to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Open public meetings act statement. >> Pursuant to the open public meetings act, adequate notice of this meeting was forwarded to the official township
newspapers posted on the Bolton board and township website. This meeting is being videotaped and will be on channel 9. Roll call. >> Mr. Doyle >> here. >> Mr. Fierella >> here. >> Mr. Keane >> here. >> Mr. Marsh >> here. Mayor B
>> here. A motion to approve the following resolution. Resolution 4026 appointing appointing SLEO2 Connor Riley to the position of police officer first class in the Franklin Township Police Department. Motion R 4026. >> Second.
>> Mr. Doyle. >> Yes. >> Mr. Fella. >> Yes. >> Mr. Keane. >> Yes. >> Mr. Marsh. Yes, >> Mayor Brmond. >> Yes, Chief. >> Thank you, Mayor. I have a short council. Um, to bring Conor up, I just want to take a moment uh to thank
everybody for coming out tonight. Um, and kind of brag about the men and women standing over here to our left should we accomplish in 2025. Um, for those of that that haven't seen it, our 2025 year end report is up online. um and really uh highlights the spectacular
accomplishments of these officers in the room. Uh in 2025, we restructured our department with focus on two key elements. High visibility traffic enforcement which led to the creation of traffic safety units and it wasn't just about enforcement. We made meaningful
change at different intersections and areas of our town and safety for people travel. Second is school security. Enhance school security. We put a large emphasis on this and we now have officers at our schools every day especially in the high school monitoring traffic and we have been able to make
some longer changes when it comes to parking issues that cause hazardous conditions. This allowed our detectives to go back and focus more investigations and provide the schools and our one road support not only in their building but outside as well. So what have we done in
2025? We answered almost 52,000 calls for service. 33 3,300 EMS calls, over,200 burglar alarms, 825 motor vehicle crashes, and nearly 400 domestic violence calls in 2025. In addition, our officers conducted over
18,000 motor vehicle stops, number one in Ger County, issued 17,000 motor vehicle tickets, also number one in Ger County. Made 875 arrests, number one in Gston County, and 90 of them for DWI. two main goals that we are focusing on
in 2026. One is we want to have over 100 DWI arrests. And what does this all mean? In 2025, we reduced our fatal motor vehicle crashes from seven in 2024 to two in 2025. That is a reduction of 72%.
We reduced overall motor vehicle crashes by 14%. And this year, we have set a goal out to reduce the number of fatalities in our county to zero. So tonight we add another important player to our team. Although he's been working for us since he graduated the
academy in December and is doing a great job, we are very happy to be able to swear him in full time tonight. Sorry I bring him up. This concludes my report. I just wanted to thank Mayor Bruno depires committee for their continued support of this department which has really in my
opinion become the best around and once again we couldn't do it without your support. We now like to bring up Connor and his family this morning. I'll read a short bio on Connor. Officer Connor Riley was born and raised in Franklin County where he attended Franklin Council schools. He graduated
from Duffy High School in 2023. While healthy officer Riley was a four-year varsity athlete, playing girls soccer baseball. During his senior season, he was named female South defender by South Pitch Association. He was also a key contribu contributor to the 2023 Dustin
High School baseball team that advanced to the finals of the Joe Hartman Diamond Classic in the South Jersey finals. Following hostile attended Rome College of South Jersey where he majored in criminal justice from the early age he aspired to become a police officer with a goal serving the Frank community.
That dream was inspired in part by his father, Jim Riley, who began his law enforcement career with the Franklin County School Department and made the land sergeant. Also, Riley is grateful for the opportunity to serve in the Franklin County Police Department. He currently currently resides in Franklin County and also gives back to the
community as the current freshman baseball coach at Del Love me. on the square. I will take adjustment this morning. I will do officer
Franklin. the best of my ability. The best of my ability. I do solemnly declare and do so. I will support the Constitution. I will support the Constitution of the United States of the United States to the Constitution to the State of New Jersey.
And uh this will bear true faith and I allegiance allegiance to the thing and to the government of the government of Canada to the United States of the United States and this state of the state under the authority of the people under the authority of the people.
M we're going to take a five or 10 minute break to clear out. So if you want to get pictures or whatever, feel free. But then we saw that there was a camera over here. Went around the corner. Yeah.
You're fine. You're fine. Congratulations. I think that a lot of people. >> Not really. >> Here we go. >> Barb, you ready? >> Yes. Uh, can I get a motion to approve correspondence and reports? >> Motion to approve correspondence and
reports. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I >> I get a motion to approve the minutes from January 13th, 2026 and January 28th, 2026. >> Motion to approve the minutes from both meetings. >> Second. >> All in favor?
>> I take a motion to approve the bill list. >> Motion to approve the bullet. >> Second, >> Mr. Doyle. >> Yes, >> Mr. Verella. >> Yes. >> Mr. Keane. >> Yes. >> Mr. Marsh. >> Yes. >> Mayor Bruno. >> Yes. Can I get a motion to approve 2026 annual licenses?
>> Motion to approve the license. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> Thank you. Motion to open the public hearing on the following ordinance. Ordinance 126 establishing the salaries and wages of municipal officials and employees of the township of Franklin.
>> Motion to approve 0126. >> Open the public hearing. >> Open a public hearing. >> Second. All those in favor? >> I I thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh just a question on the salary ordinance.
>> What is the uh how much will the clerk be paid this year as opposed to last year? she whatever her last year's salary was with a 3% raise. >> That's it'll be capped at 3% raise. It'll be the same for everybody. It's across the board.
>> That's what you negotiated with the township employees and correct >> you're sticking to it for all employees. >> Both units. Correct. >> Thank you very much, Mr. Mayor. Can I get a motion to close the first public I mean the public hearing on ordinance 126? >> Motion to close.
>> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I get a motion to adopt ordinance 126. >> Motion to adopt ordinance 126. >> Second. >> Mr. Doyle. >> Yes. >> Mr. Fiorella. >> Yes. >> Mr. Keane. >> Yes.
>> Mr. Marsh. >> Yes. >> Mayor Bernham. >> Yes. Can I get a motion to open the first public portion for resolutions and ordinances below? >> Motion for the first public portion. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I even
56. Um I had a question related to R 4226. >> Yes. This is where you're appointing Chase Farrabella as acting building inspection sub. >> Yes. >> Um,
what qualifications does Chase have for that? all overction. >> So he would be doing the plumbing inspections. >> No, not inspections would be doing
>> and is that what Okay, so Mr. will only be doing plumbing at this point. >> And um I guess my curiosity is um why you've chosen and I like Chase so this is nothing personal to Chase but why did
you choose him as opposed to hiring someone? >> Because Mr. Lir is going to come back to work eventually. >> Okay. I I guess this is my question. Chase works other places besides Franklin Township. Correct.
>> Do you guys not know this? >> No, I should. Yeah. >> Okay. Where does he work? >> Vinland. Probably >> works. >> Works in Newfield. Vinland. >> He works full-time in Vinland. He also works at Newfield, Estelle Manor,
Franklin, and we now have him do building inspections. How many towns did Herp work in? >> How many towns was the other fellow Herb Larry working in? >> Okay, they all work in a lot of towns. >> No, I understand that standard. >> But what I'm saying is, and it's not odd
for building code officials to work in multiple towns, but this is one who has a full-time job in binary and then these multiple other towns are in addition to that. So, what I'm getting at is his current contract. How many hours a week
does this current contract say that Chase works in Franklin Town? >> Approximately 10. >> Is that what it says? >> I believe so. >> It actually says not more than 12. >> Okay. >> There's no minimum. >> Right. 10's not more than 12. >> Zero is not more than 12. One is not more than 12.
>> Right. Exactly. So, we're paying according to your salary from last year or last meeting two weeks ago or whenever it was, uh, zoning officers getting paid $26,265 to work not more than 12 hours a week in
Cranco Township. Not a super experienced zoning officer. This is not someone who's been doing this for decades and has bringing an incredible amount of value to the township. This is someone who apparently works in Vinland as an inspector, a building inspector who we
bring on as a not more than 12-hour a week zoning officer for 26,000. Then we add 8,000 to his salary for him to also pick up some code inspection here in Franklin. Now, do you know who he works for in Vinland? >> No, I do not.
>> Would it surprise you that it's Derek Liry, the same person that he's taken over some of these inspections for? wouldn't surprise me. >> And David Derek Liry also works in violin full-time, right? Makes 133,000 a year working in Vinland
full-time. And yet somehow also works in Pittsburgh, Newfield, Mars River Township, Commercial Township, and Franklin Township. And we're paying him, if he's the plumbing inspector, we paying him what? $31,000
a year. I mean, why can't we hire people who actually work for Franklin Township? >> You'd be paying them 130,000 like violent for full time. >> No, you wouldn't. We wouldn't possibly need a full-time inspector. And we know this. >> You just said, "Why don't we hire a full-time person?"
>> No. I said, "Why don't we hire a person?" You said full-time employed somewhere else so they can actually inspect. >> I never met anybody in construction that didn't have at least four towns, >> but not not full time. Not full time. >> And we're not paying them full time. We're benefiting from
>> No, we're not because he's not here. If he works full-time in Finland, when's he inspecting properties in Franklin? In the evening, if he takes a a vacation day, I mean, it's a joke. This is not someone patching together four part-time
positions. This is someone who is fully and totally employed and well paid to be fully and totally employed for violin and then has five side jobs, of which we are one. And I cannot imagine that it's very easy to get an inspection in a
timely manner in Franklin Township when these people are basically split between everywhere down the shore all the way up to here when they can if they feel like it. I mean, if you take what we're paying Chase for his not more than 12 hours a week, and if it were actually 12
hours a week that he was working, it's the equivalent of like 122 or 115,000 a year that we're paying for a very young, fairly inexperienced zoning officer. We can do better.
I guess she can't get an inspection on anything. >> Thank you. Harry Kennedy, 1578 Fresno Road. I just wanted to say thank you to the township committee. I thanked you once before for this and I guess it came to fruition tonight. You actually hired
a Franklin Township resident. Thank you very much. And you hired a second generation police officer. Thank you very much. And you hired somebody that whose mom I used to coach when she was a kid. So you made me feel even older than I really am. But in any case, it was
great to see an employee actually come from Franklin Township and not follow the Vinland Trail to Franklin Township. And that Vinland Trail is really getting trotten with people that owe their allegiance to a certain other Vineland employee. But sail.
But tonight, I'd like to talk about your opposition to Senate Bill S 4736. Uh why are we opposing this bill? >> We thought it was the right thing to do. There were some other towns that did it,
so we just included ourselves. But your your rationale for your rationale for opposing it was that there is a 5:1 ratio of nonaffordable to affordable
housing in the builder's remedy. Is that correct? No. The rationale for opposing it is that it provides an allowance for religious and nonprofit organizations with eligible property, meaning property that they own or have access to to um
bypass all zoning and planning board application processes in creating affordable housing with uh limits not to exceed 40 units per acre. uh is successive and we believe and I think you believe this that applicants should
go through the local planning board because no one knows uh better than the local planning boards what should what should be approved according to the ordinance >> I saw that as the beginning of the Senate bill solicitor but I also saw opposition to the ratio of 5:1 in terms
of the builder's remedy as a rationale for supporting the bill that this in some way bypassed uh local. That's not a rationale. >> The rationale was that this this really went further and avoided our planning board. So to allow this bill to proceed
through the Senate and become law in the state of New Jersey further wittleles away a municipality's ability to control its own master plan. Well, the the master plan and the agreements that the township reached in regards to the
fourth round of the COA litigation promulgated at least on the site of the Fry Mill area a 5:1 ratio of affordable to nonaffordable housing has agreed to
by the planning board and cited it by them as being agreeable. So that sort of bypasses local zoning and planning laws in terms of density and other things because the law in terms of the Mount Laurel
decision and the builder's remedy sort of bypasses zoning and planning to begin with and we've already exceeded to those demands by agreeing to the suits in the fourth round and allowing for up to
4,500 housing uh units to be built in Franklin Township. It's it's sort of like uh we've already done this with the exception, as you said, the religious institutions and their special exemption. We've already bypassed what are the rules of Franklin Township in
both zoning and planning by agreeing to the settlement in both the in the fourth round and also agreeing to it in the planning board document as to the overlay on the site at Fry Mill Road. And there there's a simple equation.
That's what you agreed to. That's what your previous COA solicitor and you agreed to in a settlement with the state that you would allow them to put 750 units on that Fry Mill Road site, 150 of
them to be lowcost housing which would partially meet your requirements. And again, I just make this simple comment. Had that site been a solar field, had that site been approved to begin with, there would be no lowcost housing going
in there. There would be no redevelopment going in there. There would have been a solar field with a tax ratable with no impact whatsoever on the taxpayers. But you decided not only to fight the suit, but to take it to the Supreme Court and to the and again to
the appellet court. I apologize. Listen, only to the appellet court, but at the same time, the two deciding votes to make that happen were Mr. Doyle's employee and Mr. Doyle's best friend. And who was out there lobbying them at that time at that particular zoning
board meeting? The mayor was there talking to them. What a mistake that's going to cost Franklin Township for years to come. What a genius move. making a motion to close first bubble portion. >> Motion to close. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I
>> I motion to approve resolution R4126 granting towing license within the township of Franklin from February 11th, 2026 through March 31st, 2027. >> Motion R 4126. >> Second. >> Mr. Doyle. >> Yes. >> Mr. Fierella. >> Yes.
>> Mr. Keane. >> Yes. >> Mr. Marsh, >> there's a quick question, Matt. Does that include out of town still >> tow companies >> within certain um >> response? >> Yeah. Response time. >> No. >> Mayor Bruno.
>> Yes. Uh R4226 appointing Chase Farbella as acting building inspection sub code official. >> Motion R 4226. >> Second. >> Mr. Doyle. >> Yes. >> Mr. Fabella. >> Yes. >> Mr. Keane. >> Yes. >> Mr. Mr. Marsh.
>> Yes. >> Mayor Bruno. >> Yes. Resolution 4326 authorizing the mayor to sign the Glouester Salem Cumberland County's municipal joint insurance fund safety contract. >> Commission R 4326. >> Second. >> Mr. Doyle. >> Yes. >> Mr. Fella. >> Yes.
>> Mr. Keane. >> Yes. >> Mr. Marsh. >> Yes. >> Mayor Ber. >> Yes. Resolution 4426 authorizing a refund of developers escal. >> Motion R 4426. >> Second. >> Mr. Doyle. >> Yes. >> Mr. Mr. Furella. >> Yes.
>> Mr. Keane. >> Yes. >> Mr. Marsh. >> Yes. >> Mayor Bner. >> Yes. Resolution 4526 appointing New Jersey Senate Bill S4376. >> Uh Mr. Mayor, before we do that, I'd like to um amend to also include the
latest round which is S1836 into this motion as well. >> Got a motion. Second. >> Mr. Doyle. >> Yes. >> Mr. Fella. Yes, >> Mr. Keane. >> Yes, >> Mr. Marsh. >> Yes, Mayor B. >> Yes.
>> Resolution 4626, approving the extension of contract for CME engineering to complete certain projects which are near completion on behalf of the township of Franklin. >> Commission R 4626. >> Second. >> Mr. Doyle, >> yes. >> Mr. Fella, >> yes. >> Mr. Keane, >> yes.
>> Mr. Marsh, >> yes. >> Mayor Bruner, >> yes. Resolution 4726, awarding contract to Arowak Paving Company, Inc. for the professional services in connection with fiscal year 2023 Williamstown Road resurfacing plan one project in the
township of Franklin R 4726 >> second >> Mr. Doyle >> yes >> Mr. Fiorella >> yes >> Mr. Keane >> yes >> Mr. Marsh. >> Yes. >> Mayor Bron. >> Yes. Resolution 4826 awarding contract to South State, Inc. for professional services in connection with fiscal year
2024 Williamstown Road resurfacing phase 1 project in the township of Franklin. >> Motion R4826. >> Second. >> Mr. Doyle. >> Yes. >> Mr. Fella. >> Yes. >> Mr. King. >> Yes. >> Mr. Marsh. >> Yes. >> Mayor Bruno.
>> Yes. Resolution 4926 authorizing the close exe executive meeting for the township committee of town Franklin R 4926 >> second >> Mr. Doyle >> yes >> Mr. Pierella >> yes >> Mr. Keane >> yes >> Mr. Marsh. >> Yes. >> Mayor B.
>> Yes. Okay. A motion to introduce the following. Public hearing will be on March 10th, 2026. It's ordinance 0226. An ordinance of the township of Franklin amending chapter 290 police services use of of the codebook of the Frank of the
Township of Franklin. >> Motion 0226. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I. And again, that that ordinance will be on March 10th, 2026. Can I get a motion for second public portion for comments?
>> Motion for the second public portion. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I just um I'm sorry. Just go back to the salaries. Renee doesn't explain my thoughts.
Um, you'd mentioned a 3% increase across the board and I noticed on this resolution in R 2826 that we referred to before, it shows the municipal code salary of $121,963.80. Do you think that's reasonable?
>> Do I think it's reasonable? of you do each one of you think it's pretty >> for for her longevity and where she started? I absolutely don't. I'm not sure I'm even allowed to talk about this. I'm not >> I'm just asking if you can public comment. Um >> Okay. And do you believe that still to
be 3% more than Barb made last year? >> I got to think. Was that I don't >> John the numbers died. >> Can divide 121,000 by 1.03. 3 was part of making 118,000 last year.
>> I've been advised not to answer questions. >> You can't say what somebody's made even though it's public knowledge. I'm not asking you if you're happy with her performance. I'm just asking you if what you said earlier was correct or not. >> I'm taking my solicitor's advice. >> Yeah, that's good advice because when
you approve things and you don't know what you're approving, which I'm beginning to see is 100% of the time up there, it is a good idea not to say much. And I'll give you that. It's actually embarrassing. You think she was making 118 salary last year? According
to online records, it was 112. So it's more like a 10% raise. But then again, who actually calculates this? Who actually looks at the numbers before we vote yes to everything? Who prepares the agenda? Who gives you the numbers that you turn around and never ask a question
about and just vote five yeses, no matter what they are? Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Do you think it's a great idea to give someone with no time available at all additional responsibilities in the township to inconvenience anyone who needs an inspection? Yes. Yes. Yes. Or
should make because she's I guess been here for a while. 121,000 as clerk. Nobody's even 100% sure what the responsibilities are, but that's okay. I look at um Newfield, for example, their clerk makes 87,000. She's been there
forever, too. Now, you probably say, "Well, the Newfield's smaller." So, I also looked at some other Buster County townships that are bigger. Deepford, their clerk made 95,000 last year. Glass, their clerk made 99.8,000
last year. Monroe, their clerk made 97. Washington Township, which has 50,000 residents, more than three times the size of Franklin, their clerk made 93,000. But Arkler is making 122,000. The only
one that even came close was actually Manula, which also has 16,000 residents and their clerk makes 140,000 per year. You know why? Cuz she's also the administrator. So for both clerk and
administrator, an equally sized township pays approximately 140,000 a year. We're paying 260,000 because there's five people who vote yes to whatever's put in front of them and it's put in front of them by Mr. Finley and Barb and nobody asks a question.
Nobody says, "Does this make sense? Why why are we paying, you know, our clerk as much almost as the county clerk does? Nobody cares because it's not your money. It's just the township taxpayers pay double what everywhere else does. Get nothing in return. It doesn't
matter. This is not on your back. I get it. Um, hello. My name is Samir Keton. Um, first time speaking here. It's really a lot for me to be here. I'm a little flustered, so she'll bear with me, but I have all the information here that I'm going to hand out to you after. I'm here
in regards to a plot that I purchased. Um, lot 71, district 5602. It's a 3acre plot at the end of Morris A. Um, it's zoned RA and the end of Morris is a culde-sac. My plot is on the extended
paper road that goes well beyond my property and I have about 200 plus feet of frontage. And the first thing I did, what I what I verified over and over with Chase Far Valley before I bought the parcel was access was that because it's a paper road, a legal road,
although it's not built, the portion that I'm on, that I have access to the property and that I'm able to travel across it. And from June 2023 to uh August 2024, I was able to access the plot without issue. I confirmed with
Atlantic City Electric that I could cross the easement. Never had an issue. In 2024, I had a couple of issues where there's some things were called out. I had an RV out there for a few days and a couple other things. And after that point, barricades were put up at the end
of Morris AB illegally blocking that paper, blocking my address. Now, those code violations or those disputes were long since handled. the things that came up, a couple of things that I disputed about tree clearance and the RV situation that I had out there for a few
days. Not a problem. I took it away and I was in full compliance. After that point, for the last now year and a half, I've had extremely hard time trying to get those barricad the legal barricades. >> Who put the barricades there? >> What's that? >> Who put the barricades there?
>> Uh, I believe Mr. Finley. And that's so I'm not here to malign Mr. Finley. what what I'm about to say, but all of 100% of my communication has been with Mr. Finley. Nothing from Chase, nothing from township council, even and and I have all the history here. We've got a a
tremendous amount of back and forth about what was where the access was from originally, why Mr. Finley felt like, as he used the term landlock, but it's not landlocked. I have I have legal access. But my point is throughout all this process, and I also, by the way, had my
lawyer. I hired a lawyer to send a letter to Mr. Finley to say, "You can't do this. Remove the barricade." To which Mr. Finley decided it was appropriate to just dump a bunch of photos and emails from the past year, which had nothing to do with that situation. I was in full compliance. Full compliance. And I have
been. But and then at the end of that, Mr. Finley decided that he thought it was appropriate to talk to my lawyer directly without me. He said, "I'm going to talk to your lawyer." And and at that point, I had no reason to trust anything that he's saying. Again, I have nothing
personally against the ban, but at that point, after not hearing from anything from anyone else, Mayor Bruno has copied on some of that correspondence. I'm here saying this to you because based on what his actions have been, including another instance of what I feel is major ethical
misconduct of claiming that I was alleging racism throughout this, which I never did categorically. And he also put that in writing. It's in here. Other people have said that. I never said that. My point is this entire time I've had one person that I'm able to communicate with, Mr. Finley, where I
feel like there's been in a conscious bad faith effort, conscious bad faith effort, misdirection, delays, and I'm here to just give you this information because I've documented meticulously everything that has gone on. There's 20
pages worth of correspondence and backup information here. Again, I'm not here to malign Mr. Mr. Finley or anybody else. But from my perspective, when my lawyer sends a letter and I get a response from Mr. Finley, we both do on that touch of council and they're just following what
is my recourse? I have no recourse at that point. And so I need you to hear this from me because I don't intend to give this up. I know, and again, I know this is hearsay, but I've heard from plenty of people in this town that what happens is
that people get beaten down. they had to pay legal fees, lawyer fees, and they just get so frustrated they give up. I've been in full compliance, and all I ask is that I use my land to grow food and hang out and sit in the woods, and that's it. Um, so what I'm asking for is
that those illegal barriers be removed immediately and that moving forward there actually be formal processes and policies for how you all deal with things. And it's not just one person that is answering everything often delaying for weeks on end even months on
end where there's no transparency and no clarity of process particularly when legal gets involved. I don't understand how things are allowed to function that way and that's been a major major source of frustration. Um and I would like that to be true for if I apply for a variance
for example to build even though it's not buildable I understand it can't be built on unless I extend the road that there also be clarity of process. The last thing is I want to um to thank Chase Verbella that although he was not involved at the end of this or por to
this, he's the only person that has actually been upfront with me and spoken with me and I want to give him a shout out just because he's been someone that's actually worked with me on this process. >> Thank you. >> We'll take
Good evening. I'm Darin Sunderland, 3200 New Street in Malibu Village. Um, I don't know if any of you guys watched the meeting last week, but I was uh awarded the variance and I'll be able to get a permit next month after the
memorialization, whatever this all means. Uh I attempted to ask my question which was why did I have to do the variance when I believe that there is a uh grandfather code which I handed out to you guys previously. Um and I was
told by this committee and by Mr. Farabella that I have to ask that question at zoning. So I attempted to do that. What I got from zoning is what do you care? You've got what you want. It's not the answer I'm looking for. I don't want
anybody else who is a regular homeowner wants to add on a bedroom or a laundry room or whatever to have to go through a variance process for an undersized lot when there is already a grandfather code in place for it. So, I know Mr.
Parabella is a newer um zoning officer and that's fine. We've been through that particular code several times and I believe I've come up with an argument as to why that does apply to my property and to many others which would certainly reduce the burden on the zoning board by
not have but of course that does reduce the amount of income that comes to the zoning board. Um, but the zoning board basically said, "Too bad, so sad. You have to get a uh you have to do an application for an interpretation of that code from township committee, which
I've been here four or five times now. Nobody's ever said anything about that. You need an interpretation of the code." Now, I thought zoning did interpretation. At least that's what they told me until I asked a question. So now they're saying that it's your guys uh job to interpret that code which
I would like to have a discussion on because I believe I have found the part where Mr. Farrabella has said this is the phrase that I'm having a problem with and I went through and I did a lot of history and title searches and uh came up with an believe a cogent
argument as to why that it does is not a barrier. But I'm supposed to ask for for this interpretation of code 25391 just in case Mr. Farabella is incorrect. He did uh confer with Mr. Barelli, the
solicitor for the zoning board who did not disagree with him and said, "Okay, it doesn't apply." So then my question is, well, does that mean it doesn't apply for any property? If it doesn't apply for mine, does this mean it doesn't apply for any? Can't no answer
to that question. I have to come to the board to find out. Now, this code was written back and adopted back in 1979. I have a very very hard time think uh coming to grips with in 1979 someone wrote a code that doesn't work.
Okay, that that doesn't make much sense to me. Okay, so I would be happy to to discuss this with whomever is supposed to be in charge of helping me with this. I wish someone could have come to me back in October, but apparently that's
not an issue either. Okay. Yes, I have my my my permission. I can start building next month sometime, but it's not fair for a code to exist that doesn't work when it used to work. I
have neighbors on my street in the last 5 to 6 years, one in 2020 and one in 21, who were both allowed to add on to their homes. They did not have to go through the variance process. Okay? They don't know what I'm talking about when I've got to come to their
house and say, "Listen, can you sign this form saying that I dropped off proof that I I got to come to variance?" And they're like, "What's going on?" Okay? Because they didn't have to go through that when they had it on and I have a larger lot. I had the biggest one on the block.
Okay? Um, so I can you can any of you answer that because I did request from Miss Mulford uh whatever this application so I could get on the docket for today to get an interpretation or to introduce the interpretation or whatever I need to do.
>> The township committee doesn't get interpretations >> kind of what I thought. >> So So can we stop the runaround? >> Can someone help me please? >> You got your approval. You went through the proper process. You don't like the fact that you had to do that. We don't we don't agree with you. So I don't I
don't have anything to help you with other than you got your approval and you finally went through the process. You're still not happy. >> But did I process that everybody goes through? >> But why should they why should people who have undersized lights when there is a grandfather clause that is
specifically targeted to undersized lights? Why does that variance not why does that ordinance no longer apply? Because you know I had to go through it. We delayed everything 6 months. I now have to get all new pricing.
Okay. So, getting the runaround between the the zoning boards and and you guys and I don't, you know, I don't I think it's something that I'm going to look into to to see exactly who it falls on.
And >> I would appreciate that because nobody seems to know. >> Okay. >> Last month I was here, you guys like go see zoning. I go see zoning. He says, "I got to check with Mr. Belli. Got to check with Belli." I can't talk to Borelli until I come to before the zoning board. So now I got to put out
$1,000, right? Come before the zoning board. And Mr. B says, "I don't know what you're talking about. Not going to answer your question." They were very agitated when I tried to hand them the uh code. Oh, we we don't we we don't do that. So I I'm I'm I'm frustrated because this is not this shouldn't be
happening. You've got something that work that should work. Let's make it work. Okay. Now, I did give the argument. I know I did give the argument to Mr. Parabella. He seems to think that maybe that is the right argument. So, let's make sure we fix this. And if you
guys don't do interpretation, please tell me who does. If it's not zoning, if Mr. Forbell is incorrect, who's next? >> It's zoning. >> Thank you.
Um, how am I going to do this? >> Marshall 67 new room. You mentioned last being there may that attorney would be here this evening. And >> I did Did I say would be here? I said possibly be here.
>> What did I say? >> I I thought you had said you would have him. >> Okay. What? That's not what I said. >> Well, obviously he's not assuming. >> No. >> So then I'll put my question to you and you can pass it on. >> Uh, okay. Well, are we going to have an opportunity as residents to speak with him at any point in time? Are we going to have a couple meeting? Are you going
to have a something for the residents to come together? There's a lot of concerns out there. >> I believe, you know, that's the plan. >> Okay. >> He's going to appear at a meeting and then you can ask him questions. >> Okay. Right. Well, if that doesn't
happen, then I figure I'll pose this one to you now. We had a greenway settlement back in 2007 under Mrs. Mr. Pesh's term as mayor that gave us a housing obligation of about 436 units for low income. Since then, there's been other rounds that came around and other things
have happened. Does that still stay in effect or is there a statute of limitations on it? I'm just curious which one trumps which one because they're two different rulers. >> I will ask the the power attorney that question. I think they roll into each other, but I will ask. So that would be
so we'd have our 870 plus the 436 or they would that would absorb >> that's above our number. Yes, I I'll I'll get we'll try and get all that information. Don't forget the co attorney was just appointed jumping into existing litigation and getting grounded in what we are facing here in Franklin
Township. So we will we have deadlines that are still applicable under state law. So things will have to happen and we hope to have them at the next meeting and if not uh the meeting right before March 15th which is the next state. That's correct. So, we'll have we'll have some kind of answer at that point or something.
>> Yeah, we're all looking for answers. We all want to know what we have to do and what we can not have to do. >> I understand that. >> All right. Just want to make sure and uh as you saw from a couple residents, there's some issues for them that you know, obviously there your vested interest would be great for them. As you can see, they've got some concerns and there's a lot of other residents that
have the same that be nice to have some feedback for them on occasion when they reach out to them. Thanks. Good evening. Nancy Kennedy, 7-Eleven St. George Street. So, first I have a question for the solicitor. The executive session. What is the topic? The litigation. Litigation. Okay. So,
the other thing that I wanted to share because it's public portion and of course I'm entitled as a matter of law to share anything that concerns the township. I wanted to share kind of a fun meeting that I attended lately. It was a Republican club meeting and actually a lot of the committee were
there uh and a lot of residents were there because there is apparently in Franklin a very growing concern about the COA issue about the looming reality that appears very clear that we're about to have some major changes in Franklin.
And one of the takeaways of that meeting that I attended was that there are two township committee seats that will be open at the conclusion of this year and there will be as there usually is an election in November uh ostensibly with
Republican and Democrat candidates fine for the seats. And at the Republican club meeting, it was discussed that people in Franklin might want to apply to be considered to run for township committee as Republicans.
And it's kind of an exciting time because there were a lot of people there. From what I understand, there are a lot of people who have expressed interest. And in my opinion, the reason that they have expressed interest is because they see what is happening. And
what is happening is that there are a lot of very difficult topics that are facing our township. There's the COA issue. There's tax increases. There's the possibility
of a rail line coming. There are issues about water and sewer. There is a tremendous lack of respect then shown routinely to the residents of this town by the administration and I don't mean
all of you sitting up there when this very nice lady got up and spoke and she said she asked the zoning board a question and they basically said or someone said what do you care you've got what you want the growing feeling in Franklin Township is it isn't enough if
some of us can slip through and get what we want because now what we want is to have the town more like it used to be and have people treated with respect and have everybody have equal access to the same processes.
The topics that come before township committee aren't easy. In fact, one township committee member actually said to me, you know, I think you have to be a lawyer to understand this stuff. And that may be true and it might even have to be a certain type of lawyer. So what kind of was discussed at the Republican
club meeting was it's very very important for whoever we elect in November to put the right people around you. The people who are going to give you honest answers to questions. The people who are going to give you answers
to questions you might not like to hear or shockingly that might not be in their best interest. If you're just looking to bring a bunch of friends aboard from your town and hire them, you're looking to bring some professionals down.
Maybe you're not the one who should be advising our township committee as we head into this season cuz this season looks like it's going to be rough and especially related to the COA, especially related to the building projects, especially related to the
growing, thank God, number of voices that are saying, "Hey, why the heck is the township administrator the only one writing back to me? Why is he answering legal questions? Where are the people we elected? And as we are poised to elect
two new people, I ask if this is aired before February 15th, any registered Republican who wants to run, who is committed to putting Franklin first and residents first and putting professionals in place who are less concerned about their own pockets and
more concerned about the benefit of the town. Dear God, submit your resumes, please, to the Franklin Township Executive Committee because I think some of you would work very, very well with people who are committed to doing the right thing, know
enough to ask the questions that they don't know the answers to, and are smart enough to put people in place who understand what Franklin Township is really all about. So, thank everyone for your time. >> Thank you. Can I get him?
>> Did he already as many of you probably know and uh Jake, I know you volunteered to uh do this at the high school. This month is Black History Month. And uh I'm reminded of a quote from Martin Luther King. Uh the measure of a man isn't where he
stands in times of comfort and convenience, but rather where he stands in times of challenge and controversy. And I think about that quote a lot because it obviously transcends African-Americanism. It's it's an American trait. You have to
stand up and be heard. And I I was asked that question why I like certain counts of committeemen and why I don't like other people. I think it's absolutely essential at some point when you're serving in a public office, you stand up and you're heard. You make your voice
heard. You do what's right. You do what's right for your kid, for the next generation, for the people that live in the township. You do what's right because you damn well know what's right. And this township committee collectively has made a lot of mistakes. And God, I'm not going to throw the first stone
because I made lots of mistakes, too. But some of those mistakes are compounded. They're compounded over and over and over and over and over. And I remember a person that is not exactly my
best friend. It's a person that I was involved in a lawsuit with, a person that probably despises me more than most of you up there. I remember when she came to this township committee as you hired Mr. Finley and she said to you, "Mr. Mayor, I hope you know what you're
doing. I hope you know what you're doing. Because she had done her background check in the city of Vinewood, I hope you know what you're doing. All the developers that are coming, as you look at those three developers in that lawsuit, those of you on the township committee that have ever
bothered to read it, do you know who they are? Who Seth Gersburg is? Who John Kirner is? Who Chris Wall is? They're all tied together in all these developments around the state. If it can't be an Amazon warehouse, it can be
a housing development because developers make money on developments. They make money on buildings. They make make more on some and less on some, but they make money. And the interesting thing is this. You can have a COA attorney that
works for the township or you can have a COA attorney that works for the developers or you can have a COA attorney that tries to solve a reasonable balance and deal with the reality of the law from the 1975 decision. That was the Mount Laurel decision. But you can't take money from
a developer by the name of Chris Wall from the beginning of the Rome debacle and find out that that same Mr. Wall is Mr. Gersburg's partner in virtually every development in the state. You can't have meetings to develop what your
COA plan is while you're taking money from some of the developers and you're taking a $123,000 check and calling it taxes from a person that wants to be a developer in the township of Franklin. You can't do that.
It's like having the fox in the hen house, guys. Your job is to protect the residents of Franklin Township. Your job isn't to make Chris Wall, Seth Kursberg, and John Kainer a lot of money. Your job is to protect the residents of Franklin
Township. And you need a new co- attorney. Gee whiz, you didn't fire your co- attorney. Your co- attorney quit. He quit. He left you after the settlement was. He left. And now you need a new co-
attorney. Gee whiz. Holy cow. I wonder why he left. I wonder why he resigned. I wonder why he decided to get out of here. Do you think it might be what's facing us and what that agreement was that you agreed to? Do you think that
might be the problem? Do you think maybe the stupid decisions involving the solar field at Freeze Mill Road and protecting somebody's interests and not the townships might be at the heart of it? You think there were a lot of stupid decisions made? You weren't here to make
those decisions, but you're elected. You can stand up and say no. You can ask the questions. Jake said she got a 3% raise. Jake said it. I think he honestly believed it. I swear to God. I don't think Jake would lie to me. He thought she got a 3% raise. He didn't realize
she got a 10% raise. None of you did. That's your job to know. Who didn't tell you, the clerk or the administrator? Come on, guys. Let's do our job. Let's make all of us proud. Let's have a township committee that we can say, "Hey, I never want to go to another
meeting again because you're doing a great job." Hope that happens soon. Thank you. >> Good job. >> Can I get a motion to close? >> Motion to close. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I I have to uh
>> There's an oversight here. I made a mist I made a mistake, Harry. Uh, resolution 4526. Could I just go right into that, Jackie? >> Yeah, the amendment I think has been adopted. So, now you've got to adopt the mo the resolution as amended,
>> right? Mark made a an a >> Mark made a motion on resolution 4526 >> and that a what was that amendment again? >> We added S 1836 which is the current round. >> We want to vote on that amendment, right? Yes. So,
>> can I get a motion on Mark's amendment? >> We did that. We have to vote to adopt it now. >> Vote to adopt it. >> I think the vote that you already took covered the amended amendment that passed. So, now you have to vote on the resolution as amended to include Senate Bill 1836. >> All right. Then I need a motion for R
4526 as amended. >> Motion 4526 as amended. >> All those in favor? Hi. >> Oh, we need a roll call. Barbara, I'm sorry. >> Mr. Doyle, >> yes. >> Mr. Fierella? >> Yes. >> Mr. King? >> Yes.
>> Mr. Marsh? >> Yes. >> Mayor Bruno? >> Yes. Uh, committee reports. Mike. >> Um, I have nothing. Mark.
>> Um, the historical committee plans on doing something for the 250th. They're looking to honor um a possible um I believe it's a revolutionary war soldier that's been identified. So, they're looking to coordinate with us on
that in a local cemetery. So, the 50th anniversary. We don't have a timeline of it yet. We're just in the stages. Um, also like to thank public works for clearing the snow. Um, didn't hear any complaints. It's a
really good job from what I've seen. So, thanks guys. Appreciate it. >> Clean up till April. >> Communication meets tomorrow and uh, our current vendor for our website has assigned us a new rep that we've been working with and planning board meets next Tuesday.
>> Thank you, Tim. Just want to thank public works and the police. I was out. I don't sleep much when it snows. I was driving around quite a bit plowing old ladies driveways for free, by the way. Uh, and uh, our roads were as good as any town with apples to apples.
Obviously, the main roads are always the best cuz they get the most traffic, but with the ice we had, salt didn't work unless you had a lot of traffic and salt. So, Deli Drive looked great, but when we got on the back roads, these guys could have salted 100 times. doesn't matter. I saw two accidents. One
was a flipped over vehicle where Coloss another one um was on main road track and trailer stuck. I happened to be there at the exact time it happened and the police were there in less than a minute. It was I couldn't get my phone out and do before I got there. So, a lot
of towns you'll see cops 3 4D talking at the Wawa. You don't see that in Franklin. You see cops I see cops on Piney Hollow Road scattered all around. These guys really really do a great job. So you get a 100 happy people and you get one complaint and just wanted to
point out with this weather they they did a great job. Also picking up trash. It's not easy to pick up trash in an ice storm. So I just think they did a good job. >> Thanks Matt. I'm sorry. Do you have anything
you want to say? >> We did. >> We did. Nice too. >> We got a new senior boss. >> Um I just, you know, reiterate what these guys said. I thought the guy at public works worked a lot of hours, long hours,
and uh didn't didn't hear very many complaints. So, that was a good thing. How many mailboxes did we destroy? >> Still counting, huh? >> You got your socks off. Counting doese's, huh? >> Yeah, that was
>> a plow was useless after the ice. >> You're dead. Yeah. Um, that being said, we're not taking any action. Correct. >> We're not going to take any action. It's just information. >> Just information.
>> So, if you want to hang around, you can hang around. How long it take? would take >> um 20 minutes. 30 minutes >> 20 minutes. >> All right. So, can I get a motion to go into close session? >> Motion to go to close session. >> Second. >> All in favor?
>> I. >> Thank you for coming out. >> Is too I'm a nonpractic. Get a motion to come out of close second. >> Motion to come out. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I get a motion to go into public session. Motion go to public.
>> Second. All those in favor? >> I a motion to adjurnn. >> Motion to adjurnn. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I said stop your hand.