Franklin Township Council Regular Meeting - October 14, 2025

The Franklin Township Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at 7:00 PM at the municipal building. The meeting included proclamations, public comments, adoption of four ordinances related to open space acquisitions, and a consent agenda with numerous resolutions.

Commendations & Proclamations

• Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 – October 15, 2025): Councilman Anbarasan read the proclamation, recognizing the contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities. Edna, Vice Chair of the Human Relations Commission, accepted on behalf of the community, highlighting the diverse heritage of Franklin Township.
• Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October 2025): Councilwoman Francois read the proclamation. Valerie Matthew-Sleek of Sisters Network accepted, noting that African American women have the highest mortality rate due to limited access to care, and thanked the council for support.
• Ageism Awareness Day (October 9, 2025): Councilman Kharazi read the proclamation, emphasizing the need to combat ageism and respect older adults.

Upcoming Events

• No Kings Rally: Saturday, October 18, 12:00–2:00 PM at the gazebo.
• Somerset County Philharmonic Orchestra Free Concert: Date to be announced, at Franklin Middle School.
• Halloween Trunk or Treat: Saturday, October 25, 12:00–3:00 PM at John's Plaza (rain date October 26). Sponsored by Hamilton Street Business District, Week of the People, and Township Recreation.
• Free Flu Shot Clinic: Wednesday, October 22, 10:00 AM–1:00 PM at the Community Senior Center.
• Kids' Bike Class: Saturday, October 18, 10:00 AM at Naiman Williams Park, hosted by Police, Recreation, and Ridewise.
• Breast Cancer Awareness Workshop: Sunday, October 26, 2:00–4:00 PM at 47 Cedar Grove Lane.
• Stigma Free Council Meeting: Wednesday, October 15, 6:30–8:30 PM at the Community Senior Center.
• Franklin Got Talent Youth Edition: Friday, October 24, 7:00–8:30 PM at Sampson G. Middle School.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jim Johnson (34 Norwich Place): Expressed concern about the Onyx warehouse (100,000 sq. ft., 10 truck bays) proposed on Old New Brunswick Road, noting that the nursing home across the street was not notified despite 18 months of planning board meetings. He supported the nursing home's decision to hire an attorney to oppose the project. Also raised that two planning board members were excluded from the last meeting at the developer's request, and urged their reinstatement.
• Linda Powell (22 Buffer Drive): Opposed the Northeast Supply Enhancement (Nessie) project by Williams Transco, citing air pollution risks. She noted that the NJDEP is holding a virtual hearing on November 13, 2025 (4:30–9:30 PM), and requested the township post information. She highlighted that the facility is a major fossil fuel project and that air quality in the area is already poor.
• Deborah Inman (67 Robert Road): Questioned the criteria for council candidacy residency verification and the process for public review. Also raised concerns about noise ordinance enforcement, stating that officers have discretion and that a repeated violator was not issued a summons despite multiple calls. Finally, criticized council members for talking among themselves during public comments, calling it disrespectful.
• Alex Strauss (285 Hasland Way): Requested a list of commercial establishments contacted by the economic development director regarding the Onyx property, and asked what efforts were made to attract stores instead of a warehouse.
• Javon Walker (15 Kn Street): Asked when the second reading of the AI generator ordinance would occur (answered: next council meeting). Also inquired about the status of his application to the Housing Authority subcommittee, submitted several weeks ago.
• Beverly Lawson (2004 Anwell Road): Questioned whether Resolution 25-436 (gunshot detection/license plate reader system) was a want or a need. She expressed concern about cost and lack of resident awareness.

Council Comments & Reports

• Councilman Kharazi: Announced Franklin Township received the 2025 Environmental Achievement Award for the Community Energy Plan and micro-mobility study. Reported on the Trail Advisory Committee meeting discussing four options for Catalpa Park (costs $4M–$9M), with funding from open space. Also noted that Hamilton Street Advisory Committee heard from a dispensary owner interested in forming a committee among cannabis businesses. Attended the Advisory Board of Health meeting, where concern was raised about cannabis consumption rooms in other townships; Franklin Township does not allow them.
• Councilman Oni Jaka: Thanked council for the Diwali celebration and noted ongoing cleanup efforts in Ward 3.
• Councilman Anbarasan: Reported that the Diwali celebration at Franklin High School had over 1,200 attendees, with 1,000 meals served. He also met with HOA in Countryside Estates to address concerns.
• Councilwoman Francois: Noted the Youth Center Halloween party on October 24, 3:00–6:00 PM. Promised to follow up on Javon Walker's housing authority application.
• Councilman Vasanella: Praised the St. Matthias installation of Father Tom Lanza and highlighted the parish's community support. Reported on the Public Works Committee: some road paving bumped to spring due to weather; a $4M water infrastructure rebuild in the Hamilton Street/Route 27 area is nearly complete, with finishing touches next year.
• Councilmember Patasnik: Recognized Dr. Ted Chase for receiving the Candy Ashman McGee Award for lifetime environmental dedication. Congratulated the Environmental Commission for the ANJAC award.
• Councilman Wright: Announced the Redevelopment Agency meeting is canceled. Noted that the gunshot detection system is grant-funded and a public safety tool, not a discretionary want.
• Deputy Mayor Uddin: Reported on the MVC mobile unit event on October 22, a movie night at NASA Park, and a visit to Sounds of Tomorrow youth program. Also announced that a state-funded road project (Pierce Street to Cedar Grove to Davidson) will begin in spring 2026.

Township Manager's Report

• Manager Robert New: Announced the closing of a purchase of approximately 3 acres behind Mount Carmel Church on Franklin Boulevard on October 10. The property will be preserved as wooded open space, preventing development.

Approval of Minutes

• Minutes of September 9, 2025 (Work Session/Regular Meeting & Executive Session) and September 30, 2025 (Work Session/Regular Meeting) were approved. Councilwoman Francois abstained on the September 30 minutes due to absence.

Approval of Warrants

• Warrants in the amount of $4,503,246.71 were approved unanimously.

Public Hearings & Adoption of Ordinances (Second Reading)

• Ordinance 4478-25: Authorizing acquisition of West Point Avenue properties (Block 348, Lots 1.02, 16-27, 439 & 483 West Point Ave.) for open space preservation. Adopted unanimously.
• Ordinance 4479-25: Appropriating $742,600 from the Open Space Trust Fund for the West Point Avenue acquisition. Adopted unanimously after public comment. A resident asked about acreage, tree count, and open space fund balance; the manager stated the fund balance was over $14 million at year-end 2024 but could not provide an exact current figure.
• Ordinance 4480-25: Authorizing acquisition of the Brenner property (Block 5.02, Lot 58, 3995 Route 27) for open space preservation. Adopted unanimously.
• Ordinance 4481-25: Appropriating $3,067,000 from the Open Space Trust Fund for the Brenner property acquisition. Adopted unanimously. The manager clarified that the property is about 47 acres (not 100), includes a house that will be retained by the seller, and is under farmland assessment. The property was under threat of development; it will be preserved for passive recreation or continued agricultural leasing.
• Ordinance 4482-25: Accepting a conservation easement from Jeffrey J. Carter for 179 Cedar Grove Lane (Block 507.38, Lot 18.01). Adopted unanimously.

Consent Agenda (Resolutions 25-424 through 25-448)

• The consent agenda was adopted unanimously. Key items include:
  • Resolution 25-436: Award of a grant-funded contract to Flock Safety for a gunshot detection, license plate reader, and video surveillance system (not to exceed $339,000 over 4 years).
  • Resolutions 25-424 through 25-448 covering tax title lien redemptions, release of escrow fees and performance guarantees, award of contracts for appraisal services, land surveying, interpretation services, SCADA software maintenance, water meter software, catch basin materials, police vehicle outfitting, online auction, police equipment (1033 program), out-of-state training, grant applications (Firehouse Subs, body-worn cameras, violence intervention), CDBG sub-grant agreements, fireworks displays, and a special event permit for Children's Specialized Hospital Foundation's Walk N' Roll.

Old Business

• 2025 Boards, Commissions, and Committees Vacancies: Council nominated and approved Susan Carroll as a regular member of the Historic Preservation Advisory Council, term expiring December 31, 2026.

Key Outcomes

• All four open space ordinances (4478-25, 4479-25, 4480-25, 4481-25) and the conservation easement ordinance (4482-25) were adopted unanimously.
• The consent agenda containing 24 resolutions was adopted unanimously.
• The minutes of September 9 and September 30 were approved (with one abstention on the latter).
• Warrants totaling $4,503,246.71 were approved.
• Susan Carroll was appointed to the Historic Preservation Advisory Council.
• The AI generator ordinance will be up for second reading and adoption at the next council meeting.
• The Township Manager committed to following up on the housing authority application for Javon Walker.
• The gunshot detection system contract was awarded; the manager noted it is fully grant-funded.