OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Franklin Township Council Regular Meeting - March 24, 2026

Township Council — Tuesday, March 24, 2026
BodyFranklin Township, New Jersey
SessionTownship Council
DateTuesday, March 24, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:39:45

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

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 at the municipal building at 7 p.m.

0:13

on Tuesday, March 24th, 2026.

0:18

Please all stand for the Pledge of Allegiance and then remain standing for the invocation by Councilman and Barrison.

0:26

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

0:31

And to the public for which it stands.

0:33

One nation.

0:46

Let us take the next few moments of silence to each seek in our town in our own way.

0:53

What are our sources of inspiration will grant us the strength and power in our thoughts and decisions to be for the benefit of all people at all times.

1:04

Amen.

1:05

Amen.

1:09

Madam Clerk, please call the roll.

1:12

Councilman of Arrison.

1:13

Here.

1:13

Councilwoman Francois.

1:15

Here.

1:15

Deputy Mayor Carrazi.

1:16

Here.

1:17

Mayor Kramer.

1:18

Here.

1:18

Councilman Noni Jaca.

1:20

Councilman Singh?

1:21

Yes.

1:21

Councilwoman Udin?

1:23

Yes.

1:23

Councilman Vassanella?

1:25

Yes.

1:25

Councilman Wright.

1:27

So we have a few commendations and proclamations.

1:30

Item number five on the agenda.

1:32

Anyone wanting a copy of the agenda?

1:33

You can find it near the clerk.

1:35

The first by Councilman Vassanella regarding Kevin Abuzio.

1:57

Okay.

1:58

So this is one milestone.

2:00

I wish we never had to celebrate or acknowledge.

2:04

But uh just going to start out real quick by saying of April 11th, 2006.

2:10

That was about two and a half weeks will be 20 years.

2:13

I got the worst phone call.

2:15

I was only on council a few months, the junior council person.

2:18

I got on a phone call, which to this day, unfortunately, is the worst phone call I ever got as a councilman.

2:23

And that was from our then manager Ken Daly.

2:33

Who informed us of the uh catastrophe.

2:37

So anyway, I specifically just pulled a couple paragraphs.

2:43

Um party executive summary to give you an idea of what happened that day.

2:48

On April 11, 2006, the East Franklin and Community Volunteer Fire Departments responded to a possible single single family dwelling fire at Whittier Avenue in Franklin.

2:58

East Franklin Fire Department Chief Dan Krasinski responded and was notified while still en route that the police department was on the scene reporting a working fire.

3:07

When Chief Krasinski arrived on the scene, he reported a well-involved fire.

3:11

He immediately requested second alarm assignment, be dispatched, and directly contacted the namory New Brunswick Fire Department to request assistance.

3:20

Chief Krasinski and police officers confirmed that an elderly female resident was still inside the home.

3:26

Approximately 15 minutes after dispatch, as the members of the interior crew were nearing the front door, the floor suddenly collapsed, causing causing a rescue personnel and resident victim to fall into the basement.

3:50

The front of the home immediately erupted into heavy fire conditions from the collapsed floor.

3:54

A garbled Mayday message and yelling was heard over the fire ground radio.

4:00

Chief Krasicsky radioed that he had firefighters down and immediately requested it for alarm fire.

4:07

Be dispatched.

4:16

Firefighter Kevin Apuzio was 20 years 21-year-old member of East Franklin Fire Department with approximately three years of certified firefight experience.

4:25

Apuzio became trapped in the basement area for a prolonged amount of time following the sudden floor collapse.

4:30

The response to that following his removal from the structure.

4:33

Fortunately, that is the only person we lost that day.

4:36

There were three other firefighters who were hurt, and I believe deserve to be recognized.

4:43

Firefighter Ryan Doughton was a 22-year-old member of East Franklin, and approximately four years of certified firefighting experience.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Parks and Recreation██████████████████████22%
Youth Programs███████████████15%
Procedural██████████████14%
Traffic Safety████████████12%
Community Engagement████████8%
Engineering And Infrastructure████████8%
Fiscal Sustainability███████7%
Public Safety████4%
Veterans Recognition████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Franklin Township Council Regular Meeting - March 24, 2026

The Franklin Township Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at 7 p.m. at the Municipal Building. The meeting included proclamations, public discussion, council reports, a presentation and vote on Catalpa Park development, a public hearing on FY2026 CDBG applications, approval of minutes, warrants, introduction of an ordinance, and approval of a consent agenda. All actions were unanimous unless noted.

Commendations & Proclamations

  • Kevin Apuzio: A proclamation was read declaring April 11, 2026 as "Kevin Apuzio Day" in Franklin Township in memory of the volunteer firefighter who died in the line of duty on April 11, 2006. The proclamation was accepted by Fire Chief Krasinski.
  • Yajur Subramaniam: A commendation was awarded to Yajur Subramaniam for winning the regional Scripts National Spelling Bee and advancing to the national competition.
  • Cedar Hill Prep Teams: Commendations were awarded to multiple student teams: Future City Regional Champions, NAQT National Championship Scholars, and the 2025-26 World Challenge Competition Teams (which placed second in the world).
  • Eagle Scouts: Elijah Zavatsky and Kyle Gregorio of Troop 113 were recognized for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Adam Moore (East Franklin) thanked the council for honoring Kevin Apuzio and requested that the former first-aid building on Gerard Avenue be converted into a training facility named after him.
  • Mark Langson (83 Chelsea Court, Franklin Park) presented a detailed request for traffic safety improvements at the intersection of Beakman Road, Chelsea Court, and Lindsay Court, citing excessive speeding, two recent collisions, and damaged infrastructure. He requested a blinking pedestrian crosswalk and a speed limit reduction from 35 to 25 mpn.

Discussion Items

  • Traffic Safety Response: Township Engineer Darren Mazie and Public Safety Director Bob Vornlocker responded to Mr. Langson's concerns. A speed study of 12,233 vehicles found an average speed of 32 mph, with 85th percentile at 39 mpn. They explained that Beakman Road is a statutory 35 mph suburban residential zone, and the crosswalk would be a mid-block crossing on private roads requiring HOA action. Recommendations included increased traffic enforcement (43 instances year-to-date) and a follow-up speed study. They noted only one speed-related crash in the last five years.
  • Council Reports: Multiple council members reported on subcommittees: budget hearings (explaining that departental budgets are not final, and financial oversight is rigorous); road paving ( $1 million secured for Ward 2); public safety meetings; Ramadan fundraising ($13,000+ for the Franklin Food Bank); and upcoming Franklin 250 events.
  • Manager's Report: Publicized upcoming community events including the Bunny Bonanza (March 28), John Clyde Stream Cleanup (April 11), and George & Marta Cocktail Affair (April 18).

Development of Catalpa Park

  • Presentation: Engineer Darren Mazie presented revised plans for Catalpa Park (29 acres). The project includes two cricket fields, a community garden, playground (including an inclusive playground funded by a $360,000 Somerset County grant), basketball courts, pickleball courts, tennis courts, bocce, horseshoes, cornhole, two restroom buildings, parking for 153 vehicles, and a walking path. The project was bid at $9.3 million in July 2025, which was rejected. Redesign reduced cost to ~$8.6 million (by replacing stamped concrete with regular, removing fitness stations, and value-engineering restrooms). Three deduction items (bocce court, decorative walls, horseshoes/cornhole) could further reduce to $8.35-8.45 million. Soft costs (construction management) estimated at $400,000-$425,000.
  • Funding: Township Manager Vornlocker explained funding sources: $5.4 million available from Open Space Trust Fund cash, $2.4 million from an existing 2016 bond (unfunded), and a new bond of approximately $3.6 million for the balance. Total cost ~ $9 million including soft costs. The Open Space Trust Fund is in good health, and bonding will not require a tax increase.
  • Public Comments: Bill Connell (Open Space Committee) asked about the cost of bonding and suggested gravel parking lots to save money. Evelyn Pichalik (owner of Catalpa Farm, 15 Old Le Road) expressed concerns about fencing around her property, access during construction, and the number of bridges. Engineer assured her of access, post-and-rail fencing, and one bridge.
  • Council Discussion: Questions addressed ADA compliance, number of restrooms (two requiered due to park layout/cricket), trail surface (hot mix asphalt vs. crushed stone), and parking lot surface (asphalt chosen for durability and winter maintenance).
  • Vote: Resolution #26-124 (authorize advertisement of bids for Catalpa Park) passed unanimously (9-0).

FY2026 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Public Hearing

  • Presentations:
    • Amber Silverman (Center for Great Expectations) requested two $20,000 grants: one for staffing at the child development center and one to replace two furnaces. The organization has lost $4 million in state/federal funding.
    • Allie O'Brien (Franklin Food Bank) requested funds for warehouse receiving area rehab. She highlighted that 4,000 of Somerset County's 11,000 SNAP recipents live in Franklin, and the Food Bank provided 3.1 million meals last year.
    • Additional applications from YMCA (swim programs, child care, etc.) and Youth Consultation Service (Caven House – deck/ramp replacement) were read by the cleark.
  • Total social services requested: $89,565; public facilities: $250,000; housing assistance: $145,09. The township's CDBG allocation is expected in May/June and was $348,512 last ear.
  • No vote was taken; this was a public hearing on the applications.

Approval of Minutes

  • Four sets of minutes (February 24 Work Session/Regular, March 9 Budget Hearing, March 10 Work Session/Regular & Executive Session, March 17 Budget Hearing) were approved unanimously without correction.

Approval of Warrants

  • The warrant list totaling $20,486,356.32 was approved unanimously.

Ordinance on Introduction & First Reading

  • Ordinance No. 4501-26 (to vacate a portion of Executive Drive) was introduced on first reading. The public hearing and final adoption are scheduled for April 14, 2026. Vote: unanimous.

Consent Agenda (Resolutions #26-125 through #26-150)

  • The consent agenda containing 26 items (budget transfers, tax redemptions, refunds, water charge adjustments, performance guarantees, escrow releases, out-of-state training, contract awards, special event permits, lincense transfers, cooperative agreements, shared services, housing element endorsement, and others) was approved unanimously with no items pulled.

Old Business

  • Board/Committee Appointments: The council unanimously appointed Sayra Ijas to the Human Relations Commission (full three-year term) and Kiki Anastaska Kos to the Environmental Commission.

Key Outcomes

  • Resolution #26-124 (Catalpa Park Bids): Approved 9-0. The project will proceed to bid with a target cost of approximately $9 million, funded through Open Space Trust cash, existing bond, and new bonding.
  • CDBG Application Review: No formal action; public hearing held; allocation decisions will follow receipt of federal funding letter.
  • Ordinance #4501-26 (Executive Drive Vacation): Introduced 9-0; public hearing set for April 14, 2026.
  • Consent Agenda: All 26 resolutions adopted unanimously.
  • Committee Appointments: Two appointments made by acclamation.
  • Executive Session: Resolution #26-151 authorized executive session for Williams Transco litigation update.

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 at the municipal building at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24th, 2026. Please all stand for the Pledge of Allegiance and then remain standing for the invocation by Councilman and Barrison. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the public for which it stands. One nation. Let us take the next few moments of silence to each seek in our town in our own way. What are our sources of inspiration will grant us the strength and power in our thoughts and decisions to be for the benefit of all people at all times. Amen. Amen. Madam Clerk, please call the roll. Councilman of Arrison. Here. Councilwoman Francois. Here. Deputy Mayor Carrazi. Here. Mayor Kramer. Here. Councilman Noni Jaca. Councilman Singh? Yes. Councilwoman Udin? Yes. Councilman Vassanella? Yes. Councilman Wright. So we have a few commendations and proclamations. Item number five on the agenda. Anyone wanting a copy of the agenda? You can find it near the clerk. The first by Councilman Vassanella regarding Kevin Abuzio. Okay. So this is one milestone. I wish we never had to celebrate or acknowledge. But uh just going to start out real quick by saying of April 11th, 2006. That was about two and a half weeks will be 20 years. I got the worst phone call. I was only on council a few months, the junior council person. I got on a phone call, which to this day, unfortunately, is the worst phone call I ever got as a councilman. And that was from our then manager Ken Daly. Who informed us of the uh catastrophe. So anyway, I specifically just pulled a couple paragraphs. Um party executive summary to give you an idea of what happened that day. On April 11, 2006, the East Franklin and Community Volunteer Fire Departments responded to a possible single single family dwelling fire at Whittier Avenue in Franklin. East Franklin Fire Department Chief Dan Krasinski responded and was notified while still en route that the police department was on the scene reporting a working fire. When Chief Krasinski arrived on the scene, he reported a well-involved fire. He immediately requested second alarm assignment, be dispatched, and directly contacted the namory New Brunswick Fire Department to request assistance. Chief Krasinski and police officers confirmed that an elderly female resident was still inside the home. Approximately 15 minutes after dispatch, as the members of the interior crew were nearing the front door, the floor suddenly collapsed, causing causing a rescue personnel and resident victim to fall into the basement.

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