Franklin Township Council Regular Meeting - March 12, 2024

The Township Council of Franklin held a regular meeting on March 12, 2024, at 7:00 PM in the municipal building. The meeting included multiple proclamations, public comments on various topics, committee reports, and a discussion on using American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds for a construction trade program. Several resolutions and ordinances were approved.

Proclamations

• Proclamation declaring March 10-16, 2024, as Girl Scout Week. Silver Award recipients Maya Ella Kennedy and Yashmi were recognized.
• Proclamation declaring March 2024 as Women's History Month.
• Proclamation declaring March 8, 2024, as Social Emotional Learning Day. Representatives from Somerset County Votech, Chris Lemangelli, spoke about the importance of SEL.
• Proclamation declaring March 19, 2024, as Nowruz.
• Proclamation declaring the month of Ramadan (March 11 – April 10, 2024). Councilwoman Francois highlighted that nearly 40-45% of Franklin students depend on food assistance and noted three Ramadan food programs partnering with the food bank.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Resident Kiki (no last name given) asked whether the township has conducted a comprehensive market study on retail needs, citing a shortage of good restaurants, home improvement stores, and clothing stores. She expressed concern Franklin might become a "retail desert."
• Dina Lux, 51 Patriots Way, voiced strong opposition to the proposed Levin apartment complex on the Kmart site, citing traffic on Easton Avenue, flooding, and the need for more retail instead of rezoning for residential.
• Debbie Stewart, Farrington, questioned the pros and cons of a proposed 'Oprah change,' asked how road speed limits are determined, and complained about trash on roads.
• Terry Thorson, 18 Labed Drive, questioned the zoning board's use of a form that asks if the deviation advances the municipal land use law. He argued against the Levin project, noting impervious cover exceeding ordinance limits, traffic concerns on Easton Avenue flooding, and urged tree planting. He invited residents to a Sealy's Brook cleanup on April 13.
• Mr. Grippo, 199 Pierce Street, praised the new Franklin Park Library branch, saying the council deserves credit.
• Bill Connell, 25 Spring Street, commended the Scouts and noted the need to discuss consequences if the zoning board changes zoning for the Levin site.
• Evan Schmidt, 134 Hickory Road, presented data on property taxes: municipal portion (17.76% of bill) increased 13.2% over 16 years (0.83%/yr), school taxes (62%) increased 21.2% (1.3%/yr). He argued against rezoning the Kmart site for residential, saying it would increase school costs and set a bad precedent.
• Township Attorney Mr. Ranone explained that the zoning board is independent and the council cannot comment on pending applications to avoid conflicts if an appeal comes to the council. He said the form is standard and only indicates what the applicant intends to prove.
• Manager Robert Vornlocker addressed trash: the township uses Clean Communities funding for weekend cleanups on municipal roads; county roads are maintained by Somerset County. He explained speed limits are set by state statute and engineering studies, giving the example of New Brunswick Road where frontage requirements determine the limit. He noted a 2015-2017 economic development study exists but was outdated by the pandemic.

Discussion Items

• Hamilton Street Special Improvement District (SID) Budget – Resolution #24-092 read the CY2024 budget by title; a public hearing was held with no comments. Resolution #24-093 adopted the budget as introduced. Both passed unanimously.
• ARP Funding for Construction Trade Program – Manager Vornlocker presented a request from the Board of Education to use $301,002.84 in ARP funds for a construction skills training program (NCCER High School Builder Program) through Brent Shire Technical Institute. The program would serve up to 24 students per semester in the Road to Success alternative school, covering summer 2024 and the 2024-25 school year. Discussion included per-pupil cost ($12,542 for summer, $11,287 for school year), sustainability concerns, comparison with county vo-tech and RVCC programs, and whether a permanent in-house program would be more cost-effective. Councilwoman Francois supported the program as a worthy investment. Councilman Vassanella questioned the cost and suggested the funds might be better used for water infrastructure. Councilman Wright expressed concerns about profit margins and long-term impact. Ultimately, a motion was made (and seconded) to add this to the agenda of the April 4, 2024, Joint Committee meeting with the Board of Education for further discussion, to report back to the council. The motion passed 8-1 (Councilwoman Francois voted no).
• Resolutions & Ordinances – Ordinance #4430-24 (accepting a deed of dedication from Enclave at Canal Walk Condominium Owners Association) and Ordinance #4431-24 (CY2024 ordinance to exceed municipal budget appropriation limits and establish a cap bank) were introduced on first reading and scheduled for public hearing on March 26, 2024. Both passed unanimously.
• Consent Agenda items A through T (resolutions 24-094 through 24-114) were approved unanimously with no items pulled after Councilman Vassanella raised a question about the commitment of remaining ARP funds for water infrastructure. Mayor Kramer noted the council had not yet committed the remaining approximately $2 million, and it would be discussed at the Financial Oversight Committee next.

Key Outcomes

• Resolutions Approved:
  • #24-092 & #24-093: Hamilton Street SID budget for CY2024 (adopted).
  • #24-094 through #24-114: Consent agenda items including tax title lien redemptions, refunds, water charge adjustment, bond releases, grants, agreements, CDBG housing rehabilitation contracts, special event permit, fireworks bid, bus transportation contract, revised temporary budget, and tree replacement/planting project.
• Ordinances Introduced: #4430-24 and #4431-24 (first reading; public hearings set for March 26, 2024).
• ARP Construction Training Program: Referred to the April 4, 2024, Joint Committee meeting for further discussion and report back.
• Remaining ARP Funds: Councilman Vassanella requested that the Financial Oversight Committee discuss committing the remaining ~$2 million to water main replacement projects in the 4th and 5th wards. The mayor agreed to place it on the agenda.
• Minutes and Warrants: Approved unanimously.