Franklin Township Council Meeting - May 28, 2024: Budget Adoption and Ceasefire Debate
Franklin Township Council Work Session/Regular Meeting – May 28, 2024
The Franklin Township Council convened on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. The meeting included a proclamation for National Gun Violence Awareness Day, lengthy public comment period centered on calls for a ceasefire resolution regarding the conflict in Gaza, adoption of the CY2024 municipal budget, introduction of several capital ordinances, and approval of a consent agenda. No minutes were submitted for approval.
Commendations & Proclamations
- National Gun Violence Awareness Day Proclamation – Mayor Kramer proclaimed June 7, 2024, as National Gun Violence Awareness Day in Franklin Township, noting that 120 Americans are killed by gun violence daily, and New Jersey has 427 gun deaths per year at a cost of $5.3 billion.
Public Comments & Testimony
- First speaker (name not given, resident of Franklin) – Requested a moment of silence for all lives lost in conflicts, including October 7th and over 37,000 Palestinians. Urged council to call for a ceasefire and ensure tax dollars do not fund genocide.
- Shamsakan (14 Seabring, new resident) – Described emotional distress and therapy due to images of children dying. Argued a ceasefire resolution would affirm community harmony and her ability to connect with neighbors.
- Samina Sitar (18 Barberi Court) – Described horrors of recent bombing in Rafa killing 45 civilians. Asked council to put forward a resolution condemning violence against civilians and demanding U.S. stop providing weapons. Also asked if the township has financial ties to Israel or companies profiting from the violence.
- Fier Dorma (Delanco, NJ, teacher) – Spoke of anger and determination to speak out against violence in Gaza, comparing to inaction during Iraq war.
- Mohammed Turan (9 Sunflower Road, Somerset resident) – Commended gun violence proclamation but argued the same principle should apply to Palestinian lives. Disagreed with council’s view that foreign affairs are outside their scope, citing local memorials for 9/11 and WWII. Stated that 67% of Americans and 77% of Democrats support a ceasefire. Warned he and his family of 23 voters will not vote for officials who fail to call for a ceasefire.
- Mohammed Salauddin (120 Delmonico Avenue) – Quoted Mayor’s previous statement that world affairs are “not my lane” and called it feigning ignorance. Argued council does not need experts, only humanity. Urged council to stop looking through lens of religion, politics, or re-election.
- Fraheen Jared (6 Nepodi Place) – Asked council to make a human statement supporting ceasefire. Emphasized that silence emboldens hate. Noted the pain of her children asking why she was crying after seeing footage.
- Nika Deitch (Jewish constituent, Somerset) – Pointed out the township recognized a Ukrainian freedom square after Russia’s invasion but now hesitates to condemn killing children. Shared stories of Holocaust resistors and argued that no act is too small in the face of genocide.
- Ian Hartman (Bordentown, NJ) – Questioned why council opposes the resolution when no opposition constituents attended. Noted that four New Jersey municipalities and over 100 U.S. municipalities have passed similar resolutions. Also promoted Christina Khalil’s campaign for ballot access.
- Anam (Franklin Township resident, former Youth Council member) – Expressed shame that township has not called for ceasefire. Warnings that youth will remember council’s inaction when they vote.
- Sophia Turan (Franklin resident for 25+ years) – Shared family history of her father losing 140 family members in genocide. Asked why council cannot say “ceasefire” – a simple message to stop killing. Warned that inaction is affecting relationships within Franklin.
- Afnan Altov (34 Margaret Drive, attorney) – Emphasized historical Muslim-Jewish coexistence. Argued that calling for ceasefire is a moral stand, not a political or religious one. Urged council to vote for a ceasefire resolution.
- Cossum (43 Treetops) – Shared experiences of Islamophobia post-9/11. Said the community is hurting and asking not to be left alone. Acknowledgment from township would show empathy.
- Benjamin Garley (35 Patent Drive) – Urged council not to neglect local issues like affordable housing study. Emphasized that power is in the pen (voting). Also asked about parade routes and voting mailings.
- Additional speaker (name not given, Somerset) – Stated that council’s expressions of sympathy are not enough; action is needed. “Actions speak louder than words.”
Council Responses and Discussion
- Councilwoman Francois – Addressed the public comments. She acknowledged the pain and explained that calling herself a Zionist (meaning she believes Israel should exist) offended some residents, which she believes illustrates the lack of expertise on this issue. She argued that a ceasefire resolution would increase animosity and division in town, not help. She stated she prays people do the right thing.
- Deputy Mayor Potasnik – Responded to a question about township investments by stating the township does not invest in equities; money is kept in CDs, money markets, and the state investment fund. The township cannot identify vendors that might fuel arms without state authority to reject bids.
- Mayor Kramer – Mentioned that he spent Memorial Day listening to an audio book on Israel/Palestine history to better understand. Acknowledged that the situation is complicated and expressed concern that any action could make things worse. He reiterated that he does not like his tax dollars going overseas.
- Councilman Karazi – Thanked speakers and quoted a poem about human connection. Stated the council has a long-standing policy not to present resolutions on international affairs, and that not presenting a ceasefire resolution does not mean they want war. Noted that the Interfaith Council (not the township council) has issued a ceasefire press release.
- Councilwoman Edine – Expressed sympathy and said she prays for lasting peace. Acknowledged that division is felt in the community and urged residents to continue reaching out via email.
- Councilman Vassanella – Disagreed that the speakers resembled an “angry mob.” He felt the risk of a ceasefire resolution causing more division outweighed the good, given the complexity of the conflict. Continued to support dialogue and education.
- Councilman Onyaka – Briefly commented on the Eastern Avenue safety town hall.
Township Manager's Report
- Mental Health First Aid Training – Full-day session on June 10, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Senior Center. Free, pre-registration required. Part of mayor’s wellness campaign and stigma-free Franklin.
- Juneteenth Parade – June 15, 2024, starting at 11 a.m., route from Highland Avenue to Williams Park.
Consent Calendar
- Warrants – Approved for payment totaling $17,483,586.86 on May 28, 2024.
- Consent Agenda (Items A–M) – Adopted en bloc, including:
- Resolutions #24-194 through #24-206 (tax lien redemptions, water charge adjustments, refunds, release of bonds/escrow, purchase of shelter and plow, professional services agreement for prescription TPA, youth center grant MOU, leak detection survey, fireworks display permit, etc.).
Discussion Items
- CY2024 Municipal Budget – Resolution #24-192 amended the budget (accounting changes for opiate money and state grant). Resolution #24-193 adopted the amended budget. Both passed unanimously with 8-0 votes.
- Ordinances on First Reading (Introduced) – Four ordinances introduced for public hearing on June 11, 2024:
- Ordinance #4443-24: Various 2024 capital improvements – appropriating $7,577,800, authorizing $7,198,957 in bonds.
- Ordinance #4444-24: Water utility capital improvements – appropriating $3,695,000, authorizing $3,695,000 in bonds.
- Ordinance #4445-24: Open Space Trust Fund capital acquisitions/improvements – appropriating $2,493,000.
- Ordinance #4446-24: Utility easement conveyance to Milon Builders LLC at Heller Park Lane. All introduced unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- No Ceasefire Resolution – Council did not introduce or vote on a ceasefire resolution. The majority expressed that such a resolution is outside the council’s scope and could increase community division. The public comment period reflected strong demand for action, but council maintained its position.
- Budget Adopted – The CY2024 municipal budget was amended and adopted as Resolution #24-193.
- Capital Ordinances Introduced – Four bonding and capital ordinances were introduced for public hearing on June 11, 2024.
- Consent Agenda Approved – All 13 consent agenda items were adopted without discussion.
- Executive Session – Council approved Resolution #24-207 to enter executive session to discuss attorney-client privileged matter regarding CDC Developers Agreement.
- Upcoming Events – Mental Health First Aid (June 10), Juneteenth Parade (June 15), Franklin Pride (June 2, announced by Deputy Mayor Potasnik), and National Night Out (August 6).
Meeting Transcript
In accordance with the Elder Public Meeting Act of the State of New Jersey, adequate notice of this work session regular meeting of the Franklin Township Council, Ms. May is required indicating that this work session regular meeting would take place at the municipal building at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 28th, 2024. Thank you. If we could all stand for the Pledge of Allegiance and remain standing for the invocation by Councilwoman Francois. If there is to be peace in the world, there must be peace in the nations. If there is to be peace in the nations, there must be peace in the cities. If there is to be peace in the cities, there must be peace between neighbors. If there is to be peace between neighbors, there must be peace in the home. Amen. Councilman Carrazi. Councilman Odi Jaka. Councilwoman Edine. Councilman Vassanella. Here. Councilman Ray. Thank you. If you want to follow along on the agenda, you're by the clerk. We're to item number five, commendations and proclamations. That's cool. Okay, then I'll just read it from up here. Whereas every day, 120 Americans are killed by gun violence, and more than 200 are shot and wounded, with an average of nearly 18,000 gun homicides every year. Whereas New Jersey has 427 gun deaths every year, with a rate of 4.8 deaths per 100,000 people, a crisis that costs the state $5.3 billion each year, which 168.9 million is paid by taxpayers. New Jersey has the 45th highest rate of gun deaths in the United States. And whereas towns across the nation, including Franklin, are working to end senseless violence with evidence-based solutions, whereas protecting public safety in the communities they serve is a mayor's highest responsibility. And whereas gun violence prevention is more important than ever, as we see an increase in firearms homicides and non-fatal shootings, increased calls to domestic violence hotlines and increased gun violence. Now, therefore I, Philip Kramer, Mayor of the Township of Franklin, County of Somerset, on behalf of the Township Council, declare June 7, 2024 to be National Gun Violence Awareness Day, and encourage all citizens to support their local communities efforts to prevent the tragic effects of gun violence and to honor and value human lives. Thank you. We have a motion to open to the public. So moved. Second. Moved and seconded. All in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed say nay. Motion is carried. We are open to the public. Anyone wishing to speak on anything related to government may do so. Please state your name and address. May only come up once, five minutes per person, no yielding of time. Hello. Good evening, Mr. Mayor. Esteemed Council members. As we just observed on Memorial Day yesterday, I want to express my gratitude to all the soldiers for their service. I respectfully request a moment of silence from the Steam Council and those present here today. Let's remember those who lost their lives in service of this great nation, as well as countless innocent lives lost in ongoing conflict overseas, including those on October 7th and the 37,000, and counting Palestinians who have lost their lives due to ongoing genocide. Let's take a 30-minute silence. Certain words were spoken that did not fit the occasion. The community plea was simple.
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