Franklin Township Council Meeting - November 12, 2024

The Franklin Township Council held a regular meeting on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. The meeting included public comments, council reports, adoption of ordinances, and approval of a consent agenda. Key topics included tax notifications, traffic and dumping complaints, a new noise/nuisance ordinance, and the codification of a municipal housing liaison.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Debbie Stewart (Farrington) expressed concern about inconsistent text/email notifications for property tax due dates.
• Benjamin Garrett (35 Patriot Drive) announced a National Homeless Persons Memorial Day collection on December 24, noted that homelessness exists in Franklin despite perceptions, and asked about posting of future road closures and plans for the Hamilton Street streetscape. He also questioned the future of the Special Improvement District (SID) tax and whether it incentivizes business development.
• Richard Sudam (1803 Route 27, Somerset) praised the paving of Skillman Lane but requested increased enforcement against overweight trucks (4-ton limit) and illegal dumping. He also asked that the Board of Education property on Route 27 be mowed four times a year to control noxious weeds, noting the property is a source of Canada thistle.
• Elinor Ogin (9 Republic Grove, Somerset) echoed the lack of tax payment reminders, stating she missed notifications that she previously received.
• Jan Brandt (22 Bryant Court) asked for an update on the traffic report and public meeting, inquired about the effective date of ordinances (20 calendar days after adoption and publication), and reported a pickup truck with a for-sale sign at 100 Schoolhouse Road.

Discussion Items

• Best Practices Inventory: Township Manager Vornlocker reported that Franklin met 42 of 46 graded questions (35 required for maximum state aid), and this annual exercise is complete as a discussion item.
• Ordinance 4452-24 (Nuisances/Noise Repeal): The ordinance merges noise into the nuisance code without decibel limits, relying on “loud, unnecessary, or unusual noise” prohibitions (Section 169-17). A public hearing was held; Alex Strauss (285 Haslet Way) raised concerns about muffler and leaf blower regulations. Council clarified that mufflers are covered by state law and that the absence of decibel meters was intentional for practicality. The ordinance was adopted unanimously.
• Ordinance 4457-24 (Handicapped Parking Removal): Introduced to remove a handicapped parking space at 28 Roberts Road. Passed first reading unanimously.
• Ordinance 4458-24 (Municipal Housing Liaison): Introduced to codify the existing role of a municipal housing liaison per state mandate. Councilman Wright expressed concern about lack of prior notice, but Attorney Reynone and the manager explained it is a state requirement that merely reaffirms duties already performed by Planner Mark Healy. Passed first reading unanimously.
• Council Reports:
  • Councilman Karazi highlighted the Advisory Board of Health’s mental health event (Nov 20), free community health screening (Nov 21), and World Kindness Day (Nov 13).
  • Councilman Anbarasan reported approval of the Macedonia Church of God at 30 Booker Street, a tour of the Center for Great Expectations (seeking votes for a $15,000 grant), a donation to the Franklin Food Bank, and the Veterans Day ceremony.
  • Councilman Vassanella announced all planned paving was completed, and a multi-phase sidewalk project (Phase 3) will start in early spring 2025 on several streets in Wards 4 and 5.
  • Councilman Wright shared findings from a Monarch Housing Associates report on homelessness in Somerset County, noting high rents contribute to a housing crunch.

Old Business

• Boards, Committees & Commissions Vacancies: The agenda was amended to nominate Khatir Elamarin as the youth member to the Municipal Alliance. He was approved by acclamation.

Consent Calendar (Resolutions #24-370 through #24-382)

All items were adopted unanimously in one motion:

• #24-370: Tax title lien redemptions
• #24-371: Refund of tax/water overpayments
• #24-372: Adjust water charges for hardship leaks
• #24-373: Refund construction water meter escrows
• #24-374: Award bid for Route 27 water services replacement (JA Neary Excavating, Inc., not to exceed $567,950)
• #24-375: Accept FY2024 Emergency Management Performance Grant
• #24-376: Insert $218,783.18 into CY2024 budget from Distributor Opioid Settlement
• #24-377 through #24-379: Authorize out-of-state police training (IAPro conference, Supervisor Leadership Institute, National Internal Affairs Training)
• #24-380 and #24-382: Stormwater detention facility maintenance agreements (2 Honeyman Street and 18 Acken Lane)
• #24-381: Emergency contract for Route 27 main line patching (DeSantis Construction Inc., not to exceed $60,943)

Key Outcomes

• Ordinance 4452-24 adopted on second reading (unanimous 9-0).
• Ordinances 4457-24 and 4458-24 introduced on first reading, with public hearings set for November 26, 2024.
• Warrants approved totaling $8,106,498.25.
• Khatir Elamarin appointed to the Municipal Alliance as youth member.
• Council directed the Township Manager to address overweight truck enforcement on Skillman Lane, coordinate with DPW and Police on illegal dumping, and follow up on the Board of Education property mowing schedule via the Open Space Advisory Committee.