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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Franklin Township Council Reorganization Meeting Held on January 2, 2024

Township Council — Tuesday, January 2, 2024

BodyFranklin Township, New Jersey

SessionTownship Council

DateTuesday, January 2, 2024

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 1:12:55

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:00

Senator Bob Smith.

0:05

Reverend George Montanery.

0:10

POM me BOE member Bill Grippo.

0:16

POE member Sammy Shaban.

0:21

From the county, we have our clerk, Steve Peters.

0:27

The um the count I couldn't remember.

0:32

The um what are you the director?

0:36

I can't I'm tripping.

0:38

Commissioner Director, I'm tripping over freeholder.

0:40

Commissioner Director Chanel Robinson.

0:45

Commissioner Melanie Morano.

0:49

Our very own lent to the county, Darren Russo, Sheriff, Man of the Year, head of the food bank, Derek Smith, Councilman Ted Chase.

1:09

Um Reverend Sonia Rod Red Ray.

1:15

Former Mayor Brian Levine.

1:21

Swami Vijay Pundi and Swami Madina Galpal.

1:31

I didn't get the Imam's name.

1:36

And Imam Sheikh Balan.

1:43

And uh noted Eagles fan Ron Jordan.

1:49

I'm sorry if I missed anybody.

1:52

Um I've tried my best.

1:54

Is there anyone here that I missed that wants to be recognized?

1:59

Is there anyone here who I've named or not that would like to speak?

2:07

Okay.

2:08

Um thank you all for coming, as well as our dignitaries.

2:13

Uh, we're now going to do remarks of those who have been sworn in.

2:16

We will start with councilwoman at large, Kimberly Francois.

2:22

Oh, I get to go first.

2:24

Ladies first.

2:26

Good evening, everyone.

2:28

Thank you all for coming.

2:30

Indeed, it is an honor and a privilege to serve you, people of Franklin Township for four more years.

2:40

I want to thank you for believing in me for voting voting for me for allowing me to serve you for another four years.

2:50

I can't believe it's been 20 years since I've served, and I'm looking forward to continuing the work that I've started with the youth center.

2:59

My passion and my vision and my commitment to the Franklin Township people, businesses, and residents are with the youth, with our seniors, and our families.

3:13

So again, I would just like to say that I'm grateful to God.

3:17

It's been a blessing to much is given, much is required, and it's a blessing to be able to serve you, the people of Franklin Township, and thank you for your confidence and believing in me and voting meet for me again.

3:30

Thank you so much.

3:31

God bless.

3:35

Councilman at large, Ram and Barrison.

3:40

Thank you, Mr.

3:41

Mayor.

3:42

Good evening, everyone.

3:43

I can't believe so many people showed up to celebrate my demotion to Jets a councilman from a deputy mayor.

3:54

I'm honored to be re-elected as your council at large again.

3:58

Uh, I want to thank all of you for your support and your trust in me.

4:02

I promise to work hard every day to make sure that I live up to your expectations.

4:09

As your councilman, I'm committed to making our community a better place to live.

4:14

I believe that we can do this by working together and by focusing on the issues that matter most to all of us.

4:22

Whether it's providing learning opportunities for our youth, providing making our community safer, or protecting our environment.

4:32

I'm committed to finding solutions that work for everyone.

4:36

Remember my slogan, better policies, less politics.

4:42

But I can't do this alone.

4:43

I need your help and your input.

4:45

I want everyone to reach out to me with your ideas, your concerns, our issues that matter most to you.

4:54

I want to know what you think to make our community a better place.

5:01

Together, we can make a real difference.

5:04

Thank you again for all your support, and I look forward to working with you all in the next four years.

5:10

God bless.

5:15

And now, brand new councilman at large, Alex Carazi.

5:19

Thank you, Mr.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Community Engagement█████████████████████████████████████37%

Procedural█████████████████████████████29%

Education███████7%

Public Health████4%

Public Defender Funding████4%

Racial Equity███3%

Immigration Policy███3%

Public Works███3%

Animal Welfare███3%

Summary of Proceedings

Franklin Township Council Reorganization Meeting Held on January 2, 2024

The Franklin Township Council held its annual reorganization meeting on January 2, 2024, swearing in elected officials, appointing a deputy mayor and professional advisors, and adopting numerous resolutions for the coming year. The meeting celebrated the township’s diversity, with officials representing Jewish, Hindu, Muslim, and Christian faiths sworn in by clergy of multiple traditions.

Oaths of Office and Remarks

Mayor Phillip Kramer was sworn in for a fifth term; Councilwoman At-Large Kimberly Francois and Councilman At-Large Sivaraman "Ram" Anbarasan were sworn in for new terms; Councilman At-Large Alex Kharazi was sworn in as a newly elected member.
Each official delivered brief remarks emphasizing community service, diversity, and priorities such as youth programs, health care costs, and economic development.

Deputy Mayor Appointment

Councilman Ed Patasnik was nominated and unanimously approved by acclamation as Deputy Mayor for 2024. In his remarks, he noted he is the first openly gay deputy mayor of Franklin Township.

Public Comments & Testimony

A future Board of Education member expressed strong support for free early childhood education and for building a YMCA, citing water safety and child care needs.
A resident from Sierra Leone praised the council’s support for safe staffing at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital and lauded the township’s school system.
A Fourth Ward resident highlighted disparities in health outcomes and urged greater services and job training for his community.
The chairman of the West African community asked the council to address immigrant needs, including insurance and outreach, and to encourage use of the food bank.
One small-business owner requested help for women to start businesses through more affordable rental spaces.

Appointments of Professionals and Officials

Council unanimously approved these appointments for 2024: Louis N. Rainone (Township Attorney), Alyssa Puccio (Tax Appeal Counsel), Everett M. Johnson (Bond Counsel), Robert Swisher (Township Auditor), Andrew Hodulik (Financial Consultant), Robert Russo (Township Engineer), Mohamed S. Jalloh (Township Prosecutor), Norman W. Albert (Associate Prosecutor), Chirag D. Mehta (Alternate Prosecutor), and Dennis A. Auciello (Public Defender). Several were sworn in on site.

Boards, Committees & Commissions

Resolutions #24-001 through #24-004, establishing standing committees, council liaisons, reappointments, and appointments to boards and commissions, were adopted by unanimous roll-call vote.

Mayoral Appointments

Mayor Kramer appointed Tiana Grisham (five-year term) and Kevin McNeil to the Library Board of Trustees, and Robert LeCourt to the Planning Board as Class I member.

Council Comments & Reports

The Township Manager gave updates: Christmas tree curbside pickup runs January 8 and 16; a construction permit amnesty week runs January 8–12, with permits due by February 9; and a free rabies clinic and a construction permit reminder were announced.
Council members promoted upcoming events: the MLK Community Breakfast on January 15 and a Muslim Heritage Month celebration on January 14.

Consent Agenda

Council adopted all items on the consent agenda, including Resolution #24-011 donating $2,750 in Mayor’s 2023 wedding fees to Second Chance for Animals and Resolution #24-010 authorizing the CY2024 temporary budget.

Warrants

Council approved payment of warrants totaling $7,489,466.84 for the December 29, 2023 bill list.

Other Business

No ordinances were introduced or adopted; no executive session was held. The meeting adjourned after unanimous vote.

Meeting Transcript

Senator Bob Smith. Reverend George Montanery. POM me BOE member Bill Grippo. POE member Sammy Shaban. From the county, we have our clerk, Steve Peters. The um the count I couldn't remember. The um what are you the director? I can't I'm tripping. Commissioner Director, I'm tripping over freeholder. Commissioner Director Chanel Robinson. Commissioner Melanie Morano. Our very own lent to the county, Darren Russo, Sheriff, Man of the Year, head of the food bank, Derek Smith, Councilman Ted Chase. Um Reverend Sonia Rod Red Ray. Former Mayor Brian Levine. Swami Vijay Pundi and Swami Madina Galpal. I didn't get the Imam's name. And Imam Sheikh Balan. And uh noted Eagles fan Ron Jordan. I'm sorry if I missed anybody. Um I've tried my best. Is there anyone here that I missed that wants to be recognized? Is there anyone here who I've named or not that would like to speak? Okay. Um thank you all for coming, as well as our dignitaries. Uh, we're now going to do remarks of those who have been sworn in. We will start with councilwoman at large, Kimberly Francois. Oh, I get to go first. Ladies first. Good evening, everyone. Thank you all for coming. Indeed, it is an honor and a privilege to serve you, people of Franklin Township for four more years. I want to thank you for believing in me for voting voting for me for allowing me to serve you for another four years. I can't believe it's been 20 years since I've served, and I'm looking forward to continuing the work that I've started with the youth center. My passion and my vision and my commitment to the Franklin Township people, businesses, and residents are with the youth, with our seniors, and our families. So again, I would just like to say that I'm grateful to God. It's been a blessing to much is given, much is required, and it's a blessing to be able to serve you, the people of Franklin Township, and thank you for your confidence and believing in me and voting meet for me again. Thank you so much. God bless. Councilman at large, Ram and Barrison. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Good evening, everyone. I can't believe so many people showed up to celebrate my demotion to Jets a councilman from a deputy mayor. I'm honored to be re-elected as your council at large again. Uh, I want to thank all of you for your support and your trust in me. I promise to work hard every day to make sure that I live up to your expectations. As your councilman, I'm committed to making our community a better place to live. I believe that we can do this by working together and by focusing on the issues that matter most to all of us. Whether it's providing learning opportunities for our youth, providing making our community safer, or protecting our environment. I'm committed to finding solutions that work for everyone.

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