Franklin Township Council Work Session/Regular Meeting – October 22, 2024

The Franklin Township Council held a work session/regular meeting on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, at 7:00 PM in the municipal building. The meeting included commendations, public discussion, council reports, and the adoption of several ordinances and resolutions. Key topics included a new cannabis dispensary cap, a revised noise/nuisance ordinance, a special events ordinance, and public concerns about traffic safety, noise, and economic development.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes of September 10 and September 24, 2024.
• Approved warrants totaling $17,146,697.81.
• Adopted the consent agenda (Resolutions #24-357 through #24-367), including:
  • Tax title lien redemptions.
  • Award of a professional planner contract for affordable housing (up to $60,000).
  • Release of a drywell bond ($4,250).
  • Out-of-state conferences for the Township Clerk.
  • Grant submission for the Municipal Alliance Grant ($17,614.74).
  • Special event permits for Franklin Township Muslims and Got Your Six Dispensary.
  • Stormwater maintenance agreements and refunds.
  • Fireworks displays at The Palace at Somerset Park.
  • Budget insertion for GCADA funding ($48,852).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Carol Peterson (12 Lake Avenue) requested enforcement of noise and idling truck laws on Hellen Lake, citing decibel levels of 80-90 dB inside her home and a neighbor's unauthorized fence. She urged the council to intervene.
• Debbie Stewart (Farrington Plaza) thanked the council for the noise amendment, asked if it covers loud vehicles and motorcycles, and requested a speed limit reduction on Mettler's Road to 35 mph. She also praised sidewalk maintenance on Schoolhouse Road and asked if the multi-use path allows bicycles.
• Jim Johnson (34 Norwich Place) criticized the lack of broadcast for the Somerset County Commissioner debate held in Franklin, and expressed concern over warehouse development and open space loss, citing a 437,000 sq ft warehouse near Elizabeth Avenue School and new housing applications on Cedar Grove Lane.
• Benjamin Guy (35 Patent Drive) announced a Trunk or Treat event on October 26, inquired about Hamilton Street streetscape plans, requested polling location information, and urged the council to table the cannabis ordinance until after the election. He also called for action on workforce development.
• Jan Brandt (22 Bryant Court) highlighted that Franklin Township has had five fatal car crashes in 2024, asked for updates on the traffic study, and requested information on lawsuits challenging township ordinances (stormwater, noise, warehouse). She supported the new noise ordinance.
• Alan Rubin (Stoneman Drive) raised concerns about a charter school superintendent living in Florida while earning a high salary, urging the council to address the issue with state representatives.
• Amina Couray (1483 Lincoln Highway) opposed allowing intoxicating hemp products in smoke shops and gas stations, citing health risks to children and unfair competition for regulated dispensaries. She also noted that 22-25 dispensaries are too many for Franklin’s 56,000 residents.
• Shawnee (Leaf House, 900 Eastern Avenue) reported that her dispensary is struggling financially and pleaded for a cap on licenses, saying the town is setting businesses up for failure. She also requested crackdowns on illicit shops.
• Rob Peterson (66 Wilson Road) criticized the council for rushing into cannabis licensing and questioned why the town would now consider rescuing struggling dispensaries when other businesses are not bailed out.
• Suzanne Nicholson (NJ Cannabis Equity Association) offered support for regulating intoxicating hemp products, noting that many smoke shops sell illegally without age verification. She encouraged the council to work with law enforcement and keep fine revenue locally.
• Johnny Tibbs (25 Parkside Street) spoke about needing industry for job training and accused certain political philosophies of dividing the community.
• Ellen O'Rogan (9 Republic Rose) asked about the legality of trucks parking on road shoulders near Route 287 and Hooters, and urged the township to address the issue through the traffic study.

During the public hearing on the cannabis ordinance, additional speakers included:

• Benjamin Guy repeated his call to table the ordinance, arguing the state should be held accountable.
• Shawnee again emphasized that 18 licenses are too many compared to other towns and that the cap should be lower.
• Geneva Muzan (618 Hamilton Street) supported the cap, noting that many dispensaries are concentrated on Hamilton Street.
• Jan Brandt asked whether a study was done before issuing so many licenses.

Discussion Items

• Commendations & Proclamations: Councilman Anbarasan proclaimed October as Hindu Heritage Month. A resident, Dave Carlicker, accepted the proclamation and highlighted contributions of the Hindu community.
• Council Comments:
  • Councilman Wright discussed a traffic study for Hamilton Street and affordable housing obligations, emphasizing the need for social programs funded by cannabis tax revenue.
  • Councilwoman Udine reported on signage replacements, camera installations, road paving schedules, and a fire prevention grant. She promoted the Register Ready program for disaster assistance.
  • Councilman Vasanella mentioned the Trunk or Treat event and updates from a public safety meeting on fire response capabilities.
  • Councilwoman Francois announced the Trunk or Treat (Oct 26, 12-3 PM at John's Plaza) and a youth center Halloween party (5-8 PM).
  • Councilman Anbarasan reported on workforce training collaborations with the Board of Education and Raritan Valley Community College.
  • Councilman Oni Jaka attended a speed control meeting and noted the police department will step up enforcement.
  • Councilman Carazi announced prescription drug take-back day (Oct 26), free naloxone distribution (Nov 12), and a mental health event for teens (Nov 20). He also highlighted cybersecurity awareness.
  • Deputy Mayor Pataznik wished residents a safe Halloween and reminded about early voting options (Oct 28 – Nov 3 at the Senior Center) and Election Day (Nov 5).
• Township Manager's Report:
  • The Onyx warehouse planning board application continued to January 15, 2025.
  • The Township Manager (Bob) underwent a successful procedure and is recovering.
• Cannabis Ordinance (4456-24): The council debated capping retail dispensaries at 18. Council members acknowledged the state issued more licenses than anticipated. The ordinance was adopted with a cap of 18 (includes existing and permitted dispensaries).
• Noise/Nuisance Ordinance (4452-24): After extensive discussion, the council adopted amendments: prima facie evidence of violation if noise is clearly audible from a neighboring dwelling or at a distance of 200 feet between 10 PM and 8 AM. Fines set at $100 (first), $500 (second), $1,000 (third and subsequent).
• Special Events Ordinance (4451-24): Introduced but tabled to the Administration Committee for further review due to concerns about requiring permits for private parties with over 100 attendees.
• Affordable Housing: Councilman Wright noted the state released advisory numbers (~700 units), but the actual obligation will be determined by council resolution by January 31, 2025. A consultant was hired to guide the process.

Key Outcomes

• Adopted Ordinance 4453-24: Acquisition by donation of land at 140 Coppermine Road for open space preservation (unanimous).
• Adopted Ordinance 4454-24: Capital ordinance appropriating $23,500 from the Open Space Trust Fund for the acquisition (unanimous).
• Adopted Ordinance 4455-24: Prohibiting parking on a portion of Oakbrook Place (unanimous).
• Adopted Ordinance 4456-24: Amending the municipal code to cap retail cannabis dispensaries at 18 (unanimous).
• Introduced Ordinance 4451-24: Special events amendments – tabled to committee.
• Introduced Ordinance 4452-24: Nuisance/noise ordinance as amended (unanimous).
• Adopted Consent Agenda (Resolutions #24-357 through #24-367) en bloc.
• Adopted Resolution #24-368: Special event permit for Bleachers Dispensary’s Trunk or Treat Car Show (Oct 27, 6-10 PM) – unanimous.
• Adopted Resolution #24-369: Budget insertion for $1,000,000 Federal Economic Development Initiative grant – unanimous.
• Appointments: Christine Buffalo moved to regular member of the Advisory Board of Health; Samira Satar nominated to the Human Relations Commission (both approved by acclamation).