Franklin Township Council Meeting – May 12, 2026: Proclamations, Warehouse Zoning Ordinance, Bonds and Consent Agenda

The Franklin Township Council met on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, for a regular meeting that included proclamations, public comments, approval of warrants and a 23-item consent agenda, adoption of four ordinances, introduction of a warehouse zoning ordinance, and authorization of an executive session.

Commendations & Proclamations

• Councilman James Vassanella read the Mental Health Awareness Month Proclamation, noting that one in five Americans lives with a mental health condition. Sapphi Callan, chair of the Franklin Township Stigma Free Council, accepted it and urged residents to treat mental health as health and ask for help.
• Deputy Mayor Carrazi read the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development Proclamation for May 21. He described Franklin as the second most diverse township in New Jersey, saying over 70 languages are spoken; resident Balmer Ganeson, representing Tina America, said close to 45-plus languages are officially spoken. A related library event was mentioned for June 12.
• Township Manager Bob Vornlocker read the centennial proclamation for Guaranteed Motor Towing Service, founded in 1926. Mark D. Giovanni, third-generation owner, accepted. Council speakers recounted the company’s history, including supplying the township’s first police car, a 1942 Ford, and the long-standing "guaranteed 76" dispatcher call sign.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Dave Robinson (349 Biltmore Lane) supported the draft B-I zone warehouse ordinance, saying its limits on warehouses under 150,000 square feet, the one-mile restriction from Route 287 interchanges, and new loading-dock, hours, and noise standards were reasonable and more stringent in some areas than the committee’s recommendations.
• Anthony Riccio expressed concern that approving the ordinance without first addressing road capacity would allow the already dangerous road network to become catastrophic. He asked for investment in new roads and a capacity analysis to prevent incremental "segmentation" of warehouse approvals.
• Kiki Anastasicus (3204 Enclave Circle) commended the planning process and supported many provisions, including nighttime and weekend noise limits and the 500-foot buffer discussion, but questioned the "interior access road" and scenic-roadway frontage language and said the 16 failing intersections are not addressed.
• Jan Brandt (22 Bryant Court) opposed the ordinance as premature. Citing October 2023 data, she said nearly 8 million square feet of warehousing had been proposed in Franklin Township, with about 5.9 million square feet (roughly 76 percent) built, occupied, or under construction and another 2.2 million square feet under review. She urged the council to keep warehouse conditional-use protections until infrastructure improvements are demonstrated.
• Skiff Richards (14 Bryant Court) said the ordinance does not address failing intersections or trucks violating four-ton road limits, and he suggested AI-based camera monitoring and changing the sign on Weston Canal Road that directs truck traffic toward Schoolhouse Road.
• Terry Thorsten (18 Labed Drive) raised non-warehouse issues: unsafe parking and snow-plowing conditions on New Brunswick Road, lack of follow-up plowing on his block, and DPW damage to the Van Wickel parking lot asphalt that he said discourages volunteers.

Council Comments & Reports

• Councilman Wright discussed cricket field residency violations, the redevelopment agency’s upcoming review of RPM’s revised plans for Franklin Boulevard/Route 27, and clarified that Franklin Township does not build or own affordable housing.
• Councilman Singh acknowledged concerns raised by a resident about accessory dwelling units (ADUs) for families caring for elderly parents and suggested starting a land-use conversation about ADUs. He supported the B-I zone ordinance as a step in the right direction.
• Councilman Vassanella announced the St. Matthias School 60th anniversary event, updates on the former rescue squad building, and reviewed public safety concerns. He said the warehouse ordinance does not go far enough, citing Exit 10 and traffic/infrastructure problems, and stated he did not support it.
• Mayor Kramer noted the Memorial Day parade is scheduled for Monday, May 25, and that vintage vehicles and marching groups are still welcome.
• Township Manager Vornlocker reminded residents about the Franklin Food Bank’s Empty Bowls fundraiser on May 31 and gave seasonal advice about leaving fawns alone and avoiding bears.

Consent Calendar & Warrants

• The council approved warrants totaling $2,588,438.57 for May 12, 2026.
• The council approved the consent agenda, Resolutions #26-196 through #26-218, on one motion. Notable items included: water main replacement award to MSP Construction for $2,697,496; Highwood Area Resurfacing award to Discover Construction for $256,758.82; water system emergency repair services award to J. Fletcher Creamer & Sons, Inc. for up to $450,000 per year; Motorola maintenance contract renewal for $150,127.96; Dell equipment purchases up to $50,000; rescission and re-award of a plow installation to Cliffside Body Corporation for $18,658; grants, tax lien redemptions, refunds, escrow releases, stormwater agreements, liquor license rescissions, fireworks, and special event permits.

Public Hearings & Final Adoption of Ordinances

• Ordinance 4502-26, authorizing the township to exceed municipal budget appropriation limits and establish a CAP bank, was adopted after a public hearing with no public comment.
• Ordinance 4504-26, a bond ordinance appropriating $8,049,100 for various 2026 capital improvements and authorizing $6,979,145 in bonds or notes, was adopted.
• Ordinance 4505-26, a water utility bond ordinance appropriating $4,588,000 and authorizing $4,588,000 in bonds or notes, was adopted.
• Ordinance 4506-26, appropriating $293,500 from the Open Space Trust Fund for capital acquisitions and improvements, was adopted.

Ordinance Introduction: B-I Zone Warehouse Ordinance

• Ordinance 4507-26, amending Chapter 112 to address light industrial development, including warehouses, in the Business and Industry (B-I) Zone, was introduced on first reading. The mayor announced a 5–1 vote, with Councilman Vassanella voting no. A public hearing and final adoption are scheduled for Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at 7 p.m. in council chambers.

Key Outcomes

• Approved warrants and the consent agenda.
• Adopted Ordinances 4502-26, 4504-26, 4505-26, and 4506-26.
• Introduced Ordinance 4507-26 and set its public hearing for June 9, 2026.
• Made no nominations for the 2026 Boards, Committees, and Commissions vacancies.
• Authorized Resolution #26-219 for executive session on a potential land acquisition.

Executive Session

• The council adopted Resolution #26-219 authorizing an executive session for a potential land acquisition involving the Kerani Realty LLC Property, Block 5.02, Lots 61.01–61.09, Riddering Drive. No further public business was conducted after the session.