Franklin Township Council Meeting - January 23, 2024
Franklin Township Council Meeting - January 23, 2024
The Franklin Township Council held a regular meeting on January 23, 2024, at 7:00 PM in the municipal building. The meeting included the swearing-in of five new police officers, the proclamation of Muslim Heritage Month, and a commendation for Captain Sean Hebbon of the MLK Community Foundation. Public comments addressed a proposed warehouse, traffic cameras, open space purchases, and community concerns. The council approved several ordinances on first reading, a consent agenda, and an executive session resolution for a union contract.
Commendations & Proclamations
- Swearing-in of Police Officers: Five new officers were sworn in: Vito Ross, Ashley Ramos, Zari Salas (transfer from Rutgers PD), Ishmael Salim, and Patrick Canoe. Four of the five are Franklin residents, and two are graduates of the Franklin Youth Academy. Public Safety Director Mayweather urged residents to call police about suspicious activity, especially burglaries.
- Muslim Heritage Month Proclamation: Councilman Alex Carrazi presented the proclamation, recognizing January as Muslim Heritage Month in Franklin Township. Representatives from ICNA, Khidma, Masjid Ali, and Dawatal Islamia accepted the proclamation and expressed gratitude.
- Commendation for Captain Sean Hebbon: The council honored Captain Sean Hebbon, President of the Franklin Township MLK Community Foundation, for organizing the 26th annual MLK Breakfast, which has raised nearly $270,000 in scholarships for 230 Franklin High School students.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Jim Johnston (34 Norwich Place): Opposed a proposed 102,000-square-foot warehouse at 785 Old New Brunswick Road, citing traffic, noise, and proximity to Somerset Run and a nursing home. Suggested relocating to HVM Drive or Davidson Avenue, which were rezoned for warehouses. Asked if the council later banned warehouses there.
- Debbie Stewart (Farrington Plaza): Echoed concerns about the warehouse. Asked about the status of traffic cameras on Schoolhouse Road and how residents can report truck violations. Requested a clear explanation of the rationale for purchasing the East Millstone United Methodist Church property with open space funds, and asked for accessible information on the purchase.
- Mr. Guy (address not stated): Requested that infrastructure projects be posted on the municipal website and that ward council members alert residents, especially when construction equipment blocks roads and bus stops. Suggested posting available liquor licenses for new businesses. Recommended proactive education about cannabis use in schools, given upcoming recreational cannabis sales.
- Mike Hampton (319 Shilling Drive, Somerset): Questioned the diversity of the new stigma-free coalition on mental health and substance abuse, noting that Franklin has more liquor stores and dispensaries than full-service restaurants. Asked what specifically led to the coalition's creation. Questioned the purchase of the East Millstone church property, including whether development rights could be sold. Raised attendance concerns about planning board member Ted Chase, alleging he was sleeping during a presentation. Requested an ordinance requiring board members to attend at least 80% of meetings.
Council Comments & Reports
- Councilwoman Udin: Congratulated new officers and highlighted events for Muslim Heritage Month (Noor night with 400-500 attendees, MHM Coalition event with 2,000 attendees). Attended Pongal Festival at the library and the MLK Breakfast. Noted that 72 languages are spoken in Franklin.
- Councilman Carrazi: Thanked public works for snow removal. Attended Advisory Board of Health (discussed Naloxone in AED boxes) and Trail Advisory Committee (reviewed 10-year trail plan covering 70+ miles of trails). Participated in League of Conservation Voters training. Shared that a resident from Berkeley Heights requested a copy of Franklin's tree removal ordinance.
- Councilman Vasanella: Congratulated new officers (Rocco, Ashley, Mary, Ishmael, Patrick). Emphasized the importance of the snow removal parking ban. Reported from Public Safety Committee: 80 mental health crisis responses since October with no injuries; a command post vehicle ordered; entry-level police test is free for residents. Repeated Director Mayweather's plea to call 911 for suspicious activity.
- Councilman Oni Jaka: Celebrated the integration of the West African community with Officer Patrick Canoe's swearing-in.
- Councilwoman Francois: Praised the diversity of new officers and noted her role in starting the Youth Police Academy. Recalled being mayor when the MLK Breakfast began in 1997.
- Deputy Mayor Pataznik: Congratulated the community on diverse celebrations. Thanked Public Safety Director Mayweather for her leadership and urged residents to watch her ABC news interview.
- Mayor Kramer: Congratulated new officers. Mentioned a financial oversight committee meeting discussing a partnership with the school board using ARP funds (details to be delayed). Encouraged residents to call the police non-emergency number (732-873-2300) for non-urgent issues.
Township Manager's Report
- Robert Vornlocker: Addressed various public comments. Explained that the open space meeting was canceled due to ice; cancellations are posted on the township website. Stated that the primary driver for open space acquisition is an interested seller, not a specific rationale. Noted that the warehouse property at Old New Brunswick Road is not for sale to the township. Described the liquor license sale process (sealed bid auction). Clarified that the stigma-free coalition is part of the Mayor's Wellness Campaign, aiming to reduce stigma around mental health and substance use disorders, not to address spending. Announced a blood drive on February 2, 2024, from 9 AM to 3 PM.
Discussion Items
- Traffic Cameras: The mayor explained that cameras will be installed at eight locations to monitor truck activity, not to issue tickets but to identify patterns and coordinate with police calls. Installation timeline depends on PSE&G providing electricity.
- Open Space Purchase (East Millstone Church): The township is buying approximately 2.5 acres of land around the church, not the church building itself. The land will be preserved as open space and completes a green ring around East Millstone. The manager estimated the parcel could have supported at least four houses under current zoning.
- Liquor License Sales: The council discussed that liquor licenses are sold by sealed bid auction based on census population. The sale of one consumption license was on the consent agenda.
- Board Attendance Standards: The council clarified that the attendance threshold for committees is 50% (excused absences allowed). The clerk tracks attendance and considers it during reappointments.
- Defense of Ted Chase: The mayor and council defended Planning Board member Dr. Ted Chase, stating that his resting appearance is deceptive and he is an astute scholar who contributes significantly.
Key Outcomes
- Police Officers Sworn In: Five officers were sworn in unanimously.
- Proclamations and Commendations: Approved by acclamation.
- Minutes Approved: Minutes for November 13, 2023, November 28, 2023, and December 12, 2023 were approved unanimously.
- Warrants Approved: Warrants for January 23, 2024, were approved unanimously.
- Ordinances on First Reading (5 ordinances): All were introduced with unanimous votes (7-0) and set for public hearing and final adoption on February 13, 2024:
- Ordinance 4425-24: Amending water curb connection capital fees.
- Ordinance 4426-24: Closing a portion of Brookline Avenue to all traffic except emergency vehicles.
- Ordinance 4427-24: Accepting a conservation easement at 315 Davidson Avenue.
- Ordinance 4428-24: Authorizing acquisition of the East Millstone United Methodist Church property (4 Elm Street) by purchase or condemnation.
- Ordinance 4429-24: Appropriating $261,500 from the Open Space Trust Fund for the acquisition.
- Consent Agenda Approved: 14 resolutions (24-039 through 24-052) were approved unanimously, including park fee exemptions, senior transportation agreement, recreation contracts, water charge adjustments, tax court judgments, liquor license sale, and out-of-state training.
- Board Vacancies Filled: Dr. Kamla Sharma was appointed to the Human Relations Commission, and Tanya Burtson was appointed to the Cultural Arts Commission, both by acclamation.
- Executive Session: Resolution 24-053 authorized an executive session for AFSCME 2426 Senior Managers contract negotiations (2021-2025). The council entered closed session and later returned to public session.
- Resolution 24-054 Approved: Authorized execution of the AFSCME 2426 Senior Managers contract (January 1, 2021 – December 31, 2025) unanimously.
- Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at an unspecified time.
Meeting Transcript
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 Tuesday January 23rd 2024 stand for the Pledge of Allegiance and remain standing for invocation by James Rasinella Pledge Allegiance to the flag of the United for which it's nation under members of the Township Council and residents of Franklin I hope and pray that we are ever mindful of the opportunities to render our service to fellow citizens and to all of our community keeping in mind always the enduring values of life exerting our efforts in those areas and on those things upon which future generations can build with confidence. Let us continue to strive to make a better world clerk please call the role councilman embarrassing councilwoman Francois here. Councilman Carazi here Kramer here councilman Oni Jaka yes Deputy Mayor Pataznik present councilwoman Udean here councilman Wright Councilman Vassanella here I have them backwards thank you next is item number five commendations and proclamations first in is swearing in of our new police officers who is there she is thank you thank you up okay um so good evening everyone my name is director mayweather I am the public safety director um I am in charge of the police department tonight I am honored to um present to you four of our newest officers who have well four of them just came out of the police academy and one is a transfer from another police department but we are grateful to add additional officers to our force we definitely need more officers young officers I'm proud tonight to say that four out of the five officers are from Franklin they are Franklin residents two of them are actually Franklin youth academy graduates they were part of our youth academy they went to Franklin High School and they are here now they are Franklin police officers so that is a message to our young people in town that guess what it is possible to live and serve in your township and be a proud member of this police department so I thank them for that too trusting in us and coming and staying home first I would like to have I'm going to do them in order of seniority there's a slim window of seniority listen cops they believe in it even if it's by a minute a day the alphabet seniority is seniority so uh going first will be Vito Ross so if someone from his family would like to come up and hold the Bible or his mom is yes okay I state your name swear I will support the Constitution that I will constitution and the state of New Jersey of the faith that I will bear true faith and same to the same to the governments established and to the government established in the United States and the state and in this state under the authority of the people and that I will faithfully and I I will faithfully impartially and justly perform partially and justly all the duties of all the duties of police officer police officer of the Franklin Township police department of the Franklin Township police department to the best of my ability according to the best of my ability so help me God so help me God congratulations And that I will faithfully. And I will faithfully. Impartially and justly perform. Partially and justly perform. All the duties of. All the duties of police officer. Police officer. Of the Franklin Township Police Department. Of the Franklin Township Police Department. According to the best of my ability. According to the best of my ability. So help me God. So help me God. Congratulations. All right. Next, Ashley Ramos. State your name. I solemnly swear. Do solemnly swear. That I will support the Constitution. Then I will support of the United States. Of the United States. They will bear two faith. An allegiance. And a governments established. And to the government. In the United States. In this state, and in the authority of the people. Under the I will faithfully and I partially and justly perform all the duties of all the duties officer. Police officer. Franklin Township Police Department of the Franklin Township. Best of my ability. And I want to say real quick. It was tortured to me that one day I had to drive down here. So I know she was determined to have this job. Thank you. A career. It's not just a job. All right. Zari Salas. United States. Of the United States. Constitution and the state of New Jersey. Governments established to the government states and the United States. I will faithfully and I will partially and justly perform and Franklin Township Police Department. And I want to correct myself.
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