OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Franklin Township Council Regular Meeting - June 23, 2026

Township Council — Tuesday, June 23, 2026
BodyFranklin Township, New Jersey
SessionTownship Council
DateTuesday, June 23, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:28:52

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

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

0:08

Foundation under God in the visible liberty and justice for all.

0:16

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, keeping always 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.

0:38

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

0:44

Amen.

0:50

Madam Master Clerk, please call the roll.

0:53

Councilman Embarrison.

0:54

Here.

0:55

Councilwoman Francois.

0:56

Here.

0:57

Deputy Mayor Carazi.

0:58

Here.

0:58

Mayor Kramer.

0:59

Here.

1:00

Councilman Onichaka.

1:02

Councilman Singh?

1:03

Yes.

1:03

Councilwoman Udine?

1:05

Yes.

1:05

Councilman Vasanella?

1:06

Yes.

1:07

Councilman Wright.

1:08

Yes.

1:10

Next item is proclamations and commendations.

1:14

So item number five on the agenda.

1:16

The agenda can be found over near the clerk.

1:20

The next item is a resolution to be voted on separately.

1:23

I ask for unanimous consent to delay that in that a special guest is on their way here.

1:31

So we'll have that later in the meeting without objection.

1:35

It is delayed.

1:37

So we're now on to public discussion.

1:40

As for unanimous consent to open to the public.

1:43

Without objection, we're open to the public.

1:45

Anyone may speak on anything to do with government.

1:49

Limited to five minutes, no yielding of time.

1:51

May only come up once.

1:53

Please state your name and address.

2:02

Hello?

2:03

Can you hear me?

2:04

Yep.

2:05

All right.

2:06

I got five minutes.

2:08

I hate public speaking.

2:09

So my name is Chiwei Troy.

2:11

I am a resident of Franklin Township.

2:13

I live at 58 Croydon Court in Somerset, New Jersey.

2:17

I am a corporate finance professional, a MBA candidate at UCE Berkeley, and a former volunteer firefighter of this community.

2:25

I've proudly served this community for several years and am also a resident of Somerset County.

2:30

I believe in commit competitive fair markets, transparency, and fair treatment of our consumers.

2:35

I'm here tonight to ask what steps the township can take to investigate what appears to be extraordinary gasoline pricing practices at the Exxon station located at 1101 Easton Avenue.

2:50

I've watched this gas station for quite some time, months and into years.

2:55

Regular gasoline is frequently priced 10 to 20 percent higher than nearby competitors, which many consumers may simply accept as a cost of convenience.

3:05

What is much harder to accept and to explain are the prices for the premium plus fuel charges.

3:11

Tonight, before this meeting, the station was charging $5.99 for plus and $6.39 for premium.

3:19

While the nearby Exxon station down the road was charging $429 and $4.69 respectively.

3:26

The quick check was also charging $4.35 and $4.49, representing roughly a 40% premium over stations located less than a mile away.

3:38

For additional perspective, California, the statewide average is approximately $5.85 for mid-grade and $6.09 for premium purchases with a credit card.

3:50

In other words, a Franklin Township gas station is charging more for plus in premium fuel than the statewide average in California, the most expensive gasoline market in the entire country.

4:23

I would also ask the township to consider forwarding residents' concerns such as mine and any relevant information to the federal business bureau so that consumer complaints are documented and reviewed.

4:34

When a local business routine routinely charges prices that are that exceed nearby competitors by nearly 40 percent and even exceed California statewide averages for premium and plus gasoline, our residents deserve confidence that our concerns are being taken seriously, and appropriate authorities have taken the opportunity to review them.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural██████████████████████22%
Public Engagement████████████████████20%
Cannabis Regulation████████████12%
Public Safety███████████11%
Historic Preservation███████7%
Youth Programs█████5%
Land Development█████5%
Community Engagement████4%
Personnel Matters████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Franklin Township Council Regular Meeting - June 23, 2026

The Franklin Township Council met on June 23, 2026, for a regular meeting with a full agenda including a street naming resolution, public comments, adoption of open space preservation ordinances, introduction of a revised cannabis ordinance, and approval of consent agenda items. The meeting also featured council committee reports and a postponed discussion on a planning board nomination.

Consent Calendar

  • Resolutions #26-272 through #26-289 (Items A-Q) were approved en bloc, including tax title lien redemptions, refunds, water charge adjustments, release of inspection escrows and performance guarantees, contract awards (Fortress Controls software, Route 27 resurfacing to Z Brothers Concrete Contractors not to exceed $168,204.10), bid rejections, change orders, stormwater maintenance agreements, renewal of plenary retail consumption licenses, license transfers, special event permits, fireworks displays, a conservation partnership agreement with the Land Conservancy of New Jersey for the Kerani Property ($1,380,000 from Open Space Trust Fund), and a shared services agreement with Fire Districts Nos. 1, 2, and 4.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Chiwei Troy (58 Croydon Court, Somerset) expressed concern about excessive gasoline pricing at the Exxon station at 1101 Easton Avenue, noting that regular gas is 10-20% higher than competitors and premium/plus prices (e.g., $5.99 for plus, $6.39 for premium on the meeting night) exceed California statewide averages. He asked what steps the township could take and requested forwarding complaints to the federal Bureau of Consumer Protection. Township Manager Vornlocker responded that New Jersey does not regulate gas prices except during emergencies, and the station's high prices are driven by its location as the last station before Route 287.
  • Deborah Inman (67 Roberts Road) circled back to the previous council meeting's discussion on pool rental restrictions, inquiring about further consideration. Manager Vornlocker indicated the matter would be discussed at the next administration and land use meetings, and that the zoning inspector had already issued violation notices at the location for unpermitted construction.
  • Jal Latracus (85 Arlington Avenue) repeated prior questions about rumble strips on Amwell Road and traffic signal at JFK Boulevard and Winston Drive. Manager Vornlocker noted Amwell Road is a county road and committed to raising the issue with Somerset County; regarding JFK/Winston, a traffic study has commenced and will take several months.

Discussion Items & Votes

  • Resolution #26-271 – Honorary Street Naming: The council voted unanimously (9-0) to designate Winston Drive as "Honorary Earl C. Williams Jr. Drive" in memory of the former Major League Baseball player (1971 NL Rookie of the Year) who lived on the street. Linda Williams Montgomery, the widow, accepted the resolution and announced a block party on August 1.
  • CDBG 2026 Annual Action Plan (Resolution #26-290): Following a public hearing with no comments, the council unanimously approved the filing of the plan.
  • Second Reading – Open Space Acquisition (Collins Property, 4301 State Route 27): Ordinance #4511-26 to acquire the property by purchase or condemnation and Ordinance #4512-26 appropriating $426,721.40 from the Open Space Trust Fund were both adopted unanimously (9-0).
  • First Reading – Open Space Acquisition (287 Cedar Grove Lane): Ordinance #4513-26 authorizing acquisition (approximately 34 acres, actual purchase price $5.2 million plus $260,000 in closing costs) and Ordinance #4514-26 appropriating $5,460,000 from the Open Space Trust Fund were introduced unanimously. Public hearing and final adoption set for July 14, 2026.
  • First Reading – Revised Cannabis Ordinance (Ordinance #4515-26): The ordinance amends Chapter 92 of the Municipal Code to establish regulations and annual licensing fees ($10,000 for retail, $20,000 for cultivator) to cover administrative costs. Discussion included the 2% sales tax (collected locally) and the need for enforcement. The council voted unanimously to introduce it; final adoption set for July 14, 2026.
  • Minutes and Warrants: The minutes of June 9, 2026 (Work Session/Regular Meeting) and executive sessions of March 24, May 12, and May 26, 2026 were approved. Warrants totaling $16,948,813.11 were approved.

Key Outcomes

  • Unanimous approvals (9-0): Resolution #26-271 (street naming); CDBG plan; Ordinances #4511-12 (Collins Property); introduction of #4513-14 (Cedar Grove Lane) and #4515-26 (Cannabis); minutes; warrants; and the entire consent agenda.
  • Vote to table Planning Board nomination: A motion to table the nomination of Emelda Reed as Alternate #2 to the Planning Board (due to lack of prior screening committee review) passed 7-2 (Councilmembers Vasanella and Wright opposed). The nomination will be revisited at the July 14, 2026 council meeting.
  • Executive Session: Authorized (9-0) to discuss potential open space acquisition at 583 South Middlebush Road and a donation contract.
  • Next Steps: Traffic study at JFK/Winston Drive ongoing; pool rental regulations to be discussed in upcoming administration and land use meetings; cannabis ordinance will have public hearing on July 14; planning board nomination deferred to July 14.

Meeting Transcript

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. Foundation under God in the visible liberty and justice for all. 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, keeping always 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 to make Franklin and to make a better world. Amen. Madam Master Clerk, please call the roll. Councilman Embarrison. Here. Councilwoman Francois. Here. Deputy Mayor Carazi. Here. Mayor Kramer. Here. Councilman Onichaka. Councilman Singh? Yes. Councilwoman Udine? Yes. Councilman Vasanella? Yes. Councilman Wright. Yes. Next item is proclamations and commendations. So item number five on the agenda. The agenda can be found over near the clerk. The next item is a resolution to be voted on separately. I ask for unanimous consent to delay that in that a special guest is on their way here. So we'll have that later in the meeting without objection. It is delayed. So we're now on to public discussion. As for unanimous consent to open to the public. Without objection, we're open to the public. Anyone may speak on anything to do with government. Limited to five minutes, no yielding of time. May only come up once. Please state your name and address. Hello? Can you hear me? Yep. All right. I got five minutes. I hate public speaking. So my name is Chiwei Troy. I am a resident of Franklin Township. I live at 58 Croydon Court in Somerset, New Jersey. I am a corporate finance professional, a MBA candidate at UCE Berkeley, and a former volunteer firefighter of this community. I've proudly served this community for several years and am also a resident of Somerset County. I believe in commit competitive fair markets, transparency, and fair treatment of our consumers. I'm here tonight to ask what steps the township can take to investigate what appears to be extraordinary gasoline pricing practices at the Exxon station located at 1101 Easton Avenue.

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