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Record of Proceedings

Franklin Township Council Work Session & Regular Meeting - September 22, 2026

Township Council — Tuesday, September 22, 2026
BodyFranklin Township, New Jersey
SessionTownship Council
DateTuesday, September 22, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:02:36

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
0:03

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.

0:16

on Tuesday, September 22nd, 2026.

0:22

If we could all stand for the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the invocation by Councilwoman Sheepa Udin.

0:29

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

0:37

One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

0:48

If there is to be peace in the world, there must be peace in the nations.

0:53

If there is to be peace in the nations, there must be peace in the cities.

0:59

If there is to be peace in the cities, there must be peace between neighbors.

1:04

If there's to be peace between neighbors, there must be peace in the home.

1:10

If there is to be peace in the home, there must be peace in the heart.

1:14

Amen.

1:18

Madam Clerk, please call the role.

1:23

Councilman Embarrasson.

1:25

Here.

1:25

Councilwoman Francois.

1:29

Here.

1:29

Mayor Kramer.

1:30

Here.

1:31

Councilman Oni Jaka.

1:32

Yes.

1:33

Councilman Singh.

1:34

Councilwoman Udin.

1:36

Here.

1:36

Councilman Vassanella.

1:38

Here.

1:38

Councilman Wright.

1:40

Madam Clerk, I'd like to ask for an excuse.

1:43

Excused absence for Carl Wright is not here.

1:49

He's during bereavement for his father.

1:57

Commendations and proclamations.

2:00

The National Hispanic Heritage Month by Councilman Embarrassing.

2:20

Good evening, everyone.

2:51

Pull it out.

3:00

So next meeting, Mayor, or Councilman, before the meeting.

3:08

Will there be a pop quiz?

3:20

All right.

3:21

Good evening, Franklin.

3:24

Okay, that's good.

3:25

I like the energy.

3:26

So today we are going to do a proclamation for the National Hispanic Heritage Month.

3:34

As you know, Franklin is very diverse.

3:40

Uh I believe the Hispanic population is almost 12-13% in that range.

3:54

So I don't know whether it's a good thing or not, but I am brown, like you are.

4:00

But I have uh Hispanic, the heritage is fantastic.

4:05

I have traveled widely, um widely in the his uh in in South America, uh, Central America, uh, as well as I live in North America.

4:17

So but the Hispanic heritage is fantastic.

4:19

I I love it.

4:20

I think the culture is uh very rich uh with the mind from right from mine to Inga, all those civilizations.

4:28

If you get a chance, please travel and experience the culture, uh diverse culture uh this world has to offer.

4:35

Anyway, here we go.

4:38

Uh National Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15th through October 15th, 2026.

4:45

Whereas the township of Franklin is home to a vibrant and diverse community, enriched by the culture, heritage, and contributions of its Hispanic and Latino residents.

5:00

And whereas National Hispanic Heritage Month is observed annually from September 15th through October 15th, a period that begins on the anniversary of independence for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and includes the independence days of Mexico, Chile, and Belize.

5:21

And whereas Hispanic and Latino Americans have made and continue to make lasting contributions to our nation and to the township of Franklin in business, education, public service, arts, and civic life, strengthening our community through their culture, traditions, and values of family and hard work.

5:43

And whereas the Township of Franklin values the diversity of its residents and recognizes that the strength of our community lies in the many cultures, backgrounds, and traditions that make Franklin Township a welcoming home for all, and whereas it is fitting that the mayor and the council of the township of Franklin join in this national observance to honor the heritage, culture and achievements of the Hispanic and Latino community.

6:13

Now, therefore, be it proclaimed that the mayor and council of the Township of Franklin, Somerset County, New Jersey, do here if I do hereby proclaim September 15th through October 15th, 2026 as National Hispanic Heritage Month in the Township of Franklin, and do hereby call upon all residents to join in recognizing the rich history, culture, and countless contributions of the Hispanic and Latino community to our township, our state, and our nation.

6:47

So I have some of uh my friends here, so I invite you all to come up here to receive this proclamation.

7:07

You're welcome.

7:12

Hello everyone.

7:16

Hello everyone, my name is Eric Enicencio.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Safety█████████████████17%
Miscellaneous█████████████████17%
Energy And Innovation█████████████13%
Public Works██████████10%
Public Health████████8%
Water And Wastewater Management████████8%
Procedural███████7%
Community Engagement██████6%
Senior Programs███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Franklin Township Council Work Session & Regular Meeting - September 22, 2026

The Franklin Township Council (Somerset County, New Jersey) held its work session and regular meeting on Tuesday, September 22, 2026. The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation by Councilwoman Shepa Uddin. Council members presented proclamations for National Hispanic Heritage Month and Save a Life Day, heard a portable solar systems presentation, conducted a public hearing and adoption of a $1,380,000 open-space ordinance for Catalpa Park, introduced an affordable housing tax-exemption ordinance, and approved the minutes, warrants, and a 26-item consent agenda. A lengthy public comment period addressed water main project concerns, Flock automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras, and the conduct of council members.

Commendations & Proclamations

  • Councilman Anbarasan presented a proclamation designating September 15 through October 15, 2026, as National Hispanic Heritage Month in Franklin Township, noting that the Hispanic population in the township is approximately 12-13%.
  • Councilman Kharazi presented a proclamation recognizing Save a Life Day, officially Thursday, September 24, 2026, which honors those lost to the opiate epidemic and promotes life-saving skills. Kharazi stated he would be at the Franklin Township Library from 2 to 4 p.m. and at the Quellbrook Senior Center from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on that day.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Water main project: A resident reported that the township's water main project notices now warn residents they may notice leaks at their hot water tanks after the work and may need an expansion tank or pressure relief valve work. They argued that if an infrastructure improvement creates a new private plumbing requirement, homeowners should not automatically absorb hundreds of dollars or more in additional costs without the township first investigating. They asked for a clear understanding of who will be responsible for the review, how affected residents will be notified, and how residents can provide information, stating that similar concerns on different streets and from different project years justify a broader investigation.
  • Flock ALPR cameras: A resident said they do not see what safety the Flock cameras provide, stated that "no one goes to a Bitcoin machine to buy Bitcoin other than a scam," and questioned whether council members felt lied to or knew what they were approving when they implemented the ALPR systems. They asserted that statements to council and the public do not match the contract, invoice, portal, or the vendor's own product page; that Flock requires access to what the camera sees in order to work; and that if officials refuse to provide transparency, "they should not continue holding positions of public authority." A separate speaker asked whether anyone in the room could say they trust Flock 100% and contrasted Franklin with other places, noting that police say professionalism in New Jersey and Franklin makes the difference.
  • Meeting conduct: One resident complained that the prior meeting's speaker had been rudely interrupted 12 times by the mayor while on a three-minute clock, and argued the time limit cannot be changed unilaterally on a day when many people show up. The same resident reported filing a public records request for notes a council member had appeared to be taking on their phone during the prior meeting, and said no records exist.
  • Save a Life Day: A speaker expressed support for Save a Life Day and endorsed resident Donna Lisi, who is involved with the effort, adding that the township needs to hear from people in recovery from substance use disorder. The speaker acknowledged the Franklin Township Police Department's role in managing funds and stated the needs assessment would be presented at the October 21 meeting.

Discussion Items

  • Portable Solar Systems Presentation (moved up): The council unanimously approved a motion to move the presentation to earlier in the agenda. Councilwoman Uddin said solar may not be one-size-fits-all and depends on what residents want to do and how much they want to save on utility bills, and noted that 31% of Franklin Township residents are renters. Students were present for the demonstration.
  • Water main response: Officials apologized that water main project information was placed under the FAQ section of the township website, and said the notices now include all of the information. The mayor stated that the township generally allows a trench to settle three to six months after a water main is installed before paving, that the resident's street is on the paving list, and offered to send the resident updates by email. The mayor also said the public works manager and assistant manager agreed to send a street sweeper to King Road the next day.
  • Township Manager's Report: The manager reported that current forecasts call for showers during Franklin Day Festival weekend, with no rain date scheduled, and reminded residents that Franklin Day is this weekend. A council member encouraged residents to report infrastructure concerns and noted an upcoming presentation on school submission goals.
  • Affordable housing ordinance discussion: Council members explained that Ordinance 4520-26 provides a tax abatement only for projects that are affordable housing or directly support affordable housing, and that the development would not be built without the incentive. The payments under the agreement are described as usually more than the taxes currently collected on the property but less than full taxes, and the per-unit rents remain far below market rate. The project was described as one of the first and only 100% affordable build-outs in the township, fulfilling fourth-round affordable housing obligations under state law.

Ordinances

  • Ordinance 4519-26 (Second Reading/Public Hearing): A capital ordinance appropriating $1,380,000 from the Open Space fund for Catalpa Park. The public hearing was opened and closed with no members of the public coming forward, and the ordinance was adopted.
  • Ordinance 4520-26 (Introduction/First Reading): An ordinance of the Township of Franklin authorizing a tax exemption and payment in lieu of taxes under NJSA 52:27D-329.2 A5 and A6 for affordable housing. The ordinance was introduced on first reading, with posting and publication as required by law, and a public hearing and final adoption scheduled for the October 2026 council meeting.
  • Consent Agenda: Items A through Y were presented and adopted as listed.

Key Outcomes

  • Adopted Ordinance 4519-26, appropriating $1,380,000 from Open Space funds for Catalpa Park.
  • Introduced Ordinance 4520-26 on first reading, with public hearing and final adoption set for the October 2026 meeting.
  • Approved the minutes of the September 8, 2026, Township Council work session/regular meeting.
  • Approved warrants totaling $22,411,116.
  • Adopted consent agenda items A through Y.
  • Unanimously approved moving the portable solar systems presentation earlier on the agenda.

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, September 22nd, 2026. If we could all stand for the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the invocation by Councilwoman Sheepa Udin. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. If there is to be peace in the world, there must be peace in the nations. If there is to be peace in the nations, there must be peace in the cities. If there is to be peace in the cities, there must be peace between neighbors. If there's to be peace between neighbors, there must be peace in the home. If there is to be peace in the home, there must be peace in the heart. Amen. Madam Clerk, please call the role. Councilman Embarrasson. Here. Councilwoman Francois. Here. Mayor Kramer. Here. Councilman Oni Jaka. Yes. Councilman Singh. Councilwoman Udin. Here. Councilman Vassanella. Here. Councilman Wright. Madam Clerk, I'd like to ask for an excuse. Excused absence for Carl Wright is not here. He's during bereavement for his father. Commendations and proclamations. The National Hispanic Heritage Month by Councilman Embarrassing. Good evening, everyone. Pull it out. So next meeting, Mayor, or Councilman, before the meeting. Will there be a pop quiz? All right. Good evening, Franklin. Okay, that's good. I like the energy. So today we are going to do a proclamation for the National Hispanic Heritage Month. As you know, Franklin is very diverse. Uh I believe the Hispanic population is almost 12-13% in that range. So I don't know whether it's a good thing or not, but I am brown, like you are. But I have uh Hispanic, the heritage is fantastic. I have traveled widely, um widely in the his uh in in South America, uh, Central America, uh, as well as I live in North America. So but the Hispanic heritage is fantastic. I I love it. I think the culture is uh very rich uh with the mind from right from mine to Inga, all those civilizations. If you get a chance, please travel and experience the culture, uh diverse culture uh this world has to offer. Anyway, here we go.

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