Franklin Township Council Meeting – April 22, 2025

The Franklin Township Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, starting at 7:00 PM at the Municipal Building. The meeting featured Earth Day and Arbor Day proclamations, reports from the Environmental and Shade Tree Commissions, public comments on warehouse traffic and cannabis licensing, introduction of multiple ordinances, and adoption of the consent agenda. The council also addressed property tax assessments and approved a budget with a 2.63% increase in the amount to be raised by taxes.

Commendations & Proclamations

• Earth Day Proclamation (Councilmember Ed Potosnak): Recognized the township's environmental initiatives, including Sustainable Jersey silver certification, the Franklin Township local health action plan, tree planting, stream cleanups, and green infrastructure projects. The proclamation commits the township to continued environmental stewardship.
• Arbor Day Proclamation (Councilman James Vassanella): Highlighted the Shade Tree Commission's work and the 42% tree canopy goal. The township has been a Tree City USA for 23 years. An Arbor Day event is scheduled for April 26, 2025, at the Municipal Gazebo.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Michael Bryan (40 Bryan Court): Raised concerns about increased truck traffic on Schoolhouse Road due to a construction site. He criticized the police traffic division for not returning calls and questioned the status of promised cameras, the boundaries of the truck weight restriction, and the definition of “local deliveries.”
• Norman Roberts (15 Benjamin Street): Expressed concern that a new warehouse ordinance does not integrate the recent traffic study, which found many failing intersections. He urged the council to seek concrete answers before passing the ordinance.
• Doc Cunningham (11 Style Court): Announced a civics forum on May 29, 2025, featuring Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman and Sen. Cory Booker. He requested council assistance in distributing flyers and promoting the event at other community gatherings.
• Debbie Stewart (Farrington Plaza): Questioned why an earlier “no warehouse” ordinance was passed if it was unworkable. She asked whether the new ordinance would go to the Zoning Board or Planning Board and called for transparency.
• Jan Brandt (22 Bryant Court): Supported prior speakers and noted that many residents are unaware of the new warehouse ordinance being processed. She cited traffic expert findings that all intersections will fail once approved warehouses are built, and suggested following Mansfield, Burlington County's model of a moratorium on new warehouses until current impacts are assessed.
• Shirley Tallman (57 Tallman Lane): Echoed concerns about warehouses and demanded answers. She criticized the failure to install traffic cameras on Metlers Road and proposed creating a low-clearance structure to block trucks on that road.
• Benjamin Guy (35 Patent Drive): Highlighted a workforce training program (OSHA 30, CPR, construction skills) available to Franklin residents, noting it is under-publicized. He also requested better promotion of recreation programs and states that funding from state sources should be reported to the public to maintain support.
• Sophia Georges (3 Hunters Crossing Road): Asked about property tax assessments and whether the tax rate will decrease given significant assessment increases. She requested transparency in how assessment data is generated and noted that many assessments may not be justified by market sales.
• Elorm Kansi (167 Alcorn Street): Announced his application to the Hamilton Street Advisory Board and asked for guidance on next steps.
• Jack McFalkland (Larson Road): Criticized the cannabis licensing process, alleging the council did not cap licenses from the start and allowed multi-state operators while ignoring local social equity applicants. He claimed that an owner of a dispensary on Franklin Boulevard has used racial slurs on social media and called on the council to revoke the license. He also implied improper relationships between council members and the dispensary owner.

Environmental Commission Report

Presented by Daniel Raj on behalf of the commission. Key points:

• Accomplishments (2024): 34 site plan reviews using a green checklist; annual stream cleanup on April 13, 2024 (750 lbs garbage, 285 lbs recyclables, 100+ volunteers); completion of the Community Energy Plan and Micromobility Study; launched “Save the Mo Till Earth Day” delayed-mowing program; multiple education/outreach events.
• Goals for 2025: Food composting pilot with Canal Walk residents; applying for Sustainable Jersey Silver certification; finalizing tree ordinance amendments; assisting planning board with sustainability elements and climate change vulnerability assessment; implementing projects from local health assessment, energy plan, and micromobility study.

Shade Tree Commission Report

Presented by Steve Gallui, Chair. Key points:

• Activities since last report: Planted over 30 trees on Ridings Parkway, added 40 trees to JFK Boulevard at no cost (via utility partnership), restarted annual tree sale, updated tree inventory focusing on Wards 4 and 5, achieved Tree City USA designation for 23rd year. The commission helped inventory Hutchison Memorial Forest, which was accepted into the Old Growth Forest Network.
• Challenges: Tree canopy coverage has declined from 39% (2016) to approximately 36.5% (2023), a loss equivalent to 156 acres (five times the size of Middlebush Park). Goals include increasing canopy, especially in dense urban areas, to mitigate heat islands and negative health effects identified in the local health assessment.
• Upcoming initiatives: Partnering with the Board of Education to apply for state tree-planting funds for school properties; updating the urban forestry management plan; updating tree maintenance standards; working with planning/zoning boards to encourage preservation of trees during development.

Discussion Items

• Truck Traffic and Enforcement: Township Manager Vornlocker explained that the weight restriction on Schoolhouse Road (between Randolph Road and Weston Canal Road) allows trucks making local deliveries. The contractor for 31 Schoolhouse Road agreed to reroute trucks via Randolph Road as a favor, not a legal requirement. Cameras on traffic signals are being installed (many already up) with permission from utility companies. One camera location still awaiting electricity connection.
• Warehouse Ordinance Clarification: Township Attorney clarified that the original ordinance removing warehouses as permitted uses is still in effect and has not been stayed. It has halted most warehouse applications. There is no pending draft ordinance before the council; only the Planning Board’s recommendations exist. The attorney stressed that the council has not acted on those recommendations.
• Cannabis Licensing: Several council members addressed the cannabis issue. Councilwoman Francois acknowledged that a cap should have been implemented earlier, stating “if we knew better, we would have done better.” She noted that staff handled applications, not the council. Councilman Barrison and Deputy Mayor Dean defended attending the dispensary grand opening as routine support for new businesses and denied any personal connections. The councilwoman also emphasized that cannabis tax revenue goes into the general fund to help stabilize property taxes.
• Property Tax Assessments: Township Manager Vornlocker explained that the amount to be raised by taxes increased by 2.63% ($1 million). The municipal tax is only 14-16% of the total tax bill. Assessments are based on comparable sales within neighborhoods, with a transparent process that includes annual drive-bys and a town hall with the assessor. The deadline to file an assessment appeal with the County Board of Taxation is May 1, 2025.

Key Outcomes

• Adopted Second Reading Ordinances: Ordinance 4461-25 (CAP Bank) and Ordinance 4462-25 (Amendment to Fee Ordinance for Redemption Requests) were adopted unanimously.
• Introduced First Reading Ordinances: Six ordinances were introduced and will have public hearings on May 13, 2025:
  • 4463-25 (Amend Massage Ordinance – prohibited acts)
  • 4464-25 (Acquire El-Khatib property at 360 Franklin Blvd for open space)
  • 4465-25 (Appropriate $765,000 from Open Space Trust Fund for El-Khatib property)
  • 4466-25 (Appropriate $990,000 from Open Space Trust Fund for various acquisitions/improvements)
  • 4467-25 (Bond ordinance – $9,959,994 for various 2025 capital improvements and equipment; $9,461,994.30 in bonds)
  • 4468-25 (Bond ordinance – $6,964,950 for Water Utility capital improvements; fully bonded)
• Consent Agenda Approved: Resolutions #25-162 through #25-182 were adopted en bloc, including tax lien redemptions, water charge adjustments, refunds, release of performance guarantees, contract awards, grant submissions, special event permits, and support for the Sustainable Land Use Pledge and Local Health Action Plan.
• Committee Appointment: Patrick Murray was nominated and approved by acclamation to the Trail Advisory Committee for a term ending December 31, 2028.
• Public Safety and Upcoming Events: Council announced an Affordable Housing Seminar on April 24th at 6 PM and an Energy Town Hall (hosted by Assemblyman Danielson) on April 23rd at 6 PM. The police department’s “Briefing Room” podcast was highlighted. Summer youth program (July 8-18) and a partnership with Middle Earth for drug awareness and employment skills (June 24-August 21) were promoted.