wright there, another baseball. I'm with him. And football. So tonight we're here to honor what's called 14U, which is I'll let the managers explain exactly, but fellows who've been in Little League for quite some time and uh perhaps moving on and playing next year, high school. I don't know all your ages, but they did a remarkable thing this year for the first time in 70 years. That's how old our little league here is. Um technically they go by Babe Ruth baseball. Many people still look uh refer to them as the Little League. I'm gonna read this commendation and have them come up and receive each of them receive individual commendations, and I know there's a couple of the coaches and manager here, so hopefully they'll give a little insight to what they had to do to get to this point. Okay, if I mispronounce anybody's name, I I apologize. So I'm gonna try. The Franklin Township Baseball League 14U team, known as the Franklin Warriors, qualified for the Babe Ruth World Series for the first time in its 70-year history with titles in district, state, and mid-Allantic regionals. And whereas the Franklin Warriors under coaches Harpreet Moreau, Rick Gerlich, and Steve Ziegler, along with team manager Rob Rooney, are being honored and recognized for their outstanding 2023 season and for making it to the Babe Ruth World Series quarterfinals. And whereas the Franklin Warriors consist of Alex Franco, A. G. Estevaz, A. G. Dylan Shaw, Jack Glenn, Kelvin Euston, Patrick Ziegler, CNN Eastman, Shane Rooney, and Stanley Madeira. Now, therefore, we, James Vassanel, and Carl Wright, councilman, and Philip Kramer, mayor, on behalf of the Franklin Township Council, congratulate the Franklin Township Baseball League, 14U team, and their coaching staff for their outstanding achievements and commend them for their sportsmanship and leadership. Congratulations, guys. And I want the coaches to tell a little bit about how you got here, but I want to also mention I know there's some parents here, and uh parents, grandparents, friends, relatives. Um having played in Franklin Little League in the 70s for I think for the entire time I was allowed from minor leagues up to senior leagues. Um I know what it takes just to play one season. I know many of you have been playing many seasons, and the dedication just to play the season in Franklin and then to go on to these these tournaments and do what you guys did is absolutely remarkable.
openpublica.com