Franklin Township Council Budget Hearing - March 9, 2026

The Franklin Township Council held a remote budget hearing via Zoom on Monday, March 9, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. The meeting was called to order with a roll call and the Pledge of Allegiance. The council opened public discussion, received one brief comment, and then proceeded to hear presentations on the proposed 2026 municipal budget from each department. No votes were taken; the budget is scheduled for introduction at a later date.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Michelle Peterson asked why the chat function was disabled. The manager responded that chat is disabled because it is not monitored and questions are not answered via chat.

Discussion Items

Municipal Court

• Proposed budget: $33,750 (increase of $1,450). Court Administrator Keila Martinez explained decreases in postage and ticket books due to e-tickets, and increases for a new judge and interpreter services.
• Council asked about automating translation; Ms. Martinez noted translators must be sworn, precluding electronic translation.
• Prosecutor budget (flat at $86,900) was also covered under this item.

Human Resources

• Proposed budget: $136,650 (decrease of $950). HR Director Raven Williams highlighted a $50 increase for the employee assistance program, a $1,000 increase for staff training (including a coaching program), and a $2,000 decrease in medical expenses based on lower utilization.

Group Health Insurance

• Proposed budget: $10,920,069 (increase of $1,388,770 from $9,531,299). This is the municipal portion; total costs including reimbursed entities is ~$16 million. The increase is attributed to rising insurance premiums and the Partnership Health Center agreement with the Board of Education.
• Manager Bob Vornlocker noted an actuarial study projects savings of $250,000–$300,000 in 2026 from the partnership. Council questioned the cost-benefit; the manager confirmed the savings are expected to grow in subsequent years.

Tax Assessor

• Proposed budget: $111,550 (decrease of $6,150). Assessor John Gillooly reduced the professional consultant line by $10,000 (defending commercial tax appeals) and added $1,000 for staff training to pursue assessor certification. Council expressed support for the training initiative.
• Tax appeal refund budget: $5,000, with a reserve of $2,690,553. The manager explained the reserve is sufficient for 2026 commercial appeals.

Tax Collector

• Proposed budget: $17,107 (increase of $1,173). Collector Tiffany Esquilin cited increases for printing (tax bills), mailing, and education/training for a staff member seeking licensure.

Planning/Zoning

• Proposed budget: $186,250 (flat). Director Mark Healey noted the bulk funds legal services for the planning board and zoning board of adjustment.

Historic Commission

• Proposed budget: $500 (reduced from $1,000). The manager cut the line because prior year spending was minimal; he stated contingency funds could cover any additional training needs for the newly certified local government commission.

Environmental Commission

• Proposed budget: $17,575 (increase of $525, originally misstated as $4,925). The increase covers a contract for sustainability services (Tara Kenyon) and a $350 increase in another line.

Engineering

• Proposed budget: $141,345 (flat). The largest line ($133,900) is the contract with Center State Engineering. Nearly fully expended in 2025.

Fire Prevention

• Proposed budget: $7,971 (increase of $61). Director John Hauss reduced books/publications by $1,149 (switching to an electronic NFPA subscription) and increased professional association dues by $1,210 to enroll all staff in the International Association of Arson Investigators.

Construction Code

• Proposed budget: $311,766 (increase of $991). Increases include $80,000 for document imaging (continuing project) and $19,991 for software licensing. The budget is structured to meet DCA requirements, including all operating costs.
• Official Barry Wilbur noted the state has not adopted new codes in six years, reducing book expenses.

Recreation

• Proposed budget: $71,000 (increase of $2,270). Director Stephen Dahl attributed increases to the National Recreation and Park Association conference in Philadelphia, higher state association dues, and a $1,000 rise in fireworks costs.
• Mayor Kramer proposed adding $25,000 for the Franklin 250th anniversary celebration (fireworks, reenactors). The manager noted this would need to be included in the adopted budget. Council discussed potential drone shows (estimated $45,000 for 250 drones/20 minutes) and the mayor’s efforts to secure a sponsor.

Senior Transportation

• Proposed budget: $96,157.27 (2% increase per contract with Somerset County). The contract provides a bus and driver for senior trips and medical appointments. Councilman Embarrasson questioned whether the service meets demand; staff reported ridership is high and advance booking is required. The manager explained that expanding service would require capital and driver resources.

Youth Center

• Proposed budget: $8,542 (increase of $675). Director Windy White noted most programming is funded by a $1.5 million DCA grant (shared with SCAP) of which ~$300,000 remains. A CPF grant ($1 million) is funding building improvements (generator, kitchen, security cameras, sign). Council asked about grant prospects; the manager said they will seek renewal through Assemblyman Danielson.

Municipal Clerk

• Proposed budget: $70,424 (increase of $8,630). Increase includes $5,000 for code supplement (recodification), $1,600 for off-site storage (with plans to move records to the former town hall), $1,000 for “Bring Your Child to Work Day,” and $1,000 for staff conferences. Clerk Ann Marie McCarthy noted two staff are taking the Registered Municipal Clerk exam.

Mayor & Council

• Proposed budget: $20,490 (increase of $192). Includes $500 for council shirts and a $308 decrease in league dues.

Elections

• Budget increased by over $22,000 (not exact figure) due to rising sample ballot printing costs. The clerk explained the county bases costs on 45,936 registered voters, which she believes is inflated. She noted the Board of Elections should purge inactive voters.

Purchasing

• Proposed budget: $134,660 (increase of $16,415). All in postage due to USPS rate increases.

Township Manager

• Proposed budget: $265,000 (decrease of $29,650). The largest item is $240,000 for contingency. The manager explained the contingency avoids emergency appropriations that would impact the next budget year. The decrease in office supplies ($30,000) reflects moving toner costs to the IT budget.

Economic Development

• Proposed budget: $15,500 (flat). Funds consultants, conferences, and Somerset Business Partnership membership.

Finance

• Proposed budget: $373,838 (increase of $13,025). Increase is for professional consultant services under the contract with PKF O’Connor Davies, which provides three staff (payroll, accounts payable, treasurer). The CFO noted a $100 decrease in association dues.

Other Budget Lines (presented by manager)

• Accumulated Leave: $800,000 (flat). This moves to a reserve; currently ~$3 million saved vs. ~$4.5 million liability.
• Aid to Fire Departments: $10,000 for life insurance on volunteers; state aid pass-through (fire districts) is formula-based.
• Audit Services: $52,500 (contract with Suplee Clooney).
• Contingent: $2,000 (state requirement, rarely used).
• Debt Service: $4,000,275 (increase of $45,500; principal increase exceeded interest decrease).
• Aid to First Aid Squads: $58,000 (distributed by call volume to East Millstone, Kendall Park, Rocky Hill).
• General Legal: $600,000 ($400,000 township attorney, $200,000 tax appeal attorney). The manager reduced tax appeal legal slightly, anticipating fewer commercial appeals.
• Interlocal Health: $766,882 (2% increase per county contract). Manager argued it is cost-effective compared to running an in-house health department.
• Liability Insurance: $1,889,697 (increase of $392,341). Due to rising insurance market, not specific claims.
• Public Defender: $32,000 (flat). Council noted Dennis Osio has served over 25 years.
• Reserve for Uncollected Taxes: Formula-based; CFO will review before budget introduction.
• Salary Adjustments: (amount not specified). Open for one year, then reverts to fund balance.
• SCIA Energy Lease: $117,673.67 (flat). Solar lease ends in November 2026; panels will become township property, reducing future costs.
• Statutory Expenses: $7,747,496 (decrease of $84,291). Reductions in PFRS and PERS contributions based on state calculations.
• Tax Lien Foreclosure: $50,000 (for property cleanups; expenditures vary).

Key Outcomes

• The budget hearing was informational; no formal votes were taken. The council will consider budget introduction at a future meeting.
• A potential $25,000 add for the Franklin 250 celebration was discussed and will be further evaluated as the budget is prepared for adoption.
• The manager committed to reviewing the Reserve for Uncollected Taxes calculation before introduction.
• Council expressed support for staff training initiatives in the Assessor and Clerk offices.
• The meeting was adjourned at approximately 9:15 p.m. (estimated from transcript length).