OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Franklin Township Council Meeting - November 13, 2023

Township Council — Monday, November 13, 2023
BodyFranklin Township, New Jersey
SessionTownship Council
DateMonday, November 13, 2023
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:10:57

Transcript — Verbatim
0:01

Session regular meeting of the township council is called to order.

0:06

Madam Clerk.

0:07

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 as required, indicating that this work session regular meeting would take place at the municipal building at 7 p.m.

0:20

on Monday, November 13th, 2023.

0:25

If we could all stand for the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the invocation given by Mr.

0:29

Vassanella.

0:32

Pledge allegiance to let us take the next few moments of silence to each seek in our own way.

1:00

Whatever sources of inspiration will grant us the strength and power in our thoughts and decisions to be for the benefit of all people at all times.

1:10

And may everybody have a safe and loving holiday season as we approach holidays.

1:25

Amen.

1:30

Deputy Mayor Embarrison.

1:32

Councilwoman Francois here.

1:34

Mayor Kramer here.

1:35

Councilman Oni Jaka.

1:37

Yeah.

1:37

Councilmember Patazny.

1:39

Present.

1:39

Councilwoman Pruitt.

1:41

Councilwoman Udine?

1:43

Here.

1:43

Councilman Vassanella?

1:45

Here.

1:45

Councilman Wright.

1:47

Thank you.

1:48

Commendations and proclamations.

1:50

We have none.

1:51

Sure, you win the election.

1:52

You don't need one.

1:55

That's a joke.

1:57

Public discussion.

1:58

Do we have a motion to open to the public?

2:00

So moved.

2:01

Seconded.

2:02

Move in, second.

2:02

And all in favor say aye.

2:04

Aye.

2:04

Opposed say nay.

2:06

Motion is carried or open to the public.

2:08

Five minutes a person, no yielding of time.

2:10

They only come up once.

2:11

Please state your name and address.

2:23

No.

2:24

I'll get a word.

2:38

Thank you.

2:39

Kiki Anastasica's 3204 Enclave Circle.

2:44

I'm here tonight to first of all congratulate all the members of the Franklin Township Council on their re-election.

2:59

Namely, Mayor Kramer, Deputy Mayor Ambarasan, Councilwoman Francois, and the newest member, Dr.

3:09

Karzai.

3:09

I don't see him here, but I'm guessing he will be coming and joining you shortly and wishing you best of luck in all your uh hard work in the new year.

3:22

Um secondly, I would like to publicly thank uh councilwoman uh Shipa Udin, who is our representative uh from ward number two.

3:33

Today we were very fortunate um to have the councilwoman visit Canal Walk.

3:39

Um she had a full room, and um I would like to extend uh my thanks and the thanks of um my group, uh the citizens warehouse group for um her willingness to listen and to uh take notes and to discuss with us and to open the door.

4:02

And I know your doors are always open, but uh it's very important that occasionally um the government representatives come to the community.

4:15

I think it's uh it creates uh goodwill and um it creates a a very important dialogue.

4:22

So thank you.

4:23

Thank you so very much and looking forward to uh future meetings again.

4:29

It was a very productive meeting.

4:31

Um I have a couple of uh uh status questions, um, and I'll try to be brief.

4:39

Um we would like to know the status of the traffic study.

4:43

I know that it's it has been budgeted and it's in uh the works.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Healthcare Benefits███████████████████████████████████████39%
Procedural██████████████████18%
Community Engagement██████████10%
Public Works█████████9%
Public Safety█████5%
Traffic Safety████4%
Transportation Safety████4%
Youth Programs████4%
Zoning Regulations███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Franklin Township Council Meeting - November 13, 2023

The Franklin Township Council held a work session/regular meeting on Monday, November 13, 2023, at 7:00 PM. The meeting included public comments on the ongoing nurses' strike at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, updates on a traffic study and industrial zone re-examination, and discussion of a YMCA project. The council adopted numerous consent agenda items, approved a PILOT ordinance on first reading, and addressed the 2024 meeting schedule and best practices inventory.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved Resolutions #23-421 through #23-447 en bloc, including:
    • Tax title lien redemptions.
    • Authorization of $600,000 surplus transfer from the Franklin Township Sewerage Authority to the township budget.
    • Release of maintenance bond ($63,123.83) and plan review escrow ($1,042.23).
    • Refunds/deposits for water meters and overpayments.
    • CDBG housing rehabilitation contracts (total $31,200).
    • Purchases of a landscaper body ($34,882.72), a Ford F450 cab and chassis ($56,068.44), five Ford F350 pickups with plows ($320,148.75 total), and central station monitoring services (up to $100,000/year).
    • Award of state contract for body-worn cameras and equipment (year 3, up to $132,514.64) and acceptance of related grant ($183,420).
    • Contract extensions for water testing services and CDBG/ARPA administration.
    • Final change orders for road resurfacing projects (increases to $593,003.46 and $863,284.18).
    • Shared services agreement with Middlesex Borough for animal control (2024–2026).
    • Stormwater detention maintenance agreement and liquor license transfer.
    • Electric distribution company aggregation agreement with PSE&G (step in energy aggregation process).
    • Confirmation of Tax Collector appointment and amendment of software contract with Everbridge.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Kiki Anastasica (3204 Enclave Circle): Congratulated elected officials, thanked Councilwoman Udine for visiting Canal Walk, requested status update on the traffic study regarding trucks on township roads, and asked about follow-up on the mayor's comment regarding re-examination of the industrial zone after the B9 application rejection.
  • Dr. Chase (resident): Questioned item 15Y (PSE&G aggregation agreement), asking why the township would sign now when Gable Associates advised waiting until spring and what benefit the agreement would provide. The manager later responded that the agreement is a BPU requirement before bidding for third-party energy.
  • Erica Kalindras (3 Willow Road): Representing striking nurses at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (day 102 of strike). Expressed full support for safe staffing legislation (S304/A4546), citing surveys showing 72% of New Jersey nurses considering leaving the bedside and a 12–16% increase in patient mortality from understaffing. Urged council to pass a resolution of support.
  • Louise Gurge (Tulai Leck Lane): Nurse for 40 years; described increased workload after the pandemic, nurses being held criminally liable for mistakes under unsafe assignments, and implored the council to support safe staffing legislation.
  • Christine Van Beveren (14 Adler Drive): Nurse at Bristol-Myers Squibb Children's Hospital since 2005; urged council to support S304 and A4546, emphasizing that proper staffing lowers mortality and hospital-acquired infections.
  • Bill Grippo (former mayor/resident): Advocated for building a YMCA in Franklin Township, citing swim safety, child care, and senior programs. Stressed that funding from county, state, and federal sources is available and asked the council to make it a priority this year. Praised Councilwoman Udine's mini town hall at Canal Walk and the community band.

Council Comments & Reports

  • Council members universally expressed support for the nurses and the safe staffing legislation, with most indicating they will review the bill and potentially bring a resolution to a future meeting. Personal stories and experiences with nursing care were shared.
  • Deputy Mayor Embarrasson and others discussed the YMCA, noting past efforts and hoping for success this time. Councilman Wright highlighted that second graders already learn to swim at the YMCA through a Board of Education program.
  • Councilman Vassanella reported a public works meeting noting significant increases in road paving costs for 2024.
  • Councilwoman Udine announced upcoming resident sessions (Somerset Run on December 7) and reminded residents to complete the Easton Avenue traffic survey by November 30.
  • Manager's Report:
    • Traffic study: Engineering firm installed cameras at 14 key intersections in the BI zone for turn counts and classifications; police are installing volume counters at midpoints. Data collection will take a couple weeks.
    • BI zone master plan re-examination: The same firm will conduct this study using traffic data; groundwork meetings with the firm have occurred. A meeting is scheduled with Zoning Board Chairman Bob Thomas and Planning Board Chairman Dr. Orsini to discuss a wider regional approach with Somerset County.
    • Energy aggregation: The PSE&G agreement on the agenda is a BPU requirement before the township can bid for third-party energy; the spring timeline for bidding remains the guidance from Gable Associates.
    • Easton Avenue corridor study: A long-term concept development study (funded by NJTPA, NJDOT, FHWA) is underway for Easton Avenue between Franklin Boulevard and World's Fair Drive. The road carries ~45,000 vehicles per day (higher than Route 27) and has the most accidents of any county highway in Somerset. Survey responses are due by November 30.
    • 2023 Best Practices Inventory: The township scored 38 out of a required 29, well above the threshold to avoid state aid withholding.

Discussion Items

  • Proposed 2024 Township Council Meeting Schedule: The schedule shifts all meetings to the second and fourth Tuesday (reorganization/regular meeting on January 2, 2024). No objections; a formal resolution will be adopted at the next meeting.
  • 2023 Best Practices Inventory: Presented by the manager; score of 38 passes with room to spare. No questions.
  • Ordinance #4422-23 (PILOT – Wilentz Senior Residence Urban Renewal, LP): First reading. The ordinance authorizes a tax exemption (payment in lieu of taxes) for a low-income senior apartment building on Damont Lane currently owned by a non-profit; a for-profit buyer plans to acquire and rehabilitate it. The township retains COA controls; the property is currently tax-exempt. The PILOT payment formula is determined by state law; payment will be calculated by the assessor. Council discussed ensuring controls remain in perpetuity. Passed on first reading; public hearing set for November 28, 2023.

Key Outcomes

  • Nurse Staffing Legislation: Council will review S304 and A4546; likely to place a resolution of support on a future agenda.
  • Minutes of October 24, 2023: Approved unanimously.
  • Warrants (Bill List): Approved in the amount of $19,188,940.93.
  • Ordinance #4422-23: Approved on first reading (6-0; Councilman Wright absent during initial votes but present later; roll call showed all yes). Public hearing set for November 28.
  • Consent Agenda (Resolutions #23-421 to #23-447): Approved en bloc (6-0).
  • 2024 Meeting Schedule: Informal consensus; formal adoption by resolution at a future meeting.
  • Meeting adjourned without executive session.

Meeting Transcript

Session regular meeting of the township council is called to 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 as required, indicating that this work session regular meeting would take place at the municipal building at 7 p.m. on Monday, November 13th, 2023. If we could all stand for the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the invocation given by Mr. Vassanella. Pledge allegiance to let us take the next few moments of silence to each seek in our own way. Whatever sources of inspiration will grant us the strength and power in our thoughts and decisions to be for the benefit of all people at all times. And may everybody have a safe and loving holiday season as we approach holidays. Amen. Deputy Mayor Embarrison. Councilwoman Francois here. Mayor Kramer here. Councilman Oni Jaka. Yeah. Councilmember Patazny. Present. Councilwoman Pruitt. Councilwoman Udine? Here. Councilman Vassanella? Here. Councilman Wright. Thank you. Commendations and proclamations. We have none. Sure, you win the election. You don't need one. That's a joke. Public discussion. Do we have a motion to open to the public? So moved. Seconded. Move in, second. And all in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed say nay. Motion is carried or open to the public. Five minutes a person, no yielding of time. They only come up once. Please state your name and address. No. I'll get a word. Thank you. Kiki Anastasica's 3204 Enclave Circle. I'm here tonight to first of all congratulate all the members of the Franklin Township Council on their re-election. Namely, Mayor Kramer, Deputy Mayor Ambarasan, Councilwoman Francois, and the newest member, Dr. Karzai. I don't see him here, but I'm guessing he will be coming and joining you shortly and wishing you best of luck in all your uh hard work in the new year. Um secondly, I would like to publicly thank uh councilwoman uh Shipa Udin, who is our representative uh from ward number two.

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