Council is called to order. Madame clerk, it's not ready. It's 7 o'clock. >> I hear you. Hold on. >> The mayor starts on time. >> In accordance with the open public meeting act of the state of New Jersey. Adequate notice of this work session
regular meeting of the Franklin Township Council was made as required indicating that this meeting would take place at the municipal building at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, January 27th, 2026. Okay. If we could all stand for the pledge of allegiance and remain standing
for the invocation by Councilman Embarrison, who's probably off balance because he just got back from India. So, I'll be as mean as I can about it. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the
republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> If there is to be peace in the world, there must be peace in the nations. If there is to be peace in the nations,
there must be peace in the cities. If there's to be peace in the cities, there must be peace between neighbors. If there's to be peace between neighbors, there must be peace in the home. If there's to be peace in the home, there must be peace in the heart. Amen.
>> Madame clerk, please call the role. >> Councilman embarrass >> here. >> Councilwoman Francois, Deputy Mayor Karazzi, Mayor Kramer, >> here. >> Councilman Oni Jaka, Councilman say here.
>> Okay. >> Councilwoman Nudin >> here. >> Councilman Basinella >> here. >> Councilman right there. >> And may the record show council >> here. Prince here. >> Um uh commendations and proclamations.
>> Mr. Kurazzi is not here. So, uh, council member, uh, Embarrison was wearing reading one and councilwoman, uh, Odin was reading. No, >> Kimberly. Kimberly is reading Kimberly.
>> Kim's you are reading the, uh, human trafficking. No, >> go ahead with >> Go ahead, >> Councilwoman Udine. Go ahead with yours. >> I can do that one. Yes. Um, hello. Can you hear me? Okay. So I will do the
Muslim heritage month whereas January has been recognized as Muslim American heritage month an observance that celebrates the heritage culture contribution of Muslim Americans to the United States and whereas Muslims have been part of America since its founding
with scholars estimating that at least 10% of the 10% enslaved Africans bought to North America were of Muslim origin. And whereas it is important to recognize and honor the achievements of Muslim Americans while promoting greater
understanding and respect and appreciation for the diversity of traditions and cultures that strain our community. And now therefore, be it resolved that Franklin Township Council does hereby proclaim January 2026 as Muslim American Heritage Month in
Franklin Township and calls upon all residents, businesses, schools, organizations, and community groups to observe this month with appropriate programs, activities, and celebrations that recognize and honor the heritage and contributions of Muslim Americans.
be a further result that Franklin Township Council encourages all citizens to take this opportunity to learn about and participate the rich cultures, histories, and values of our American um of our Muslim American neighbors and to
promote understanding, respect, and unity within our device uh diverse community. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. and National Human Trafficking Awareness Month.
>> This this proclamation is for National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Whereas human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery that denies millions of people their fundamental human dignity and freedom.
And whereas human trafficking involves the exploitation of men, women, and children through forced labor, sex trafficking, and other forms of coercion and abuse. And whereas human trafficking can occur in any community, including
Franklin Township, affecting victims in cities and rural areas alike, in homes, businesses, and online spaces. And whereas traffickers prey upon vulnerable individuals facing poverty, addiction,
homelessness, or other hardships using violence, threats, deception, and coercion to exploit their victims. And whereas survivors of human trafficking deserve comprehensive support services, including safe housing, trauma-informed
care, legal assistance, and pathways to economic stability and healing. And whereas combating human trafficking requires a collaborative effort among law enforcement, service providers, businesses, organizations, schools, faith communities, and citizens. And
whereas Franklin Township is committed to raising awareness about human trafficking, supporting survivors, and working to prevent this crime within our community. Now therefore, be it resolved that the Franklin Township Council does hereby proclaim January 26,
2026 as National Human Traffic Awareness Month in Franklin Township and calls upon all residents, businesses, organizations, and community groups to observe this month with appropriate programs, activities, and advocacy to combat human trafficking and support
survivors. >> Thank you. Um, I ask for unanimous consent to open to the public. Without objection, we are open to the public. Franklin reporter, do you have anything to say? You're the only ones
here. Then I ask for unanimous consent to close to the public. Without objection, we're closed. Um, I have no answers for the public. >> Uh, great question.
>> Council comments. Um, Mr. Wright, >> don't feel obligated. >> Mr. Wright, >> had to talk to the wife. >> Okay. Public U council comments. Um, had a public safety meeting this
evening. Uh, which Councilman Ram, Councilman Bassinella are in the committee. um by Little Pieces the corner of Home Ambrose and uh Brooklyn. No, excuse me. >> Uh in Hamilton Street. And one of the
concerns are is that when you come out of Home Street, uh if the guy's coming down Hamilton, that's an instant car crash because you can't see around the corner. So, what we want to do is because Hamilton Street is
a county road, all the other words Obviously, Franklin Township, we want to put stop signs uh on every side of the of the road, Hamilton, uh Home Street, no uh and what we wanted
to do was put it so that there are stop signs and as Council Vasinella said, no parking signs. Therefore, if we're going to try to cut down on the accidents that happened on that street, uh you never know with childers crossing
the street, you don't see anything because of the way the cars are parked. Um recipe for disaster. So, that's one thing we want to do. Uh we're going to contact the uh traffic division for
Somerset County and coordinate doing this because again the belongs to um the county because it's you know their right away. So with that being said um no
other comment um Mr. Mayor >> thank you very much Mr. Vasinella. Uh yeah. So uh picking up on the public safety uh meeting, a couple of things that stand
out and um I want to say it in context. You know, we we always do a a good response in my opinion to uh addressing catastrophic weather scenarios. Um, but I must say,
um, this time it really worked out well. To give the residents an idea, there was zero, fortunately, zero injuries or fatalities relevant to anything storm related, car-wise, accidentwise, or
otherwise. And we also literally our police and EMS responses on site saved two lives because of medical emergencies that um could have ended in a fatality. Literally saved two two lives on site of
where those incidents occurred and they also ended up delivering a baby on site um outside of obviously they couldn't make it to the hospital. So, um, not only did we have zero debts or injuries, we really had a heck of a response from
from our, uh, police and EMS in dealing with these situations that of course when they happen in a storm adds a whole another dynamic to it. Um, so thank for the quick responses. I think the sho uh, shoveling, the plowing aspect of things
went pretty well. Um, I know I was speaking with Councilman uh, Rahm about it. Um, at least especially in the fifth ward, things went very well. People need to realize plows plow snow. So, when they come and do multiple passes, it builds up and it's not always so
convenient. It blocks driveways. It makes intersections more difficult. But, I watched a lot of what went on and and I applaud our uh both our our in-house and contracted out um efforts of of plowing and the amount of work that went
into it. So, I know Councilman Rom was looking at the whole township overall and has some more uh comments in that respect, but that's kind of a readout on what happened. Um, as far as the storm, there's some safety initiatives we're working on. Um, and one being the
intersections of the side streets to Hamilton as Councilman Wright mentioned. And one of the primary things is to get maybe some paint, some painting on the curb and some signs that remind people that you need to be at minimum depending on the intersection
minimum of 25 ft from the corner. When cars parked too close to the corner, it has a whole new dynamic of uh danger. So um we're we're working on on that as an initiative. That's all. Mayor, thank you. >> Thank you, Councilwoman France.
>> Thank you, Mr. Ma'am, when it's cold, I'm moving up just a little slow cuz my bones are cold. I hope everybody out there is staying safe and warm. And I wanted to say congratulations to our former council
member, Ed Patasnik, as he was elected as the uh state commissioner of the department of education protection, environmental protection. Thank you. And then more importantly, I'm just so happy to see Councilman Rahm Ambarrison back
from India. I hope you stayed warm over there. We really missed you and I'm so glad you got back here safe. And m Coun Deputy Mayor Alex Kurazzi, wherever you are, hopefully you'll be back home safe as well. >> He's on an airplane right there.
>> Is he okay? >> And stay safe, everybody out there. >> Coming back from camp. >> Okay. Thank you, Mr. Mayor, >> I'm just happy to be here, >> Mr. Embarrass. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Yeah, I just flew
in last night um from India. I was just uh telling our friend Bill there uh a long flight um from Singapore to uh JFK 19 hours non-stop and prior to that going from India to Singapore was
another 4 and 1/2 hours, 6 hours layover. So, it's a long flight. I just woke up for the public safety meeting that we just had. Um, so I'm fresh for now. I I may not be able to sleep tonight, but um, yeah, public safety, I
think I kudos to our uh, police department and the public works. Um, they did a fabulous job. A lot of, uh, I mean, almost all the streets got plowed. And I did get a email while I was in the meeting about a
uh about some streets not getting plowed barely. But you got to understand, you know, we have um lots of streets uh in the town, 20,000 households. We cannot take care
of each and every household and the driveway when the trucks are plowing the streets. and we had a lot of snow and the the plows have to pile the snow somewhere uh because they are not going to carry them all out. So there will be
some minor inconveniences to your driveway or to the mailbox. But the better the best thing is that they we have gotten to all the roads. We have plowed all the roads and people are able to uh get on the uh streets and go to
wherever they are going to. Uh so um please bear with us if it is not a perfect job. Uh but uh we are at it and uh thanks to all the staff uh that have worked tirelessly over the weekend uh to uh uh make the streets clean and
passable. Um other than that, I'm happy to be here. Councilwoman next sitting next to you. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councilwoman Udine. It's 15 degrees outside, so I I'm okay being on a 15 hour flight from Singapore
um on business class councilman and coming. So, I wouldn't complain too much. But, um I do want to give a huge huge shout out. Kudos to our public works department, our police department. Um I was just on the street coming here and um it's, you know, it's it's it's
clean. I mean the major roads are clean and the inner roads um yes I agree that they are on the list and if they haven't been cleaned then um that's what we have a a a website that you can log a call and I know we also I also got some um emails about some streets and I gave it
to our township manager and our um public works department and they have acted on those streets and I did receive notice back saying that they were taken care and the streets are now cleaned. So, um, thank you for all the folks that have been working tirelessly over the last few days. Um, I know the kids were
very happy with snow day, but, um, our public works department worked really extra hours and, um, I appreciate everything that was done. Um, on the 14th, there was a planning board meeting, um, regarding our master plan. I received quite a bit of emails and I've had a couple discussions with
residents regarding the ordinance amendment. Um I do want to mention that those are recommendations um that will be provided by our planning board and then the council will meet and discuss and then decide if we want to adopt it. Um,
I still have some on my end on some concerns around the ordinance and that's something that I have to discuss and understand better around the buffers and setbacks and how will impact our road paving because we do um every year um
has roads that need to be paved and I'm just wanting to learn more about how that's going to make an impact to our roads. So, war 2 has a big concentration. And I know that we have 287 right next to us, but there are some concerns um that I have. So, with that
being said, um that's all I have. Um we did not have a public works meeting, and I can understand why we didn't have it, but um that's all I have to report today. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councilman. >> The Human Relations Committee meeting.
>> Oh, sorry. Turn it off. >> Yeah. The the Human Relations Committee. Yeah. >> Okay. >> There you go. >> Yeah. The meeting that the meeting now let me start again.
The human relations committee meeting that's supposed to be held on January 28th has been postponed to 25th February due to the storm.
The second one is uh thanks to our staff responsible and our public works for the job well done during this uh storm. They did a very good job. In fact uh around my area they worked tirelessly all night
till this morning just to get everything done properly. I recommend them for that. Thank you mayor. >> Thank uh thank you. Um, well, no one died and one was born, so it's a pretty
good record. Um, >> I I uh I was expecting I did get a few calls and a few uh emails about snow removal, but given the storm, I was expecting much worse. So, uh kudos to
our uh public works department. Um and uh as to Mr. Betaznik. I had a ride to the swearing in for Mikey Shur with him. So I drove I I began the day by driving to the um
swearing in with an ex- council member and I ended the day by driving home with a um a uh commissioner. >> Yeah. A um acting commissioner of the department of
educ uh department. You got me going. Department of Environmental Protection. >> Um, that's all I have. Uh, Mr. Manager, have you anything? >> Just a couple quick ones, Mr. Mayor. Um, reminder to all property owners in
Franklin Township that February 1st, your uh, first quarter taxes are due with a grace period through February 10th. Um, if you're interested in making your payments online, you should visit our website and uh click on the the
banner and it will bring you to the page where you can register to pay online or schedule your payments. Um, and um, selfish plug for the one committee that I appoint to, the Shade Tree Commission has two open volunteer positions. Um, if
there is any interest in being a member of the Sha Tree Commission, we'd love to have you come join the Sha Tree Commission. Councilman Vasinella is the council liaison to that committee. Um, they their next meeting is February 26th at 7:00 p.m. in the large conference room here in the municipal building. uh
you can certainly come to that meeting or you can certainly contact my office extension 6201 and I will put you in connection with the uh the chairman of the committee Steve Guli. So anyone interested please reach out to us and
that's what I have Mr. Mayor. >> Thank you. Um there's no council discussion item. Uh approval of the minutes there are none. uh approval of the warrants. The um
number has changed since first published, so you may hear a different number here. Uh warrants in the amount of 1,973,570.75 on January 27th are presented to the township council for payment. Do I have
a motion on the warrants? >> So seconded. >> Moved and seconded. Any discussion? Anyone like to pull an item, question or item? Madame clerk. >> Councilman embarrass. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Francois, >> yes. >> Mayor Kramer, >> yes.
>> Councilman Oni Jaka, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Udine, >> yes. >> Councilman Vasanella, >> yes. >> Councilman Wright, >> yes. >> Calendar year 2026, Hamilton Street Special Improvement District budget uh is introduced uh for calendar year 2026.
uh the Hamilton Street SID budget and set a public hearing date for February 24th, 20 26 uh is presented to the township council for adoption. Do I have a motion to introduce?
>> So move. >> Seconded. >> Been seconded. Any discussion? >> Madame clerk. >> Councilman. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Francois. >> Yes. >> Mayor Kramer. >> Yes. Councilman Onaka, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Udin, >> yes. >> Councilman Vasanella, yes.
>> Councilman Wright, >> yes. >> There are no ordinances on second reading. There is no ordinances on first reading. Government on its best doing nothing. >> Um, >> consent agenda. Items A through H listed in the consent agenda portion this
meeting are presented to the township council for adoption. Do I have a motion on the consent agenda? >> So moved. Seconded. >> Moved and seconded. Any discussion? Anyone like to pull an item? So I would item C award competitive
contract road assessment management software. Um this is something this to let you know how slowly government works. Uh this is something we saw the manager and I and I think uh Councilman Embarrison came by
and maybe Councilman Kurazzi, but it's a system where you use iPhones as dash cams and as the various employees drive around the town, it captures potholes, signs that are out, uh various things
and it it compiles them and creates a report. So, this will help us keep our streets in better shape. Uh, and if you combine that with something I hope to be in this budget, a better way for them to patch the roads um more seamlessly, I
think we can really get our roads uh in better shape and reduce the amount of paving we need to do so. But this took we saw this not at this last League of Municipalities but the year before. So
it's like a year and a half to get this um uh adopted. So any other items on the uh consent agenda? >> Mayor just had a question about the one you >> Go ahead. >> I'm voting separate. So I I think it's a
good idea. Just a couple questions and I remember you talking about this a while ago. I'm glad it's moving forward. Uh, two questions. First of all, is the um is the uh uh whatever you want to call it, footage that's acquired and recorded, is that
kept um for a certain amount of time and whatever images and is it only due like street level or if there was like a parking issue? No, it would also >> only does street conditions
>> street to street level. Okay. which which in itself is is worth it. I just wanted to know the extent of the uh the software capability. Um but does it actually uh store the material for a certain amount of time? >> So you need to talk to Carl Hal at the public works committee about that. I
don't know the answer to that question. Councilman I and by the way I was not at that legal municipalities. I was recovering from rotator cuff surgery. So I wasn't there. Um the mayor doesn't remember me being there. He remembers Carl being there. Even though we really don't look alike, it was
>> No, that's fine. And I know that you were rec I remember that. Okay. Um, so yeah, no, I think it's great. Just want to know exactly more about how it works, but I can ask it. >> That would be the best bet. I I honestly I don't know enough about it to give you an a good answer.
>> Okay. Thank you, uh, Mayor. >> That's all. >> Any other questions, >> Madame Clerk? >> Councilman Embarrison? >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Francois? Yes. Yes. Mayor Kramer, >> yes. >> Councilman Oni Jaka, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Nudin, >> yes. Councilman Vasanella, >> yes.
>> Councilman Wright, >> yes. >> There are no resolutions to be voted on separately. Old business, boards, committees, commissions, vacancies. Anyone have a nomination? >> Mayor, I have one. >> Yes. >> Um, we have a candidate for the historic
preservation. >> U, we have a few openings. I think I believe we have three plus openings. Um, we have Samuel LSE, uh, who's very interested, really impressed by his, uh, qualifications. He has got a master's degree from University of Pennsylvania
in historic preservation. How perfect is this candidate to be in the commission? So, I nominate Samuel Loose. I believe he sent an application. Uh we we are trying to track it down and Mary is uh so um pending
um receiving the application uh sending it to all of us. I nominate Samuel Loose uh to be in the historic preservation. >> Are you nominating him or not? >> I am. >> Okay. So it's not pending anything. Um
so uh any other nominations for this position? I assume you want the regular member position. Yes. >> For your term? >> Yes. >> Any other nominations for that position? Any other nominations for any other position? >> Madame clerk. Oh, I'm sorry. We can do
this by acclamation. All in favor of Samuel Loose taking the regular member position on the historic preservation uh committee say I. >> I. >> Oppos say nay. Motion is carried. Congratulations, Mr. Loose.
Um there were no other nominations so we have no executive session. Do we have a motion to adjurnn? >> All moved. >> Moved. >> Second >> and seconded. All in favor say I. >> I.
>> Opposed say nay. We are adjourned. Be well. Franklin the world.