OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Franklin Township Council Meeting - October 10, 2023

Township Council — Tuesday, October 10, 2023
BodyFranklin Township, New Jersey
SessionTownship Council
DateTuesday, October 10, 2023
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:46:12

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Council is called to order.

0:01

Madam Clerk.

0:11

Okay.

0:11

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.

0:22

The township website electronically transmitted to the officially designated newspapers, indicating that this work session regular meeting would take place in the municipal building.

0:32

Council chambers at 7 p.m.

0:34

on Tuesday, October 10th, 2023.

0:46

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

1:10

And thoughts, the infinite love and mercy, graciously grants us disrunt on the power in all in our thoughts on decisions to be for the benefit of all people at all times.

1:24

Amen.

1:38

Yes.

1:38

Councilwoman Francois here.

1:40

Mayor Kramer.

1:41

Here.

1:42

Councilman Ami Jaka.

1:43

Yes.

1:43

Councilmember Batasna?

1:45

Present.

1:45

Councilwoman Pruitt?

1:47

Here.

1:47

Councilwoman Udean?

1:49

Here.

1:49

Councilman Vasanella.

1:51

Councilman White.

1:54

Thank you.

1:54

We have proclamations and commendations.

1:58

March Marcus McParland.

2:39

Good evening, everyone.

2:42

This evening we want to recognize a young man from our township.

2:48

He's 14 years old.

2:50

Marcus McFarland.

2:52

He's just got into high school, a freshman at Notre Dame.

2:58

What he has done is amazing.

3:02

I'm going to show you this book.

3:06

He put this book together over a last 18 months.

3:12

When he was in the eighth grade, okay.

3:15

This is amazing work.

3:16

What he did was he lives in Grigstown section of our town.

3:20

So it was a class project to do a uh pro uh to to do something in in the community that you live.

3:28

So he kind of came up with this idea.

3:30

He looked for any materials on Greek town in the library, couldn't find anything, and he said he's going to make that as a uh part of his um not Greystown, I'm sorry.

3:43

Kingston, Kingston.

3:45

Um make a part of his uh school project and and put this book uh on uh Kingston history and he has got lots of materials here.

3:56

Want to recognize him today.

3:58

Um I read some of it, some sections of it.

4:02

Um fascinating stuff.

4:04

He has got uh any everything from in taverns, hotels, uh homes and historic sites, and people and how they lived, artifacts, very interesting, and then uh some uncovered secrets.

4:21

Who done it?

4:22

Uh unsolved mysteries, unsolved mysteries, and of course, public records from right from Civil War to World War One and World War II.

4:31

So it's a nice collection of uh materials, uh most interesting.

4:35

I think he was telling me some of his favorite parts of the book.

4:38

Um there's a very first locomotive that ran between uh Princeton and uh Kingston.

4:47

Um that uh train uh uh it's called engine number one E bull.

4:55

That's the oldest locomotive in the country, 1881.

5:00

It was uh brought from England and um it is uh it so happened that when he visited uh Smithsonian he found it there.

5:08

So it's fascinating stuff.

5:10

The book is full of interesting stuff of uh of Kingston, not Gregstown.

5:15

Um anyway, so I wanted to uh give uh we want to give them this commendation to Marcus McFarland, whereas Marcus McFellin MacFell is currently a resident of Franklin Township and an eighth grader.

5:28

Well, that's from last year, it when we started putting this thing together, uh in Kingston, New Jersey, whereas Marcus Reeds writes and speaks fluent Mandarin and is currently training in Taekwondo, where he has earned his second degree black belt, and whereas as part of his community project, Marcus put together articles, stories, and photographs, resulting in a published 300 plus page book on the history of Kingston, entitled Community Collection for Kingston, New Jersey.

6:01

Now therefore the mayor and the council of township of Franklin, County of Somerset, State of New Jersey, hereby commend and recognize Marcus McPhelen for his exemplary accomplishments and wish him well in his future endeavors.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Youth Programs███████████████████████23%
Public Engagement████████████████16%
Public Works█████████9%
Procedural███████7%
Tree Planting███████7%
Environmental Protection███████7%
Historic Preservation██████6%
Traffic Safety██████6%
Parks and Recreation█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Franklin Township Council Meeting - October 10, 2023

The Franklin Township Council held a regular meeting on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, at 7 p.m. The meeting included commendations, a grant presentation, public comments, and the adoption of a consent agenda comprising 20 resolutions. Key topics included tree planting initiatives, the Franklin Township Youth Center, job training programs, and responses to resident concerns.

Consent Calendar

  • Resolution #23-384: Authorize Tax Title Lien Redemptions
  • Resolution #23-385: Adjust Water Charges for water leak hardships at five properties (total adjustments: $342.00 to $442.50)
  • Resolution #23-386: Authorize Refund of Tax Overpayments
  • Resolution #23-387: Authorize Refund/Deposit for Construction Water Meters Escrow for three companies (amounts: -$372.61, $1,756.69, $927.50)
  • Resolution #23-388: Award NCPA Contract to MCCi, LLC for Document Imaging of Construction Records (not to exceed $180,000.00)
  • Resolution #23-389: Authorize Change Order for CRT Contracting and Coating Inc. for Town Hall Roof Replacement (increase from $152,334.00 to $155,534.00)
  • Resolution #23-390: Award State Contract to Motorola Solutions Inc. for Phase II of Radio System Upgrade (not to exceed $590,598.80)
  • Resolution #23-391: Award HCESC Co-Op Purchase for Lighting Gazebo at Town Hall to Generations Services (not to exceed $28,525.00)
  • Resolution #23-392: Award Bid for New/Unused Cargo Van to All American Ford (not to exceed $49,999.00)
  • Resolution #23-393: Award Bid for Color Plotter to Reliable Office Solutions (not to exceed $28,000.00)
  • Resolution #23-394: Authorize Shared Services Agreement for Uniform Construction Code Inspection and Support Staff Services with Branchburg, Montgomery, and Hillsborough Townships
  • Resolution #23-395: Issue Special Event Permit to Kallol of New Jersey for Community Dinner at Ukrainian Orthodox Church Cultural Center (Oct. 20-22, 2023, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.)
  • Resolution #23-396: Authorize Stormwater Detention Facility Maintenance Agreement for 1873 Amwell Road
  • Resolution #23-397: Authorize Stormwater Detention Facility Maintenance Agreement for 14 Wyckoff Place
  • Resolution #23-398: Authorize Sale of One Plenary Retail Consumption License
  • Resolution #23-399: Authorize Fireworks Displays at The Palace at Somerset Park for October 2023 events
  • Resolution #23-400: Amend Confirmation Appointment of Carol Radziewicz as Deputy Tax Assessor
  • Resolution #23-401: Authorize Auction of Abandoned Vehicles on November 13, 2023, by Guaranteed Motors at 10 a.m.
  • Resolution #23-402: Amend Non-Fair and Open Contract 22-73 for Network Support/Configurations with Starnet Solutions (not to exceed $15,000.00)
  • Resolution #23-403: Award New Plenary Consumption License to Panaderia La Fe Restaurant LLC at 569 Somerset Street (bid amount $205,000.00)

All consent agenda items were approved unanimously, with Deputy Mayor Embarrasson recording a vote of yes.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Ken Burkowitz (Severn Mayflower Court, Somerset): Expressed gratitude to the council for their efforts, noting he had been impressed by their responsiveness. He also requested that traffic studies include non-rush-hour periods due to issues with trailer trucks.
  • Ted Chase (former councilman): Presented a column on the urban heat island effect and urged the council to use the Shade Tree Fund to plant trees in the northeast quadrant of Franklin Township, particularly east of Franklin Boulevard, citing data from Robin Sedam. He noted that tree planting had been held up due to lack of maintenance protocols, but progress was being made.
  • Robin Sedam (54 Skillman Lane, Vice Chair of the Environmental Commission): Provided data from American Forests showing Franklin Township overall has a tree equity score of 92 out of 100, but four census blocks in the northeast have scores of 25-32% tree canopy compared to 51% south of Bunker Hill Road. She highlighted a 10-degree heat disparity and a moderate-to-high heat vulnerability index (4 out of 5) in the northeast, advocating for tree planting. She also asked about the Bunker Hill Environmental Center and the lack of lights in the municipal parking lot.
  • Johnny Tibbs (25 Parkside): Thanked the council for the youth center and emphasized the need for job training for at-risk youth, specifically a vocational training facility. He passionately demanded speed bumps on Mark Street to prevent accidents, stating children were at risk from speeding vehicles.
  • Unnamed resident (about youth center): Asked about transportation for youth from other parts of town and questioned why the township does not advertise available liquor licenses more widely, noting they are a valuable asset.
  • Jan Brandt (22 Bryant Court): Thanked the council for air quality monitors (PurpleAir) and asked about their status and whether the master plan reexamination was upcoming.
  • Charlie Cradoville (New Brunswick): Praised the environmental commission and requested that the Housing Authority post its meeting recordings on the township YouTube channel for transparency, noting that many other boards already do so.
  • Teresa Hendrickson (Labed Drive, Somerset): Complained about litter and overgrown weeds at JFK Boulevard and Easton Avenue, asking who is responsible for maintenance. She also mentioned the Marconi area and expressed concern about the township's appearance.
  • Parent of a McAfee Road School student: Voiced safety concerns about drop-off chaos due to construction and lack of crossing guard enforcement, making it unsafe for children.

Discussion Items

  • Council Responses to Public Comments:
    • Councilman Wright clarified that speed humps require careful placement and resident consent, but noted the township can work with the Board of Education on school zone safety.
    • Councilwoman Francois updated on job training: Raritan Valley Community College is scheduling a machine operator program, and a new training center by the New Jersey Independent Electrical Contractors has opened in Franklin; she plans to take Johnny Tibbs to visit it.
    • Councilman Vasanella reported on the Shade Tree Commission and tree planting plans, emphasizing the need for strategic maintenance and equity across wards.
    • Councilman Pataznik discussed the energy aggregation program: the committee selected Gable Associates but postponed action due to the war in Ukraine; a spring 2024 bid is expected to achieve 5% cheaper and 10% cleaner energy than the state default.
    • Councilman Onyejiaka asked about advertising the youth center so more kids know how to access it.
    • Deputy Mayor Kaper-Dale (via discussion) noted that the housing authority is autonomous and not required to record meetings, but the council cannot compel it.
    • Township Manager Vornlocker reported on the Bunker Hill Environmental Center (bridge deemed structurally unsound; replacement engineering underway), Hamilton Street tree planting (late winter bid for spring planting), and the upcoming Franklin Township Local Health Assessment and Action Plan to be presented at the next council meeting.
    • Mayor Kramer announced a new online portal for automatic tax and water payments (deadline to sign up for Q4 taxes: October 24).
    • Councilman Pataznik also made a statement of solidarity with Israel following recent attacks.

Key Outcomes

  • Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the September 27, 2023, Work Session/Regular Meeting and Executive Session were approved. Councilwoman Francois abstained, stating she arrived after the meeting ended.
  • Approval of Warrants: The payment of bills totaling $16,710,766.49 was approved.
  • Consent Agenda: All 20 resolutions (A through T) were adopted unanimously.
  • Plague Unveiling Ceremony: Councilwoman Francois announced a plaque unveiling at the Franklin Township Youth Center on Thursday, October 19, 2023, from 6 to 7 p.m., with light refreshments.
  • No Executive Session: The meeting adjourned without entering executive session.

Meeting Transcript

Council is called to order. Madam Clerk. Okay. 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, October 10th, 2023. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And thoughts, the infinite love and mercy, graciously grants us disrunt on the power in all in our thoughts on decisions to be for the benefit of all people at all times. Amen. Yes. Councilwoman Francois here. Mayor Kramer. Here. Councilman Ami Jaka. Yes. Councilmember Batasna? Present. Councilwoman Pruitt? Here. Councilwoman Udean? Here. Councilman Vasanella. Councilman White. Thank you. We have proclamations and commendations. March Marcus McParland. Good evening, everyone. This evening we want to recognize a young man from our township. He's 14 years old. Marcus McFarland. He's just got into high school, a freshman at Notre Dame. What he has done is amazing. I'm going to show you this book. He put this book together over a last 18 months. When he was in the eighth grade, okay. This is amazing work. What he did was he lives in Grigstown section of our town. So it was a class project to do a uh pro uh to to do something in in the community that you live. So he kind of came up with this idea. He looked for any materials on Greek town in the library, couldn't find anything, and he said he's going to make that as a uh part of his um not Greystown, I'm sorry. Kingston, Kingston. Um make a part of his uh school project and and put this book uh on uh Kingston history and he has got lots of materials here. Want to recognize him today. Um I read some of it, some sections of it. Um fascinating stuff. He has got uh any everything from in taverns, hotels, uh homes and historic sites, and people and how they lived, artifacts, very interesting, and then uh some uncovered secrets. Who done it? Uh unsolved mysteries, unsolved mysteries, and of course, public records from right from Civil War to World War One and World War II. So it's a nice collection of uh materials, uh most interesting.

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