OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Franklin Township Council Regular Meeting - September 10, 2024

Township Council — Tuesday, September 10, 2024
BodyFranklin Township, New Jersey
SessionTownship Council
DateTuesday, September 10, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 58:27

Transcript — Verbatim
0:01

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 6 30 p.m.

0:14

on Tuesday, September 10th, 2024.

0:18

We could all stand for the Pledge of Allegiance and remain standing by the invocation delivered by Deputy Mayor Ed Pataznik.

0:30

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and the Republic for which it stands.

0:38

One nation for the guy indivisible liberty and justice for all.

0:47

As we gather here today as members of the Township Council, we pray that we are ever mindful of the opportunities to render our service to fellow citizens in our community, keeping in mind always the enduring values of life, exerting our efforts in those areas on those things upon which future generations can build with confidence.

1:08

May we establish peace throughout the world, the nations, and here in our own community.

1:13

May tonight's debate be something that people watch uh closely and provide for a better America, a safer America, and let us continue to strive to make the world better in every way that each of us can.

1:26

Amen.

1:34

Councilman and Barrison.

1:35

Here.

1:35

Councilwoman Francois?

1:37

Here.

1:37

Councilman Carazi?

1:38

Here.

1:39

Mayor Kramer.

1:40

Here.

1:40

Councilman Oni Jaka.

1:41

Yeah.

1:42

Deputy Mayor Pitoznick.

1:43

President.

1:44

Councilwoman Udin.

1:45

Here.

1:45

Councilman Vassanella?

1:47

Here.

1:47

Councilman Wright.

1:48

Here.

1:49

We are on to item number five on the agenda.

1:52

Copy of the agendas are there near the clerk.

1:55

First item is check presentation to the center of great expectations.

1:59

Assemblyman Joe Danielson.

2:08

Danielle.

2:20

Thank you and good evening, Mayor.

2:26

Hold it left button down to the right.

2:29

One is down.

2:35

One, two.

2:36

Okay.

2:36

Thank you, Mayor and Council, for having me tonight.

2:40

And thank you for a wonderful 9-11 ceremony that you do every year to honor those that we lost.

2:47

Today I'm here to talk about the Center for Great Expectations.

2:52

It's here in Franklin Township.

2:54

And it's one of the great elements of Franklin Township.

2:59

It was established in 1998 by uh Ms.

3:03

Peg Wright, who's sitting to my left.

3:06

And uh I hope I don't get this wrong.

3:09

Uh, but the center is um off uh uh uh De Mot Lane and its focus is that it houses women with children that are experiencing uh emotional abuse, physical abuse, addictions, um, and they have to um care for a child or or more.

3:34

And their goal is to not only teach them how to be healthy, happy, productive individuals, but they also teach them how to parent as well.

3:46

So in addition to being a residential uh therapy, healthy, happy home environment, they are stopping the generational cycle of addiction, abuse, and neglect, and uh the absence of education and role model, and they are truly turning lives around and making new futures for these women and their these children.

4:14

Um I found out about them only a couple of years ago through a mutual friend of ours who happens to be a lobbyist, and I took a tour of it.

4:25

The my next step was to get them money from the state.

4:29

I I think I got you one and a half million dollars.

4:32

Uh then the following year I thought it was so important that I got the speaker and the mayor uh to come there and take a tour of it.

4:42

And it's just a wonderful, wonderful, wonderful uh uh facility.

4:46

And I encourage everyone to take a tour of that.

4:50

Um you'd be right along uh side me in supporting this.

4:56

And they have two halves.

5:00

Actually, you have many halves.

5:01

Um one section of the facility is for mothers that are under 18, and then the other side is for mothers who are over 18, and then they have condominiums and apartments that they own or and or manage that um are used for housing these young women uh as a phase out of the program.

5:25

And the program is actually a lot shorter than you would like it, uh financial constraints.

5:30

You should also know that she operates in a negative too often.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Community Engagement█████████████████████████25%
Procedural██████████████████18%
Public Safety███████████████15%
Mental Health Awareness██████████10%
Public Health███████7%
Land Development██████6%
Traffic Safety█████5%
Affordable Housing█████5%
Public Works████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Franklin Township Council Regular Meeting - September 10, 2024

The Franklin Township Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. at the Municipal Building. The meeting included commendations, proclamations, a presentation on the My Brother's Keeper program, council reports, and the adoption of ordinances and resolutions. Public comment was opened and closed with no speakers.

Commendations & Proclamations

  • Check Presentation to Center for Great Expectations: Assemblyman Joe Danielsen presented a $1,000,000 state grant to the Center for Great Expectations, a Franklin Township facility that supports pregnant and parenting women experiencing abuse, addiction, and mental health challenges. Peg Wright, founder and CEO, spoke about the organization's work breaking cycles of addiction and abuse, noting that 58% of maternal mortality is due to substance use and mental health disorders. She also announced the annual gala on October 18, 2024, at the Marigold.
  • My Brother's Keeper Presentation: Public Safety Director Quavella Mayweather, Captain Sean Hevin, Sergeant Rebecca Leah, and officers presented an update on the Franklin Township Police Department's My Brother's Keeper (MBK) certification process. The program aims to prepare boys and young men of color for life's challenges and keep youth safe from violent crime. Franklin Township is on track to become the second certified MBK community in New Jersey.
  • Hispanic Heritage Month Proclamation: Deputy Mayor Ed Potosnak proclaimed September 15 to October 15, 2024 as Hispanic Heritage Month in Franklin Township. Representatives from the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Consulate of Mexico, and local entrepreneurs spoke, noting that 37% of the Township's school district student body is Latino.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No members of the public spoke during the public comment period.

Discussion Items

  • Traffic Safety on Canal Road: Councilman Onichaka moved to paint "Stop Sign Ahead" markings on Canal Road to reduce accidents. Deputy Mayor Potosnak offered an amendment to also paint "One Lane Bridge" warnings at narrow bridges. The manager noted that engineering studies are needed for flashing beacons but supported the pavement markings as part of a broader traffic safety project. The motion passed unanimously.
  • Master Plan Update: Councilman Barrison reported on the August 29 steering committee meeting for the BI zone study. The traffic study is complete, and the planning study is beginning. No recommendations have been made yet regarding warehouse uses. The manager clarified that the study is not yet complete.
  • Township Manager's Report: The manager announced that proposals for the Hamilton Street traffic study were received and will be reviewed; a contract award is expected at the next meeting. Proposals for affordable housing expert services were also received, with discussion pending in the administration committee. Franklin Day 2024 was announced for September 28 at Colonial Park.

Consent Calendar

  • The consent agenda (items A through W, except P and Q) was adopted unanimously. Key items included:
    • Resolution #24-304: Authorize Tax Title Lien Redemptions
    • Resolution #24-305: Refund Tax and Water Overpayments
    • Resolution #24-306: Adjust Water Charges for Hardship (four properties)
    • Resolution #24-307: Release Performance Guarantee – Stormwater Cash Bond – 69 Grouser Road ($26,514.50)
    • Resolution #24-308: Release Performance Guarantee – Tabatchnick – 1230 Hamilton Street ($173,361.00)
    • Resolution #24-309/#24-310: Release Plan Review Escrows – Warren Capital
    • Resolution #24-311: Authorize Body Armor Grant Application
    • Resolution #24-312: Authorize Safe and Secure Communities Grant ($45,150)
    • Resolution #24-313: Award State Contract – Two Ford Mustang Mach-Es for Police ($95,125.70)
    • Resolution #24-314: Award State Contract – 78 Ballistic Carriers ($112,499.96)
    • Resolution #24-315: Award Bid – Sidewalk Replacement at Town Hall ($57,015.00)
    • Resolution #24-316: Award Competitive Contract – Internet-Based Tax Sale (Realauction.com, $15 per property)
    • Resolution #24-317: Authorize Final Change Order – Zeller Drive Area Resurfacing ($654,036.90)
    • Resolution #24-318: Authorize Stormwater Detention Facility Maintenance Agreement – 625 Somerset Street
    • Resolution #24-319/#24-320: Insertion into CY2024 Budget and Sub-Grant Agreements for FY2024 Community Development Block Grant ($331,646)
    • Resolution #24-321: Special Event Permit – Snyder's Farm Fall Festival (Oct 5-20, 2024)
    • Resolution #24-322: Special Event Permit – Telugu Fine Arts Society Cricket Tournament (Sept 14, 21, 28, 2024)
    • Resolution #24-323: Special Event Permit – Kallol of NJ Durga Puja (Oct 10-13, 2024)
    • Resolution #24-324: Authorize Refund for Construction Water Meter Escrows (Brush and Hammer LLC, Clearview Washing)
    • Resolution #24-325: Award Non-Fair and Open Professional Services Agreement – Kenyon Planning LLC – Sustainability Consulting ($7,500)
    • Resolution #24-326: Authorize Renewal of Plenary Retail Consumption License – Ekaam, LLC
  • Items P and Q (CDBG sub-grantee agreements) were voted on separately due to Councilman Vasanella's recusal; all other members voted yes, with Vasanella abstaining. Both resolutions passed.

Key Outcomes

  • Ordinance No. 4449-24 (parking prohibited on Oakbrook Place) was adopted on second reading after a public hearing with no speakers. Vote: unanimous.
  • Ordinance No. 4450-24 (adding Somerset Gate to private property traffic regulations) was introduced on first reading. Vote: unanimous.
  • The traffic safety motion on Canal Road (stop sign ahead and one-lane bridge markings) passed unanimously, with the manager directed to implement as part of a broader project.
  • Council comments included updates on community events, free flu shots, the ANCHOR property tax relief program, youth mental health first aid training, and board/commission vacancies. The mayor noted the resignation of a library board member and the appointment of Alicia Ali as full trustee. The mayor also highlighted potential closure of East Franklin Firehouse (Fire District 3) and pledged to work to keep it open.

Meeting Transcript

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 6 30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 10th, 2024. We could all stand for the Pledge of Allegiance and remain standing by the invocation delivered by Deputy Mayor Ed Pataznik. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and the Republic for which it stands. One nation for the guy indivisible liberty and justice for all. As we gather here today as members of the Township Council, we pray that we are ever mindful of the opportunities to render our service to fellow citizens in our community, keeping in mind always the enduring values of life, exerting our efforts in those areas on those things upon which future generations can build with confidence. May we establish peace throughout the world, the nations, and here in our own community. May tonight's debate be something that people watch uh closely and provide for a better America, a safer America, and let us continue to strive to make the world better in every way that each of us can. Amen. Councilman and Barrison. Here. Councilwoman Francois? Here. Councilman Carazi? Here. Mayor Kramer. Here. Councilman Oni Jaka. Yeah. Deputy Mayor Pitoznick. President. Councilwoman Udin. Here. Councilman Vassanella? Here. Councilman Wright. Here. We are on to item number five on the agenda. Copy of the agendas are there near the clerk. First item is check presentation to the center of great expectations. Assemblyman Joe Danielson. Danielle. Thank you and good evening, Mayor. Hold it left button down to the right. One is down. One, two. Okay. Thank you, Mayor and Council, for having me tonight. And thank you for a wonderful 9-11 ceremony that you do every year to honor those that we lost. Today I'm here to talk about the Center for Great Expectations. It's here in Franklin Township. And it's one of the great elements of Franklin Township. It was established in 1998 by uh Ms. Peg Wright, who's sitting to my left. And uh I hope I don't get this wrong. Uh, but the center is um off uh uh uh De Mot Lane and its focus is that it houses women with children that are experiencing uh emotional abuse, physical abuse, addictions, um, and they have to um care for a child or or more. And their goal is to not only teach them how to be healthy, happy, productive individuals, but they also teach them how to parent as well. So in addition to being a residential uh therapy, healthy, happy home environment, they are stopping the generational cycle of addiction, abuse, and neglect, and uh the absence of education and role model, and they are truly turning lives around and making new futures for these women and their these children. Um I found out about them only a couple of years ago through a mutual friend of ours who happens to be a lobbyist, and I took a tour of it. The my next step was to get them money from the state.

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