OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Franklin Township Council Regular Meeting - June 11, 2024

Township Council — Tuesday, June 11, 2024
BodyFranklin Township, New Jersey
SessionTownship Council
DateTuesday, June 11, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:16:31

Transcript — Verbatim
0:02

And of course meant the open public meeting act of the state of New Jersey adequate news of this work session regular meeting of the Franklin Township Council was made as required, indicating that this work session regular meeting will take place at the municipal building at 7 p.m.

0:16

on Tuesday, June 11, 2024.

0:20

Thank you.

0:20

If we could all stand for the Pledge of Allegiance and remain standing for the invocation by Councilman Vassanella.

0:52

I'm sorry if you can remain standing.

0:54

Thank you.

0:55

Let's take the next few moments of silence to each seek in our own way.

0:59

Whatever source of inspiration we go to.

1:04

So we will achieve strength and power in our thoughts and decisions to be for the benefit of all people at all times.

1:11

And they we work to together towards war excuse me.

1:19

Towards world peace and all have a very fun and most importantly, safe summer.

1:29

Amen.

1:35

Councilman Embarrison?

1:37

Here.

1:37

Councilwoman Francois.

1:39

Councilman Carazi?

1:40

Yes.

1:42

Yes.

1:43

Councilman Oli Jaco?

1:44

Yes.

1:44

Deputy Mayor Patasnik?

1:46

President.

1:46

Councilwoman Udin?

1:48

Yeah.

1:48

Council Min Vaccinella?

1:50

Council Wright.

1:53

Um there is no proclamations or there are no proclamations or common today.

2:00

So we're on to the public session.

2:02

Do we have a motion to open to the public?

2:04

So moved.

2:05

Seconded.

2:06

Move then seconded.

2:07

All in favor say aye.

2:09

Aye.

2:09

Opposed say nay.

2:11

Motion is carried.

2:12

We're now open to the public.

2:14

Each person may speak for five minutes.

2:16

No yielding of time.

2:17

You may come up once.

2:20

Please state your name and address.

2:25

Anyone wishing to speak.

2:36

Hi.

2:37

Jim Johnston at 34 Norwich Place.

2:59

So I I know I know it's already law and they and they signed for it, but I just want to express um my reservations about this because uh it's going to have an impact on our town, I think.

3:10

Um it's going to the this new law is going to destroy Oprah as we know it in New Jersey, and it's going to destroy uh transparency in government.

3:22

Um I think you may remember uh this is going back to three years ago.

3:29

I myself once submitted an OBRA request.

3:33

I wanted to find out all the uh open space money that was in the township budget, and uh and they gave it back to me and Excel spreadsheet.

3:42

And uh Mr.

3:43

Mayor, you were kind enough to have Mr.

3:45

Warrocker uh put all that into a table.

3:47

Remember that I don't I don't know this is like three years ago.

3:51

And uh that was a very good table.

3:53

That really uh was very educational.

3:56

Um the uh issue it showed that we have a an open space budget uh that is uh uh used to you know buy land to preserve the land for open space, but but also there's a portion of that money that's used to uh maintain our municipal parks, uh like pay pay the salaries of the people who are maintaining the parks and and the and the and the cost of the equipment.

4:22

And uh like I uh the and and the summary and the summary of your table, you wrote that uh the the total budget for maintaining our municipal parks is 1.4 million dollars, and of that uh eight hundred and seventy thousand dollars is taken out of the um open space fund uh for the purpose of uh you know pay uh paying for the cost of the maintaining the parks.

4:47

And the and the the rest of the money for uh of that 1.4 million dollars is taken from a general fund.

4:55

So I thought that was very good.

5:00

Um I don't know if that's the uh how other towns handle uh open space.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Community Engagement██████████████████████████26%
Procedural████████████12%
Public Safety██████████10%
Land Development██████6%
Miscellaneous██████6%
Public Engagement█████5%
Special Events Permitting████4%
Religious Land Use███3%
Public Health███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Franklin Township Council Regular Meeting - June 11, 2024

The Franklin Township Council held its regular meeting on June 11, 2024, at the Municipal Building. The meeting featured extended public comments on proposed OPRA law changes and the conflict in Gaza, adoption of seven ordinances, approval of a consent agenda, and council reports on community programs and local issues.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Jim Johnston (34 Norwich Place) expressed concerns about new OPRA legislation, stating it could destroy transparency by introducing fee shifting and allowing municipalities to sue requesters. Councilman Karazi later clarified that the new law does not include fee shifting and only limits attorney fee recovery to bad-faith denials.
  • Carol Peterson (Lake Avenue) urged the council to enforce anti-idling ordinances and address garbage issues, referencing state law and existing township ordinances. She cited health impacts from idling trucks near her home.
  • Reverend Sonya Red and Pastor George Montaneri (Franklin Township Interfaith Council) requested a ceasefire resolution for Gaza and the return of hostages, acknowledging the emotional distress in the community.
  • Adil Khan (Hasbrook Drive) calculated that Franklin Township residents contribute approximately $555,087 to $782,800 annually in federal aid to Israel, arguing those funds could be used locally for housing, healthcare, or education.
  • Amad Avlaz (12 Garrison Drive) urged a ceasefire resolution based on humanity and dialogue.
  • Zaina Saima (Grismill Lane), a Palestinian American, shared her family's refugee history and called on the council to stand for justice.
  • Khalid Zaid (Piscataway, NJ) noted that Piscataway recently passed a ceasefire resolution and urged Franklin to do the same.
  • Rashimali (21 Woodfield Court) questioned the humanity of inaction and thanked the Interfaith Council for their efforts.
  • Gossam (43 Treetops) shared his experience with Islamophobia and challenged council members to imagine losing 35 family members.
  • Aisha Ali (resident, 3 years) argued that the township's diversity requires active leadership in calling for a ceasefire.
  • Janera Goli (13 years old, 20 Suber Court) spoke about her dream to be a surgeon and contrasted it with conditions in Gaza.
  • Sophia Turan (6 Conservancy Court), referencing her Bosnian family's history of genocide, said "never again" must apply to Gaza.
  • Abby Rosen (110 Emerson Road), Jewish American, said silence is violence and urged the council to pass a ceasefire resolution.
  • Christine Sacaria (100 John F. Kennedy Blvd) called for empathy and a vote on ceasefire.
  • Target Belmont (6 Glady Court) accused the council of indifference and demanded a ceasefire.

Discussion Items

Council Responses to Gaza Ceasefire Requests

  • Mayor Charles Kramer acknowledged residents' pain but reiterated the council's policy of not engaging in international matters. He noted a prior resolution condemning bigotry and anti-Semitism.
  • Councilman James Vassanella expressed sympathy and support for community healing efforts, stating he is not indifferent.
  • Councilman Rajesh Barrison supported President Biden's call for a ceasefire and provided updates on planning board and public works projects.
  • Councilman Anthony Karazi suggested the council might reconsider its policy of avoiding international resolutions. He also reported on Homeland Security grants for houses of worship.
  • Deputy Mayor Ed Patasnik acknowledged the difficulty of maintaining principles while hearing the community's pain.

Councilman Wright on Hamilton Street Building Heights

  • Councilman Carl Wright criticized recent developments on Hamilton Street, particularly a building lacking commercial space and push for five-story buildings. He demanded the council introduce an ordinance limiting building height to four stories on Hamilton Street, to be brought for first reading at the next meeting and adopted in July.

Manager's Report

  • Township Manager Robert Vornlocker announced Cooking with Cops programs (high school deadline June 21, middle school June 28) and Youth Police Academy (deadline June 13). He detailed the water meter replacement program by VEPO, affecting over 7,000 homes (40% of meters). Residents will receive mail notices and can schedule appointments at no cost.

Other Council Reports

  • Councilwoman Kimberly Francois reported on the public works meeting and announced an Eid celebration on June 29.
  • Councilwoman Shanti Udin announced the Juneteenth parade and festival on June 15 at Naaman Williams Park.
  • Deputy Mayor Ed Patasnik reported on the Pride celebration event.

Consent Calendar

The council approved a consent agenda (Resolutions #24-208 through #24-218) including:

  • Tax title lien redemptions
  • Clean Communities Grant ($180,255)
  • Main St Area Water Main Replacement bid award to MSP Construction ($2,834,893)
  • Arden Area Resurfacing bid award to Fischer Contracting ($560,928.82)
  • Professional Engineering Services agreements (up to $700,000)
  • Affordability Downpayment Assistance Grant for 60 Owen Court ($14,354)
  • Out-of-state training for police officers (NOBLE conference)
  • Liquor license renewals for 2024-2025
  • Special event permit for Juneteenth community event
  • Stormwater detention facility maintenance agreements with Namita Tolia and EWA Somerset

Ordinances

Second Reading/Public Hearing (all adopted unanimously):

  • Ordinance 4440-24: Amend Chapter 112 to require anti-idling signage.
  • Ordinance 4441-24: Allow three houses to use wells temporarily until public water is available.
  • Ordinance 4442-24: Accept sidewalk and utility easement from Executive Drive Investments for 490 Elizabeth Avenue.
  • Ordinance 4443-24: 2024 capital improvements appropriation of $7,577,800, financed by $7,198,957 in bonds.
  • Ordinance 4444-24: 2024 water utility capital improvements appropriation of $3,695,000, financed by bonds.
  • Ordinance 4445-24: Open Space Trust Fund capital appropriation of $2,493,000 for acquisitions and improvements.
  • Ordinance 4446-24: Convey utility easement to Milon Builders LLC for part of Heller Park Lane.

First Reading (introduced for future public hearing):

  • Ordinance 4447-24: Amend Chapter 183 (Property Maintenance) to add Article XIII on privately-owned salt storage, as required by NJDEP stormwater regulations. Public hearing set for June 25, 2024.

Key Outcomes

  • All second-reading ordinances and the consent agenda were approved unanimously by the members present (8-0, with Councilwoman Francois not participating in the votes).
  • Ordinance 4447 introduced on first reading.
  • Councilman Wright’s demand for a height-limiting ordinance on Hamilton Street was noted; he expects introduction at the next council meeting.
  • Council will consider revisiting its policy on international resolutions, as suggested by Councilman Karazi.
  • No executive session was held; meeting adjourned.

Meeting Transcript

And of course meant the open public meeting act of the state of New Jersey adequate news of this work session regular meeting of the Franklin Township Council was made as required, indicating that this work session regular meeting will take place at the municipal building at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 11, 2024. Thank you. If we could all stand for the Pledge of Allegiance and remain standing for the invocation by Councilman Vassanella. I'm sorry if you can remain standing. Thank you. Let's take the next few moments of silence to each seek in our own way. Whatever source of inspiration we go to. So we will achieve strength and power in our thoughts and decisions to be for the benefit of all people at all times. And they we work to together towards war excuse me. Towards world peace and all have a very fun and most importantly, safe summer. Amen. Councilman Embarrison? Here. Councilwoman Francois. Councilman Carazi? Yes. Yes. Councilman Oli Jaco? Yes. Deputy Mayor Patasnik? President. Councilwoman Udin? Yeah. Council Min Vaccinella? Council Wright. Um there is no proclamations or there are no proclamations or common today. So we're on to the public session. Do we have a motion to open to the public? So moved. Seconded. Move then seconded. All in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed say nay. Motion is carried. We're now open to the public. Each person may speak for five minutes. No yielding of time. You may come up once. Please state your name and address. Anyone wishing to speak. Hi. Jim Johnston at 34 Norwich Place. So I I know I know it's already law and they and they signed for it, but I just want to express um my reservations about this because uh it's going to have an impact on our town, I think. Um it's going to the this new law is going to destroy Oprah as we know it in New Jersey, and it's going to destroy uh transparency in government. Um I think you may remember uh this is going back to three years ago. I myself once submitted an OBRA request. I wanted to find out all the uh open space money that was in the township budget, and uh and they gave it back to me and Excel spreadsheet. And uh Mr.

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