Franklin Township Council Work Session/Regular Meeting - June 25, 2024
Franklin Township Council Work Session/Regular Meeting - June 25, 2024
The Franklin Township Council held a work session and regular meeting on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at 7:00 PM in the municipal building. The meeting included the swearing-in of new police chaplains, a Pride Month proclamation, public discussion on the Gaza conflict and community concerns, adoption of ordinances, and action on a consent agenda with 15 resolutions.
Commendations & Proclamations
- Swearing in of Police Chaplains: Captain Sean Hebben introduced three new chaplains: Rabbi Eli Garfinkel (Temple Bethel, 18 years of service), Reverend Jamin Powell (Community Baptist Church), and Father Simon L. Hajj (St. Shabell). Two additional chaplains (Reverend Dante Quick and Imam Said Rizfi) were not present. The chaplain program was revamped under Public Safety Director Quavela Mayweather to reflect the diversity of the community.
- 2024 Pride Month Proclamation: Officer Puja Patel from the Somerset County Sheriff's Office read the proclamation. Councilman Ram Anbarasan, who identified as the first openly gay council member, noted the inaugural Pride celebration at the gazebo and emphasized the need for continued vigilance against discrimination.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Shamsa (14 Sebring): Urged the council to pass a ceasefire resolution for Gaza, citing a similar resolution passed in a West Coast city that condemned attacks on both Israeli and Palestinian civilians. Argued that words can unite a diverse community.
- Yesaba (146 Emerson Road): Raised concerns about right-wing extremism in Franklin Township, stating that a friend was leaving due to harassment. Cited a large political sign on Mart Lane and flags at a business on New Brunswick Avenue. Asked about the status of the green energy aggregation resolution.
- Doc Cunningham (11 Star Court, Somerset): Thanked the council for support over five years with the civic engagement campaign "C America in Color." Proposed a public interest initiative inspired by the 1787 Constitutional Convention to advance civics and address conflicts.
- Benjamin Guy (35 Patents): Inquired about a consensus report from the council for the Hamilton Street Board regarding performance and recommended classifying Hamilton Street as a main street district. Also requested a public infrastructure timeline for the next 3-5 years and a mental health advisory on youth gun violence.
- Muhammad Salauddin (120 Delmonica Avenue): Argued that the Israel-Gaza conflict did not start on October 7, 2023, but with the oppression of Palestinians since 1948. Urged the council to consider the broader history and called for an end to the occupation.
- Dan Krashinski, Chief, East Franklin Volunteer Fire Department (638 Nassau Street, North Brunswick): Detailed contract disputes with the Board of Fire Commissioners, including changes to the alcohol policy (from 8 to 4 hours) and a proposed camera policy that he argued violates New Jersey wiretapping law. Stated the board has no jurisdiction over fire scene operations. Reported that the board's attorney resigned and the department has been unable to meet with commissioners for two and a half months.
- Aisha Ali (20 Super Court): Requested that the township continue discussing Palestine and consider a resolution protecting pro-Palestinian speech. Proposed interfaith vigils, town halls, library literature, and cultural events to normalize Palestinian culture in Franklin.
- Arnold Litsky (13 Dalton Drive, Somerset): Opposed a ceasefire resolution, arguing that Hamas's October 7 attack started the war and that the release of hostages would end it. Drew a parallel to pest control, stating that Israel must respond to attacks.
- Samina Satari (18 Barbary Court): Cited recent Israeli airstrikes killing 24 people, including at schools and tents. Warned about two bills in the New Jersey Senate that would define anti-Semitism to include criticism of Israel, potentially stifling pro-Palestinian speech. Asked the council to pass a resolution defining anti-Semitism without criminalizing dissent.
Council Comments & Reports
- Councilman Ram Anbarasan: Provided updates on the planning board (approval of a development on Hamilton Street, Eastern Avenue traffic study), Juneteenth parade, high school graduation (578 graduates), and a new cannabis shop, City Roots, in Kingston. Announced that he will serve on the steering committee for OAMCA (the Y) fundraising.
- Councilwoman Francois: Thanked Councilman Karazi for his leadership with the Interfaith Council and his continued community work.
- Councilman Wright: Praised the Juneteenth event and performers. Announced the Franklin Township fireworks on July 3, 2024, and the Total Soul concert at the Recreation Advisory Committee event.
- Councilwoman Udine: Thanked Councilman Karazi. Announced the EID Celebration on June 29, 2024, at Hamilton Street campus, featuring a musical night with Qawwali band, and congratulated graduates.
- Councilman Vassanella: Congratulated the new police chaplains and Public Safety Director for enhancing the program. Noted that the Health Advisory Board meeting was held earlier. Promised updates on Eastern Avenue corridor initiatives.
- Deputy Mayor Petaznik: Thanked Councilman Karazi and Councilwoman Udine for their courage in discussing the resolution issue. Congratulated graduates.
- Mayor Kramer: Addressed the megaphone complaint from a resident, urging them to call the police. Clarified that the Christian flag at a business on New Brunswick Avenue is legal and not nefarious. Noted that the council has no authority over fire district contract disputes but has spoken with the governor's office. Updated on the green energy aggregation: market conditions delayed the program; new specs to go out in the fall.
Township Manager's Report
- Manager Robert Vornlocker: Clarified that the flag at the corner of New Brunswick and Cedar Grove is the Christian flag, adopted by the Federal Council of Churches in 1942, flown by a long-standing family business. Noted that the political sign on Mart Lane is 4x8 feet and has been deemed legal by zoning, police, and the township attorney.
- Construction Trade Program: Scheduled to begin July 1, 2024, with 24 students enrolled (seniors from regular and RTS tracks). Materials have been received or are expected.
- Upcoming Events: Fireworks on July 3, summer concerts, and a planning board community meeting on June 27 at 7 PM for the business and industry master plan study.
Discussion Items
- Councilman Wright asked about water main replacement priorities under the ARPA grant (Resolution #24-234). Manager explained that funds are focused on the oldest parts of the water system (Fourth and Fifth wards) and census tracts with greatest financial need. The grant will supplement, but not fully cover, all desired replacements; municipal water utility funds will be added.
- Councilman Vasanella asked about the flexibility to add or change streets under the ARPA grant. Manager confirmed that the grant is for a specific project area and will be supplemented by water utility budget.
Key Outcomes
- Ordinance 4447-24 (Privately-Owned Salt Storage) was adopted on second reading. (Salt storage must be contained to prevent stormwater runoff.)
- Ordinance 4438-24 (renaming police department divisions and bureaus) was introduced on first reading, with public hearing set for July 9, 2024.
- Ordinance 4448-24 (prohibiting vehicles over 4 tons on Cedar Avenue and Griggs Street) was introduced on first reading, with public hearing set for July 9, 2024.
- Consent Agenda (Resolutions #24-221 through #24-235) was adopted unanimously, including: award of water meter bid to Core and Main LP ($3,000,000 per year), change orders for Rue Chagall resurfacing, Canal Road guide rail, and Cooper Ave sidewalk, release of escrow and cash bonds for Elizabeth Realty Partners, refund of water meter escrow, tax title lien redemptions, insertion of Summer Food Service Program grant ($3,115.20), special event permit for Shree Swaminarayan Satsang Mandal, renewal of liquor licenses, fireworks display permit for The Palace at Somerset Park, execution of ARPA grant agreements with the Board of Education for Zufall Health Clinic and with DPW for water main replacement ($3,593,797), and emergency appropriation for Fire District No. 1 command vehicles.
- Appointments: Robin Saddam was approved as a regular member of the Environmental Commission (term ending Dec 31, 2025) and Ellen Vastola as an alternate 2 member (same term). Robert Akwai was appointed to the Senior Citizen Advisory Committee. The nomination of Fahad Akhtar to the Advisory Recreation Council was tabled indefinitely after a roll call vote to table (8-0).
Meeting Transcript
This work session regular meeting of the township council is called to order. Madam Clerk. In accordance with the open public meeting act of the state of New Jersey, adequate notice of this work session regular meeting 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, June 25th, 2024. And again, stand for the Pledge of Allegiance and remain standing, followed for by an invocation from Councilman Ram and Barrison. Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States. Let us take the next few moments of silence to seek each seek in our own way. Whatever sources of inspiration will grant us the strength and power in our thoughts and decisions to be for the benefit of all people at all times. Amen. Thank you. We'll now I'm still standing because I'm gonna get up. So um we're gonna have the swearing in of the police chaplain. We've got to take the vocal. I did it again. No excuse. Madam Clerk, please call the role. Councilman embarrassed. Councilwoman Francass here. Councilman Carazi. Here Mayor Kramer. Here Councilman O'Neillaka. Yeah. Deputy Rebotasnik. Present. Councilwoman. Here. Councilman Vassanella? Here. Councilman Wright. Now time for commendations and proclamations. Swearing in of the police chaplains. Good evening, everyone. I'm Captain Sean Hebben from the Franklin Township Police Department. And today, as they stated, we're here swearing in new uh police department chaplains. Um chaplains are no uh stranger to Franklin Township Police Department. We've had them here before. Um however, under the direction of uh Director Quavela Mayweather, we revamped and updated our chaplain program. These are three out of the five uh chaplains, um possibly six that we're going to be swearing in. Um and Franklin Township Police Department is a very diverse police department that represents a very diverse community. We also wanted our chaplains to also represent that diversity. So you'll be able to see here a range of different um faiths and a range of different um uh uh backgrounds to offer those services to not just our police officers who are in need of prayer at times, and police officers do need prayer. We're people that you know are going into the thick of things sometimes. Our officers are people, and sometimes uh they they hurt and suffer as well, um, as well as members of our community. Um there are things that happen here that require us to go beyond just going and serving and protecting through uh whatever we carry on our um duty belts. Um sometimes we have to really uh dig deep into helping someone in a deeper way, and that's where the chaplains come in and could be of uh great support um for our agency. So here we have uh today um Rabbi Eli Garfinkel, who has been a uh uh chaplain from uh from way back when I don't know how I don't know 18 years. So he has a lot of history here with Franklin. He's he's been with the chaplain program in the past, and uh he's here with us um continuing on to serve today. We have um um and he's representing um Temple Bethel. We have Reverend Jamin Powell from Community Baptist Church, um, who's here, and you have some uh um background as well in um in um and chaplaincy from uh uh previous county orange county sheriff's department, and uh we have Father uh Simon uh Simon L.
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