OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Franklin Township Council Regular Meeting - July 9, 2024

Township Council — Tuesday, July 9, 2024
BodyFranklin Township, New Jersey
SessionTownship Council
DateTuesday, July 9, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:58:33

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Madam Clerk.

0:04

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.

0:17

on Tuesday, July 9th, 2024.

0:46

Let us take the next few minutes of silence.

0:52

Whatever sources of inspiration will grant us the strength and power in our thoughts and decisions.

1:00

To be for the benefit of all people at all times.

1:04

Amen.

1:09

Please call the rule.

1:13

Councilman and Harrison?

1:15

Yeah.

1:15

Councilwoman Francois?

1:16

Here.

1:17

Councilman Carazi?

1:18

Here.

1:18

Mayor Kramer?

1:19

Here.

1:20

Councilman Noni Jaka?

1:21

Yeah.

1:22

Deputy Mayor Petazny.

1:23

Present.

1:23

Councilwoman Nadine.

1:25

Councilman Vassanella?

1:26

Here.

1:26

Councilman Wright.

1:29

For no commendations and proclamations, we're on to item number six.

1:33

A copy of the agenda is up next to the clerk.

1:36

It's uh do I have a motion to open to the public session?

1:39

The vote seconded.

1:41

Moving second and all in favor say aye.

1:43

Aye.

1:44

Those say nay.

1:45

Motion is carried.

1:46

We're now open for public session.

1:48

Uh five minutes per person, no yielding of time.

1:52

May only come up once.

1:54

And council will answer the questions after the uh public session is closed.

2:12

Is this on any item?

2:14

Yes.

2:15

Okay.

2:16

Are we on?

2:18

Yes.

2:19

Any item in a minute.

2:20

I'm always on.

2:21

Any any item um having to do with government.

2:27

Oh, Grippo 199 Pierce Street, Somerset.

2:31

First, I want to congratulate the council on what I think was our biggest and grandest 4th of July.

2:40

Uh I was particularly excited about the size of the crowd all over the property, especially by the gazebo for the concert.

2:49

And I want to thank the council for the lighting that now provides a safe entrance and exit to the gazebo, as Bob called it years ago, the Great Lawn.

3:00

So people are not tripping all over the place.

3:03

Well, congratulations.

3:06

Um talking about the Great Lawn.

3:09

You did some lawn renovation there, which was appreciated by the people not falling into holes as in the past.

3:17

You need a little bit more lawn renovation this fall, I would recommend top dressing, seating, that kind of thing.

3:24

I used to be a landscaper, believe it or not, but then I became a principal 45 years ago.

3:29

Anyway, so uh consider that.

3:32

Um the other a couple of suggestions.

3:36

When we designed the gazebo and I first met with the mayor, one of the things in my proposal was that we would have LED lighting around the trim of the gazebo that could change with the seasons.

3:49

So 4th of July, the cap would go red, white, and blue.

3:54

March, the cap would be green.

3:57

February, red for Valentine's Day, or whatever, whatever colors you want to use.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Traffic Safety████████████████16%
Public Works█████████████13%
Procedural████████████12%
Public Health█████████9%
Animal Welfare██████6%
Public Safety██████6%
Environmental Protection█████5%
Cannabis Regulation█████5%
Community Engagement█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Franklin Township Council Regular Meeting - July 9, 2024

The Franklin Township Council held its regular meeting on July 9, 2024, at 7:00 PM at the municipal building. The meeting included public comments, adoption of ordinances, resolutions, and reports. Key topics included deer management, street resurfacing, a new cannabis dispensary, traffic studies, and a community energy plan.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Bill Grippo (199 Pierce Street) congratulated the council on the July 3rd fireworks event, praised new lawn lighting at the gazebo, and suggested adding programmable LED lighting around the gazebo trim. He advocated for a static digital marquee at the corner of DeMott Lane and Amwell Road for township event advertising, citing safety and cost-saving over lawn signs.
  • Ken Berkowitz (Somerset) highlighted a Star-Ledger article on health risks from warehouse expansion in New Jersey and noted legislation (A4679/S3546) addressing air pollution. He thanked council for prior support.
  • A resident requested access to speed data collected by police radar signs, suggesting other towns post such data online.
  • Doc Cunningham (11 Stout Court) reported that Stout Court in the Wildflower Ridge development was skipped during recent repaving despite multiple attempts to contact Public Works and the capital projects coordinator; he also followed up on a civics education proposal.
  • Debbie Stewart thanked the council for the traffic master plan study and expressed concern about intersection safety at Cottontail and Weston, noting a warehouse application before the zoning board. She also praised a new walkway on Schoolhouse Road.
  • Maryam and Amina Kourain (co-owners of Indicure LLC, 1483 Lincoln Highway) introduced themselves as twin sisters and Iraq War combat veterans, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to operate a cannabis dispensary in Franklin Township.
  • Deepak Said (Princeton Highlands community board member) requested safety improvements: a left-turn signal from Bunker Hill to Route 27 (sensor was replaced but timing may need adjustment), lowering the 50 mph speed limit on Route 27, repaving of aging roads, and pothole repairs.
  • Nicholas House (14 Overbrook Road) opposed the 2024-2025 deer hunting program, arguing that most vehicle-deer collisions are avoidable and called for public awareness campaigns and non-lethal deterrents.
  • A resident (unnamed) also opposed deer hunting, questioning its logic and urging the council to choose non-lethal methods.
  • Dr. Don Alisi (12 Lewis Drive) presented scientific evidence on zoonotic disease risks from hunting, cited a 170-page report, and advocated for a humane sterilization program, referencing a 41% population reduction in an Ohio program and a 93% birth reduction in Staten Island.

Discussion Items

  • Deer Management: Deputy Mayor and Township Manager explained that New Jersey's deer population is 1,800% over the healthy level (5-15 per square mile vs. 270 average), causing starvation, ecosystem damage to forests like Hutchison Memorial Forest, and property damage. The hunting program aims to balance population; alternative methods (sterilization) achieve only 6.5% annual reduction, insufficient at current overpopulation levels.
  • Digital Signage: A proposal for a digital marquee at DeMott and Amwell was discussed; Mayor Kramer and Councilman Vassanella favored a static or digital sign on the municipal complex lawn instead, citing safety distractions at that intersection. Councilman Vassanella will lead further exploration.
  • Street Resurfacing: Township Manager explained that paving is prioritized by pavement condition scores (PCS). Stout Court scored 63 vs. Zeller's 34, so it was not included in this year's paving. Princeton Highlands roads score 67-70, not yet eligible. Potholes can be reported via the website or hotline (732-873-7299); state roads (Route 27) should be reported to NJDOT Problem Reporting.
  • Traffic and Parking Study for Hamilton Street: Councilman Wright motioned for an RFP for a comprehensive traffic and parking study of the Hamilton Street business district (from Franklin Boulevard to New Brunswick line, plus two blocks on each side). The motion passed unanimously (9-0). Councilman Wright emphasized concerns about new apartment development, pedestrian safety, and delivery parking.
  • Community Energy Plan: Resolution #24-254 adopts the Franklin Township Community Energy Plan as part of a $15,000 Sustainable Jersey grant to advance renewable energy and efficiency.
  • Canal Road Timber Guide Rail Phase 7: Manager described the guide rail as a D&R Canal Commission requirement (Merritt Parkway style).
  • Contract Amendment for Access Control System: Resolution #24-262 amended the contract with Fortress Controls LLC from $173,875 to $218,875 (increase of $45,000) for hardware ($39,240) and monthly maintenance ($30/month).

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Agenda Adopted: All 23 consent resolutions (Items a-w) were approved unanimously, including:
    • Tax title lien redemptions (Res. #24-237)
    • Contract extensions and bid awards for street resurfacing (Suydam Road, Cornelius Way, Blackwells Mills Rd, Mosher Road, Home/Ambrose Streets), recycling center services, HVAC emergency repairs, Canal Road timber guide rail, land surveying, printing services, vehicle purchase (dump truck, lift, mower, spreader), NJDOT grant application, out-of-state training for Sgt. Martinez, hunting program 2024-2025, water meter escrow refunds, liquor license renewals, and a special event permit for a community health fair.
  • Resolutions Voted Separately: Both #24-261 (Palace fireworks displays for August 2024 weddings) and #24-262 (Fortress Controls contract amendment) were adopted.
  • Ordinances on Second Reading: Ordinance 4438-24 (amending Police Department divisions/bureaus) and Ordinance 4448-24 (prohibiting vehicles over 4 tons on Cedar Avenue and Griggs Street) were adopted.
  • CDBG Public Hearing: The 2024 Annual Action Plan was approved via Resolution #24-236.
  • Minutes Approved: Minutes of June 25, 2024 work session/regular meeting were approved.
  • Warrants Approved: Warrants totaling $9,355,297.47 were approved.
  • Executive Session: Resolution #24-260 authorized an executive session for litigation update.
  • Other: The council acknowledged the resignation from the Library Board and appointed Alicia Ali as a replacement.

Meeting Transcript

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, July 9th, 2024. Let us take the next few minutes of silence. 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. Please call the rule. Councilman and Harrison? Yeah. Councilwoman Francois? Here. Councilman Carazi? Here. Mayor Kramer? Here. Councilman Noni Jaka? Yeah. Deputy Mayor Petazny. Present. Councilwoman Nadine. Councilman Vassanella? Here. Councilman Wright. For no commendations and proclamations, we're on to item number six. A copy of the agenda is up next to the clerk. It's uh do I have a motion to open to the public session? The vote seconded. Moving second and all in favor say aye. Aye. Those say nay. Motion is carried. We're now open for public session. Uh five minutes per person, no yielding of time. May only come up once. And council will answer the questions after the uh public session is closed. Is this on any item? Yes. Okay. Are we on? Yes. Any item in a minute. I'm always on. Any any item um having to do with government. Oh, Grippo 199 Pierce Street, Somerset. First, I want to congratulate the council on what I think was our biggest and grandest 4th of July. Uh I was particularly excited about the size of the crowd all over the property, especially by the gazebo for the concert. And I want to thank the council for the lighting that now provides a safe entrance and exit to the gazebo, as Bob called it years ago, the Great Lawn. So people are not tripping all over the place. Well, congratulations.

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