Call the meeting in order. Pledge of >> allegiance. Algiance 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. of the public meetings act statement. >> Pursuant to the open public meetings act, adequate notice of this meeting was forwarded to the official newspapers on November 13th, 2025, as well as posting on the bulletin board and township website. This meeting is being videotaped and will be on channel 9.
>> Roll call. >> Mr. Marsh >> here. >> Mr. Vella >> here. Mr. Doyle >> here. Mr. King >> here. >> Mayor B >> here. I get a motion to approve correspondence and reports. Motion to approve correspondent reports. >> Second. >> All those in favor? I
>> I get a motion to approve the minutes from December 29th, 2025 and January 1st 1st, 2026. >> Motion to approve the minutes. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> I get a motion to approve the bill list. >> Motion to approve the bill list. >> Second.
>> Mr. Marsh? >> Yes. >> Mr. Fella? >> Yes. >> Mr. Doyle? >> Yes. >> Mr. Keane? >> Yes. >> Mayor Bruno? >> Yes. Can I get a motion to approve 2026 licenses? >> Motion to approve the license. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I.
>> Can I get a motion to open the first public portion for resolutions and ordinance below? >> Make a motion to open the first public portion. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I Good evening, Le 56 Drive in Malad. Um I
have a question related to actually the resolution allowing the executive session for federal mitigation. Uh do you plan to take action following that session? >> You're not taking any action. >> Okay. Um, so I don't really know what
it's about, but I just have some questions I wanted to ask the committee just to kind of get a feel for. And I know it's limited to what you can speak as far as the litigation goes, but these are just general questions about Pella. And I just wanted to ask, you know, can
you tell me what the situation is with Pella? What the township is trying to accomplish? >> Township is trying to follow current state law. Asking the township committee So they're not going to comment on pending litigation, Mr. Sally. They are trying to comply with current state law.
>> Question related to what they know about. Are they aware of what's going on with PE? I'm curious to know what the knowledge of committee is related to. Nothing to do with this litigation, just a general draw. What do you know about Pella? Tell me what you know.
>> What do we know about KA? >> Correct. >> What? What? Like what? That's kind of vague. Like >> anything. anything? >> Yes. >> Uh, I don't think anyone here's really happy about it. >> But what is it? What do you
>> What is what? >> What is color? >> You have litigation related to color. I want to know from the township committee. What is color? >> It's horrible. >> That's a public comment. We don't have to answer questions. >> We don't. It just implies that you don't actually know what PE is and yet you're
going to go discuss litigation related to that's that's all I'm asking you is trying to find out how informed is this committee related to the decision that you may or may not be making tonight. Even simpler question and I know you know this one. How many houses or
residents are there currently in Franklin Township approximately? >> 6,000 something I think. >> Right around 6,000. And how many affordable housing units as Franklin County agreed are needed to satisfy its affordable housing obligation?
>> I think with some of the stuff that was done years ago, I think 500 600 maybe somewhere around there. >> Well, my number for um it looks like the four rounds. >> Well, not including the fourth round, right? The fourth round is now
>> right. You had a rehabilitation or present need of 48, first and second round 166. And these are all settlements that were agreed upon by this not all of you but at least some of this
active committee. Uh third round 527 and the fourth round it looked like around 243 give or take. So you're looking at a total of 984 units >> approximately right around now we should be around 900 something units. Correct. And what is the ratio of market value
units to affordable units that is considered acceptable for developers? >> 20 10 to one >> 10 to one around >> it's actually not quite that bad but it is it is roughly 20% affordable 80% market rate. So for the thousand
affordable housing unit obligation that the county has roughly 900 there's a little bit of dispute amongst the numbers but it's very minor um and four market rate units for every affordable housing unit that comes to a
total of about 5,000 housing units additional housing units perano township that roughly doubles the size of the township. So my my question to you because I I you know
I don't know necessarily that settling the color lawsuit initially was a good idea but my question is what do you see as the impact on the township to rough roughly doubling the number of houses potentially over the next few
years? Tell me what the impacts you might take a seat because that's a lot of it's a huge impact. It's a statemandated permit. Nobody's >> It's not statemandated. You don't reach settlements >> for things that are mandated. >> You reached a settlement. You agreed to
it. None of the committees before agreed to it, but you guys agreed to it. So my next question is, you know, what would have happened if you hadn't agreed? If you hadn't settled, Kelly, can anyone up there tell me what would have happened? They would have been able
to put affordable housing anywhere in the town. >> Not quite. Anyone else have a guess? >> Older remedy lawsuit. >> Correct. Similar to the one that was initiated against the township. Does anyone remember the one that was initiated against the township years ago?
>> It was Greenway. So, do you know how many affordable houses we got from Greenways? Zero. You know how many market rate houses we got from Greenways? Zero. No new schools. Add 5,000 units, you're going to double your school population. You will have to be
building new schools. >> Good evening, gentlemen. Harry Kennedy, 1578 Fries Mill Road. And uh as a former township committeeman and mayor, I obviously won't be back there with you tonight as you go into
the closed session uh with your council. And I would imagine that your new uh solicitor will also be acting as your co-au attorney. Is that correct or not? >> That is not correct. There's currently an RFP for >> Okay, fine. But you're having a meeting
about the litigation tonight. So, I would imagine that your solicitor will be back there with you as you go into that close session. But, uh, gentlemen, since I won't be back in that session, I just have a few things
that I'd like to share with you. uh the people that are involved in the LLC uh one, two, and three, which I'm sure many of you have looked at, are people that are known to many of the people here in Franklin Township. Uh Mr.
Gersburg, who is the registered agent for the LLC, is a person that's worked very closely and was a partner with John Kainer. John Kainer might be familiar to some of you. He was a person that was involved in
Malaga Realy LLC. Mr. Gersburg again is very close with Chris Wall. Chris Wall is a person that has worked with Mr. Gersburg in many different developments.
And Mr. Wall, as you'll probably recall, was also in Malaga LLC. In fact, in sworn testimony, our administrator, Mr. Finley, formerly a vine, told us
that Mr. Wall personally delivered the check for the Rome property, 133,000. Mr. Wall is also an associate of Mr.
Gersburg. So, we have somewhat of a conundrum. You all know what a conundrum is. Uh, you probably, many of you remember back many years ago an old Walt Disney movie. Uh, Uncle Reis's tales, Uncle Remis, and
Breer Rabbit, who was such a sly old rabbit. Brare Rabbit got caught one day by Brer Fox and he said, "Please, please don't throw me into the brier patch. Boil me in oil. Stick me on a skewer,
but please, please don't throw me into the brier patch. Please don't throw me into the brier patch." Well, what do you know? Bear Rabbit tricked his way and they threw him into the bridal patch.
there. He laughed at them incessantly because he had gotten exactly what he wanted. Now, it's interesting as we look at some of the settlements that have taken place around the state. In many places, the township committee fights
like hell to keep out developers. In other places, they accommodate the development. They accommodate the developer. And in many cases, specifically Mr. Gersburg, you won't believe this gentleman, has used lowcost housing as a means to open
the door to development of warehouses and other industrial sites. What a shot. Please don't throw me into the brier patch. Here I have some affordable housing. I'll put 27 units behind Oak
Avenue. You know what? You know what would be a great idea? Let's not have any access to Oak Avenue. Let's have a traffic light where the 27 units go in. And what does that do? That traffic light gives us a U-turn for trucks to
suddenly have access to the Rome property, which is west of 55 and north of 40. Oh, please don't throw me into the Brier Patch. I only want lowcost housing. Mr. Wall, Mr. Gersburg, Mr.
Kainer have used lowcost housing as a means to get industrial development all over the state. I'll leave this with you. I won't be back at the meeting tonight as you go over all these wonderful things. I won't be there to
ask questions. I won't be there to guide you with my 40 years of experience. But I have a list of questions that I'll give to you. It'll be in close session. You don't have to share them with me. Mr. Finley, did Mr. Wall bring you a check? Mr. Finley, have you had any
discussions with Mr. Wall? Since Are you aware that they're part of Malaga LLC? Is the committee aware that Mr. Kainer and Mr. Gersburg have a working relationship? Are you aware that a light would be necessary for lowcost housing, which would be a screen to give you the
double whammy of an industrial development? >> Thank you, Mr. Oh, you're more than welcome. Are you a committee woman? I'll let the mayor cut me off, solicitor. >> Thank you, Mr. Again. You're welcome, Mr. Yeah, thank you. And I will leave these questions for you. >> And again, please don't tell me the
answers. I think you'll be shocked at what they might be >> because we have had nothing but collusion all the way through. >> Nothing but theories. Timmy theories, brother. >> Theory theory. >> Hey, Harry. Harry. >> Yes.
>> You know they they took prayer rather ride out of Disney, right? >> Did they? I know. Gracious one at your age, but you still saw him anyway. I don't know these guys Marshall 67 new road some of the points I was going to bring up were already hit but just you may have already done your
homework but as Mr. Kennedy started the state cuz Mr. the verses had from what I can see about 22 LLC's. Uh the first 16 of them are completely gone into defunct now because of lawsuits. What he does, he looks for towns that don't have the proper ordinances in place that he can come in and sue ahead of time to get
everybody browbeating and to give him approvals when he gets here. He's done it all over our state. He's done it all over Florida, all over California, the shop, the things that he's done. Do not let him browbe you. Make sure you have a solicitor back there that's tough enough to handle it and have it back when you do it right for the Thank you.
Good evening, members of the committee. Nancy Kennedy, 7-Eleven St. George Street. And madam solicitor, my question is actually for you. So I believe I heard that you are not going to be acting as the co- attorney. Is that accurate? >> I am not appointed as the co- attorney.
That is correct. >> Okay. And can you tell me when the RFP for a COA attorney went out? Roughly? >> I don't handle the RFPs. >> Okay. So, since becoming solicitor, you didn't have the opportunity to review the RFPs that went out prior to your hire. >> I did not. >> Okay. So, you don't know whether RFPs
for a COA solicitor went out prior to your being appointed solicitor? >> The RFP process is ongoing. So, that's all I know. >> That's perfect. And in fact, what I'll do then is I'll just place on the record my request that I would like copies of any RFP that went out prior to your
appointment from we'll say October 31st, 2025 until the present. And it's my understanding the clerk isn't here for a while. So if if someone who's handling her duties could provide me with that information, >> I think they're all on the website, but uh well request is noted. >> I and I appreciate you bringing that up
because I don't know if the committee realizes this. I actually didn't know you were the solicitor until I watched the meeting because none of the names of any of the appointed professionals are available on the website. You have to actually physically watch the meeting. By the way, I love Mr. Keane's uh
comments as he was being sworn in. Um, nobody's name is available unless you take the time to watch the meeting. So, in interest of transparency and now that you're here, I'm sure that's important to you as well. Hopefully that will be updated. >> Well, the decisions weren't made until decisions can't be made until New York. and and and now it wouldn't be on the
agenda. >> Fair enough. We're we're far enough alone now that the resolution certainly can be updated. So hopefully that will take place. And again, first not here, so maybe everybody in the office is overwhelmed, but I'm sure it can be done. >> And we missed you every >> Oh, you know, I overslept. I thought it
was I appreciate that. Thank you. Can >> I get a motion to close the first public portion? Oh, I'm sorry. This is about resolutions and ordinances below. >> Motion to close. >> Second. >> All those in favor?
>> I >> resolutions. Can I get a motion to approve resolution 3226 appointing conflict backup prosecutor for the town of Franklin joint municipal court for the year 2026 pursuant to local public contracts laws. Motion R
3226. >> Second. Mr. Marsh, >> yes. >> Mr. Fierella, >> yes. >> Mr. Doyle, >> yes. >> Mr. King, >> yes. >> Mayor Bernham, >> yes. Resolution 3326, authorizing the
mayor and or his designate to sign services contract with the Barber Consulting Services. Motion R326. >> Second, >> Mr. Marsh. >> Yes. >> Mr. Fella, >> yes. >> Mr. Doyle, >> yes. >> Mr. Keane,
>> yes. Mayor Bruno. >> Yes. Resolution 3426 authorizing refund of developers escrow account. >> Motion R 3426. >> Second. >> Mr. Marsh. >> Yes. >> Mr. Fella. >> Yes. >> Mr. Doyle.
>> Yes. >> Mr. Keane. >> Yes. >> Mayor Bruno. >> Yes. Resolution 3526. Authorizing tax collector to approve a totally disabled veteran block 4114 lot 3. Motion R3526. >> Second.
>> Mr. Marsh. >> Yes. >> Mr. Fella? >> Yes. >> Mr. Doyle? >> Yes. >> Mr. Keane? >> Yes. >> Mayor Bruno? >> Yes. Resolution 3626, appointing Cleo Cole Mcnellis to the position of full-time 2 police officer
in the Franklin Township Police Department. Motion R 3626. >> Second. >> Mr. Marsh. >> Yes. >> Mr. Fela. >> Yes. Mr. Doyle, >> yes. >> Mr. Keane, >> yes. >> May Berna,
>> yes. Resolution 3726, authorizing township committee to enter to a close session on January 13th, 2026 in reference to color litigation. >> Motion R 3726. >> Second. >> Mr. Marsh, >> yes. >> Mr. Fella,
>> yes. >> Mr. Doyle, >> yes. >> Mr. Keane, >> yes. >> Mayor Bruno, >> yes. Resolution 3826 authorized administrator and clerk to submit an award extension request for LA 2024 MA Franklin Township Gloucester Williamstown Road improvements to the NJ
do motion R 3826 >> second >> Mr. Marsh >> yes >> Mr. Ferella >> yes >> Mr. Doyle >> yes >> Mr. King. >> Yes. >> Mayor Bernham. >> Yes. And can I get a motion to introduce
the following public following ordin uh ordinance public hearing will be on February 10th, 2026. It's ordinance 126 establishing the salary and wages of municipal officials and employees of the town of Franklin. >> Make a motion for 0126.
>> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I get a motion to open the second public portion for comments. Make a motion put second public portion. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I
even personal matter. I live midway between Red Avenue and Washington Avenue across from the field where the corn is grown. Um my yard, front yard, backyard coming
up my back step. I am bombarded with the corn and I worked with Bob the housing inspector. I tried to get the renter of the field but nobody would give me the number. And it was strange because the
last time that uh corn was grown, he kindly came and cleaned my yard twice. So he's at an impass. So right now I need some direction of where I can go to get all these corners. >> I was the one you called.
>> Yes. And I could not find the number. >> Yeah. So what happened was you called the town and they called the land owner which is doesn't live around here >> and they sent him the violation or the >> he told this has been going on for two months trying to reach out to you and I
could not get your number but he told me Bob told me that he tried to leave you >> my my number is on the website the calendar >> I went and every number I dialed it on that website >> why don't you give me your number you don't say it on record. Write your
number down and I'll call you and come look at it. >> Uh, just write your >> Yeah, that's fine. >> Tim wasn't put number. >> She does. Make sure she >> your number. >> Does that mean it'll be taken care of?
Yeah, I'll come out and we'll take a look at it and if it's got it cleaned up on the side in the uh >> I remember years ago your house you live out in the middle of the woods, right? Like back. >> No, I don't. I'm right on Fresno Mill Road and I have no trees. That's the I
have no trees in front of my house. So all those pucks, they're not plowed under. So when we had that wind a couple months >> and we actually did plow it and plant it. There's not anything we can do. got done. They came to my yard. The mice are happy, the snakes are happy, the
deer are happy, everybody's happy. >> Everybody's happy except you. >> All right. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Harry Kennedy 1578. I'll try to be brief this time.
Jonathan, I uh truly enjoyed uh the uh swearing in ceremony. I think that might have been the first time that that I can recall that somebody was sworn in by the minister. It was very well done and uh the heartfelt speech was uh was very
well noted. uh I uh I listened to it and uh took it to heart and I think you know some of the things you said were absolutely uh you know moving in terms of what you overcame but the most important thing I thought was talking about your son and your son on the way
and uh both Miss Vigilante and I are fortunate enough to have children that we're very proud of. She has a son that's an excellent attorney and is very well regarded uh by not only me but by my entire family and does an excellent job. I have a daughter that's an
excellent attorney and very well regarded by most. I also have a son that you might at some point need I think since you're doing such a good job of outreach to your senator uh in terms of his connections to the newly elected governor and the fact that he ran one of
her most expensive packs. So uh again we both come from political families. She worked with uh Judge Nicks in Pennsylvania. I was very familiar with uh all the people in Philadelphia from Vince Tumo and Mary on down and uh it
was a great experience. >> I didn't quite get to Doylestown but I went to Philadelphia. Uh, I have some things that I'm going to hand out and uh, since some of that development is taking place near Malaga Lake, I thought it would be nice to have a red Swedish fish.
>> Well, I want a couple of them. >> And not only am I giving you that, Jake, but I'm giving this to the entire council committee. It's also a box of Smarties. >> You know, I'm diabetic. I'm diabetic, right, Harry? >> Is this being attempted murder, Matt?
You have a box of Smarties, which I'm sure will help your IQ's. Not that many of you need it. And you'll also have the red fish, but they symbolize the red herring. And I I think some of you know what a red herring is. A red herring is when you pretend to do something, but
you really want to do something else. Or it's like watching the quiz show with a double whammy. We're not only going to get affordable housing, which is just a means to an end to get the warehouses, but we're also going to get the warehouses. And I thought that again, Mr. Doyle's comments at the end of the
meeting were so well taken. You wouldn't have known whether the professionals had been replaced on the basis of them retiring or them being shown the door. Mr. Doyle's comments made it perfectly clear. He said, "Welcome to all the new
professionals. I hope you do a good job. If you do, we'll see you again here next year. Well, Tim, that applies to the township committeemen as well. I hope you have a good year. I hope you do a good job because otherwise you're not going to be here next year. And the nice thing that's up to the people,
>> that's why you're not involved anymore, Harry. >> Frank, you know, the difference is Tim, I ran 13 times and one >> took all you can carry, Harry. >> Timmy, Timmy, Timmy, if Nick Dilvio wasn't on the ticket, Tim, your ass would have belonged to God. But he was it was a great curse. He can't curse.
>> I know. I know he can't hear. But >> here's the red herring. >> He can't hear. >> Here is the red herring. The red herring is the nice little ploy. >> You brought in the nice new engineer. I guess the last one didn't do a good job. Nice new engineer comes from Washington
Township and is a nice contributor to the Democrat state senator. You're going to need his help when you want that traffic light. Because if you don't have a traffic light there, you don't have a turnaround for trucks, you don't have that 15 to 20 lowcost housing, you're
not going to get your industrial development on the west side of 55. It doesn't take a genius to figure it out. You guys tip your hand when you start messing around with a house that's been there for 50 years and you suddenly
discover it's on township ground. You sort of give away what your play really is. And again, Mr. Finley is nothing if not obvious with the Arbuckle case. And all you're doing is playing Mr. Wall, Mr. Gersburg's game and you're giving
Franklin Township again possibly if they have their way both lowcost housing and an industrial park probably as Jake says. Nice move. But here's here's the rub. Most towns fight it like hell. They
don't try to accommodate it by sending their administrator to negotiate. They don't take checks from developers. They don't continue to have conversations with developers. They don't do what's best for the developer and not what's
best for the town. I hope all of you are sitting here next year and I hope you're all doing a good job. My gift to everybody here tonight is a little red fish to take home to remember tonight. Thanks guys. Have a good week. >> I'm still waiting for your own body.
Good evening. My name 3200 Street. I apologize again for my voice as the coffee >> better a little bit better if I can if I can keep talking. um as I've been here uh before you uh the past couple of months um that I believe that
there's an issue in your code that is being either applied incorrectly, interpreted incorrectly, change of interpretation. Okay. Um that is causing your regular homeowners who have pre-existing how undersized lots of record for which
there is a grandfather's laws that is now being said by Mr. Bell. I believe he's still the zoning officer. >> Correct. >> Um, who says that it no longer applies or it doesn't apply >> and I cannot ask him the question. So, I
don't know how to get an answer until I stand before the zoning committee. So therefore, I have to do all the variance paperwork, that extra box of toner, the 15 copies of everything, which I just had to redo redo because the
township and the zoning engineer, Mr. Schwed Shidig I'm sorry for that has determined that the pre-existing ADA deck that has been on the house since 2020 2009 now infringes on the setback.
So now I have to do a second variant. So I just finished all that paperwork today. 15 copies again notorized. Um, and I'm I'm quite frustrated because I can't find out why the um 25391,
which appears to give a variance for those pre-existing locations, why it doesn't work. And I'm not allowed to ask that question until February 3rd when I'm on the docket because there's no up and comment zoning and you put on supposed to talk to attorneys apparently. At least that's my understanding. So, if you guys have a
better answer for that, I really would like to know that. I did see the agenda and you are on the agenda. >> I know. I know. But I remember don't forget you have to pay the money first to the attorney who gets to make the decision, who's doing the review, and
then the engineer can come up with more stuff when I believe I shouldn't have had to go through any of it. Okay. But I believe that there's been a new interpretation and I don't know which board or how to have this conversation with somebody. I will be prepared on the
3rd of February, of course. Okay. Um hopefully I'll have a better voice. I see as I have researched this more and more over the last couple of months, I'm finding more and more inconsistencies that support the fact that 253
91 should be used for this and we should not be cobbled in with 253, 133, and 134. Okay? or though perhaps the intent of those other that 2007 ordinance was for new construction.
I don't know. It doesn't specifically say it, but then there's a comment at the um in 2013 when they did the township um master plan when they reviewed the master plan and it talks about undersized locks that
had permission to to do things even though there's a 1acre minimum added to the code in 2007. So something's not the same. You would think once 2007 you have 1 acre minimum and that supposedly now applies for the whole township
including the undersized lots where you cannot buy more properties. This isn't like 2010. Um I don't know if you guys have seen that subdivision map. It's the only subdivision that has been done was in 2010 and people will buy a few pieces here and there. They were nice and small
20 by 100. Okay. And then they accumulated them. Okay. in 1967 was the first time on the tax planning map that those lots came to be what we understand today. Okay, so it's a long time from 1910 to
1967. The plot lot that we are on has was consolidated in that tax plan all the pieces. Um Mr. Fiorella, I was quite frustrated in December when you ruled against the 1 acre um about removing the
1acre uh requirement. I think we made the right decision. Okay. I think that was correct because we need in order to preserve our space and to keep it the kind of community we need that 1acre minimum, but I think that should be for new construction. I
don't think that should be for underserved lots. And I believe that this which I will give each of you a copy. >> Can I ask you a question? Yes, sir. >> You were saying 25390. I didn't get everything. I couldn't write down everything. You were saying >> 253, 133, and 134. >> 133.
>> No, this is the 134. >> Okay. But you were saying you you you thought the 133 and the 134 should supersede this or something is what you were saying. >> No, I'm not saying anything. I think that this should I think that this should still stand in light of >> whatever happened to me.
>> You didn't bring us any candy, >> huh? >> You didn't bring us any candy. My candy. I'm diabetic. >> I like Swedish fish that come from Sweden. Not Canada. >> How did we know this came from Canada? He would had to he would have to pay a tariff. >> Selling it. >> Did you pay a tariff for those fish?
Harry. >> All right. >> Thank you, miss. >> I will be at the at the next meeting. Like I said, thank you, Mr. Fella. You did >> zoning, right? You have zoning on the first zoning last. >> No, but you'll be February, >> right? And I will be at whatever meeting is next week. So that >> planning board >> planning board
>> planning board >> because I'm not sure who writes this stuff because Mr. um Shundai told me >> when I was on the when he was informing me that I have a cease and desist and all kinds of stuff that was just out of control that the zoning board only
executes. They're they're the judge and the and the exe. >> They're the only ones that can grant you relief. >> I understand that. But who rewrites the code? >> Who fixes when things are misinterpreted? master plan. That would be that would be the planning board and attention committee.
>> Okay. So, I'll be here next week. >> She agreed with you. >> She hated you and then she that's >> just very Nancy Kennedy 7-Eleven St. George Street. So, I think it was between Christmas and New Year. ran into
not literally, figuratively, uh, our head of the DDW in ShopRight. And coincidentally, very recently on Facebook, I noted that a resident posted a compliment to officer Tom Ramone. And the resident noted that unfortunately,
we all tend to speak up when we're upset and not when we're happy with how things are going. So, I just wanted to take a second and say I have never in my almost 50 years in Franklin Township had a problem with our police department. I have never in my almost 50 years in
Franklin Township had a problem with our DBW. In fact, today Charles Simmons almost reduced me to tears with his level of kindness. Just a phenomenal phenomenal human being. So, I did want to share that with the public. Uh, and then as I was listening to the exchange between Mr. Dell and Mr. Kennedy, I
thought of a story I used to hear growing up, uh, where the chicken and the pig wanted to get together and make a really fun breakfast for a farmer. And the chicken said to the pig, "It'll be great. Everybody will love it." And the pig said, "Well, I got a little problem
here cuz with that kind of breakfast, you're involved, but I'm committed." And in Franklin Township, another thing that I've seen in my almost 50 years got it. >> Boy, do we have a lot of committed residents. And anybody who attended the last zoning board is well aware of that. People in Franklin Township when they're
involved, they're involved. They're committed. And I am grateful to live in a community like that. I look forward to 2026 and seeing what the very, very committed residents in this town, some of whom who are fifth generation, have never lost an election in Franklin, will
do going forward. And again, most importantly truly, thank you Matt and thank you Mr. Nichols. Right. I didn't even know his name, but he probably I was going to jump on him at Shot, right? Phenomenal. Thank you. >> Hi, 491 Avenue. Have one question. Do
any of you guys buy this land that's going to possibly be developed >> like a mile down the road? How do you feel about it? >> Uh, I'm against all overdevelopment of Frankal. I preserve more land in this town than anybody. So I'm a farmer. I'm not looking to build
>> any other guys saying >> the problem is you have to talk to the guys in Trenton. All this stuff's coming from the state and we're doing our best to fight it >> and that's the reality. >> Okay. So you are trying to keep them whatever you >> It took us eight years to decide the
first 10 year round. >> Yeah. Because I know this happened years ago. >> I think we were the last town in the state to settle. So the thought that we're >> houses behind me is a great thing. and I wish to finish my life out here without looking at any houses. >> But, you know, storm water mandates,
tree ordinances, uh, affordable housing, this all comes from from Trent. >> And and how many sections of Franklin Township do they plan on putting this in besides Oak is there something on Marshall Mill and Fries Mill and >> Pennsylvania?
>> Pennsylvania. >> Pennsylvania. >> And Fries Mill >> and Oak. Well, I hope you guys really go to bat for us because we really don't want development in this town. >> Yeah, I don't I don't think there's a person up here that wants us here. >> Okay, just making sure you're all on the
same page. We're up. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> I had to ask you a question. We'd go on top of the traffic that's involved in storm water. >> It's Harry's idea. Yeah, >> it's a state road, so we wouldn't have
any say over a light. >> Storm water and stuff that's starting to flood both ends. >> Both ends of what? Try to fix it. >> Both ends of Oak. >> Yeah, Oak AB and everything. The first road that cuts back to the package.
Yeah. line. >> Yeah. I mean, if we could if you could give me a list, there's some pics of areas we could have DPW. >> Is it a new problem or is something that's been that way forever? >> It's been for a long time.
>> There's no curb and sidewalk there. >> There's no curb sidewalk inlets there. So, it's >> Is it Is it an inlet with nowhere? Is it just a hole in the ground? street vacation.
>> Oh, so the inlets are clean and working, >> right? >> No, >> Brian was saying that the inlets uh tie into the lake. If the leak level rises, the water drains slower. Yeah, they could be clogged and then you
get fall leaves, you know, a pile of leaf gets pushed in there. >> It's part of our storm water maintenance. So, >> we'll we'll uh check the inlets in that area. >> All right. Thank Scott Brown, 149 Old Marshall Mill Road,
Malica. No stories, no candies. As a matter of fact, as though I moved here from South Philly, I'd never pet a farm animal in my life. So no animals, too much information to pass on. Um, mayor, you're you're happy to know that your veterans
advisory commission is alive and well. I appreciate I say that with good with good aspects. There's eight members, three from the old committee and, uh, uh, five um, other veterans. So, it's eight members total, seven combat, three total and permanent, which you voted obviously for our secretary today
because total permanent. Um, and uh, we have a veteran of far more female from our township who's a decorated veteran. She's also on the committee. Um um and as the first of the year, we hit the ground running. We had 26 Boy Scouts come out January 2nd and retire 7,000 uh
torn or used flags the proper way. The kids were excited. They learned from the veterans help. Please don't drop them in a fire. We took some pictures here down by the lake. We um we got two veterans who were housebound. Uh we got they were on the list for Habitat for Humanity,
but because of their service to the country and their decorated medals, they get advanced up. So now um two of our um township houses now have ramps on them. So the veterans and we've got them uh free uh motor uh seats. Thursdays at the BFW we have the food pantry up and
running uh every Thursday 12 to 4. And um we are in the process of putting the book together for local businesses that give a veterans discount. A lot of the townships do that so that people know when they come because we have over um we're over 6% of the state with veterans
and there's over 140 104 total and permanent and over 164 disabled vets of some kind. So it's important that we get them something to check. Uh we've also set up um a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient and the book P George Michael to come to the library to bring
attention to the veterans and veterans committee. That being said, unfortunately, we didn't make the calendar. So, I wanted to get on the public knowledge that we'll meet on the third Wednesdays of every other month starting January at DFW in
Franklinville. That's post 2071, which is down the road 2179 third Wednesday every other month. >> Every other month. So, it will be January. >> Man, we can put that on the calendar, right? >> We can. Yeah. January 21st, March 18th, May 20th, July 15th, September 16th, and
November 18th. Um, and that's important for any veteran who wants to know he or she's benefits for family members from caretakers. Um, the two of us uh on that committee have done over 3,000 claims um which is right now holds their record
for u disability because veterans don't know of their benefits that they can have. So, that's important. and we'll have the VA come in and and meet with the family members. Any questions or get our the word out that the meetings will happen um because of the was a delay with the calendar. But so it's it's
important that you if you know any veterans, caretakers, people who don't think they're eligible for something, there is benefits out there more and more uh every day. So spread spread the word. So again, no candy, no farm animals, but something good. >> Thank you for your app. Drink some candy
next time. Now lead the farm animals home. >> Oh my 67 thought of a question. You're talking about the dreams. Dreams the business that had to be installed when they were building the dollar store for example is
loaded with debris. I've cleaned it out a couple times but it's full of dirt. Is that our the town's responsibility to clean it or is that the business that had been put in? >> Is it is it on the highway? >> No. No. This This one's on our road. This is one of the reasons why our road floods the ones I've seen pictures. >> It would be if it's on a township road,
it be a town. That's a township road. I'm not trying to >> Are they clogged? >> Are they clogged now? >> This one's completely full. >> Are they going into to the one across the street? >> The pond that's already overfilled all >> Well, that's the problem. I mean, we can clean it, but that's the same problem he's having. If it drains into a lake and the lake's full,
>> right? Which assumed they taken it into the bot and designed when it was made. It wasn't. >> That thing never worked. >> I know. Why was it allowed to drain in there when this was built? We got a a lot of 100year floods. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Meanwhile, it's a drought, but it's still full. >> But it just I mean, the rain the other day flooded our street again. Now, granted, we had an interest.
>> It was a lot of rain quick. >> It was, but still, it shouldn't happen. It should be able to compensate and handle it as by design, and it wasn't. The residents weren't protected when it was built, but again, that needs to be better down the road. Uh, we had a podium here for the zoning board meeting. I'm wondering why we don't have it today.
>> Did they have a podium? >> Yeah. >> Where did he get a podium? >> I guess they rank higher than you guys. I don't know. Maybe it was spring around podium day. >> Well, it was nice because that would you could actually have people could put their paperwork in. >> You don't have any paperwork. >> Where did we get the paper? >> Thank you for staying off.
>> We have a podium. >> I think somebody else brought that with them. >> It might have been the engineers or easels and stuff. I was there. >> I said the last time I asked him about it was mostly forthcoming. I even ordered one from IKEA for them.
>> Bring some of them meatballs from IKEA. Little Swedish meatballs. Well, either way, it's something that be nice for the residents to have. Uh, the other question I have is I had asked about the I don't want to call it junk or the yard of junk behind the Malaga diner or the Jersey diner that hopefully will be soon. >> I was told that, you know, from Mr.
Finley last time that the is an LLC that you couldn't go after for contempt of court. That is that's inacurate. I found court cases all over the state. Uh, >> that's not what I said. That's not what I said. So, again, why don't you state the straight facts? They were in court. They were in court and they were found
guilty. They have not paid, right? >> They have other summones issued against them and they're pending municipal court action again. >> And it was it was asked by Mr. Marsh, could you hold in contempt? You said no because now I'll see >> I think it was he asked if you can lock them up or something lock them up.
>> They can't bench warrant against >> you can bench warrant against anybody that I found that all over the state where you can't go after the personal holdings because of the LLC, but you can go after them if they have failed to show up in court. an LLC.
I don't think you take custody of an LLC. That's >> No, you can't do the individual that is with it. >> I don't think Jackie >> if the judgement is against the individual. >> I don't think we can instruct the judge on what to do. Actually, >> well, it comes down to ask a request and at that point in time it is up to the judge to do it and I'm guessing the
judge denied it. Is that what happened? So, you put the request in. >> He fined him. That's that's all he said and left it at that and said if he doesn't clean it up or whatever to summons him again and we'll be back here again. That's where we're at. >> Okay. So you not asking for them to be
able to help be held. That's what it sounds like these towns have done when you read through some of the different law cases of it where the actual administrator or the committee had actually asked for the gentleman that didn't show up for court because you know at that point holding content >> may not be ripe yet. So if there was an
order issued by the judge and they the cycle of bringing them back in court may not have happened yet and they're brought back as soon as they show up further penalties. >> I know we were two years with with some of the other eventual offenders and
repeatedly we were told by all our representation that it's the process and all you know once it's in the courts it it drags on. >> I don't even lock up criminals anymore. I mean I I I I it's agree with you. It's frustrating sitting up here.
>> You got a diner that's put all this money out there. >> What's that? >> Something like a should be. There's got to be a way of doing it better than >> Oh, look. >> Can you do that?
>> Cindy, better name is Mrs. Oak. Mr. I remember you called me that one time. So, I wanted to correct you that uh I I'm really pleased tonight to hear the interest in my neighborhood and uh one that area was a flood, you know, without
houses to be built and laid back and that's really when even more flooding occurred. Part of the problem was not under it happened years before 35 years I've been there. It happened before then because
unfortunately um drains weren't put in properly. There was you know a little bit of hodgepodge from the builders who were there and then through the years the township has put properties up for sale and a lot of people pick it up then they put a house in it. They went over
the basement and then more water happened to didn't come in. That one alien where Green didn't come in. It got so bad to be honest with you, I did my best to get my husband elected. Okay. Um to the school board and then we jumped
into the for a very short state. We were able to get Frank Sclli to take a look at it cuz he was an engineer at that time. and they finally put a pumpk station over there and then had to buy some property and get it back into the
lake. And I'm going to be honest with you, Mike, you may remember they actually one time one of our police bars was underwater >> out there. Okay. >> Is the still there? >> Yes. >> No, but that's how bad it gets when he's
talking about. >> Yeah, I haven't seen that. I haven't been on that. I mean in the after the after the pump went in it got much better. it would, you know, just matter of making sure that that floats is is doing the job it is. But sometimes I don't know if it's just the power goes
out or what happens, but you know what I'm saying? They are our guys from DPW that have flipped the switch. I think the statement it's kind of that kind of mentality of of they put a band-aid on it to make it work and it works. Okay. But if it doesn't, the power's out or there's a problem then then they got to
be after pretty much do all that. So I just wanted to bring you up to speed. I I didn't realize. >> Well, I mean, it might be I was talking to J. It might be possible maybe install a higher volume pump >> if there was already a pump there. You know what I mean? >> Well, she's saying that power going out
was the problem. >> But honest, a lot of people people put basement in there. We shouldn't have put basement in there. We should have been on slabs. That's what I'm saying. Some of this ground, you know, got sold because somebody said, "Oh, that's a good you can just build a house here." and that area really wasn't was
considered flooded. >> I know with the latest stormware ordinance, there is something in there about basement and and flood zones and things like that. So, >> yeah. And it applies to single family homes where before they weren't doing a subdivision, >> they could just kind of do almost whatever they wanted. But we get a lot
of complaints now because >> each each you're building a single family home, you have to put your own little retention basin in, pipe your gutters, and that's part of the reason. >> Yeah. Um, as far as the uh, you know, I'm pleased to hear that everybody's doing their investigation reporting.
I've not hire them. They all know everything about who is, you know, I did get a phone call where somebody said to me saying, you know, we all get letters, but it wasn't on my side of the street. It was on the other side of the street. So, basically, uh, between Oak and 55 is
where there has always been that. But again, the township sells the property. The town should decide what's going on with shopping. And to be honest with you, I'd like to see if you know it won't have impact as they have pointed out in your schools and preserve those
kinds of >> we preserve. We don't turn anybody away. >> Ralph sends letters out trying the preserve. I know everybody tells itself you don't have to have better values of
preserving that anything. The other thing when we were at here is really important when crowds also the same thing. You're going to pollute our water. You know, you're going to you're going to come in here and you're going to, you know, put cars in that are going to eventually, you know, affect all you
want water and sewer. So, if you don't want to end up like dolphin, they're going to bring it in. Preserve it. >> You got to get the land owners to agree. I'm hoping we can meet more people and really honestly nature and all that because I don't
preserve more land probably than any other county in Glouester County. >> Yeah. And by the way, the one lady who was here um she had talked about she had been there at Malaga by firehouse and that area used to be she talked about how small the properties were. That area
historically is it was the Malaga Glass Works and so they just cut it afterwards. All that area was in this in this town. >> Route 40 went right through there. >> Yes, it did. >> Thanks. >> How about Marshall? Thank you.
>> Been here a long time. >> Just a couple things. I wanted to mention even if a property owner doesn't wish to preserve their farmland, you know, something like the solar field that was proposed on that property would
still have not been low-income housing. But this township through the planning board, I believe the township committee was also the main party mitigated it to prevent a solar field, a highly ratable commercial use that had
minimal impact. >> How's that ratable? Solar panels aren't ratable. >> Incorrect. They're not ratable on residential. They certainly are on commercial. So, you had a highly ratable development that had minimal impact on the community that is considered inherently beneficial and we drove them
out of town ferociously. We could not have solar panels on that field. And now we will potentially have >> Do do you really think later we drove them out of there? >> They never applied. You really believe that? >> They never applied. You really believe that? All they had to do,
>> you can look up the case. >> They appealed the zoning board, right? You drove them out. >> You litigated them out. >> They weren't ever get they weren't ever getting that transmission access that right away. You had the chance because the township spent its resources, its
money to make sure it would never happen. Tell me you didn't have a lawyer. They didn't appeal the decision of Judge Telsey. in compiance. We went to the court of appeals to keep solar panels off of that field >> because they didn't want to go to the zoning board. >> They went to the peritt for an
interpretation. They the planning board rejected it. They challenged it. They won in court and then the planning board and the township committee decided they're going to appeal that to the appeals court. That's how badly he didn't want solar panels on that field. Now you deal with
the consequences. I'd like you to take the same aggressive latigious approach to uh help, you know, to these companies that want to come in and do the affordable housing. We'll see if you do or if then you'll decide that we don't want to spend the money on mitigation.
The state told us we had to whatever whatever excuse is convenient at the moment. You know, that's how it feels. That's how it feels like it's being done from out here. It's just my opinion. Kevin Kevin Kelt.
Um Cindy brought up something in reference to uh um o open space preservation which I think is extremely important. We mentioned about private land owners and farmers preserving their land.
But we never mentioned that Franklin Township as a town owns their own open space and land of which is which had which in the
past you guys have authorized for sale to special interest and developers and and land >> open public auction not >> public auction. Yeah, >> we don't have to do that. We could preserve it and put it in our open space
here in Franklin Township and it cost us nothing other than filing fees. Why do we have to sell all of our open space? What's the answer to that, Mayor Bruno? >> What what what was your question? >> Why do we sell all our open space with
that the township already owns? We're not talking about private land owners. We haven't sold open space. >> What have we sold that's open space? >> I think uh >> you think or do you know?
>> Are you assuming or through auction through through bid through the big part >> that wasn't like big parcels of open space? >> Well, that what about the 75 acres up by the power lines that Copart wanted wanted to put? probably the only larger
parcel that we sold. >> Well, there there have been others. >> Have you driven past Malaga Lake Park? When we got here, we had a bunch of properties that weren't part people were lined up to complain about the parks. So, it being an adult, you can only afford so many things. Okay? So, you
can't afford to maintain a thousand acres or you can maintain 500. >> So, you leave it go. It grows wild. >> You don't have to maintain woods. I live next to Pine Hollow Preserve for year for years. Four-wheelers, trash, dams,
beavers, DPW back there, spending tons of money and time. It doesn't just grow wild. Well, we have the land instead of selling it and then put up with all these COA problems. We don't have to do that. And as far as
the the uh what is this uh COA lawsuit? who who was uh sitting in on on those meetings and and who was bringing the the suit to the township against the township. >> Who was sitting in on the meetings was
the uh the code attorney, right? >> Who was that? >> San Angelo Tara. >> Okay. Is that just attorney who represents the township >> in that matter? correct for color.
>> Well, I I hope that uh I hope you guys fight uh the state on this. Um thank you. Can >> I get a motion to close the second public portion? >> Motion to close. >> Second.
>> All those in favor? I >> committee reports. Mike I just want to touch a little bit on the KOA thing. I don't I can't speak for everyone here, but uh I've been here my whole life in Franklin Township. I don't want it blown up. I don't want it to look like another Washington township.
Um but like I said, elections have consequences and people in New Jersey voted the Democrats in and they're the ones pushing this agenda, not us. We're a very conservative group up here and we don't want excessive building. Affordable housing, yes, everyone should have affordable housing. Excessive
housing, built big houses, no. Absolutely not. I'm against it and I don't think anyone on this board is going to vote for it. That's my comment. Thank you, Mark. >> Yeah, we haven't had any meetings since the last one. I I just want to go off with Mike said because I know it's kind of frustrating to sit up here and there
be litigation and you not really be able to comment on the litigation and you know um without ramifications from that. But I will say that I will speak for everyone up here because I've spoken to everybody about this. Um we are not for
this. this. I ran to keep Franklin Township Franklin Township and keep it as rural as possible. That's why I ran for my office. Um, like Mike said, um, we live in the state of New Jersey. So, I think a lot of residents don't really
realize the confines that we have on ourselves as a township in the state of New Jersey as far as laws being passed and everything else. Um, I mean, you guys can look into the the the fourth round of this, but the whole
legal structure of even being able to defend against this has changed as a township. Like the recourse you have as a town to fight in courts, the state of New Jersey on that whole structure has changed. They have their own court.
>> Um, so like Mike said, you know, he's not I'm going to speak for everyone. Everybody here doesn't want this. Okay, I can't comment on this case specifically, but generally speaking, this is not something any of us want.
And that that's that's the main reason why I'm up here. Um, as far as other things that are said, people who know people who I don't know any of these people. Um, so I'm just I'm I'm tired of the vagaries
of these connections that I don't know that exists. All I can say is that the main reason why I ran is to keep this place as rural as possible. And that's what I'm trying to do. Um, we have to accept what we have to accept from the state.
So to say, oh, fight them in court. Okay, how many hundreds of thousands of dollars is that going to cost to fight them in court? because that's your tax money to fight them. So, so what are we going to do?
We're all trying to make the best decisions we can. Um, again, I can speak for everyone up here. I don't know of anybody who really is is getting anything personally out of this job other than criticized. >> Yeah. >> Um,
>> I have fish and some artists. Um, so yeah, again, if anyone I mean we're going into a closed session, so I don't know if you guys want to stick around or not. I'd be glad to talk to anybody individually about this, but um
that's just the way I feel. So, thanks for your time, Mr. Mayor. >> Mr. Keane. >> Yeah, I guess um adding to that, you know, it is you can't have your cake and eat it too, right? Like um we have to go
through litigation. We have to have these conversations about COA. And at the end of the day, I'm not pro this. I'm not looking to develop any of this. I don't have a business in town. I'm not a developer. I'm not in preserving, you
know, I'm not a farmer or anything. I'm just a corporate guy. I have one family member who lives in town. So, I don't have special interests personally. But when I got involved, I wanted to keep this place, you know, as rural as possible. like I I spoke to that Mark.
So Mark speaks for me. I live over on Sheridan Avenue and so if anybody's familiar with the area of Sheridan Avenue um it's right across the street it there's Jan Beer and then across from Jan Deier there's Peach Tree Court with a lot of million-dollar houses. You
drive through them, you'll get to the small ones. That's where I live. And that big development was put in when I was a kid. >> Drive by Mike's house. >> Yeah. Yeah. that big development was put in when I was a uh when I was a kid and
I was I don't know how old, but that used to be woods, right? There used to be tons of woods. I think growing up I might have still had a dirt road on Sheridan Avenue or I've seen pictures of the dirt road that my uh my parents grew up on on Sheridan Avenue. I've been in
here for 80 years and my family's been here for 80 years. Uh I'm not pro COA. I'm pro doing what we have to do in order to not be absolutely slammed and destroyed by the state and the things
that the state does with the tree ordinance. That was a big issue last year. But if we didn't adopt the tree ordinance, we would lose our storm water permitting, which meant that we would have a whole bunch of construction issues, no ability to build, everybody would be backed up in the zoning office,
DPW would have issues with storm water. And when it comes to preserving land and land sales, it's like, do I want to preserve land? Yes, I do. But do I want to raise taxes? No, I don't. And so I can't just preserve everything, give the
police the raises that they deserve, not raise taxes for everybody. There's every decision that is made up here, we try to do our very, very best. This is one of those decisions where we are all on board with keeping the township as rural
as possible. We really do mean that. I have no nothing in my heart and that's wants to go out and just level fields and put houses behind anybody's property. I have a property that was in my um personal story. Now I'm going off
on a tangent, but I have a I had a property that was in my um family for 80 years. They broke it up as a parcel. it went to um the township took it because it was deemed undeveloped uh undevelopable and my family did not pay
the taxes on it. Fast forward like 25 years later, it was a it's now a developable lot or and it has a uh it was put up for land sale. Somebody bought it. Um that person offered it to me and you know fairly enough. I said I can't afford fair market value and they sold for fair market value. I'm
comfortable with that person. Um but now I have a house behind me that was never there before. I have two houses to the left of me that was never there before. I have a development on the end of on both ends of Sheridan down Lincoln and across the street from me that was never there before. So, this is a problem that
I see. It's a problem that I feel. It's something that's personal to me and my family. And um yeah, I'm on board with doing what needs to be done with as little leniency as possible with nothing to gain. Um that's just my personal take
on CO. As far as committees, Mr. Mayor, uh, the finance subcommittee meeting was last Thursday that was postponed and moved to this Thursday. Um, communication meets tomorrow night and we will get to work on adding the veteran um, information onto the the meeting website. >> Think you got some of that, but want to
get all the names. >> Okay. Yeah. So, we'll just make sure that that's uh, fully updated. And um, that's it for me. >> Thank you, John. >> Uh, I was able to attend the last zone board meeting which was uh, actually really nice. The room is packed. A lot
of uh residents were pretty passionate about the application. Um what gets me I've been up here seven years and what gets me is and I used to be guilty of this is the a lot of people how uninformed they are. Like people would say to me, "How can you let these this
junkyard apply? You have to let them apply. It's their right to apply." Nobody was bringing a junkyard in. Nobody was for a junkyard up here or anywhere in the town as far as I know. But it's part of the process. Okay. There was a lady who had a complaint
about going to his own zoning board. That's part of the process. You know, not everything is easy. You know, I you have the same four or five people. It amazes me how you can be against everything. I was criticized for putting leaves on a farm field, for planting
corn, for spreading chicken litter. Uh now, now I'm a developer. There's four or five people that are against anything because they have their own interests. But the people up here are the ones that are actually looking out for the people's interests. You know, there's
nobody here that wants to see this town turn into Williamstown or Washington Township. Nobody. But it's a Democrat state and they're they're writing the rules and they're ramming them down our throat. And affordable housing is not about affordable housing. Nope. It's
about it's for developers. developers have lobbied to use this tool to develop a town. That's what it is. Research it. We didn't make it up. But we also are fighting the state of New Jersey. It's real easy to say you don't want it, but
we don't want it either. The difference is we're the ones that are trying to stick our necks out and figure it out. And we're going to push it off as long as we can. But as they keep stacking the cards against us and changing the rules, the these issues are going to arise. And
it's not anybody up here. And if you had different people up here, honestly, it couldn't be much different because there's only so much you can not do. And that's what this is about. So, it's kind of hard to sit here and be criticized about it when, you know, I preserve more
land in this town than anybody that I know of. I was on the farm board for a decade and watched how hard these guys worked and met millennial owners and shook hands and got people to preserve their farms. I don't know anybody in Franklin that wants more farms than me. I really don't. But yet I'm up when I'm
up here. I'm building warehouses and Swedish fish and Smarties and it's the same from the same people. So I'm sorry everybody has to watch it, but next week we're on to the next scandal. >> Thanks Tim. I I I don't have anything
other than I agree with what Mark and Mike and everybody said up here about affordable housing. Uh you know, it's here. It's it's here and you know, we will fight it and hopefully
we're successful, but you know, I without water and sewer, I I I don't know what it's going to look like. Water and sewer is here, this fight would have been over a long time ago. this would have been over a long time ago.
So, you know, we just have to see what it brings. Like, no, nobody here is for that. Nobody here is for that. So, um with that being said, can I get a motion to go into close
session? >> Motion to go into close session. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I. Again, there will be no action taken. Um, you're more than welcome to hang around. Don't eat the fish.
>> How long you think? >> 15 minutes. >> That's what everybody says. >> 30 minutes. >> 30 minutes. >> We won't check your bill at the end. >> On that one. >> We are recording. >> Are you ready?
Can I get a motion to come out of closed session? >> Motion to come out of closed. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I make a motion to go in the public session. >> Motion to go into public session. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I need a motion to adjurnn. >> Motion to adjurnn.
>> Second. >> All in favor? >> I Motion to close. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I >> resolutions. Can I get a motion to approve resolution 3226 appointing conflict backup prosecutor
for the township of Franklin joint municipal court for the year 2026 pursuant to local public contracts laws. R 3226 >> second >> Mr. Marsh >> yes >> Mr. Fiorella >> yes
>> Mr. Doyle >> yes >> Mr. King >> yes >> Mayor Bernham >> yes resolution 3326 authorizing the mayor and or his designate to sign services contract with the Barber Consulting Services R 3326 >> second
>> Mr. Marsh >> yes >> Mr. Fella >> yes >> Mr. Doyle. >> Yes. >> Mr. Keane, >> yes. >> Mayor Bern, >> yes. Resolution 3426, authorizing refund of developers escrow account. >> Motion R 3426.
>> Second. >> Mr. Marsh. >> Yes. >> Mr. Fella? >> Yes. >> Mr. Doyle? >> Yes. >> Mr. King? >> Yes. >> Mayor Bruno? >> Yes. Resolution 3526 authorizing tax collector to approve a totally disabled
veteran block 4114 lot 3. >> Motion R 3526. >> Second. >> Mr. Marsh. >> Yes. >> Mr. Fella. >> Yes. >> Mr. Doyle. >> Yes. >> Mr. Keane. >> Yes. >> Mayor Bruno. >> Yes. Resolution 3626
appointing Cleo Cole Mcnellis to the position of full-time 2 police officer in the Franklin Township Police Department. Motion R 3626. >> Second. >> Mr. Marsh. >> Yes. >> Mr. Fierella. >> Yes.
>> Mr. Doyle. >> Yes. >> Mr. Keane. >> Yes. >> May Berna. >> Yes. >> Resolution 3726 authorizing township committee to enter to a close session on January 13th, 2026 in reference to color litigation.
>> Motion R 3726. >> Second. >> Mr. Marsh. Yes, >> Mr. Fella. >> Yes, >> Mr. Doyle. >> Yes, >> Mr. King. >> Yes, >> Mayor Bruno. >> Yes. Resolution 3826, authorized administrator and clerk to submit an
award extension request for LA 2024 MA Franklin Township, Gloucester, Williamstown Road improvements to the NJ do motion R 3826. >> Second, >> Mr. Marsh. >> Yes. >> Mr. Ferrella, >> yes. >> Mr. Doyle,
>> yes. >> Mr. Keane, >> yes. Mayor Bernham. >> Yes. And can I get a motion to introduce the following public following ordin uh ordinance public hearing will be on February 10th, 2026. It's ordinance 126
establishing the salary and wages of municipal officials and employees of the township of Franklin. >> Make a motion for 0126. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Taking a motion to open the second public to close the second public portion. >> Motion to close.
>> Second. All those in favor I >> committee reports. Mike, >> I just want to touch a little bit on the COA thing. I don't I can't speak for everyone here, but uh been here my whole life in Franklin Township. I don't want it blown up. I don't want it to look like another Washington Township. Um but
like I said, elections have consequences and people in New Jersey voted the Democrats in and they're the ones pushing this agenda, not us. We're a very conservative group up here and we don't want excessive building. Affordable housing, yes. Everyone should have affordable housing. Excessive housing, build big houses, no.
Absolutely not. I'm against it and I don't think anyone on this board is going to vote for it. That's my comment. Thank you, Mark. >> Yeah, we haven't had any meetings since the last one. I I just want to go off what Mike said because I know it's kind of frustrating to sit up here and there be litigation and you not really be able
to comment on the litigation and, you know, um without ramifications from that. But I will say that I will speak for everyone up here because I've spoken to everybody about this. Um, we are not for this. This I ran to keep Franklin
Township Franklin Township and keep it as rural as possible. That's why I ran for my office. Um, like Mike said, um, we live in the state of New Jersey. So, I think a lot of residents don't really realize the confines that we have on
ourselves as a township in the state of New Jersey. as far as laws being passed and everything else. Um, I mean, you guys can look into the the the fourth round of this, but the whole legal structure of even being able to
defend against this has changed as a township. Like, the recourse you have as a town to fight in courts, the state of New Jersey on that whole structure has changed. >> They have their own court. Um,
so like Mike said, you know, he's not I'm going to speak for everyone. Everybody here doesn't want this. Okay, I can't comment on this case specifically, but generally speaking, this is not something any of us want.
And that that's that's the main reason why I'm up here. Um, as far as other things that are said, people who know people who I don't know any of these people. Um, so I I'm just I'm I'm tired of the vagaries
of these connections that I don't know that exists. All I can say is that the main reason why I ran is to keep this place as rural as possible. And that's what I'm trying to do. Um, we have to accept what we have to accept from the state.
So to say, oh, fight them in court. Okay. How many hundreds of thousands of dollars is that going to cost to fight them in court? because that's your tax money to fight them. So, so what are we going to do?
We're all trying to make the best decisions we can. Um, again, I can speak for everyone up here. I don't know of anybody who really is is getting anything personally out of this job other than criticized. >> Yeah. >> Um,
>> I have fish. >> I'm smart. Um, so yeah, again, if anyone I mean we're going into close session, so I don't know if you guys want to stick around or not. I'd be glad to talk to anybody individually about this, but um
that's just the way I feel. So, thanks for your time, Mr. Mayor. >> Mr. Keane. >> Yeah, I guess um adding to that, you know, it is you can't have your cake and eat it too, right? Like um we have to go
through litigation. We have to have these conversations about COA. And at the end of the day, I'm not pro this. I'm not looking to develop any of this. I don't have a business in town. I'm not a developer. I'm not in preserving, you
know, I'm not a farmer or anything. I'm just a corporate guy. I have one family member who lives in town. So, I don't have special interests personally. But when I got involved, I wanted to keep this place, you know, as rural as possible. like I I spoke to that Mark.
So Mark speaks for me. I live over on Sheridan Avenue and so if anybody's familiar with the area of Sheridan Avenue um it's right across the street it there's Janvir and then across from Janvier there's Peach Tree Court with a lot of million-dollar houses. You drive
through them, you'll get to the small ones. That's where I live. And that big development was put in when I was a kid. >> Drive by Mike's house. >> Yeah. Yeah. that big development was put in when I was a uh when I was a kid and I was I don't know how old, but that
used to be woods, right? There used to be tons of woods. I think growing up I might have still had a dirt road on Sheridan Avenue or I've seen pictures of the dirt road that my uh my parents grew up on on Sheridan Avenue. I've been in here for 80 years and my family's been
here for 80 years. I'm not pro COA. I'm pro doing what we have to do in order to not be absolutely slammed and destroyed by the state and the things that the state does with the
tree ordinance. That was a big issue last year. But if we didn't adopt the tree ordinance, we would lose our storm water permitting, which meant that we would have a whole bunch of construction issues, no ability to build, everybody would be backed up in the zoning office, DPW would have issues with storm water.
And when it comes to preserving land and land sales, it's like, do I want to preserve land? Yes, I do. But do I want to raise taxes? No, I don't. And so I can't just preserve everything, give the police the raises that they deserve, not
raise taxes for everybody. There's every decision that is made up here, we try to do our very, very best. This is one of those decisions where we are all on board with keeping the township as rural as possible. We really do mean that. I
have no nothing in my heart and that's wants to go out and just level fields and put houses behind anybody's property. I have a property that was in my um personal story. Now I'm going off on a tangent, but I have a I had a
property that was in my um family for 80 years. They broke it up as a parcel. it went to um the township took it because it was deemed undeveloped uh undevelopable and my family did not pay the taxes on it. Fast forward like 25
years later, it was a it's now a developable lot. Well, and it has a uh it was put up for land sale. Somebody bought it. Um that person offered it to me and you know, fairly enough. I said, "I can't afford fair market value." And they sold for fair market value. I'm comfortable with that person. Um but now
I have a house behind me that was never there before. I have two houses to the left of me that was never there before. I have a development on the end of on both ends of Sheridan down Lincoln and across the street from me that was never there before. So, this is a problem that I see. It's a problem that I feel. It's
something that's personal to me and my family. And um yeah, I'm on board with doing what needs to be done with as little leniency as possible with nothing to gain. Um that's just my personal take on CO. As far as committees, Mr. mayor.
Uh the finance subcommittee meeting was last Thursday that was postponed and moved to this Thursday. Um communication meets tomorrow night and we will get to work on adding the veteran um information onto the the meeting website. I >> think she got some of the to get all the names.
>> Okay. Yeah. So, we'll just make sure that that's uh fully updated and um that's it for me. >> Thank you, John. >> Uh I was able to attend the last zoning board meeting which was uh actually really nice. The room is packed. A lot
of uh residents were pretty passionate about the application. Um what gets me I've been up here seven years and what gets me is and I used to be guilty of this is the a lot of people how uninformed they are. Like I people would say to me, "How can you let these this
junkyard apply? You have to let them apply. It's their right to apply." Nobody was bringing a junkyard in. Nobody was for a junkyard up here or anywhere in the town as far as I know. But it's part of the process. Okay. There was a a lady who had a complaint
about going to the zoning board. That's part of the process. You know, not everything is easy. You know, I you have the same four or five people. It amazes me how you can be against everything. I was criticized for putting leaves on a
farm field, for planting corn, for spreading chicken litter. Uh now, now I'm a developer. There's four or five people that are against anything because they have their own interests. But the people up here are the ones that are actually looking out for the people's
interests. You know, there's nobody here that wants to see this town turn into Williamstown or Washington Township. Nobody. But it's a Democrat state and they're they're writing the rules and they're ramming them down our throat. And affordable housing is not about
affordable housing. Nope. It's about it's for developers. developers have lobbied to use this tool to develop a talent. That's what it is. Research it. We didn't make it up. But we also are fighting the state of New Jersey. It's
real easy to say you don't want it, but we don't want it either. The difference is we're the ones that are trying to stick our necks out and figure it out. And we're going to push it off as long as we can. But as they keep stacking the cards against us and changing the rules,
the these issues are going to arise. And it's not anybody up here. And if you had different people up here, honestly, it couldn't be much different because there's only so much you cannot do. And that's what this is about. So, it's kind of hard to sit here and be criticized
about it when, you know, I preserve more land in this town than anybody that I know of. I was on the farm board for a decade and watched how hard these guys worked and met millennial owners and shook hands and got people to preserve their farms. I don't know anybody in Franklin that wants more farms than me.
I really don't. But yet I'm up when I'm up here. I'm building warehouses and Swedish fish and Smarties and it's the same from the same people. So I'm sorry everybody has to watch it, but next week we'll on to the next scandal.
>> Thanks Tim. I I I don't have anything other than I agree with what Mark and Mike and everybody said up here about affordable housing. Uh you know, it's here. It's it's here and
you know, we will fight it and hopefully we're successful, but you know, I without water and sewer, I I I don't know what it's going to look like. Water and sewer is here. This fight would have been over a long time ago. This would have been over a long time
ago. So, you know, we just have to see what it brings. Like, no, nobody here is for that. Nobody here is for that. So, um, with that being said,
can I get a motion to go into close session? >> Motion to go into close session. >> Second. All those in favor? >> I. >> Again, there will be no action taken. Um, you're more than welcome to hang around. Don't eat the fish.
>> How long you think? >> 15 minutes. >> That's what everybody says. >> 30 minutes. >> 30 minutes. >> We won't check your bill at the end. >> We are recording. >> You ready? Can I get a motion to come out of close session? >> Motion to come out of closed.
>> Second. All in favor? >> I make a motion to go into public session. >> Motion to go into public session. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I need a motion to adjurnn. >> Motion to adjurnn. >> Second. All in favor? I