The Township Council of Franklin, Somerset County, New Jersey, met on August 13, 2024, with Deputy Mayor Petaznik presiding in the absence of Mayor Kramer. The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation by Councilman Charles Onyejiaka. The Council issued a community award, heard public comment, approved warrants, introduced one parking ordinance, passed a large consent agenda, and made appointments to two boards. No minutes were submitted for approval, and no second-reading ordinances or executive session were on the agenda.
He may not know that he was doing that, so we'll give him a second. If there's 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's to be peace in the cities, there must be peace between neighbors. If there's to be peace between neighbors, there must be peace in the home. If there's to be peace in the home, there must be peace in the heart. Amen. So just take one a little bit hard, Jeremy. Okay. Councilman Embarrasson. Yeah. Councilwoman Francois. Councilman Carrazi. Mayor Kramer. Councilman Oni Jaka. Yeah. Deputy Mayor Petaznik. Present. Councilwoman Udine. Councilman Vasanella. Yes, here. Councilman Wright. And the mayor is at another meeting right now, so I'll be uh continuing through. The first item on the agenda is commendations and proclamations. So I can invite the Franklin Women's Club and Master Gardeners for the best community improvement program to come forward and I'll read the resolution and give you guys a chance to share some words about your great work you're doing. No. There we go. There's two of them there. Take one of them. Oh, that's a good idea. We're gonna need it for the finding show. Okay, back to business here. Whereas the Franklin Women's Club, a dedicated member of the New Jersey State Federation of Women's Clubs, has been steadfast in its commitment to community service empowerment and improvement, embodying the Federation's mission of enhancing the lives of others through volunteerism, and whereas the Rutgers Master Gardeners of Somerset County and the Rutgers Environmental Stewards are dedicated, our dedicated group of trained volunteers who work under the auspices of the Rutgers Cooperative Extension to provide research-based horticultural knowledge and best practices to the local community, and whereas the Franklin Women's Club, the Rutgers Environmental Stewards and the Master Gardeners, have undertaken an exceptional community improvement program that has significantly impacted the Franklin community, addressing the threats to pollinators due to habitat loss, increased chemical use, among other factors, and harmful consequences of large-scale pollinator loss. And whereas this program, through the innovative approach, strategic partnerships, and tireless efforts of volunteers, has resulted in a Model Pollator Garden adjacent to the township cazebo, and educational signage for the benefit of our environmental for our environment and the education of residents in Franklin. And whereas the Franklin Women's Club, along with the Rutgers Master Gardeners, have been recognized by the New Jersey State Federation of Women's Clubs as the recipient of the best community improvement program award. An honor that reflects their outstanding dedication, leadership, and ability to inspire and uplift the community it serves. Now, therefore, be it comp proclaimed by me, the deputy mayor and mayor and council of the township of Franklin, the County of Somerset, and the state of New Jersey, hereby congratulates and commends the Franklin Women's Clubs, the Rutgers Environmental Stewards, and the Rutgers Master Gardeners of Somerset County for the positive impact they have made here in Franklin for our community and setting a standard of excellence in a community improvement programs across the state. So congratulations to you. And I will just mention too, the last time I saw Phyllis, you were actually gardening at the gazebo. Um and if you hadn't had a chance to look at the uh gazebo and the plantings that are there, they're specifically designed to be attractive to our pollinators. Without pollinators, we don't have food. And I can tell you that because I have two cherry trees. We do have a rain barrel, uh, which we are using, but the addition of that uh water spigot's been really helpful. So uh thanks to everyone and uh Lauren is uh Randolph is an amazing uh Rutgers environmental steward and master gardener, and she and her team and including intern were really instrumental in the design of the part that is the pollinator garden. Thank you. The next item on the agenda is public discussion. Is there a motion and a second to open to the public on any topic for five minutes? Second. Moved by Councilman Francois, and seconded by Councilman Vassanella. All those in favor say aye.