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Record of Proceedings

Franklin Township Council Meeting - October 24, 2023

Township Council — Tuesday, October 24, 2023
BodyFranklin Township, New Jersey
SessionTownship Council
DateTuesday, October 24, 2023
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:04:47

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
0:01

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.

0:12

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

0:22

Council Chambers at 7 p.m.

0:24

on Tuesday, October 24th, 2023.

0:38

Councilwoman Francois.

0:42

Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice.

1:03

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.

1:16

Amen.

1:25

Councilwoman Francois here.

1:28

Councilman Oni Jaka?

1:30

Yeah.

1:30

Councilmember Pataznik.

1:32

Councilwoman Pruitt here.

1:34

Councilwoman Edine here.

1:36

Councilman Vasanella?

1:37

Here.

1:37

Councilman Wright.

1:40

We have a recommendations and proclamations.

1:44

Hindu Heritage Month proclamation.

1:47

Deputy Mayor.

2:37

Good news.

2:39

Thank you, Township Manager.

2:42

For the technical assistance.

2:44

Good evening, everyone.

2:46

All right.

2:48

Um my audience of uh one Hindu from the community is on his way, so but I will go ahead and read it anyway.

2:58

We could do it after public session if you'd like.

3:00

Okay, all right.

3:01

All right, okay.

3:03

Okay.

3:05

Um do we have a motion to open to public session?

3:08

So moved, second.

3:10

All in favor?

3:11

Aye.

3:12

Opposed.

3:13

We are now open to public session.

3:15

Five minutes apiece, no yielding of time.

3:18

Um may only come up once.

3:20

Uh state your name and address when you do.

3:23

And we have a Boy Scout working on his merit badge tonight, so be nice.

3:28

Here he is.

3:30

It's him and he's followed by Alex Carazi.

3:37

No one wants to speak.

3:40

Really?

3:41

No.

3:41

Nobody at all.

3:42

It's like earth shattering.

3:48

I believe the gentleman's here for citizenship in the community.

3:54

Just one below.

3:56

Life Scout.

3:58

Okay.

3:59

Well, working on a merit band.

4:00

You have we have a taker.

4:02

Are you okay?

4:03

Okay.

4:04

Oh.

4:04

Could have set a record, but no.

4:10

Good evening, Alex Carrasy at 14 Margaret Drive, Somerset, New Jersey.

4:16

Um, I just wanted to uh really congratulate this township.

4:21

I had the opportunity to attend three events last week.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Community Engagement███████████████████████████27%
Public Engagement████████████████████20%
Procedural███████████11%
Public Safety█████████9%
Education██████6%
Open Space████4%
Parks and Recreation████4%
Mental Health Awareness████4%
Public Health███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Franklin Township Council Meeting - October 24, 2023

The Franklin Township Council held a work session and regular meeting on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, at 7:00 PM in the Municipal Building Council Chambers. The meeting included proclamations, public comments, council reports, approval of minutes and warrants, and adoption of the consent agenda. All votes were unanimous.

Consent Calendar

  • Resolution #23-404 – Authorize Tax Title Lien Redemptions.
  • Resolution #23-405 – Release Performance Guarantee for Street Opening Permit at 42 William Street ($750.00).
  • Resolution #23-406 – Release Performance Guarantee for S4 Estates at 3059 Rt 27 ($20,556.00).
  • Resolution #23-407 – Authorize Out-of-State & Out-of-Country Conferences for Township Clerk.
  • Resolution #23-408 – Award Bid for Naaman Williams Path Resurfacing to Fischer Contracting (not to exceed $81,185.00).
  • Resolution #23-409 – Award Bid for Henry St, Dunbar St, Chester Ave Resurfacing to American Asphalt & Trucking (not to exceed $178,519.56).
  • Resolution #23-410 – Award CDBG Housing Rehabilitation Contract at 4251 Route 27, Princeton, to Francen Contracting (not to exceed $18,500.00).
  • Resolution #23-411 – Award CDBG Housing Rehabilitation Contract at 21 Amethyst Way, Franklin Park, to Hi Quality Contracting (not to exceed $22,000.00).
  • Resolution #23-412 – Authorize Final Change Order for Bennetts Road Resurfacing (decrease from $508,075.34 to $448,540.49).
  • Resolution #23-413 – Authorize Fireworks Displays at The Palace at Somerset Park for November 2023 Event.
  • Resolution #23-414 – Authorize Agreement with Somerset County for Traffic Signal & High-Definition Traffic Camera Equipment.
  • Resolution #23-415 – Authorize Extension of Competitive Contract for Township Newsletter Printing (Hawk Graphics, Inc., final year).
  • Resolution #23-416 – Authorize Refund for Construction Water Meter Escrow to Brentwood Bay LLC ($821.52).
  • Resolution #23-417 – Amend Resolution #23-018 to Reflect Name Change in Appointment of Associate Township Prosecutor.
  • Resolution #23-418 – Amend Somerset County Youth Services Annual Grant from $5,000 to $6,000.
  • Resolution #23-419 – Authorize Online Auction with Municibid (November 27 – December 8, 2023).
  • Resolution #23-420 – Support Continuation of the Corporate Business Tax (CBT) at 2023 Rate to Fund Open Space, Farmland, Historic Preservation, and Hazardous Site Cleanup.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Alex Carazi (14 Margaret Drive, Somerset) expressed appreciation for three recent community events: a police department unity meeting (noting an Israeli American and Palestinian American officer working together), the plaque dedication at the Youth Center, and the Diwali celebration. He praised the township’s diversity and urged residents to use the Youth Center.
  • Jan Brandt (22 Bryant Court) conveyed that Franklin feels like a community (contrasting with her experience in Maryland), praised the council and staff, and expressed interest in volunteering at the Youth Center (tutoring, etc.). She also mentioned an upcoming meeting with Councilwoman Udine at Canal Walk to discuss resident concerns.
  • Charles Ingolterra (86 Saratoga Court) asked whether the township has considered purchasing the B9 property (citing Hillsborough’s recent purchase) to prevent warehouse development. He urged creative open space acquisition in Ward 2.
  • Debbie Stewart (Farrington) echoed Mr. Ingolterra’s comments, noting that open space in Ward 2 is lacking and suggested creative partnerships with the county and state.
  • Marlon Kwan (28 J’s Corner) requested that the council create a citizens group to work on zoning issues, particularly in the BI zone, to address warehouse sprawl. He noted the master plan reexamination is not scheduled until later but urged proactive community input.
  • Will Novak (no address given) encouraged the council to prioritize green space and open space to attract young families.
  • Unnamed resident (9 Congress Court, Canal Walk) thanked the council for the Diwali celebration (over 1,000 attendees) and praised the township’s diversity.

Discussion Items

  • Hindu Heritage Month Proclamation – Councilmember Ed Potosnak read the proclamation and presented it to Dave Carlicker, a Franklin Township resident of over 20 years. Carlicker expressed gratitude and noted the Hindu principle

Meeting Transcript

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 24th, 2023. Councilwoman Francois. Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice. 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. Councilwoman Francois here. Councilman Oni Jaka? Yeah. Councilmember Pataznik. Councilwoman Pruitt here. Councilwoman Edine here. Councilman Vasanella? Here. Councilman Wright. We have a recommendations and proclamations. Hindu Heritage Month proclamation. Deputy Mayor. Good news. Thank you, Township Manager. For the technical assistance. Good evening, everyone. All right. Um my audience of uh one Hindu from the community is on his way, so but I will go ahead and read it anyway. We could do it after public session if you'd like. Okay, all right. All right, okay. Okay. Um do we have a motion to open to public session? So moved, second. All in favor? Aye. Opposed. We are now open to public session. Five minutes apiece, no yielding of time. Um may only come up once. Uh state your name and address when you do. And we have a Boy Scout working on his merit badge tonight, so be nice. Here he is. It's him and he's followed by Alex Carazi. No one wants to speak. Really? No. Nobody at all. It's like earth shattering. I believe the gentleman's here for citizenship in the community. Just one below. Life Scout.

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