Franklin Township Council Meeting – October 27, 2026

The Franklin Township Council met on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at 7 p.m. in the municipal building for its work session/regular meeting. All council members answered roll call. Mayor Kramer presided, the Pledge of Allegiance was recited, and Councilman Anbarasan gave the invocation. The agenda included commendations and proclamations, public discussion, council and manager reports, approval of minutes and warrants, introduction of one ordinance, a 14-item consent agenda, old business, and executive session.

Commendations & Proclamations

• Councilman Kharazi presented a commendation to Stasha Holzer (identified as "Stasia" in the transcript) for her Girl Scout service project. Holzer, described as the first female Eagle Scout in Franklin Township and the only female to earn both the Eagle and Gold Awards, restored informational kiosks across six township parks and trails, led community hikes, and organized a community night with the Franklin Trail Advisory, Astronomy Club, and Environmental Commission. The commendation highlighted her civic responsibility, environmental stewardship, and community leadership. Vanessa Jones Johnson, president of the Trail Advisory, and Holzer's family attended.
• Councilman Anbarasan presented a proclamation recognizing October as Italian-American Heritage and Culture Month. Councilman Vassanella, who is of Italian descent, accepted the proclamation and noted that New Jersey is home to approximately 1.5 million residents of Italian ancestry. The proclamation honored the contributions of Italian Americans to Franklin Township, New Jersey, and the nation.

Public Comments & Testimony

• John Latracus (85 Arlington Avenue, Somerset) asked about the status of a traffic light at JFK Boulevard and Winston Drive and about installing speed bumps on Arlington Avenue.
• Linda Powell (22 Buffett Drive, Ward 3) raised environmental concerns about the Northeast Supply Enhancement gas compressor station and pipeline, saying none of the gas is for local residents and the project would add pollution. She also criticized the draft NJDEP permit for the Sentinel Data Center, claiming the public was given false emissions figures, that the facility should be treated as a major source rather than a minor source, and that the permit covers 12 generators rather than the 20 cited in planning testimony. She supplied comment forms and noted NJDEP comments are due before November 9.
• Jim Johnston (Ward 3) opposed the proposed house of worship at 630 South Middlebush Road, citing traffic, the scenic corridor, agricultural zoning, and the risk of setting a precedent for more non-farm development. He asked the council to get involved as he said it had with the earlier B-9 warehouse application and presented a petition to preserve the South Middlebush Scenic Corridor.
• Beverly Lawson (Ward 3) questioned the 4% PILOT payment on the Davidson Road affordable housing project, asked whether the township had requested a school impact analysis, and argued that PILOT tax breaks benefit developers while shifting costs to residents. She urged the council to evaluate school impacts and consider requiring developer contributions to schools before finalizing future PILOT agreements.
• A resident of 27 years, Sherlisha Lewis (name as heard), counted 258 cars in eight minutes on South Middlebush Road, asked the council to pay attention to zoning decisions and new traffic patterns, and noted that two houses of worship had already been approved within a quarter mile of each other.
• A Ward 4 resident asked Councilman Wright to hold a town hall for his constituents, saying he had not answered her question at the previous meeting and had declined to answer when she asked him directly that evening.
• Multiple residents spoke against the current South Middlebush Road house of worship application, citing traffic congestion, emergency vehicle access, high-holiday volumes, funerals and weddings, the use of a COVID-era traffic study, questions about international funding, and whether the proposed 20,000-square-foot facility was consistent with the stated number of worshippers. Some asked the council to intervene or request an independent traffic study; one speaker urged the council to stay out of the matter entirely, saying religious buildings bring economic benefits and diversity is a strength of Franklin Township.
• Frank Sierra (Ward 2) thanked Detective Vargas for work on a missing-person case involving his neighbor, criticized Flock cameras as "useless" and "garbage," and said an independent audit by the county prosecutor's office would occur in a few weeks. He also asked questions about the Flock contract timeline, including why the contract was dated September 5, 2024, before later council resolutions, and whether the township could terminate the contract after the 60-day window.
• Sanchi Sharma (New Brunswick Road) thanked Mayor Kramer for helping with a resident facing eviction, then spoke against Flock cameras, saying they infringe on the feeling of freedom, particularly for women concerned about AI-manipulated facial images. She asked a council member to make a motion to suspend or oppose Flock, or to respond directly to her arguments.
• Doc Cunningham (Somerset) described seeing cameras on a bus and framed the Flock debate as a divide between those who see cameras as intrusion and those who see them as protection. He noted October 27 is National Civics Day, commemorating the first printing of the Federalist Papers on October 27, 1787, and proposed developing a "bill of insights" and a community-facing resolution to bridge the divide.
• Stan Yarich (22 Hader Drive) noted the presence of EV charging stations at the Davidson/Pierce affordable housing site and said used electric vehicles can be purchased for about $5,000, making charging an affordability-friendly amenity.
• Another resident praised Frank Sierra and the police for their efforts to find a missing woman, suggested a referendum on Flock, and challenged council members to be more visible, accountable, and willing to hold town halls.

Council and Staff Responses & Discussion Items

• The Township Attorney corrected statements about the B-9 warehouse, saying it was a planning board application, not a zoning board application, and that council members do not appear at zoning board hearings because those applications are quasi-judicial and some are appealable to the council. He noted that houses of worship applications are governed by federal law, including RLUIPA, and should be heard on the merits.
• Attorney comments on PILOTs: the 4% payment for 100% affordable housing projects reflects a state law adopted roughly 18 months ago; townships cannot require applicants to speculate about the number of school children a project would generate; affordable housing plans may designate up to 30% of units as senior housing; and PILOT payments are not a loss to schools because schools submit a bill that the township pays. He said using a 4% PILOT for a 100% affordable project helped avoid approximately 400 additional required housing units.
• Councilman Vassanella provided updates on JFK Boulevard/Winston Drive and Arlington Avenue. Traffic data collection for the intersection is complete, and an outside engineer is performing a warrant analysis under the Federal Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. If a signal is warranted, funding, potential property acquisition from two residential properties, and the 2027 budget process could be involved. Arlington Avenue is on a short list for speed hump consideration, and Councilman Wright is working on refining the township's speed hump policy.
• Councilman Singh announced that the New Jersey Department of Transportation has agreed to proceed with a traffic signal at Route 27 and Princeton Highlands Boulevard and a pedestrian-actuated crossing at Route 27 and Gold Star Drive. He said the community counted 10 incidents year-to-date, the most recent crash occurring two days earlier, and that the improvements would likely come at no cost to Franklin or South Brunswick. He also proposed exploring an ordinance to restrict intentional balloon releases, citing environmental harm and neighboring municipal ordinances.
• Mayor Kramer delivered a detailed statement on ALPR/Flock. He said he has personally investigated complaints, reviewed technical materials and independent research, and met with the public safety director. He cited safeguards including quarterly audits, random monthly audits, and doubling the percentage of reviewed activity from 5% to 10%. He cited six September cases involving stolen vehicles, burglary, missing persons, and an at-risk individual where Flock assisted police. He said no council member had asked to stop the system and no council member wished to move forward with expanding the system, so the council's consensus was not to proceed with expansion.
• Council members also discussed affordable housing, recreation fees, youth sports, YMCA collaboration, community events, and paperless water billing. The Township Manager reminded residents of a Franklin 250 ghost stories event on Friday at 6:30 p.m. at the municipal gazebo.

Consent Calendar

All 14 consent agenda resolutions were adopted unanimously by roll call:

• Resolution #26-442 – Authorize tax and water title lien redemptions.
• Resolution #26-443 – Cancel tax sale certificate No. 26-00288 for East Region Tax Auction, LLC, related to bankruptcy; Block 208, Lot 5.01; principal $918.13 and premium $2,000.00.
• Resolution #26-444 – Refund water overpayment of $143.00 to 168 Minetta Road.
• Resolution #26-445 – Refund invalid subsequent lien payment of $1,710.79 to RTLF-NJ IIB, LLC for 168 Minetta Road.
• Resolution #26-446 – Adjust water charges for hardships/leaks: $63.70 at 332 Smithwold Road and $1,114.60 at 2 Hancock Place.
• Resolution #26-447 – Release street opening bond for Permit No. 25-055, Franklin Green Owner, LLC, 1 JFK Blvd., in the amount of $3,528.00.
• Resolution #26-448 – Award competitive contract for water management software to Core & Main LP for November 1, 2026 through October 31, 2027, not to exceed $50,000 per year.
• Resolution #26-449 – Authorize final change order for Cedar Brook Water Main Replacement, decreasing the contract from $987,231.00 to $941,685.91.
• Resolution #26-450 – Award purchase to Metro Group of NJ, LLC for two police motorcycles and accessories, not to exceed $32,588.00. In response to a council question, the township manager said the purchase would use forfeiture funds, not the regular budget.
• Resolution #26-451 – Special event permit for Players Development Academy Boys College Showcase, November 27-29, 2026, at PDA Soccer Complex/Morningside Farm, from 7:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Resolution #26-452 – Special event permit for PDA Annual Youth Soccer Tournament U8-U14 Boys & Girls, April 2-4, 2027. The agenda lists the dates as 2027, though the attachment title says 2026. Event times are Friday 5-9 p.m. and Saturday/Sunday 8 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
• Resolution #26-453 – Special event permit for PDA Girls College Showcase, May 28-31, 2027, Friday 5-9 p.m. and Saturday/Sunday 7:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
• Resolution #26-454 – Authorize out-of-state training for Sgt. Clyne and Ofc. Quigley at the NYPD Dignitary Protection Training Program, no cost, Queens, NY, November 16-19, 2026.
• Resolution #26-455 – Authorize the FMBA Local 88 contract for January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2028.

Ordinances & Other Official Actions

• Ordinance No. 4522-26 was introduced on first reading by unanimous roll call. The ordinance approves a PILOT application and authorizes the Mayor and Township Clerk to execute a financial agreement with Somerset Street Urban Renewal Associates, L.P. for properties in the Churchill-Millstone Redevelopment Area (Block 113, Lots 1-5 and 11-27; Block 119, Lots 1-21 and 26-58; Block 122, Lots 3-6; and Block 132, Lots 9-14). The public hearing and final adoption were scheduled for November 10, 2026, at 7 p.m.
• The Township Council unanimously approved the minutes of the October 13, 2026 work session/regular meeting and executive session.
• Warrants totaling $19,791,128.43 were approved unanimously for payment on October 27, 2026.
• Under old business, Samuel Lewis was nominated by acclamation as the Franklin representative to the county historical society, filling a 2026 board/committee vacancy.
• Resolution #26-456 authorizing executive session for contract negotiations (Blue Collar Supervisors, Senior Managers, and SOA) and attorney-client privilege (YMCA) was adopted unanimously. The meeting was to adjourn after executive session.

Key Outcomes

• The consent agenda, warrants, minutes, and the first reading of Ordinance No. 4522-26 were all approved unanimously.
• The council reached consensus not to expand the ALPR/Flock camera system; no council member moved to stop the existing system.
• Mayor Kramer established, and the council approved by voice vote, an ad hoc ALPR team consisting of the Mayor, Councilwoman Francois, Councilwoman Udine, and Councilman Singh to develop statements and a public FAQ responding to resident concerns.
• The township will continue the JFK Boulevard/Winston Drive traffic signal warrant analysis and will consider speed humps for Arlington Avenue as part of an updated policy.
• DOT-approved safety improvements at Route 27 intersections will proceed, with design beginning after a meeting earlier that day.
• The council will explore a balloon-release ordinance and continue evaluating affordable housing policy, PILOT agreements, and recreation fee structures.