All right, we're going to start. This meeting of the Franklin Township Open Space Advisory Committee is called pursuant to the provisions of the open space meetings law. This meeting of April 21st, 2026 was included in the
list of meeting notices advertised in local newspapers, posted on a bulletin board in the municipal building, posted on the municipal website, and has remained continuously posted as required notice under the statute. In addition, a copy of this notice is and has been
available to the public isn't on file in the office of the municipal clerk. Tar, can you call the roll call, please? >> Uh, Bob Lort >> here. >> Okay. Arie Schmidt is not going to be here. He's absent tonight. Bill Connell >> here. >> Um, Ted Chase
>> here. >> Stephanie Total I think is coming a little late, so I'll leave her off right now. Steven D >> here. >> Vanessa Jones >> here. >> Mary Lalco >> here. >> John Moon >> here. >> Bob Pusc. >> Paul Winsky >> here. >> Nina Lux >> here. >> John Hurling is also going to be absent
tonight. Mayor Kramer is going to be absent tonight and I believe Bob and Locker is going to be absent. >> Yes, they're working on budget. >> Yes. And council member Sang as well. Okay. >> Um,
open a meeting to the public. I don't see any public. Are you public? >> We motion to close. >> Okay. Uh, approval of >> I'm sorry. approval of the minutes of uh
February 2026. So move >> asking for a motion. >> Yeah. So you got it first. >> I want everybody to any any questions on the minutes. >> Motion to approve. She did it. Oh,
>> she did it. Second. I can second that. Going to the new business, >> I think. Okay. All all yes or whatever. >> Everyone's Yes. >> Hi. >> New business. Tara. >> Uh, okay. So, the first is the update on
open space trust fund budget. So, I spoke to Bob Warlocker this afternoon and he told me that the update is just that the council is still working on the budget. So, it hasn't been finalized yet. >> Okay. um leasing of the memorial forest for
farming. >> So Bob, we had this on Bob Huskus, we had this on the agenda last month, but or the month before cuz we didn't meet last month, but you weren't here and so we tabled it until you got here. So did you want to talk about the leasing of Memorial Forest now?
>> We can. Um, the reason it hadn't gone out so far as far as I know was cont because of not knowing what to do with the roadway and which I think is ridiculous. Right now it's been 2 years going up and we the town won't mow it. So we better do something with it pretty
quick. So there's work to be done over as far as what we're going to do with the forest itself. But, you know, in the meantime, the ground's get grown up a while. >> So, we need to have it cut. >> It's been on agenda for that request
been in forever. >> Okay. >> I'll send it in again. So, do we not want to talk about the potential like um leasing or or working on it for the trail? >> Bring it up on screen. >> Y my two cents on it. Bob, in the last
meeting we basically discussed that we should get the land settled and then lease it. That was that was basically we didn't make any decisions but the >> right understandable >> but um what didn't come up is the fact that it hasn't been maintained for 2
years but so it does need to be moved. >> This is I don't know if is this we do you want to look at this? This is what we talked about in 2024 about how we like looking at maybe like what we could do to lease it or to develop it. Do you
want that up or do you want to just talk about leasing it as farmland? >> Here's what the lease was. >> Okay. I I think what our idea was um is not to lease the back portions of those properties out any longer. just do
the front the the front about where the where it says lot block 50802 that arrow is there >> right >> that that whole front section I think we could lease out and not lease out the back section because we want you know the idea was to put trees in the >> right
>> back corner and but again if we're not going to lease those out town's got to maintain them we can't let them grow up >> right and the other issue was is the driveway going up but what are we going to do with the driveway going up And you know, cuz it it's it's one lane now, so
I don't know how busy the park's ever going to be. So, you know, we talked about putting parking lots in the back and stuff like that. >> Yeah. >> But the the the other option was was holding it up, I guess, with the with the driveway going down. We talked about some pulloffs or
>> Mhm. So I I think you can write figure that out in in a lease with with you know right in the lease that the drivers got to be you know so wide and you can't plant >> Yeah because you have need to fit tractors and everything there >> right but yeah but what I'm saying is
that you know for two cars to pass you need 18 ft so we can town can mark 18t driveway out and the farmer whoever reasones it cuz I'm not is going to you know got to stay away from that spot. So just to be clear, so is step one of
the recommendation to first go out to bid for leasing of the front portion of the property. That's step one. >> Step two is then to work on the concept that we talk about which begins with improving the driveway and regrading it. Is that like what you're is that you think? >> Okay. I just want to make sure I had
that correct. Does that make sense to everybody else or >> kind of backwards since the open discussion was making sure that the driveway was settled like the discussion the driveway should really be settled before you go out to lease you know that's that's the discussion that's you know
>> that that's why it'll be I don't care either way you know but I say it's got to get you know in minimum it's got to get mowed at least once or twice a year >> because how long it's going to take the town to decide you know if public work do the driveway the right way and who's going to decide How wide the driver is
going to be is us. Public works. Who's going to do it? >> I mean, if if we don't have a lease, excuse me, Ted. Um, if we don't have the lease to beholden to, I say we make it the appropriate width. Forget about the turnoffs. And that way it's clear.
>> I I would I I would kind of agree with you. I I would think that you want to have the driveway done first because somebody can say, "If you're going to lease it, how long is it going to take the town to do the driveway?" >> Right. Right. Let's let's go with, you know, the driveway first and then
leasing. Figure out when you're going to do the driveway, >> right? >> All right. >> And if you decide on the driveway, you can actually pre-plan the lease. >> Nobody's going to go and bring your farm equipment if you don't have uh to bring your
very least, you ought to define how wide the driveway is going for you offer lease. You don't necessarily have to actually build the driveway. >> You just have to have the dimensions, right? >> You have to have the easy
>> farming stack of a better word. >> When you say roughly, are you drawing on the back like the the back end of the front property? Are you drawing a straight line right across or are you keeping that little bump out on we'll
call it the north side of the front? wonder >> I don't but he's talking about are you going to should we lease it like straight through like this or should we keep it this this configuration >> but the reason it's in that configuration is that's the tillable
acres the other portions wooded >> so yes so we getting that other bump out like the north side of that was actually what I was thinking is the o the the opposite of what you said is are we getting rid of that little bumpout and >> we're getting rid of that bump out like get rid of that to make it straight.
>> Yeah. >> I mean, we could, but I'm asking what he's thinking. >> Yeah. What do you think, Bob? So, he's bas So, I'm sorry. So, I had it a different way. I thought he was He's basically saying, "Get rid of this bump out." So, it's a straight line there. >> Is that what you meant?
>> Yeah. I don't I don't know how big it is, but what do you do with it? Other areas we're looking at, we're going to do something with. You know what I'm saying? Areas that we're going to >> Yeah. Yeah, that's a tillable field, so we may as well keep it in, I think. Right. >> Yeah. Well, it makes sense. And and the problem the problem with the back
portions of that, you could nobody could ever get their equipment back there because of the trees and stuff. We requested many of times where the trees from the public work to get removed and never did them, >> right? >> So, are there any actual memorial trees there? Because obviously we're not going
to lease out where there are memorial trees. I thought one for his son Not >> there at Negri. At Negri, he has one. I don't think he has one there at Memorial Forest. Yeah.
>> I thought it was that that last bit at the back of the main front property was where the actual memorial forest was going to be or at least going to start. >> Let me get up here point explain what we
talked about committee back in the day. >> Yeah. here. >> Let me see if I have a better picture >> to that. >> That's what we talked about. >> Yeah. Okay. Back back in the day, the subcommittee, Arie and I and a couple of people met. There's the driveway going
up. This field here was going to be where we started planting the trees. We're going to put some benches in here, some, you know, some people. It's It's beautiful scenery in the fall time. Absolutely gorgeous again. But because of not being able to get through here with equipment,
basically, let me see. Right right here, you can't get through the equipment. But we talked about using a little parking area here somewhere. So, like I say, it'd be better just to lease this area out here and work on the rest of it cuz hopefully trails committee gets that the trail committee is
supposed to develop a trail going out of the avenue through here. >> That's after Yeah. After the driveway improvement, the idea would be that we could connect through that property that we own. Yeah. To Elizabeth Nath. Yep. >> But see this this this looks different building than the other map. See how the
fields actually lay. >> Yeah. That's why that bump out is in there because of that hill field right up there. >> Yeah. >> That's why there this is notable here. It's all trees and stuff. Well, but
again, no matter what we do there, the back end is probably town's going to have to maintain. >> Yeah, that's what I wanted to ask. A while back, a couple of years ago, we had a tree planted in memory of Phil's Phil's
mother. Who's first of all, who's been anybody been taking care of that tree? >> I believe DPW takes care of that one. Yeah, but it's been but is outside. >> You couldn't be disturbed if >> No, it's on the outside of the fence. >> It's on It's on the It's on road. It's on road.
>> I was there with you. >> I was there with you. >> It was outside of the fence. >> Yeah. So, it won't be near parking. >> No, there's no parking here. That means up front as you pull in the driveway. >> Right. Right.
>> All right. So, step one then we want to >> figure out the driveway. figure out the driveway and then >> we got to figure it out. That's what you guys also got to figure out. >> I will see what we have to do to get the driveway done basically. But we will have to make it the width of if we're
going to have people going eventually with the goal being going back to Memorial. We're going to have to make it a two car. So yes, it's going to have to be between like 16 and 18 ft. >> You don't want to pave, do you? >> No. >> No. It's stone, right? It's good up the way it is, but it got a few ruts in it, but it's been there for 100 years and it
hasn't gone anywhere. You >> really just need to grade the edges off. I mean, if they do the driveway, you want to do the same amount. If it if say it's 12 ft and you want to make it 18, do >> four and four or whatever number comes out to on each side of driving. You don't want to put it all on one side. No, we just got to make sure though like
how close it is to that other property boundary and the you know cuz you don't want to make it like right up against Isn't there a fence going right along >> there is a fence? >> Yeah, there's a fence that goes like right along. >> Yeah. I don't I don't think you need to I don't think you need much of
improvement to drive in the front there. It needs to be from the the what I want to call the ditch or the brook going back. >> If it if it's 12 ft, you you need three on each side, >> right? >> Yeah. But what what I'm saying is I don't think you need to make a 20 foot driveway going all the way in from the front because there's enough spots to
you know some you can see somebody coming in. The idea of you getting back further up then you need to >> Yeah. H but if we're going to repave the driveway and regrade it does it I think it probably makes more sense from a cost perspective to do the entire length of
the drive >> because it's not a straight shot that driveway >> right. Yeah. >> Makes around. >> Yeah. But still you can >> Yeah. whatever else to do. I'm I'm >> justever we'll make it just say the 18 ft that we need straight in. >> We'll do it. Yeah, we'll do it to according to whatever the required engineering standards, which is going to
be between 16 and 18. >> Um, and we'll try to stay on the same kind of path that it's on, but if there is like some type of environmental constraints or something like that that we have to avoid, we'll have to do that. >> Chairman, you should reconvene the memorial for committee.
>> Reconvene it. >> What's that? >> You want to reconvene it? >> No. The chairman does that. >> Oh, the chairman does. Well, I'll talk to you about that later. >> I'm doing it. >> Tell you right now, >> who's going to go? >> Ario has been on it. So, Arie, talk to
>> I'll talk to Arie when he comes back then, >> right? >> I'll I'll get you to go. >> Oh, >> all right. So, Okay. So, and I will talk to them also right now about mowing it. Nope. >> You want to mow now or maybe another
couple of weeks? >> I I would mow as soon as you can, but by >> the time they get to it will be a couple of weeks. >> You know, I tell you what, >> what about the birds though? Is the birds an issue there? Because I get a lot of calls about people that get very
angry about birds if we mow too late. So, I just want to make sure we're not I know we're in the season right now. I want to make sure we're not disturbing. >> Well, this is this is what April 21st. Yeah. If they wait a month, it'd be all right cuz I think May 15th is No, you got to do it before May 15th. >> I thought it was 15th.
>> I think nesting season is May 15th to July 15th >> for most. >> What is it? >> Well, if anything, a little earlier than May 15th, >> which is pretty much as soon as you can get >> as soon as we can get them out there.
So, I'll try and get them out there ASAP, >> right? if I can >> before my 15 so I don't get like accosted >> and then we'll figure it out. >> All right. >> Okay. All right. So, I will work on those steps to begin with.
>> Uh we good with that? >> I think so. >> Leasing of open space properties >> that I had put on the agenda prior. Uh there was some uh farmers interested in looking for property of ours to lease, but when we first talked about it, they
were like, "Oh yes, when you meet, let me know." Then when I talked to them a second time around, they're like, "We need to be on and planting in the next two weeks." And I was like, "Well, that's there's no way that's going to happen." >> Down my road, >> I think. So, yeah. >> Yeah. >> I I gave them some like preserved farm
recommendation and farmer recommendations and I told them to talk to Rick Johnson. >> Well, they they but Yep. They I met with them. Not met with them, but I met with the county. They leased the old treasure property to the county. >> They did. Okay, good. >> Without looking at the access. >> Oh, they told me this. Yes. And that's
why they were coming to us, but there was nothing that could be done. We weren't meeting in March to begin with. So, that was the first problem. And then to get on >> they could look at I I where they I told them to go look because I spent some time with them cuz they talked about want to put a driveway through by county
lease field and >> you know the it was just a mess. So I talked to county the other day. They they trying to figure out how to get their money back on on that property. >> Yeah. >> But Rich Wman, I told them to try to get a hold Rich Wman. He's a seven acres or eight acres of reserve property. So I
don't know they ever got a hold of him or not. >> No. And I told them to talk to Michael Picos's family, right? >> Because that's down there. So >> but that was how we left it. So we don't have to talk about it here. I thought we were going to have to, but we're not. >> We good?
>> Yes. Okay. on that one. Yeah. >> Prescribed burn. >> So, the prescribed burn at John Clyde Memorial Native Grasslands Preserve happened on April 7th and April 12th. Um, they weren't able to burn the entire property. The first day they went out there, they were only able to burn for a
few hours because of the weather conditions changed. So, the wind speed or whatever changed, they had to stop. So, then they went back on April 12th. They did a little bit more, but they weren't able to complete everything. and they were not able and they told me now they're not going to be able to get out to Negri which really is what bothers me
because I said I wanted Negri to be the priority because Negri has not been burned but they're not going to get out there. So So John Clyde has been burned to some extent. >> Why is there a reason they did the uh did they choose like why did they why
they if you said it was a priority? >> I did I said Ne was a priority. I don't know why they chose that one. I don't I mean because it's based on so many different factors. It's based on how many volunteers they have. It's based on, you know, like the weather and so I don't know why they chose to do John
Clyde again. I really don't. But they have the final say of the days and the place. >> Do you know if DPW has gone out to moan Negri at least? >> They have not gone out to mow Negri. So I did talk to them. Now again, >> I talked to Chris Williams because we
talked about the trails committee getting negriote. I talked to Chris Williams. He said that we shouldn't mow out there until September. Agree. >> Yeah, because of the birds. >> Well, birds and and rabbits now, too. The little >> I guess. I mean, that makes complete sense, but it's the problem is just is
not ever being mowed, >> right? >> And so now it's like, well, yes, we want to be mindful of the birds and that is a priority. The fact that every year it just doesn't get mowed for such a long time, >> right? They only problematic. >> Yeah. They've only been mowing it really
in once in like September or October. And so I have us on the calendar for September because but it's not like we have to listen to that. If you guys say I think we should mow it now, I can tell them to go out now. >> I I forgot that we talked about asking Chris.
>> I would I think that's our most important bird location. >> Yes. >> I would not mow it now, particularly because they probably wouldn't get around to it until May 15.
moment it in September. >> Yeah. So that's what we're Yeah. >> leasing it is probably more important to >> but for I agree with you for 2027. What I can do is I can tell them to mow it
now in September like I have on the calendar. Um and then what I can do is also maybe put something on the calendar for like March of 2027 and just say please mow it in September and March. I could do that. >> We mow September. You're not going to have enough to mow in March. I think
September, we need to have make sure it needs it needs to get burned. >> The only way we're going to control the invas is especially not mowing it, but told get such a big head start on everything. >> Yeah, >> it needs to get burned. I mean, they they told us for going on four years now they're going to burn it. Never did.
>> Right. They burned um John Clyde, but not Nag. Yeah. >> That stuff grows fast. You're right. So, the one thing is this is we're working through the state's free prescribed burning program, which basically that's why it's totally free to us and that's why the New Jersey
Forest Service does it for us. You know, there's services we can look into. We'd have to pay for it, you know, and then we're not beholdened to their to that schedule. Right now, we have to go, you know, when they tell us basically, which is a problem.
>> I think we ought to look into it. >> I I don't know. into how much it would be >> how much it would be. Absolutely. >> The weather constraints would still be the same. >> That's true. The weather the weather would still in terms of notice. So, for example, for the April 7th burn, I got
notice on like April 5th at 3:00 and then for the April 12th burn, we got it the day before. So, it's really dependent on the weather. Um, and you're right, the constraints would still be the same, but I guess if I don't even know how much something like that costs, I can definitely ask and get some
information. But at least then it's like we're on the list to be done because I don't know if negri is ever going to get burned and then this is how we get to the cycle like you're talking about. So we don't mow it because we're like hoping it won't get burned between January and April. But then when April 30th happens and they don't burn it now
we've missed the mowing window because of the birds. So that's why we keep getting into these problems. >> Can can our fire department do anything? >> No. >> I don't think that they're certified to do it. Um, I'll talk to George Effinger. He's the
person in charge. >> Up there one day, you think they are up there one day. >> I can look and see what like kind of services are. I have no idea what they would even be. I really don't. But I can look into it. >> Worth a an ask, right? >> Yeah.
>> Okay. >> Uh, the county trails. >> So, the side county trails grant. So, the uh trails committee and I looked at this when we met last month or was it this month that we met? We met this month. Yeah. So, um so the Somerset
County Somerset County is offering a trails grant to all municipalities. Um they've done this in the past before for open space. Basically, every municipality can go to the county, present an idea for a grant, and get it. So, we've been talking about what we
should do and what the best, you know, use of the money would be. Um, it has to be on public open space. It has to be accessible to the public. Um, there are certain things you can use it for and not. Um, the maximum dollar amount is
awarded on a case-byase basis. Um, we don't have to provide matching or inind services, but it's encouraged. Um, and we have to have the construction ready within 18 months of receiving the grant. So that's really the the idea. So
Vanessa, if I like, you know, mess anything up, just jump in because you know, so basically what we want to talk about at this meeting is the first option for the grant is to expand the handicapped compliant, the ADA compliant trail at Negri Napot Native Grasslands
Preserve. Um that basically means bringing the blue trail which is the trail that you enter negrina pod on and walk past the kiosk and then you get to the bird blind. If you are a person that is living with a disability especially with mobility that's kind of where you come to a stop you know like you can go
hopefully once the bird blind's rehabilitated you'll go up the bird ramp the bird blind ramp but that's it. So the idea is to expand that handicap trail so you can go completely around the bird blind and make a loop and come back. Um, so the things that we would be needing with that would be the ADA
compliant trail surface, which is the crushed red stone or if there's another surface that's ADA compliant and better and natural material. We could absolutely look into that. Um, any railings around the bird blind. There's certain heights for the railings. So maybe potentially looking at replacing
those, adding in a lower viewing area in the bird blind. Now, I know Chris Williams is working on the bird blind, but we can use this grant to make modifications to the bird blind as well. signage, anything that would be helpful to people with disabilities. Um, so the estimated funding need for that is
somewhere between 20 and $30,000. If we want to go much more, we can because we definitely have projects we can do there, but I'm just letting you know, you know, what that >> And you're working with Chris Kelly or Vanessa, are you working with Chris Kelly? >> Well, we're not this I mean, this proposal will go his way.
>> Yes, we haven't gotten there yet. This is just the first option basically. So, that's the first option. >> Um, just to add in to that. So, one of we've noticed that one of our goals has been we've talked for years about more accessible trails, more accessible trails. And our partnership with recreation, we've taken, you know, some
of the um Maria's groups um >> therapeutic groups have come out >> and we were just like so inspired by one of the hikes that we did with them and we had uh people say, "I didn't know you
had an accessible trail. I would have brought my husband. I didn't know." Right. And um and we had one person with a wheelchair and it happened to have been a very very dry time and so they opted to take that wheelchair around the bird blind because it was so dry. That's
not normal, right? Like that's just not a normal situation there. Normally it's very wet and it's not a good surface. And um we just left that hike thinking >> you know and then Maria from recreation is just like so passionate about it as well and just wanting to have more
things. So um so that we had already had the idea but then having that experience and knowing that we have um you know people in our town who are really looking for that um we wanted to take advantage of this opportunity. >> Great. And then one thing to add on to
that is in the last two days I actually received two emails from two residents that live in Franklin um that were interested in attending the autobon walks but they both have visual impairment. So they were like do you have an app that like you know I can use cuz I can't use a map. Do you have an
audio tour? Do you have this? So we can add that into the list as well. Like can we buy I don't even know what the equipment would be. I don't I haven't like ironed out all the details, but it could be and I'm not saying we do this, but you know, like at Duke Farms, for example, like the front desk, like I'm thinking like at recreation or somewhere
holds on to these things and you can like use them as like an audio tour for people experiencing other kinds of disabilities because, you know, we're not thinking about everyone who has disabilities. So maybe that's something we can add into the grants and then except instead of 20 to 30,000, maybe it's really 50,000.
>> I don't even know how much that type of thing costs. Someone has to develop it obviously, >> but >> and that's um I know we have a Eagle Scout right now who's going to be updating theformational signs that another Eagle Scout had done a long time ago. And even that you could add a QR code there, have something maybe in
Braille and then I've seen that in other parks where you have just the QR code and on your phone it takes you on an audio tour, >> reads it to you at least. Yeah, we can do that. So maybe I'll add that in and I'll say between I'm just going to say between 30 and 50,000.
Let's start there. How about that? >> So when Yeah, that's And so when you go there, you could just maybe take your phone, use a QR code, and then everything is downloaded into your phone and you just maybe plug it in with earbuds or something. >> I've never done it. I've I've experienced it as a user, but not as a
creator. So yeah, maybe that could work or maybe we need to go with what Terra was describing earlier. >> Yeah, we could look into it. might might talk to Chris Williams a bit when he gets back because he does a lot of Autobond stuff and these trails and stuff and >> so he may know >> he might he might know about it. Yep.
>> Yeah. So autobon on our walks here they don't offer that capability but they might if someone calls in they might be like oh okay I'll bring one device with me or whatever it is. But yeah so so that's really the number one option from the trails committee for this grant. If
everyone likes that trail option, then I think >> I think that's a great option, but you got to be careful because it gets awful wet around it. When you come off the top of the dam, so to speak, come around, it's awful wet there. So, do a little planning on that. >> Absolutely. Yeah, there's definitely going to have to be some, >> you know, maybe if you come up move the
trail. I don't know where the trail is now, but go closer to the property edge, right? >> Move move it somewhat. >> Yes, we might have. Yeah. And that's all stuff we'll figure out when we're out there, you know, like as we have this money for the grant. Um, I think it said you can't you can use it for design and
you can use it for permitting and other costs, but you can't use it for just planning studies and things like that. But that's okay. We wouldn't be doing that. So, >> does everyone like this idea? Cuz if you do, then we can just start working on this proposal and getting county. >> Yep. Yep.
>> I make a motion we look at that option if you need a motion. Miss committee. >> Yes, we do. >> Second it. >> Second. >> Okay. All those in favor? I >> opposed. >> All right. So, I will work on that with the trails committee and then once we
have the full proposal vetted, do does this committee want to see it again or can we just go straight to the county? >> I think you have to get it done. >> Get it done. Go straight to the county because you don't know what's going on if they pull it. >> Right. Okay. Because I believe part of the grant is we have to go there and
they still make you do that, I think. Right. Remember, >> you have to go there and propose. >> Yeah. You still have to go there for >> Yes. Well, if you if you can bring it to before you have to go depending on timing >> if timing allows. Yeah. >> Bring it back here, right? >> All right. We'll do. I mean, it's going to take some time because I'm going to have to do some mapping. I'm going to do
some cost estimates. So, >> okay. All right. So, we'll work that'll be our on our to-do. Okay. Great. Thank you. Yeah. Thank you. >> National Trails Day. >> So, National Trails Day is on Saturday, June 6th. Um, that if anyone's
interested, the trails advisory committee is going to be leading it like they do every year. Where do we decide it was this year, Vanessa? >> I'm looking at my notes. >> Like I we should remember this, but it feels like forever ago. It was not Bunker Hill.
No, it was not. >> Well, because I know we were talking about we were inspired um by the whole 250th and we were talking about trying to do something at Rockingham like on the on the Franklin Township side, but we're not going to pull that together for June 7th. So, we're doing that another time.
>> So, it's going to be at Negrina Pod at 10:00 a.m. >> Okay. Um so, yes. So, just letting everyone know the trails be leading a hike on that day like we normally do and I'm going to be putting together, you know, a flyer and having the registration on rec desk and all that.
So, >> good old business um updating open space and wreck plan. >> Uh yes. So, we have everyone now that is going to be on the steering committee. You know, basically we have that set. So Stephen and Mark and I are figuring out
a date for the three of us to meet so we can like kind of start off and kick it off, but we want to get the steering committee meeting in May. So that'll be like the first meeting of that and then we kind of will uh we'll start working on it. So just kind of getting the scheduling going because you know it's
hard. So >> we're working on it. >> I know about that. >> Um update on Kataba. Um, so which meeting was it at? I want to say March 24th. That seems like a long time ago. April. >> Two meetings ago.
>> Two meetings ago. Oh, you were there. Bill, do you want to give the update or? >> Uh, basically they approved the plan. >> They skimmed it down to what, like 8 >> 8.4 or 8.2, I think. Yeah, 8.4 I think it was.
>> Um, they uh, you know, they they cut back on the stone and the trails. Um like they they what did they save roughly a million dollars I guess it is? >> No. >> Yeah. I think it was like 800 or $900,000 maybe. >> Yeah.
>> That they saved. Oh yeah, it was March 24th. Okay. Yes. Um that seems like that was a long time ago, right? >> You know, like they they uh made things like the botchi ball court optional. >> Yes. >> Where did that cost come from? Everybody asked like it was like a quarter of a
million dollars for a botchi ball court. Like is there something special about it? Do you have any idea? >> I have no idea. Maybe it's Is it the surf? I don't know. Steve, do you know is it the surface material or >> I'm not sure or what? >> A botchi ball cart. It >> it's a So what you have to do with a
botchi ball court is basically put a a material like concrete on the bottom and then some some other kind of material on top of that and another material on top of that. And basically kind of has to be rigged almost every
single day because you know you're throwing the ball and you the ball hits and makes a divot. Hits and makes a divot. Hits and makes a divot. So uh you're going to probably have to kind of rate that every day, every other day and then weeds will grow in that. So you got
to be watch. So I don't know who's going to take care of that. >> Well, I think that's going to be optional. And the other thing they said to bring the cost down was to replace the planned stamped concrete in the pavilion areas with regular concrete and then to remove the planned 10 fitness
stations on the trail. Decision was also made to replace the bathrooms fiberglass reinforced plastic finish with a block in latex epoxy finish. So that'll save money. So they're saying they're bringing the project down to $8.6 million which is a reduction of $614,000.
I'm surprised you're doing a cornhole thing because most people >> Oh, no. Here, I'm sorry to interrupt you, Bob. Yeah, they said then the last would be to remove the horseshoe pit and the cornhole if needed. That would bring it down to 8 between 8.35 and 8.45. >> So, that's the update.
>> That will >> take care of the increase that happens between now and then. >> So, yes. So that is that's the update I have. >> Anybody have any questions? So it is out for bid, right?
>> It was going to go out to bid. I'm not sure if it's out yet, but they were working on putting it out to bid. So >> um update from other committees. >> Um Sha Tree, um this is a big month for us. Um, it's Arubber Day is going to be
this Friday on on April 24th and um I don't have details of times, but I believe we're going to have some ceremony at the gazebo and then perhaps a tree planting later. Uh, so we should have details um
at this Thursday's meeting about that. Um, we've been invited to Green Fair at the high school this Saturday from 11 to 2. So, we're going to work on having a setup there. >> Um, high school there and very lovely and enthusiastic people there.
>> Um, we have a tree sale going on right now. I think I saw that advertised on the YouTube website. >> So, yeah, anybody, you know, you want to encourage to buy trees um from us. Um, it's it's not like a um an income for the commission. It's whatever it costs
us that's got it for. >> Yeah. Um and lastly, um you remember I made a presentation here for the Castle Castle >> project. So that's been bouncing around. Um it it's a reforestation of a section
of Castleton Park. We're going to name it Bara Woods. And um it's very detailed and uh it went out to bid in March, but there was some for some reason a lot of details are missing. So, we had to withdraw it and um all the necessary
details were put back in. Um and so I worked with folks at the township to to handed it off a week ago and I still don't see it out to bed. So, I don't know how long that takes. >> Okay. >> Yeah, it's kind of
like I think we'd appreciate some urgency on it because it's now two month delay and um we're getting into planting season. So, we planning to >> uh plant this spring and so and from what I learned in the interactions it
takes from the time it goes out to bid until they can actually start working is a month and a half. >> Yes, it is. Yeah. >> So, we're looking at work starting like late May or No, >> no, after late June maybe. >> Yeah.
>> So, that's that's already getting really late. So, um >> yeah. So, unfortunately, Bob is not here, but I'm trying to appeal to >> Okay. >> greater good to get >> when I talk to him. I can let him know if you want. Did you tell Connor? >> I copied Connor on that. And then Moren
said that she sent it to Carl. So, it's with them. Um I I believe all details are there. I'm not sure what else to be done for the button to be pushed to get it posted.
>> Um, on trails, we already mentioned the uh National Trails Day hike. Um, and we're also going to schedule some one for 250th of of the country. Um, we don't have a date for that one yet. We just had a hike in partnership with the
astronomy club on Saturday on the 18th and that was a big success. We had over 30 people come out there to go for a hike at the John Clyde Grasslands and also it was not a good night for the stars but uh but people people tried
people tried. So um continuing that that partnership. We also the committee is working on um exploring creating a trail at the Route 518 property. So, we went out a year ago, February, we went out again um recently, and uh you know,
looking at that property and just trying. So, we we kind of did a preliminary uh draft uh route um on there, just put like some ground flags out. And it's very thorny. It's a very thorny area. It'll definitely need some
cleaning up to make it really user user friendly, but it does stretch all the way 518 now all the way to Route 27. um by the VAC uh vet building and uh so it has a lot of potential. It has a lot of
potential. Um and uh we're we're excited um to move that along. Um we're also working with a bunch of Eagle Scouts um up to getting them to um work on our kiosks, trying to get them to update our kiosk to repair them. Um the doing some
additional work with the bird blind with some signage um the signs around Negri repairing them. Uh so just trying to continue that work with um those young people. Um >> and the Daisy.
>> Oh yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yes. So Steven had forwarded me the information originally. That woman Lindsay, they have a daisy troop which is like the youngest girl scouts. I think they're kindergarten maybe. Um they're putting in a little pollinator garden at Inman Park. So, they've been out there scouting it out
the area and marking it off and they're going to plant um uh some plants that were recommended by someone on our trails committee. So, it's been really nice. So, they're super excited. >> Yeah. >> Um and they're going to mark it off with like wood and stuff like that, like branches, you know, keep it easy.
>> Yeah. Yeah. >> Um, and also we we saw some interest on social media about birding in Franklin Township and so we're trying to like, you know, direct people in the right places to kind of work on, you know, what's available here. We also talked about how we've approved the Ottabon
doing hikes, but we're not advertising those hikes. >> So, we want to make sure that those hikes cuz we want folks in Franklin to get, you know, opportunity to to go on those those hikes that um we're paying for. Um, and lastly, we are also
submitting regular uh trail profiles to go in the Franklin Times. So, your Franklin Times, please check out our trail profiles. >> Just for the trail committee be aware or maybe they are aware that the 518 property does have gun hunting on it. So, when you decide you do your trail,
just keep that in mind. >> Oh, yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. They're aware of that. And yeah, they >> just FYI. >> Yeah. Yeah. during certain times of year, right? September through February. >> February is the gun season. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> But not on Sundays.
>> Sundays, right? >> On the trails. I just noticed this recently even though I'd known about it, the East Coast Greenway. >> Yeah. >> Do you realize that like Franklin has one of the largest chunks of the East Coast Greenway in >> the top path, right? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Yeah. So, but I've never really
heard it talked about, but it's, you know, I guess it's something I observed, you know. >> Cool. So, >> well, and we're one of the things the trails committee is doing is like for for many years, we just focused on our township trails, but we're also trying
to include other county and state trails in Franklin so people are aware because there are so many people who don't know about the tow path and that is such an amazing resource and and and close to so many people. It is the perimeter of our town, right, for a good chunk of it. So,
um yeah, something to be proud of. It's just it's just >> all the trails on Six Mile Run. >> Yeah. >> And that's that's my favorite. The White Trail on Smile Run is my favorite. >> You know what I mean? There's like a lot of lot of documents that have the East Co greenway, which would be a gateway to
leveraging our stuff. You know what I mean? If if you're you know, I mean, I think it's in relationship to biking as much as anything else, but the fact of the matter is it's still if you're into being outdoors and stuff, it's just part of another bigger plan. I don't know. Just it's just a tie in.
>> Thank you. >> Did you Did you get my text today? >> I did. Yes. I was just thinking it was something Let me look at. You go ahead. I'm going to look at it, but I you told me to remind you about something. >> One was not really a public discussion,
but the other one was putting um and you can tell me this. Austin ride my bike down Skillman. >> Oh, yeah. onto onto middle bush and then onto black walls and depending on what time of day you do it's a little sketchier.
>> Take your life in your hands. >> Okay. Okay. Sketchy life in your hands. Okay. And I realized that since it's our property, um if you could put a walking path from Skilman to the traffic light
right along the frontage of the Vanloo House, it might eat somebody's passion. You know, I mean, I'm a lunatic, but it's like um there's a like on the on the front edge of Vanloo, you can actually run a path like almost almost a
sidewalk all the way to Skilman so that you can get to the traffic light without having to do the zigzag. >> There's a little bit of a hill there, so you'd have to take that hill out. >> Just it's just just an option. >> That property is not township property. That's state property.
>> Yeah, that's state. That's that that's owned by the state. They're not how you do it. >> Lou houses. This is what you sent up on the screen. >> Yes. >> No. Picasso. >> This is Blackwell's Mills. >> Stewman. >> Yep. >> This is the Vanloo House. And this is
what you're talking about right here. This being the walking path right here. >> Yeah. It's something, you know, just so you don't >> state land and and there's a hill that's a drop of maybe 7 feet, six feet. That ain't happening.
>> So that does No, I It's a good idea though. I agree. I mean, if you can like gap that somehow. Yeah, that's state land. >> Yeah. >> Mile. >> I I just thought because it was a Meadows house, I assumed it was ours.
>> That's is we we leased the house. I think that's one. >> I think it's 99 year lease. >> That's a That's a lease thing. Definitely from the state that we got the Hangman and and Michael Garrison are different leases from the state than that one is for some reason. >> Those are state as well. The Hangman
house and Oh, >> I didn't know that. >> I I didn't hear you. What? >> I didn't realize that those were also state property. >> Each one is different. >> Some some of the town owns. >> Yeah, it's all screwed up. That's Leave
it. >> It's Van Wickle. Is Van Wickle ours? >> Van Wickle I think is ours. >> Van Wickle House is ours. Um Lane and >> No. >> East and East. I thought that was state land too and that was leased to us as well.
>> That's Township. That's Township. >> That's Township for sure. >> No, it's in that in that Delaware area. Yeah, it's in the toe path area like in the Yeah, I'll have to look at that and see pretty but yeah >> everything is everything is different
but it says township open space so as you go out there so >> there's money there to to fix that up uh you know for the flooding and everything but >> it's something has to be done about that >> really they they really should lift that
house Yes. >> Okay. >> Absolutely. >> Putting something around a motor around is not going to work if you get another massive flood, >> right? >> And I don't think that's that would hurt the historic
um qualifications of that house. >> No, I think that they did get a grant or something from the county a while back to >> Yeah, they do have money for that. Yeah, the meadows. Yeah. But >> this committee is not going to be able
to do anything. I mean, we can ask, but that's about it. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Um, >> yes. >> Anybody? >> Oh, you want to do a report Paul from the EC? Okay. Go ahead. >> Bring everybody up to date. >> Yeah. Go ahead. >> The environmental committee uh this past
weekend did a cleanup at Seaway Run. We picked up a lot of garbage. B I was doing it with Mike Corsini and I were just we had one well I saw him there but we were picking up bottles and a shopping carts. Ted's got all the numbers in his minutes from last night.
We had about 45 people. The Girl Scouts were there. One one guy I teamed up with was a professor at Ruters and we were picking up bottles and a jacket was buried half buried and we got a couple of shopping carts. We also got uh two
boxes of tile which belonged to the store in the back. Um we went to the guy and he came back and got the tile and picked it was his tile. >> What brick was this? >> A different run behind Somerset Village. >> Okay. Yep. What do you mean now?
>> Yeah. We had a lot of bags of both recyclables and black bags for garbage and Girl Scouts. We were helping to down the hill and >> Yeah. So, so, so we, so we did that this past weekend. Last night, uh, for our
meeting, we had a resident from Somerfields, Sterling Clyurn. He's a computer guy, but he also has in his house solar cells inside the house, inside of windows. He's got three of them, and he's
powering lights. He's powering his cell phone. I was there. It turns out he's a he's a cousin of my wife's spouse, but so I knew what he was doing. But when I saw all the wiring, I said, "Come to the Environmental Commission." and he did a um a talk last night that everybody just
got into it because for people in apartments like in canal walk the departments or in some in some where he lives you have no advantage no way to get solar power but he puts it inside the windows and you lose about 30%. But
he's powering. He had been doing this for 30 years. He had one little one cost about 10 bucks. You need a battery. You need the right wires and you power stuff. And for people with medicines that need resilience and no way to put a generator in an apartment, this is a way
to keep a small refrigerator powered. And we I mean all the people Ted Ted was there and everybody really got enthused about >> interesting. It really was. Yeah. It it really it it went to resilience which we've been talking about for a
long time in environment environmental >> and this whole topic often call it balcony solar cells >> yes >> is suddenly hot >> he he said the businesses doing this go
up 15% a year >> and I know there was a paid story in the New New York Times. >> Yeah, it's super interesting. Yeah, >> it made the front page of Franklin reporter. Bill was there and he interviewed him afterwards. >> Yeah. Yes.
>> Picture on the front page of >> He was great. Yeah, >> he was really >> You can on your roof, >> right? >> I have it on my roof. >> Okay. >> But we got a lot of apartments. You know, we have the condos. They're threestory apartments. putting in
charges for the people electric cars, but they're not putting solar on the roof, you know. So, >> even for people at rent apartments, even not those that are not age restricted, they're portable. So, you can like take if you want to move, you take them with you. You don't have to be good.
>> But he had the the one he got me, he showed me it folds up and it was like two 300 watts, which is nice to be able to power something real. and uh it opened up a whole new venue for people to think about as as a way to
really uh join the efficiency parade, you know. So, uh that that that was a good talk and as Tara said, we're going to get him maybe to talk to other people as well. >> So, so we did that and then uh this weekend uh I'll be working in the high
school with two of our folks at we have a table. It's a STEM week. STEM steam weekend. Yeah, that's what um Mary said. The Shade Tree Commission is going as well. >> Yeah, we we'll have a table and also one of our members will be at Elizabeth Avenue School
>> for a table. So, we're we're out there doing stuff. >> Yeah. >> And oh, one of the things that you mentioned, you talk about the toe path, you talk about the canal. >> Yeah. I've been working on that for five years and I've been working with the county with Commissioner Morirano and
the engineering group of the county and they have I went to them and made a presentation and what they're working on now I don't know all they're doing but what we wanted was solar powered lights on Western canal road and on the Manville Causeway because people people
that are crossing from the northbound part of the tow path to the southbound part have to cross the the causeway and if you're coming down west, >> you don't know anybody's going to cross until you make the turn. >> Somebody's been killed there already. There's been accidents. So, the county
is working on this. They've they got approval from the D, from the Darwin Railway Commission um and from um historical commission. >> Yeah. >> And um they just finished the freshwater wetlands and the TN which is threatened
and endangered. And so, um, Melanie Morirano and I are probably going to go visit to find out exactly what they're doing, >> right? >> Because one of our members, I'm also chairman of the, um, government affairs committee at Canal Walk. And that's how
I went to them to the county. And, um, one's worried about people that So, from Canal Walk, we have a path that goes on to Western Canal Road, the back road, and then you walk along the road to get to the intersection. You're walking on the road. It's dangerous. >> It is. Yeah.
>> Bob Vorac was said that they'll there's a gully there. They'll put a pipe in the gully, pave over it, and then people can walk on that to get to the intersection so they're not on the roadway. And that's been pending and Bob said it was in the budget, but it's been pending for four or five years. We're getting closer
now. And um so we want to go see what actually they're planning because one of the canalw walk government affairs commission ladies said if they come out and go instead of going if you cross this way you're at the white house the canal walker's house and what's there
right at the corner is a curb and a curve stone and then like a not a walkway but you're walking on the curb till you get to the face of the and then there's a roadway. way then they can get to the toe path. >> Yeah. >> What she's thinking about is people that
cross this way across Western Canal Road. People could get killed. They do that. >> Yeah. >> So, so we want I think they're redesigning the whole thing. >> Yeah. >> Process because if they got to they had to get this wetlands permit all I don't know what they're going to do to the parking
>> but there's something about that parking lot >> parking lot. >> Maybe change the curve. >> So that's where we want to find what they're doing. But it's it's they hope to go out for bid in this in the spring. >> Oh, I agree. >> I mean, it's it's 2021.
I was at the commission. >> You're dealing with like the county and the state. >> Well, it's a very complicated. >> It's like you have to have this commission and that commission and DNR. We had the DNR. I talked to John Hutchinson when he was at
>> when you mentioned about what you said as soon as soon as you said that's county >> county road then that's like another >> oh a whole another thing yeah >> but in the beginning it was this way you know Hutcherson has said I'll put the vinyl stripes down to it across thanks a
lot yeah but then the county had not worked at all >> and now it's it's been approved you know the commission approved it and they've been doing all the planning and whatever so we're going to um it's not part of environmental commission But it it hit on your Exactly. So I said, "Aha, let to
let you know what we've been doing." >> Thank you. >> All right. And I'm walking very small town. We got 2,000 people living here. >> Thank you, Paul. I got >> Paul, I got something that committee. That committee hasn't met. >> Oh, you mean you want to talk down? >> What's that?
>> ACT committee hasn't met, but we're next month's meeting, we're going to be discussing the problem the ad community in Franklin's having with the state D. Um our new lease the new leases on the ground are coming out and in those leases they say if we plant hay on the farms you cannot cut the hay till after
July 15th which makes hay useless >> because they're nesting birds and there's thousands of acres there 6 mile is about 3200 acres there maybe a,000 acre that's leased by the farmers so there's 2,000 acres of nesting habitat for birds and they're they're putting
the ominance of nesting birds on it back to the farmers. So, um, we were discussing that, trying to get that rectified. The other problem we're having is the the deformationation permits to take care of the deer. They've cut the originally we was able to have them from January to December.
In other words, all year. This past year, they cut it back till May till September. And what that's doing is it's taking out a lot of time. You like you want to shoot deer all the time to keep the herd in check. But when you do it over the winter, you you're shooting pregnant the doe's. You're taking two or
three out at a time, not one. >> So, and it is affecting our hunting program in Franklin on the Franklin ground because a lot of the six mile one ground that is being done on is adjoining the township ground and then the state saying, "Well, the bow hunters will shoot the deer and keep the deer in control."
And last I spoke to the park office, they they gave over 100 permits to hunters for six mile run bow hunters. And the last night the last number they had was 30 deer. They shot us uh who only shot 30 deer. >> So there's a couple issues that you know we uphead in Franklin. And I talked to
the new commissioner and you know he was when he called me back about it and what he was told by his underlings was a complete lie. And so he was going to check into I haven't heard back from him. But the the bird issue is a big issue. show the deer issue because the numbers are uh just
just for an example here just recently in in the area the bow hunters hunt we counted 50 deer in an 18 acre field one night >> and that's right where it's right in the middle of where the deer bow hunters are supposed to control the deer
>> so it's it's a big issue and I don't know if this committee wants to take a stance on you know maybe get the town to send you know recommendations down or because a committee is going to wind up doing that next month. >> Come come up with what the ad wants.
>> Well, we need we need the defformationation 24/7 365 and we need to be able to cut hay when the hay is ready to cut. >> Yeah. >> That the commissioner the commissioner said that to one of the farmer says, "Well, I'm going to come out in June and watch you cut some hay and I'm gonna come back in July and see what the hay
looks like." >> Well, when would you be able to cut hay? You start cutting hay Memorial Day weekend and go way through the summer. >> Okay. >> What are you going to plant back? >> I don't know yet. >> Okay. I saw a turkey yesterday.
>> Looked in a mirror. >> Huh? >> You look an old turkey at that. >> An old one. >> So, I mean that's just And so FYI for you folks also. I don't know if you noticed if you went down south middle bush road near Corvoo and and Jake's lane. There's a lot of flags up stakes
and stuff. They're putting turning lanes in. There's going to be a turning lane coming from Middlebush to Jake to make a right-hand turn. And there's going to be a turning lane coming from Franklin Park into Jake into Cordoo. And I think there going to be one to turn
both. It's going to be it's going to be a mess with it involved there. >> They're they're going to widen that whole stretch out. And it's just >> You think it's going to be a mess than helpful? >> What's that? >> You think it's going to be more of a mess than helpful? >> It's going to be It's going to be a mess, I believe, because I think they're going to have like three different
turning lanes. >> I think I think they're going to have one going into Coop from Franklin Park. Then they're going to have one go down go down Jake from Franklin Park and they're going to have one coming up from South, you know, from Middle Bush to Jake Lane. >> Well, what you what you need is just
left turn lanes. In other words, from southbound south middlebush into quarteru and from northbound into Jake and they're close enough together you could virtually just widen that whole
stretch between them. >> Right. Right. So >> that's something I've been arguing for and Phil Kramer has been arguing for for years and years. If it's really going to happen, that's wonderful. Well, it it it's it's in the
makings. In other words, they got they got it staked out, but I have no clue when it when it's going to get done because there's been work being done out there. The state didn't know what to do. I mean, it's just it's been it's been a cluster. It really has cuz, you know, I see guys working there. They call the state what's going on. You know, we don't know what's going on. Thanks for calling us.
>> They're the little blue small flags. >> Yeah. And I guess they're knocking a couple houses down, too. They going to knock the house on a corner. >> Yeah. Those have demolition permits. Those two. >> Yeah. That one and the one down on the >> one further down where it >> means. Yeah. >> Yeah. Those are those are fenced with demolition permits. Those are going >> the one right in the corner Caloo and
South Middle Bush the White House. >> Oh yeah. Yeah. >> And then they're not historic down further down Caloo. There's one going to be knocked down too. >> Cordaloo. >> Yeah. Down by Ben. Now the right the right thing to do with that road is of course nobody overdo it is take that if
you if you line up Jake's lane to the bend by the brook of Cordaloo. That's a straight shot. That'd be the answer to the problem. Just make a new road. But state's not going to allow the countyy's not going to spend the money >> where the town would because you actually want to up the town road doing that.
>> Line up Jake and Corue. >> Line up. >> That would be cutting right through the big field there, which a good field. >> There's grasshopper sparrows. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> But that that's kind of what that's going on in town. Now, there's one
wonderful big oak tree right out in the middle of >> that's been there for 200 years, I guess. >> of the corner of Jake. Is that the field you're talking about? Drien. >> Well, the the the field that stretches
north along South Metal Bush from Cordu. >> Uhhuh. >> Um >> and there's a parking lot off Calu there. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> Actually walk. Are we all done? Cuz we have we have a lot of uh executive
things to go over. Okay. >> Um motion to go. >> Thank you everybody. >> Motion to go to executive session. We'll >> have to go the consultants report is on public comment. >> The consultants report I sent out to
everyone in advance and uh that and the financial report are on the table. Um >> look at it. We need a motion to accept it. Right. or we have any questions. Whatever. Uh I guess we look at the consultant
report first if anyone has any questions. >> I don't think you ever make a motion to accept it. I think you just kind of look at it and ask. >> Okay. >> Any questions? You know, they're going to put Porter John back at Clyde John Clyde.
>> They are. Yes, they are. >> Yeah, as of April 1st. >> That'll be great. Yeah. >> Are there? >> Yep. Okay. >> Yeah. >> I didn't notice it. >> That was probably good for that hike that they just had last weekend. >> Yeah. >> Are we good?
>> Okay. Um, we need a motion, right? >> Um, not for the consultant report. No. Um motion to open to the public. I'll make a motion. >> Second.
>> Nothing. There's ghosts in the audience >> in the middle of power. Motion to close. Go into executive session. >> Okay, we're all set. >> Thank you. Thank you guys. We won't be taking any action except to close the
meeting after the executive session. >> What are you going to be talking about? >> What are you going to be talking about? >> We're going to be talking about um properties that are under negotiation right now for potential open space preservation. That's everything. Yep.