OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Franklin Township Council Meeting - January 28, 2025

Township Council — Tuesday, January 28, 2025
BodyFranklin Township, New Jersey
SessionTownship Council
DateTuesday, January 28, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:26:52

Transcript — Verbatim
0:11

This work session regular meeting of the township council is called to order.

0:15

Madam Clerk.

0:18

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 meeting would take place at the municipal building at 7 p.m.

0:31

on Tuesday, January 28th, 2025.

0:34

If we could all stand for the Pledge of Allegiance and remain standing for the invocation given by Deputy Mayor Sheepa Uden.

0:43

Pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America for which it stands.

1:03

If there is to be peace in the world, there must be peace in the nations.

1:07

If there is to be peace in the nations, there must be peace in the cities.

1:12

If there is to be peace in the cities, there must be peace between neighbors.

1:17

If there is to be peace between neighbors, there must be peace in the home.

1:22

If there's pe to be peace in the home, there must be peace in the heart.

1:27

Amen.

1:34

Councilman Embarrison.

1:35

Here.

1:35

Councilwoman Francois.

1:37

Here.

1:37

Councilman Karazi.

1:38

Here.

1:39

Mayor Kramer.

1:40

Here.

1:40

Councilman Oni Jaka.

1:42

Yes.

1:42

Councilmember Patasny.

1:44

Deputy Mayor Dean.

1:46

Yes.

1:46

Councilman Vassanella.

1:48

Yes.

1:48

Councilman Wright.

1:50

There's uh no proclamations or commendations.

1:54

Open to the public session.

1:56

Do we have a motion?

1:57

It's all moved.

1:58

Second.

1:59

Moved in second, and all in favor say aye.

2:01

Aye.

2:01

Aye.

2:02

Opposed say nay.

2:03

Motion is carried.

2:05

We're now open to the public.

2:06

Five minutes of person.

2:08

No yielding of time.

2:09

May come up once.

2:11

Please state your name and address.

2:13

No.

2:14

Well, one card.

2:19

Benjamin Guy, 35 Pite Drive.

2:25

Just want to go over two things.

2:26

One is to recognize a member of the local local Franklin community, Miss Chanel Robinson.

2:35

Just wanted to recognize her as far as um being in all not just being our commissioner for Somerset County, but also getting appointed as president of the uh actual uh county uh of the president of the commit uh executive board of the commissioners for uh the state of New Jersey.

2:49

Um being that she's recognized there, I think it's a valuable opportunity for us as a society to actually uh take advantage of that because she will be recognized around the state.

2:58

We're in Franklin Pride, but also as representative for Somerset County.

3:02

So we should we should be actually uh commending that.

3:05

Uh that's kind of a success tree that comes off this town council, and actually uh we should be recognizing that as we go along.

3:11

So if there's not a private mission that needs to be done, I actually want it to be done for her or on that recognition at all.

3:17

Um the second portion is uh for February 15th.

3:20

Um there's actually an event um that's gonna be done at the uh at the community center, which is uh uh during Black History Month.

3:27

It's uh Black History Month, uh the underground experience at all.

3:30

That's um uh uh that's gonna be a production that's gonna be on the February 15th.

3:35

Uh that recognition will be actually put out there again by uh one of the representatives that's sponsored by the uh the caucus, uh Ms.

3:43

Robinson and Miss Patina uh John also.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Affordable Housing██████████████████████████████████34%
Procedural██████████████14%
Land Development████████████12%
Cannabis Regulation██████████10%
Community Engagement█████████9%
History Education█████5%
Public Safety████4%
Parks and Recreation██2%
Youth Programs██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Franklin Township Council Work Session and Regular Meeting - January 28, 2025

The Township Council held a work session and regular meeting on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at 7:00 PM in the municipal building. Key topics included adoption of consent agenda resolutions, public comments on affordable housing, warehouse development, and cannabis licensing, as well as council reports on public safety, affordable housing obligations, and community events. The meeting also addressed the fourth round affordable housing obligation, resulting in a filing to the state with a reduced number from 714 to 623 units.

Consent Calendar

  • Resolutions #25-051 to #25-069 were adopted unanimously. Notable items:
    • Resolution #25-052: Award non-fair and open contract to Integrity Health, LLC for health care services – amount not to exceed $324,450.00.
    • Resolution #25-053: Award contract to Aon Consulting Inc. for 2024 GASB 75 valuation – amount not to exceed $18,000.00.
    • Resolution #25-054: Authorize out-of-state training for police captains in Glendale, AZ.
    • Resolution #25-055: Shared services agreement with Somerset County for senior transportation – amount not to exceed $94,271.84.
    • Resolution #25-056: Authorize advertisement for bids for Flock license plate readers.
    • Resolution #25-062: 2025 recycling agreement with Somerset County at $27.60 per household.
    • Resolution #25-069: Adopting the Township's present and prospective need for the fourth round of affordable housing obligations.
    • Resolutions #25-057, #25-058, #25-066, #25-067, #25-068: Authorize releases of performance guarantees for various developments.
    • Resolution #25-059: Authorize grant application for heat monitoring.
    • Resolution #25-061: Authorize fireworks display at The Palace at Somerset Park.
    • Resolutions #25-063, #25-064: Authorize refund for construction water meter escrow and judgment credit.
    • Resolution #25-065: Award competitive contract for water sample monitoring.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Benjamin Guy (35 Pite Drive) urged recognition for Somerset County Commissioner Chanel Robinson, announced a Black History Month event on February 15th (Underground Experience at the community center, 2-5 PM), questioned the township's affordable housing record (claiming failed quota), and asked about Hamilton Street streetscape study and parks & rec award.
  • Jim Johnston (34 Norwich Place) opposed the proposed Onyx warehouse at 785 Old New Brunswick Road, noting 200 protesters at the planning board meeting. He questioned the change from a planned shopping center to a warehouse and cited concerns about truck bays, proximity to ShopRite and a nursing home, and vacant warehouses. He also referenced the loss of the Pro Tech ice skating rink.
  • Marcel Rodriguez (owner of We Shop CBD, 657 Hamilton Street) requested a township approval letter for his cannabis business, stating he submitted documents in 2022 but received a new requirement two weeks ago. He expressed frustration that a new ordinance capped cannabis businesses at 18, excluding him, and asked to be included.

Discussion Items

  • Affordable Housing (Fourth Round Obligation): Council members (Francois, Embarrison, Vasanella, Carazi, Deputy Mayor Uddin) and Township Manager detailed the process. The state assigned Franklin an obligation of 714 units for the next 10 years. After evaluating state-identified developable land (originally ~400 acres reduced to ~200 acres due to preserved open space, detention basins, etc.), the number was recalculated to 623. The resolution on the consent agenda (25-069) accepts this study and files a response to the state. The next step is an affordable housing plan due by June 30, 2025. Council members emphasized Franklin's history of meeting prior obligations (first round from 1986) and expressed optimism for more local control over siting.
  • Public Safety Report (Councilman Vasanella): Crashes in 2024 totaled 2,307 (down from 2,447 in 2023), but injuries rose to 534 (up 22-23% from 444 in 2023). Fatalities increased from 5 to 6. The ARRIVE Together program (mental health crisis response) was used 278 times with no violent outcomes.
  • Cannabis Ordinance Clarification (Councilwoman Francois): The ordinance amendment capping cannabis businesses at 18 was enacted due to oversaturation. Only those with a CRC license at the time of adoption were grandfathered; Mr. Rodriguez did not have his license then.
  • Hamilton Street Safety Study: A public meeting will be held on February 12, 2025, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM at the municipal building. The NJTPA-funded study focuses on safety, not streetscape.
  • Youth Center Award: The youth center won the NJRPA Excellence in Programming award for an impact video produced by children. Award ceremony February 25 in Atlantic City; recognition at a council meeting in March.
  • Other Events: MLK Jr. Breakfast, Chamber of Commerce networking, YMCA campaign, health screenings (Feb 5), Black History Month Underground Experience (Feb 15, 2-6 PM), MBK parent meet-and-greet, and senior club meetings.

Resolutions Voted Separately

  • Resolution #25-060: Authorizes intent to participate in State Plan Cross Acceptance Process for Somerset County and appoints five members: Township Manager (Mark Healy), Mayor (Kramer), Planning Board Chair, Councilman Embarrison, and citizen member Ted Chase. Passed unanimously.
  • Resolution #25-070: Authorizes developer's agreement with EWA Somerset 400 Owner, LLC for properties at 400 & 600 Atrium Drive (offices being converted). Passed unanimously.
  • Resolution #25-071: Appointments to Senior Citizen Advisory Committee and Cultural Arts Council. Passed unanimously, though Councilwoman Francois noted that some Cultural Arts Council members had not been formally appointed by the council.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent agenda (resolutions 25-051 through 25-069) adopted unanimously.
  • Resolutions 25-060, 25-070, 25-071 adopted unanimously.
  • Warrants (bill list) approved for $5,852,611.86.
  • Affordable housing obligation filed at 623 units (down from state's 714); a plan due June 30, 2025.
  • Public safety statistics noted with concern; ARRIVE Together program highlighted.
  • Next meeting will discuss boards, committees, and commission vacancies.

Meeting Transcript

This work session regular meeting of the township council is called to order. 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 meeting would take place at the municipal building at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, January 28th, 2025. If we could all stand for the Pledge of Allegiance and remain standing for the invocation given by Deputy Mayor Sheepa Uden. Pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America for which it stands. If there is 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 is to be peace in the cities, there must be peace between neighbors. If there is to be peace between neighbors, there must be peace in the home. If there's pe to be peace in the home, there must be peace in the heart. Amen. Councilman Embarrison. Here. Councilwoman Francois. Here. Councilman Karazi. Here. Mayor Kramer. Here. Councilman Oni Jaka. Yes. Councilmember Patasny. Deputy Mayor Dean. Yes. Councilman Vassanella. Yes. Councilman Wright. There's uh no proclamations or commendations. Open to the public session. Do we have a motion? It's all moved. Second. Moved in second, and all in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Opposed say nay. Motion is carried. We're now open to the public. Five minutes of person. No yielding of time. May come up once. Please state your name and address. No. Well, one card. Benjamin Guy, 35 Pite Drive. Just want to go over two things. One is to recognize a member of the local local Franklin community, Miss Chanel Robinson. Just wanted to recognize her as far as um being in all not just being our commissioner for Somerset County, but also getting appointed as president of the uh actual uh county uh of the president of the commit uh executive board of the commissioners for uh the state of New Jersey. Um being that she's recognized there, I think it's a valuable opportunity for us as a society to actually uh take advantage of that because she will be recognized around the state.

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