OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Franklin Township Council Meeting - May 13, 2025

Township Council — Tuesday, May 13, 2025
BodyFranklin Township, New Jersey
SessionTownship Council
DateTuesday, May 13, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:14:47

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

After the City 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.

0:10

on Tuesday, May 13, 2025.

0:13

If we could all stand for the Pledge of Allegiance and then remain standing for the invocation by Deputy Mayor Shepa Udin.

0:23

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

0:30

One nation under God, indivisible, liberty, and justice for all.

0:39

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

0:43

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

0:47

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

0:52

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

0:56

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

1:00

Amen.

1:07

Please call the roll.

1:09

Councilman Embarrison.

1:10

Here.

1:11

Councilwoman Francois.

1:13

Councilman Carrazi.

1:14

Here.

1:14

Mayor Kramer.

1:15

Here.

1:16

Councilman Odi Jaca.

1:18

Councilmember Pataznik.

1:20

Deputy Mayor Udine.

1:22

Here.

1:23

Councilman Vassanella.

1:24

Here.

1:25

Councilman Wright.

1:27

Councilman Pataznik is out of town saving the uh Earth.

1:33

Um that's his job.

1:35

Uh so I move that we have make it an excused absence.

1:40

Do we have a second?

1:41

Second.

1:42

All in favor, say aye.

1:44

Aye.

1:45

Opposed.

1:45

Thank you.

1:47

Um, commendations and proclamations.

1:52

We have six of them.

1:54

That's a record.

1:55

It's a record as far as I know, that's for sure.

1:58

So, Councilmembers, uh target, I'm not going to limit you, but a target towards three minutes would be great.

2:05

And the Faulkner Act does not require you to read everywhere as.

2:09

So we will start with the Sierra Leone Independence 64th anniversary, Councilman Oni Jaka.

2:21

Oh, good.

2:21

You don't have to read the whole thing.

2:23

Yeah.

2:25

Do you have anyone here to receive it?

2:27

Yes.

2:29

Okay.

2:33

You have to sign the chance.

2:44

We're not doing well on the three-minute rule.

2:48

You didn't stop the car.

3:40

Here we go.

3:41

All right, I think that is working.

3:43

Great.

3:43

Thank you, Councilman Carazi.

3:45

So we're here once again to acknowledge the independence of the anniversary of independence, the Republic of Sierra Leone.

3:55

So read this.

3:57

Whereas the Republic of Sierra Leone gained its independence from Great Britain on April 27, 1961, ending over 150 years of British colonial rule, marking this year as the 64th anniversary of independence.

4:10

Whereas many Sierra Leonean organizations and individuals in Franklin Township are dedicated to the principles of civic economic and educational programs by encouraging the teachings of African culture and social contributions of largely West African immigrants.

4:25

And we're as the Sierra Leone Sierra Leonean American community has established deep roots in Franklin Township, contributing significantly to the rich cultural diversity and economic vitality of our community.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████████21%
Community Engagement████████████12%
Public Safety████████████12%
Affordable Housing██████████10%
Public Engagement███████7%
Budget Equity Analysis██████6%
Traffic Safety█████5%
Religious Land Use████4%
Open Space████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Franklin Township Council Meeting - May 13, 2025

The Franklin Township Council held its regular meeting on May 13, 2025, at 7:00 PM. The meeting included six proclamations, a public comment period, adoption of the CY2025 municipal budget (as amended), approval of six ordinances on second reading, a consent agenda of 23 resolutions, and an executive session on pending litigation. The council also recognized the 64th anniversary of Sierra Leone independence, honored the late community leader Lamin Alharazim, and proclaimed May as Jewish American Heritage Month, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Taiwanese American Heritage Week, and Mental Health Awareness Month.

Consent Calendar

  • Appointment of Deborah Kelly to the Library Board (replacing Zach Lickman).
  • Approval of warrants totaling $8,284,867.42.
  • Adoption of the consent agenda (items A through W) including resolutions for tax lien redemptions, cancellation of uncollectible taxes, contract awards, grant applications, and liquor license transfer.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Shirley Tallman (57 Tallman Lane) advocated for a roundabout at the intersection of Weston and Mettlers Road to deter tractor-trailer traffic; expressed appreciation for a fraud awareness seminar and raised senior stress and loneliness issues.
  • Carol Peterson (12 Lake Allen) reported ongoing harassment and vandalism from a neighbor, requesting a letter clarifying property lines and ordinances in Spanish.
  • Prabhakarja (23 Princeton Highlands) requested expediting a traffic signal at Princeton Highlands and Route 27, citing dangerous conditions and multiple accidents.
  • Avinodgupta (8 Eagles Pass) echoed the traffic light request, recounting a near-accident and being spat on by a driver while crossing.
  • Doc Cunningham (Stout Court) offered a history lesson linking presidential campaigns of grievance, hate, and divisiveness to current governance, urging civic engagement.
  • Bill Connell (25 Spring Street) raised concerns about e-bikes and helmet laws, noting the lack of enforcement and dangers to pedestrians.
  • Benjamin Guy (35 Pant Drive) highlighted the upcoming Memorial Day parade, urged a broader affordable housing needs assessment, and called for transparent use of cannabis tax revenue.
  • Javon Walker (15 Coon Street) announced his candidacy for Fourth Ward Township Council and praised the cultural proclamations.

Discussion Items

  • Budget Presentation & Adoption: The CY2025 municipal budget was amended (technical cleanup) and adopted. The average home assessment increase of 16.6% ($46.40) plus a levy increase of $33.26 yields a total tax increase of $79.66. Mayor Kramer noted the school board increase added $670. Over nine years, the levy rose 13.5% versus 35% CPI.
  • Ordinances on Second Reading: Six ordinances were adopted after public hearings:
    1. No. 4463-25: Amendment to massage therapy prohibited acts.
    2. No. 4464-25: Acquisition of El-Khatib property (360 Franklin Blvd) for open space.
    3. No. 4465-25: Capital ordinance appropriating $765,000 from Open Space Trust Fund for El-Khatib property.
    4. No. 4466-25: Capital ordinance appropriating $990,000 for open space acquisitions and improvements (including wildlife blinds, solar trash bins, park amenities).
    5. No. 4467-25: Bond ordinance for $9,959,994 in capital improvements (issuing $9,461,994.30 in bonds).
    6. No. 4468-25: Bond ordinance for $6,964,950 for water utility capital improvements.
  • Affordable Housing Seminar: Council discussed the April 24 housing seminar attended by about 75 people, including residents from other towns. Councilman Wright praised Franklin’s regional leadership; Township Manager Vornlocker noted the Mount Laurel doctrine requires regional consideration.
  • Traffic and Safety: Councilman Vassanella reviewed e-bike laws (municipalities cannot supersede state helmet laws, enforcement challenges). Councilman Embarrison reported progress on the Hamilton Street and Home Street intersection safety study. Deputy Mayor Uddin noted the Eastern Avenue study is open for public comment for 30 days.
  • Executive Session: Authorized by Resolution #25-209 for pending litigation (litigation update). Mayor Kramer recused himself from the B9 legal portion due to a potential conflict of interest (his expert witness work for the law firm representing B9).

Key Outcomes

  • Budget Adopted: The CY2025 municipal budget (as amended) was passed unanimously (8-0).
  • All Six Ordinances Approved: Each received unanimous votes after public hearings.
  • Consent Agenda Approved: All 23 resolutions passed without discussion.
  • Municipal Alliance Appointments: Larry Dim, Brom Roseanne, Savelli, and Dr. Nicholas Tholman Solomon nominated and approved.
  • Executive Session: Approved to discuss litigation; Mayor Kramer recused from the B9 portion, and minutes will be kept separate.
  • Parade Announcements: Memorial Day Parade on May 26 at 11:00 AM; Juneteenth celebration on June 14 at Neiman Williams Park; Franklin Pride on June 7 at the gazebo.

Meeting Transcript

After the City 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, May 13, 2025. If we could all stand for the Pledge of Allegiance and then remain standing for the invocation by Deputy Mayor Shepa Udin. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, liberty, and justice for all. 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 is to be peace in the home, there must be peace in the heart. Amen. Please call the roll. Councilman Embarrison. Here. Councilwoman Francois. Councilman Carrazi. Here. Mayor Kramer. Here. Councilman Odi Jaca. Councilmember Pataznik. Deputy Mayor Udine. Here. Councilman Vassanella. Here. Councilman Wright. Councilman Pataznik is out of town saving the uh Earth. Um that's his job. Uh so I move that we have make it an excused absence. Do we have a second? Second. All in favor, say aye. Aye. Opposed. Thank you. Um, commendations and proclamations. We have six of them. That's a record. It's a record as far as I know, that's for sure. So, Councilmembers, uh target, I'm not going to limit you, but a target towards three minutes would be great. And the Faulkner Act does not require you to read everywhere as. So we will start with the Sierra Leone Independence 64th anniversary, Councilman Oni Jaka. Oh, good. You don't have to read the whole thing. Yeah. Do you have anyone here to receive it? Yes. Okay. You have to sign the chance. We're not doing well on the three-minute rule.

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