Franklin Township Council Meeting – September 9, 2025
Franklin Township Council Regular Meeting – September 9, 2025
The Franklin Township Council met at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, in the Municipal Building. Councilmembers Ram Anbarasan, Alex Kharazi, Phillip Kramer, Charles Onyejiaka, Ed Potosnak, Shepa Uddin, James Vassanella, and Carl Wright answered roll call; Kimberly Francois was initially absent but later participated. The council recognized five proclamations, adopted the free-roaming cat colonies ordinance after lengthy public testimony, adopted a First Aid Squad property acquisition, introduced two ordinances, approved the consent agenda, and authorized an executive session.
Proclamations & Commendations
- Councilman Kharazi presented Suicide Prevention Month and Prostate Cancer Awareness Month proclamations. The suicide prevention proclamation noted one person dies by suicide about every 11 minutes; the prostate cancer proclamation noted about one in eight men are diagnosed in their lifetime and African American men are more than twice as likely to die from the disease.
- Deputy Mayor Uddin read the Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month proclamation, which cited an estimated 20,890 U.S. diagnoses and 12,730 deaths in 2025, including 670 new cases and 340 deaths in New Jersey.
- The ADA 35th Anniversary and Disability Voter Rights Week proclamations were noted and made available; no one came forward to accept them.
- Council recognized the Week of the People's 54th consecutive year with commendations to Sgt. Ken Daly of the PBA and Police Director Quavela Mayweather for their community contributions, including more than 500 donated book bags.
Upcoming Events & Council Reports
- Franklin Day and the launch of Franklin 250 will take place Saturday, September 13, 12:00–5:00 p.m. at the Municipal Complex.
- A New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection hearing on Williams Transco's Northeast Supply Enhancement Project is scheduled for September 10, 6:00–9:00 p.m.; Councilman Potosnak said the council has previously opposed the project.
- A grand opening for the Franklin Hub, a limited-hours walk-in center operated with Communities in Crisis, will be held September 18, 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. at 873 Hamilton Street.
- Councilman Potosnak announced a September 24, 7:00 p.m. Zoom informational meeting on the county's Grigstown Causeway study, and Councilman Vassanella announced a September 25 public hearing on a pipeline easement request in Castleton Park.
Consent Calendar & Routine Approvals
- Approved the minutes of the April 23, 2024 (as listed on the agenda), May 13, 2025 executive session, June 24, 2025, July 8, 2025, and August 12, 2025 meetings.
- Approved warrants totaling $7,074,227.09.
- Adopted the consent agenda, Resolutions #25-366 through #25-400, including the appointment of Carla Visser to the Historic Preservation Advisory Commission; releases of escrow and performance bonds; bid awards and contract approvals; special event permits for EDP Soccer, Morris & Essex Kennel Club, Kallol of NJ, and Snyder's Farm; the rejection of bids for the Catalpa Park Project; and a resolution urging the New Jersey Legislature to require AEDs and trained personnel at adult community clubhouses. The list also included a $132,516.87 body-worn camera award to Axon, a $250,000 snow-plowing contract to RJM Landscaping + Design, a $29,212 snow-blower award to KC Service, and a $544,529.22 final change order for Old Georgetown Road resurfacing. The vote was 7-0, with Francois and Wright absent.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Ted Chase, 159 Old Georgetown Road, asked about the tree maintenance plan; Councilman Vassanella said the Shade Tree Commission reviewed an updated plan line by line and hoped to sign off at its next meeting.
- Javahn Walker, 15 Kuhn Street, thanked Sgt. Rios for enrolling his grandfather in a police GPS/dementia tracking program and urged expansion of the program.
- Beverly Lawson, 2004 Amwell Road, complained about road cuts left by utilities and warehouses and asked where the definition of a 'township event' for gazebo use is written. The manager explained street-opening permits, temporary repairs, settlement periods, and how to report road problems online.
- Multiple residents spoke about feral cat colonies during the general public comment and later public hearing. Denise Hernandez said she had fixed 28 cats at a colony behind Planet Fitness but had 14 cats dumped on her in three years; she asked whether she would be fined for cats with untipped ears. Myra Berya said there is no trap-neuter-return (TNR) program and that caretakers pay out of pocket. Tamar Tier, who runs a rescue, said she has trapped/fixed more than 1,000 cats and asked the township to consider funding TNR. Kristy Robinson said feral cats are not adoptable, advocated keeping sterilized colonies in place, and raised safety concerns about public colony locations. Christopher Bloom of TNR.org called the one-hour feeding window impractical and said 70–90 percent of feral cats entering shelters are euthanized. Valerie Martelli supported the ordinance as fair regulation; Theodore Chase Jr. urged focusing on bird predation; Rob Johnson described feeding nuisances in his HOA; Brenda Jackson asked how to address stray cats and where funding would come from; and Gina Lowe asked the council to reconsider the one-hour limit and fines.
Discussion Items
- After general public comments, the council voted unanimously to amend the agenda to move Ordinance 4471-25 earlier so residents could speak before the rest of the agenda. The vote carried 8-0, with Francois absent.
- On Ordinance 4471-25, the free-roaming cat colonies ordinance, the council discussed colony location redactions and the one-hour feeding restriction. Mayor Kramer said the Clerk could redact colony locations from OPRA requests for security reasons. Township Manager Robert Vornlocker said registered caretakers would not be penalized if dumped cats joined a colony. Councilman Potosnak moved to strike the one-hour feeding time; the amendment failed 2-6-1, with Potosnak and Wright voting yes, Anbarasan, Kharazi, Kramer, Onyejiaka, Uddin, and Vassanella voting no, and Francois abstaining. The council then adopted Ordinance 4471-25 9-0.
- Ordinance 4473-25, authorizing acquisition of Block 352, Lots 6, 7, 9, 10, and 11 from the Franklin-Somerset First Aid Squad, was adopted without further public comment. Councilman Vassanella identified the property as 179 Girard Avenue. The vote carried 7-0, with Francois and Wright absent.
- Ordinance 4476-25, amending Chapter 384 water rates for apartment complexes, was introduced on first reading; the public hearing was set for September 30, 2025. The vote carried 7-0, with Francois and Wright absent.
- Ordinance 4477-25, amending Chapter 50, Section 50-11 on promotions to sergeant and lieutenant, was introduced on first reading; the public hearing was set for September 30, 2025. The vote carried 7-0, with Francois and Wright absent.
- Township Manager Vornlocker also described Franklin Community Connections, a GPS-enabled smartwatch program for families of people with dementia, Alzheimer's, or autism, and the Blue Angel lockbox program for emergency access to residents' homes.
- Under old business, Councilman Kharazi nominated Mariora Chakurain as a regular member of the Advisory Board of Health; the nomination was approved by acclamation.
Key Outcomes
- Adopted Ordinance 4471-25, amending Chapter 115 (dogs, other animals, wildlife, and free-roaming cat colonies).
- Adopted Ordinance 4473-25, authorizing acquisition of the Franklin-Somerset First Aid Squad property.
- Introduced Ordinance 4476-25 and Ordinance 4477-25 for a September 30, 2025 public hearing and final adoption.
- Adopted Resolution #25-401, supporting Congresswoman Sherrill's plan to address utility costs. The vote carried 6-0, with Francois, Vassanella, and Wright absent.
- Authorized Executive Session Resolution #25-402 to discuss the Northeast Supply Enhancement Project under attorney-client privilege, PBA and CWA contract negotiations, and a potential open space acquisition of West Point Avenue properties. The vote carried 6-0, with Francois, Vassanella, and Wright absent.
- The meeting then moved to executive session, with public session business ending after the vote and adjournment to follow.
Meeting Transcript
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 in the municipal building at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, September 9, 2025. We could all stand for the Pledge of Allegiance and remain standing for the invocation, following by Councilman Charles Onijaka. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. If there is to be peace in the nations, there must be peace in the series. 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 homes. If there is a peace in the homes, there must be peace in the hearts. Amen. Madam Clerk, please call the roll. Councilman Embarrison. Here. Councilwoman Francois. Councilman Carazi. Here. Mayor Kramer. Here. Councilman Oni Jaka. Councilmember Batazi. Present. Deputy Mayor Dean. Here. Councilman Vastanella? Here. Councilman Wright. We have several commendations and proclamations. Dr. Carrazi, Suicide Prevention Month, 2025. Thank you. Yep. Oh, thank you. Good evening, everyone. Nobody. Several years ago, there was a young man. Is that on? Oops. It's okay. Okay. So several years ago, there was a young man in my neighborhood who committed suicide. And even now, when I am passing their houses, it really gives me so much sadness. But the suicide, believe it or not, every 11 minutes in the United States, somebody is committing suicide. Just to raise the awareness, we have a proclamation, I'd like to read it. Whereas suicide is a serious public health problem that affects individuals, families, and communities across the United States and here in Franklin's Township, Somerset County, New Jersey. And whereas, according to the centers for disease control and prevention, suicide is leading cause of death in the United States. With one person dying by suicide approximately every 11 minutes. And whereas effective suicide prevention strategies include promote an awareness, reducing stigma associated with mental health, and help seeking behaviors, increasing access to mental health services, and fostering connectedness and support within our community. And whereas Franklin Township is committed to supporting the mental health and well-being of all of our residents and recognizes the importance of creating a community where people feel comfortable seeking help when they need it. And whereas by working together as a community, we can help prevent suicide and promote mental wellness for all of our residents. Now, therefore, we, Mayor Philip Kramer, and Councilman Alex Carazi, on behalf of the Township of Franklin, Somerset County, New Jersey, do hereby proclaim September 2025 as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month in Franklin Township. They encourage anyone who is struggling with thoughts of suicide or experiences in mental health crisis to reach out to help by calling or texting 988 for the suicide and crisis lifeline, or by contacting local mental health resources.
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