Franklin Township Council Meeting Summary – December 12, 2023

The Franklin Township Council met at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, December 12, 2023, at the Municipal Building for a work session/regular meeting. The agenda included commendations, public comment, a Local Health Assessment and Action Plan, warrant approval, two second-reading ordinances, a consent agenda, separate resolutions, and an executive session. It was Councilwoman Crystal Pruitt’s final council meeting.

Commendations & Proclamations

• Certificate of recognition was presented to 20 restaurants — the “Tasty 20” — for participating in Franklin’s first Restaurant Week (October 8–14, 2023).
• Deputy Mayor Anbarasan presented commendations to 24 youth volunteers who helped with the Diwali celebration on October 21 at Franklin High School, which drew more than 1,000 residents.
• The Environmental Commission awarded its 2023 Environmental Stewardship Award to the Lower Raritan Watershed Partnership for work to clean up polluted waterways, enhance habitat, and improve watershed health.
• The Council honored Councilwoman Crystal Pruitt, who will leave office on December 31, 2023. Her commendation cited service from 2019 through 2023; Pruitt noted she was first appointed in 2018 and won election in 2019. She delivered remarks about lessons learned during her five years and her new role in Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind, a clean energy project she said could deliver at least 1,500 megawatts and possibly more than 5 gigawatts.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Debbie Stewart (Farrington Plaza) asked about the difference between preserved farmland and open space, specifically whether the Horses & Hay parcel could be walked on, and also asked whether police communications were understaffed after she was put on hold when reporting an abandoned car on Schoolhouse Road.
• Prabhakar Ja (Princeton Highlands Boulevard) requested a status update on a traffic signal at Princeton Highlands Boulevard/Route 27 and a pedestrian crossing at Gold Star Avenue/Route 27. He read a homeowners association letter citing 75–100 weekday commuters crossing Route 27, seniors walking to CVS, near misses, and a possible 25% electrical cost share. He said the community has 700–800 residents.
• Samina Sitar (18 Barbieri Court) thanked the Council for drafting Resolution #490 on peace and unity, but urged it to be more specific by naming Islamophobia and antisemitism. She also said she believed a ceasefire resolution is within the Council’s scope because the U.S. provides material support to foreign governments.
• John Tibbs, as later referenced by the Township Manager, demanded speed bumps (clarified as speed humps) on Mark Street, praised Public Works for park and garden work, supported more warehouses for jobs, opposed more apartments, and asked that developers hire local residents and that youth programs extend to ages 17–24.
• Sonia Shamin expressed support for Resolution #490 and asked the Council to adopt it.
• Meher Rufik (13th Spring Street, Somerset) supported Resolution #490 but asked why it did not explicitly say “Islamophobia” and “antisemitism,” noting her own history of standing against hatred toward Jewish, African American, and Muslim communities.
• Another resident spoke in support of Resolution #490 without adding details.
• Teresa Hendrickson (29 Lab Drive) said overgrown weeds on JFK Boulevard still had not been cleaned after about a year and asked for an update on her prior request to Somerset County.
• A resident raised concerns about a food crisis in Franklin, citing food bank financial needs and Franklin High School data showing around 34% of students receiving free lunch (about 750 students). He proposed considering a reallocation from the Open Space Trust Fund — perhaps splitting the roughly $5 million annual revenue — and asked whether the Council would create a commission to address food insecurity.
• A resident from Republic Row reported collecting 5,100-plus pounds of food for the food bank and ongoing support for the Youth Center and food bank.

Council Responses to Public Comments

• Mayor Phil Kramer responded to a prior question about tax savings from warehouses, estimating that if all warehouses that had applied since 2018 were built, the average home might save roughly $800 per year (with a plausible range of $700–$900 and possibly as low as $400). He said only four or five are currently operating and that full buildout could create about 3,900 warehouse jobs.
• Township Manager Bob Vornlocker explained that the Open Space Trust Fund cannot legally be used for food programs under Green Acres regulations, provided Somerset County Road Division contact information (908-541-5021) for the JFK Boulevard weeds issue, described the DOT’s next steps for the Route 27 traffic signal request, and said police communications staffing was adequate because dispatchers prioritize emergency calls.
• Vornlocker also distinguished between preserved farmland and open space: preserved farmland remains privately owned but cannot be developed, while open space is generally accessible to the public unless leased to farmers or restricted.
• Councilwoman Pruitt and Councilman Pataznik publicly stated that they stand against antisemitism, Islamophobia, and all forms of hate. Councilman Pataznik said he empowers residents to speak up against hatred.

Council Comments & Reports

• Councilman Wright proposed an ad hoc committee to study the Urban Enterprise Zone, working with Councilman Pataznik and Deputy Mayor Anbarasan and ultimately with Assemblyman Danielson’s office on possible state law amendments.
• Councilwoman Udine reported on the Public Works Committee’s 2024 road paving list, noted that 2023 paving was complete and posted online, and summarized a “Connect with Council” session at Somerset Run.
• Councilman Vassanella attended the Central Jersey Housing Resource Center’s planning meeting and said 2024 would be busy for affordable housing; he also updated the Council on the Little League field lights project, saying it is the final and largest phase.
• Several council members commented on Easton Avenue corridor improvements, urging residents to use alternative routes near Princeton Highlands while safety improvements are studied. Councilman Vassanella outlined two federal projects and said some smaller county initiatives may be presented in January.
• Deputy Mayor Anbarasan congratulated Councilwoman Pruitt on being named one of Somerset County Business Partnership’s “40 Under 40,” reported on planning board, workforce training, a 3D printing class, and an HRC meeting, and publicly stated his opposition to antisemitism and Islamophobia.
• Mayor Kramer thanked the Deputy Mayor for his service and noted that wedding fees donated to Second Chance for Animals.

Township Manager’s Report

• The Manager praised recreation staff, especially Myra Jimenez, for the holiday tree lighting.
• He reported that the old municipal holiday tree had been removed and replaced by a Norwegian spruce donated by Joseph’s Landscaping and Lawn Care; the FMBA union plans to donate equipment for a seating and paver area in spring.
• He also emphasized that the Little League field lights were funded with a grant obtained through Assemblyman Danielson’s office.

Council Discussion Items: Local Health Assessment and Action Plan (LHAAP)

• Special Projects Manager Safi Callan and Sustainability/Land Preservation Consultant Tara Kenyon presented the LHAAP, a 150-plus-page report using more than 20,000 data points from surveys, focus groups, and state/local data.
• The plan was supported by a Sustainable Jersey technical assistance grant; Franklin was the only township to receive the grant in 2022.
• The survey received close to 300 responses. Presenters said there was no budget for scientific random sampling; the grant was technical assistance only.
• Key findings included residents’ pride in diversity, the need for better public transportation, mental health service gaps, lack of awareness about disability services, desire for virtual or varied meeting times, and environmental concerns.
• The report highlighted a disparity in life expectancy between Ward 1 (88.1 years) and Ward 4 (77.3 years).
• Other data: median owner-occupied home value in Franklin is $383,700, compared with $470,500 in Somerset County and about $389,000 in New Jersey; average monthly rent in Franklin is $1,750, higher than New Jersey’s $1,400; just under 70% of people drive alone to work.
• Franklin has nearly 9,000 preserved open-space acres, the most in Somerset County, and over 30 miles of trails, almost half of which are handicapped accessible.
• Recommended actions include working with Ridewise, exploring expansion of Somerset County’s DASH/scoot service, investigating micromobility, adding green infrastructure, and partnering with hospitals for mobile preventive health screenings.
• Franklin is already Silver certified by Sustainable Jersey; completing the LHAAP and implementing three projects could earn a gold star in health. Presenters placed a letter of support outside the meeting room for signatures.

Approval of Minutes

• No minutes were submitted.

Approval of Warrants

• Warrants totaling $15,902,084.69 for December 12, 2023 were presented and approved unanimously.

Ordinances on Second Reading

• Ordinance No. 4423-23 — Acquisition of development rights for Horses and Hay, LLC Farm (Block 11.01, Lot 46, 98 Coppermine Road) for farmland preservation. The public hearing was opened; Debbie Stewart asked about zoning and potential development. The Township Manager said the property is in the RR5 zone, which permits one house per five acres, potentially allowing two to three houses without variances. The hearing closed and the ordinance was adopted unanimously.
• Ordinance No. 4424-23 — Capital ordinance appropriating $230,100 from the Open Space Trust Fund for the same development-rights acquisition. No public comment was offered; the public hearing closed and the ordinance was adopted unanimously.

Consent Agenda

• The consent agenda (items a through y) was adopted unanimously after Councilman Vassanella pulled item n for explanation.
• He read the 2024 Fire Commissioners District salaries: District 1: $8,500 per commissioner and $9,000 for chairman; District 2: $8,000 each commissioner; District 3: $8,160 each commissioner; District 4: $300 each commissioner and $400 each officer.
• Other consent items included software/network support contracts, a Woodlawn Rd/Byron Place resurfacing change order, recreation programs, Little League field lights, tax title lien redemptions, engineering services amendment, a rejected electrical bid, a plumbing services award, tax overpayment refunds, water charge hardship adjustment, budget insertions, a Van Cleef Road bike path grant application, a CDBG housing rehabilitation contract, stormwater maintenance agreements, a junkyard license, screen printing services, police message boards, police vehicle outfitting, write-offs, budget transfers, the CY2024 temporary budget, and support for the farmland preservation planning incentive grant.

Resolutions Voted Separately

• Resolution #23-464 — Awarded a competitive contract to the Central Jersey Housing Resource Center as Administrative Agent for the Affordable Housing Program for 2024, not to exceed $66,000. Approved, with Councilman Vassanella abstaining.
• Resolution #23-490 — “Peace, Unity and Rejection of Hate and Bigotry” was moved up on the agenda and read by Councilwoman Udine. It declares zero tolerance for hate, bigotry, and discrimination and asks residents to reject hate. It was adopted unanimously by roll call.
• Resolution #23-491 — Authorized an abandoned vehicle auction by Anthony Motors on January 22, 2024. Approved unanimously.

Executive Session and Adjournment

• The Council authorized an executive session under Resolution #23-489 for attorney/client privilege (legal update) and then adjourned without further business.

Key Outcomes

• Adopted warrants totaling $15,902,084.69.
• Adopted Ordinance No. 4423-23 and Ordinance No. 4424-23, authorizing the Horses and Hay farmland development-rights acquisition and $230,100 appropriation from Open Space Trust Funds.
• Approved the entire consent agenda with the exception that Councilman Vassanella pulled and explained Fire District salaries.
• Approved Resolution #23-464 with one abstention, and Resolutions #23-490 and #23-491 unanimously.
• Authorized executive session.
• The next regular council meeting was stated to be January 2, 2024.