OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Franklin Township Council Meeting - January 13, 2026

Township Council — Tuesday, January 13, 2026
BodyFranklin Township, New Jersey
SessionTownship Council
DateTuesday, January 13, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 29:07

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Order.

0:00

Madam Clerk.

0:03

In accordance with the open public meeting act of the state of New Jersey, adequate notice of this word 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.

0:16

on Tuesday, January 13, 2026.

0:21

Thank you.

0:21

If we could all stand for the Pledge of Allegiance and remain standing for the invocation by Councilwoman Kimberly Francois, I pledge the leaders to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic.

0:44

As we gather here today as members of the Township Council, we pray that we are ever mindful of opportunities to render our service to fellow citizens and to our community, always keeping in mind the enduring values of life, exerting our efforts in those areas and on those things upon which future generations can build with confidence.

1:05

Let us continue to strive, Franklin, and to make a better world.

1:10

Amen.

1:13

So I have a resolution 26.

1:18

Oh, thank you.

1:20

Go ahead.

1:21

Councilman Embarrison.

1:25

Councilwoman Francois?

1:26

Here.

1:27

Deputy Mayor Carazi.

1:28

Here.

1:29

Mayor Kramer.

1:30

Here.

1:30

Councilman Oni Jaka?

1:32

Yeah.

1:32

Councilmember Pataznik.

1:34

Present.

1:34

Councilwoman Udin.

1:36

Here.

1:36

Councilman Vassanella.

1:38

Here.

1:38

Councilman Wright.

1:41

Okay.

1:42

Now, resolution 260 36.

1:46

Executive session.

1:47

Authorized executive session.

1:48

Personnel interview tax assessor candidates and attorney client privilege William Transcoe has presented the Township Council for adoption to have a motion to go into executive session.

2:00

Second.

2:01

Move then seconded.

2:02

Any discussion?

2:04

Madam Clerk.

2:07

Councilman of Arrison.

2:09

Yes.

2:10

Councilwoman Francois?

2:11

Yes.

2:12

Deputy Mayor Carazi.

2:13

Yes.

2:13

Mayor Kramer?

2:14

Yes.

2:15

Councilman Oni Jaka?

2:16

Yes.

2:16

Councilmember Patazny?

2:18

Yes.

2:18

Councilwoman Udin?

2:19

Yes.

2:20

Councilman Vasanella.

2:21

Yes.

2:23

So we're going to go into executive session.

2:26

That's something I don't like to do.

2:28

None of us like to do at the beginning of a meeting, but we have interviews to do for assessor.

2:34

Um to not make them have to wait through an entire meeting.

2:41

We've moved the executive session to the beginning.

2:44

We also have the Williams Transco issue to discuss.

2:48

So we could be we could be two hours.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural██████████████████████████26%
Environmental Protection█████████████████17%
Community Engagement█████████████████17%
Pending Litigation████████████████16%
Affordable Housing█████████████13%
Public Works███████7%
Public Health████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Franklin Township Council Meeting - January 13, 2026

The Franklin Township Council held its regular meeting on January 13, 2026, beginning with an executive session to interview tax assessor candidates and discuss attorney-client privileged matters related to Williams Transco. Following the executive session, the council reconvened for public comment, introduced seven ordinances on first reading, approved a consent agenda containing 30 items, and heard reports from council members and the township manager.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Carol Keene (4291 Route 27, Little Rocky Hill) expressed shock and disappointment over NJDEP's approval of permits for the Williams Transco/NESSIE compressor station and pipeline project. She requested the township's help in identifying any local ordinances, zoning laws, or restrictions that could impact the construction.
  • Linda Powell (22 Buffer Drive) raised four concerns: 1) NJDEP's approval of the air permit for the NESSIE compressor station, which she argued would bring only pollution to New Jersey; 2) DEP's publication of an accomplishments magazine; 3) a New York Times article about the EPA's plan to stop counting health benefits from pollution reductions; 4) a press release from the Franklin Township Task Force on NESSIE opposing the project. She asked the council to ensure compliance with local regulations.
  • A third speaker (209 Orders in Record) expressed disappointment over the water permit approval and worry for the town's future, requesting enforcement of local ordinances.

Council Comments & Reports

  • Councilman Oni Jaka announced an HRC meeting on January 28 with a presentation on Mexican American youth.
  • Councilwoman Udin reported on a Land Use Committee meeting about affordable housing, public works meeting about road paving (including Cedar Grove Lane state aid project in May 2026), and planned minor price adjustments at the convenience center due to DEP regulations.
  • Councilman Embarrisson and Councilwoman Francois had no comments.
  • Councilman Wright had no comment but acknowledged a good day.
  • Councilman Pataznik praised the Franklin 250 semiquincentennial celebrations including a conference on horseback and a salute to America event.
  • Councilman Vasanella echoed praise for the 250 committee and events.
  • Deputy Mayor Carazi announced the grand opening of Hajaz coffee shop (35 jobs), reminded about Human Trafficking Awareness Month and Muslim Heritage Month.
  • Mayor Kramer reiterated the success of the 250 events and encouraged purchasing challenge coins.
  • Township Manager reminded about the annual Martin Luther King Jr. breakfast on the upcoming Monday (tickets required).

Ordinances on First Reading

Seven ordinances were introduced on first reading, all scheduled for public hearing and final adoption on February 10, 2026 at 7 PM:

  • Ordinance 4487-26: Adopting a revision and codification of the Township Code (gender-neutral language, title updates).
  • Ordinance 4488-26: Amending Chapter 384 (Water) regarding curb connection capital fees.
  • Ordinance 4489-26: Establishing an inclusionary zone MFIZ-4 for affordable housing.
  • Ordinance 4490-26: Establishing inclusionary zone MFIZ-2.
  • Ordinance 4491-26: Establishing inclusionary zone MFIZ-1.
  • Ordinance 4492-26: Establishing inclusionary zone MFIZ-5.
  • Ordinance 4493-26: Amending the Franklin Boulevard Redevelopment Plan for affordable housing. All were approved unanimously (voice vote, no dissent recorded).

Consent Agenda

The consent agenda (Resolutions 26-037 through 26-066, items A through AD) was approved by a single vote. Key resolutions included appointments to advisory committees, awards of contracts (e.g., Ford van up to $61,738.40, natural gas generator up to $108,735.00, water sampling $75,000.00, HVAC emergency repairs up to $250,000.00, central station monitoring $125,000.00, property cleanup $50,000.00 annually, employee coaching $120,400.00, psychological screening $16,000.00, insurance broker extension, medical TPA up to $1,750,000.00, dental insurance renewals, prescription TPA $165,000.00, senior transportation shared services $96,157.27, software/network support contracts, adoption of CJJIF safety incentive program, fireworks display at The Palace at Somerset Park, grant applications (municipal aid for New Brunswick Road resurfacing, Firehouse Subs, NJ Law Enforcement Wellness), refund of construction water meter escrow $2,194.34, stormwater detention facility maintenance agreement, settlement agreement with Fair Share Housing Center regarding Fourth Round affordable housing, liquor license transfer, and two emergency housing rehabilitation contracts (Scobee Lane $13,675.00 and Columbus Drive $12,750.00).

Key Outcomes

  • The council unanimously authorized executive session (Resolution 26-036) and later reconvened.
  • The council approved warrants totaling $1,407,150.02.
  • Seven ordinances were introduced on first reading with public hearings set for February 10, 2026.
  • The consent agenda containing 30 resolutions was adopted.
  • The council acknowledged residents' concerns about the NESSIE project and indicated ongoing legal review, but stated that a local ordinance "magic bullet" is unlikely due to federal preemption.

Meeting Transcript

Order. Madam Clerk. In accordance with the open public meeting act of the state of New Jersey, adequate notice of this word 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 13, 2026. Thank you. If we could all stand for the Pledge of Allegiance and remain standing for the invocation by Councilwoman Kimberly Francois, I pledge the leaders to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic. As we gather here today as members of the Township Council, we pray that we are ever mindful of opportunities to render our service to fellow citizens and to our community, always keeping in mind the enduring values of life, exerting our efforts in those areas and on those things upon which future generations can build with confidence. Let us continue to strive, Franklin, and to make a better world. Amen. So I have a resolution 26. Oh, thank you. Go ahead. Councilman Embarrison. Councilwoman Francois? Here. Deputy Mayor Carazi. Here. Mayor Kramer. Here. Councilman Oni Jaka? Yeah. Councilmember Pataznik. Present. Councilwoman Udin. Here. Councilman Vassanella. Here. Councilman Wright. Okay. Now, resolution 260 36. Executive session. Authorized executive session. Personnel interview tax assessor candidates and attorney client privilege William Transcoe has presented the Township Council for adoption to have a motion to go into executive session. Second. Move then seconded. Any discussion? Madam Clerk. Councilman of Arrison. Yes. Councilwoman Francois? Yes. Deputy Mayor Carazi. Yes. Mayor Kramer? Yes. Councilman Oni Jaka? Yes. Councilmember Patazny? Yes. Councilwoman Udin?

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com