This work session Excuse me. I have it. Okay, this work session regular meeting of Township Council is called to order. Okay, this work session regular meeting of the Township Council is called to order.
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 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 14th, 2026.
You're going to have to pledge your allegiance followed by invocation by Councilwoman Kimberly Francois. 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. Please please stay standing. Let us all take a few minutes to each seek in our own way
whatever sources of inspiration will grant us the strength and power in our own thoughts and decisions to be for the benefit of all people at all times. Amen. All right, we're going to do the roll
call. Our Mayor Philip Kramer couldn't make it today, so Madam Clerk, please. Councilman Barracato Here. Councilwoman Francois Here. Deputy Mayor Carraha Here. Mayor Kramer Councilman Onyiuke Here. Councilman
Singh Yes. Councilwoman Uddin Yes. Councilman Vassanella Yes. Councilman Wright Thank you. We have a few commendation and proclamation, so we're going to start with the first one. It's is a wonderful thing that the Lion the
Somerset Lions Club has done to donate one of our best organization Township Food Bank. So, Councilwoman Uddin, you have it. I don't know. All right, good good evening. Good
evening, everyone. Oh, this is an amazing event and you know what? It's actually very beautiful that we're starting off with such an amazing presentation right now. We are um going to do a commendation to present um a
a check that's coming directly from our community and this is what I love about Franklin is that our residents come together and make sure that our local residents are also getting what they need and we're maximizing our worth and our spend. So, I'm going to read this
commendation and then I'll have Rohit from the Somerset Hills Lions Club um talk about what they do and the amazing things that they have done in the past and what they continue to do and one of them is our food bank, so. Whereas the Somerset Lions Club has
demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the well-being of the residents of Franklin Township and the surrounding communities through its tireless volunteer service and the charitable endeavors and whereas through their dedication fundraising efforts, the Somerset Lions Club has raised the
remarkable sum of $3,000 in support of the Franklin Food Bank. And whereas the Franklin Food Bank serves as an essential resource for families and individuals in need throughout our community and this generous contribution will directly provide nourishment and relief to our
neighbors facing food insecurity. And whereas the spirit of service embodied by the members of the Somerset Lions Club reflects the finest tradition of civic responsibility and compassionate neighborly action. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the
Mayor and Township Council, Franklin Township, Somerset County, New Jersey do hereby commend and extend their deepest appreciation to the Somerset Lions Club for their extraordinary generosity and public spirit dedication to the health and welfare of the Franklin Township
community. Their contribution of $3,000 to the Franklin Food Bank stands as a shining example of Lions International's motto, "We Serve." Be it further resolved that this commendation be presented to the Somerset Lions Club as a lasting
testament to their goodwill, fellowship, and selfless service to the Franklin Township and Somerset County. Um before I hand it over, I just wanted to say, you know, I I met the members just a couple weeks ago and and I was invited to one of their houses and I met them
and you know, it's it's just like residents, all of us sitting around in a dining room table or our couch or living room of Rohit's house and just coming together and you know, thinking about ways that we can further provide service to the community, whether it's by, you know, providing dollars that we are
today and giving back to our community. So, I think it's so important that um at times that are so tough now with things that are going away for our families, our seniors, you know, single parents that are trying to make their ends meet, that our residents are are coming together and forming this
and you know, unity bond and saying, "Look, how can we help? If I have a dollar, how can I give that dollar 50 cents to someone else where that person also eats at the table as I eat at the table." So, this is a beautiful um you know, I I just think it's a beautiful act of kindness and another
charitable thing. So, I want to give this mic to first Rohit, do you want to present first and then we'll have a few words? The check. This is to the bank. And and we were thinking of giving this during the month of Ramadan to make this more meaningful, but we
realized that there were more members coming in with funding, so we wanted to wait as much as we can to kind of maximize the dollars here, so. I have a bad habit of not using the mic. So, my name is Rohit and Rohit Gupta for all this purposes, Lion Rohit Gupta as I
very proud to say that. So, we are part of the International Club, Lion International Club, which was formed 108 years back and this is a club This is an organization which is worldwide and we have 1.4 million plus members as of today. So, I'll give you some quick
dates. By the way, before I start, Councilwoman Councilwoman Shepa, I actually I call Shepa because we are good friends. I don't call her Councilwoman Woman Shepa, I call her Shepa. So, I I apologize for that, but we are very grateful to be here and to be part of this
political session and able to donate $3,000 to Franklin Food Bank. So, thank you for giving us a chance to be here and to speak on behalf of Lions as well. So, that being said, few I want to share a few milestones so you understand who we are as an organization and what we
represent, right? So, Lions was formed in 1917 in Chicago, right? And it as I said, it's worldwide with 1.4 million members and and then once you actually one more thing I want to share here is you see eyeglasses boxes?
You seen that? That was actually started by Helen Keller in 1925, right? So, we are still supporting it every which way we can. So, vision is one of our biggest uh service service that we do worldwide. We have done
hundreds of thousands of cataract surgeries for free around the world. So, Lions as as I said in every community that you can think of, Lions is there and then we are supporting 100% as whatever the club each club can do.
Uh the other thing I want to mention here which she actually mentioned, we serve. This is our motto and we truly truly truly believe in it. Every Lion who the 1.4 million Lions absolutely stand behind that. When we say we serve, meaning we serve. And the other example
I'll give you when we had the Sandy Superstorm, we were the first ones on the ground and we were the last ones. This is after 15 years when that thing that operation went, Lions were the last ones getting out. So, there a lot of money was poured in through the Lions and through the organizations or through
donations of different communities through Lions. And and I'm going to talk about the hunger itself because it's related to hunger. So, last year there were 26 uh related grants that were approved by Lions and it was totally about $1 million.
So, our check is $3,000. Imagine that the impact we had worldwide by donating $1 million. This is around the world, right? And then what we do as our club, we were formed in uh 2018 and we have done
childhood cancer, pandemic support, mental health support, youth environment and environmental support. And today this is our second time we're helping food bank. First we did $2,500 worth of thousand $2,500 worth of food because we at that point didn't believe in
donating directly. But when we met with Chef we went with direct we had actually understood this $3,000 what we can buy for the $3,000 or what he can buy for $3,000 is like the this big of a difference, right? So, it made sense to give a
direct donation versus us procuring food because we could not add that value that direct and his team gets at the food bank. So, this is why so this is the second time. So, again we are very proud to do this. We stand here as one collective group as you can tell and we continue to support as much
as we can in every sense we can and especially when it comes to hunger, mental health. We are also leading mental health awareness projects in in the community. You will see another fair coming up in October and May next year. So, but we are working very hard to educate people about mental health and
then bring speakers and experts who can share their thoughts and actually listen to your community as well. So, again thank you for the chance and thank you Councilwoman for this chance as well. >> [applause] >> Oh, yes. That's it. >> [laughter] >> It's the real one. Nice. Uh yeah, I just
want to say thank you so much to the Somerset Lions Club. Um they are new friends of the food bank and we're excited for a long relationship. Um we had the pleasure of hosting some members of the Lions Club at the Franklin Food Bank, gave them a tour, uh sat down with them, learned a lot. I
did not know much about the Lions Club. Uh now that I know and better understand the incredible impact that the Lions Club not only has here in Franklin and Somerset but across the globe is really inspirational and we are blessed and humbled uh to have the Lions Club be one
of our supporters. You all have heard me say this before. This town is very special and very unique. One of the things about this town is that we stand up for each other. We come together and make sure that anybody who's in need of some type of support, whether it be housing or mental
health care or access to food, Franklin bends over backwards to try to find a way to make it happen and the Lions Club I think is an amazing example of an organization that is not only about the mission that you see on their website but the commitment of their members to this work on the ground each and every day. So, then it's an honor and a
privilege as somebody who was born in August Leo, right? >> [laughter] >> The Lions Club is an amazing partnership for the food bank and for me. So, again with all the amazing staff and volunteers that support the work that we
do at the Franklin Food Bank, on behalf of all of them, thank you so much Lions Club and thank you Councilwoman Deen for helping to make this partnership come true. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Thank you. We have the next one. We have couple of uh
actually um uh proclamations. One is the sexual assault awareness and prevention month and child abuse prevention month by Councilwoman Francois. Good evening. Can you hear me? Is this on? Okay, good.
Good evening, everyone. This kind of piggybacks on what was done on the proclamation and commendation that happened right before this. The The job that I work on this weekend we did a baby shower because it this
happens to also be Black Maternal Health Week as well. And so at the baby shower there was a young lady. She was 16 years old and she was pregnant. And she had a 6-year-old son with her.
And uh she was probably she was so tiny and so little you couldn't even tell that she was 39 weeks pregnant. And when asking her um about her situation, she said, "I'm carrying my brother's child."
So, these two proclamations I think were very befitting about some of the things that are going on in the community. In particular April is child abuse prevention month and it's also sexual assault awareness and prevention month. So, that one
incident that came up just this weekend was you know profound, you know, when you think about it's not just a a situation of sexual assault. Child abuse is also a part of that. So, uh Karen Alafeeno is here with me so
I'm going to read both proclamations and she has a lot of expertise and experience in this so I'm going to let her speak after that. But I wanted to bring up that that uh experience that I had that happened just on Saturday. And that was over in Staten Island by
the way, in New York City. So, the first proclamation reads it's it's a child of um I want to do sexual assault. Sexual assault awareness and prevention month. So, it [clears throat] reads Whereas sexual assault is a serious public health and safety issue that
affects individuals of all ages, genders, races, ethnicity ethnicity ethnicities and backgrounds causing profound and lasting harm to survivors, their families and our community as a whole. And whereas the month of April is
recognized nationally as sexual assault awareness and prevention month, a time dedicated to raising public awareness about sexual violence, supporting survivors and promoting efforts to prevent sexual assault before it occurs. Whereas sexual assault has far-reaching consequences
including physical injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety and other lasting impacts on the mental and physical health of the survivor. And whereas the effective prevention requires a community-wide commitment to promoting healthy relationships
bystander intervention consent education and a culture that does not tolerate sexual harassment or violence in any form. And whereas survivors of sexual assault deserve compassion dignity and respect and unwavering support.
And every member of our community has a role to play in creating an an environment where survivors feel safe to come forward and seek help. Now, therefore be it proclaimed by the Mayor and Council of the Township of Franklin, Somerset County, New Jersey that the month of April 2026 is hereby
designated as a sexual assault awareness and prevention month in the Township of Franklin. And the Mayor and Council urge all residents, businesses, schools, houses of worship and community organizations to join us in recognizing April as sexual assault awareness and
in community education events and standing in solidarity with survivors. That young lady was also recommended to go to the hospital and they induced her labor and ironically the clinician said if she had not gone there then she would
not be alive today. So, that's what like I said that's one one one little example but it it it's going to probably stay with me forever. Now, the next proclamation is child abuse prevention month, April 2026. Whereas children are the most precious
members of our community and their safety, well-being and healthy development are fundamental to the future of the Township of Franklin and all of Somerset County. And whereas the month of April is recognized nationally as child abuse prevention month a time to raise
awareness about the prevalence of child abuse and neglect and to promote the social and emotional well-being of children and families throughout our nation. And whereas child abuse and neglect affect children of every background regardless of age, race,
ethnicity, income or community and have lasting consequences on the health, safety and development of our children. And whereas prevention efforts including strong community networks, parental support programs and accessibility family resources are proven to reduce
the risk of child abuse and neglect. And whereas the display of blue pinwheels, the national symbol of child abuse prevention, serves as a powerful reminder [snorts] of the bright futures of all children deserve and and our collective commitment to their protection. Now, therefore be it
proclaimed by the Mayor and Council of the Township of Franklin that the month of April is hereby designated as child abuse prevention month in the Township of Franklin. And the Township of Franklin reaffirms its commitment to the safety, health, and well-being of all
children, and to building a community in which every child is valued, protected, and given the opportunity to thrive. And that young lady had food insecurity. She was so small and so thin at 39 weeks pregnant you would you would not even know because of
the the she was practically starving to death. And so there there's there's many impacts. There's a theme here that one is dependent on the other, and I'm glad that we're doing this today. And let's have hear from Karen. Um good evening, everyone. I am actually
speaking on behalf of a woman who has spent most of her life um working to bring awareness to victims of sexual assault and to help prevent that. Her name is Elaine Hewins.
Um in her words, she says thank you very much to the Township for recognizing April as Sexual Assault um Awareness Month. Sexual assault and violence affects people in every community, including ours here in Franklin. It can
happen to anyone, but teenage girls and young women, as we just heard, are at an increased risk. The impact of sexual violence goes beyond the survivors. It hurts the families. It hurts relationships and entire communities. Here in Somerset County, Safe and Sound
Somerset provides services for survivors of sexual and domestic violence. They're actually located in Somerville. You can call or text their helpline at 866-685-1122. Again, that's Safe and Sound Somerset. They're located in Somerville.
We all have a role to provide in sexual violence prevention. For example, learning and teaching about consent and healthy relationships, sharing resource information, and helping to connect those in need to proper resources. Sexual violence services are
confidential. It is never the survivor's fault. Thank you. Thank you. Now I'm going to speak on behalf of something I'm more intimately familiar with. I've spent most of my adult life being a caretaker
of children, whether it is my own children at home, teaching in the public schools, or being a foster parent, of which I've taken care of quite a few young children um there.
I want to remind everybody here that in New Jersey, it is the law. We are all mandated reporters. That means that if you suspect that a child is being harmed physically, sexually, emotionally, or they're being neglected, it is our
responsibility. It's actually the law for us to report that. And that number to report is 1-800-NJ Abuse. Another resource for parents that and I don't want to make it sound like I'm giving an excuse for this, but if
parents feel that they need support, that they can identify a problem within themselves, there's also help for them as well. And they can call the 800 number, 1-800-THE
KIDS, t h e k i d s, The Kids. I can tell you from first-hand experience in the classrooms, I've had students that I have made that confidential phone call. Um I can tell you even recently in this past year,
as I'm working in the schools, I've made that phone call as well. It is happening, and it is all of our jobs and responsibilities to do everything we can to help protect the most vulnerable of our population, and that is our children. Thank you. >> [applause]
>> Thank you so much. Um our next proclamation is the Chamber of Commerce Annual Gala. Councilman Emberson. Good evening, everyone. Chamber of Commerce doesn't need any introduction.
Uh our Township has more than 2,000 businesses, and Chamber brings them all together and provides all kinds of support in networking, um
training, and sometimes uh some fun events that you organize. And that's this year they are going to do an annual gala at Marigold on the 29th. Um they're going to recognize
key achievements of local businesses and some key individuals in town. So, I encourage all of you to if if at all possible, sign up and attend the gala. It's a lot of fun. I'll be there.
And so will be our mayor and a few other people. Yes. So, um few years ago Chamber wasn't very active, um but since
Nick took over as the president, it has become a very vibrant organization, uh actively involved uh in promoting the local businesses. We had a couple of years ago we had a TV station come and do a morning show
visiting local businesses in the morning and promoting them on the channel. So, we need to encourage um businesses to join our Chamber so that we can become even more helpful to those businesses in
terms of promoting them and get more business. So, the small businesses are the economic engine of towns like us. They provide services to the people. They provide employment to the local people, and they really help the
economy. Uh and so so I I wish you all could participate and make this gala grand success. And we have a little proclamation for you. Um whereas the Franklin Town Township Chamber of Commerce has served as a
vital pillar of our community, steadfastly dedicated to championing the growth of local businesses and elevating the quality of life throughout Franklin Township. And whereas the Franklin Township Chamber of Commerce cultivates
a vibrant culture of collaboration and camaraderie among business professionals, offering meaningful meaningful leadership and resources that strengthen the economic foundation of our Township. And whereas the FTCC is hosting its annual gala on April 29th,
2026 at the Marigold, a distinguished event venue within our community. And whereas the distinguished gala stands as a joyous tribute to the accomplishments of the FTCC and its valued members, providing a moment to honor past
milestones while embracing the promise of future initiatives that will continue to enrich our Township and its residents. Now therefore, we we and the council and Philip Kramer, Mayor
Mayor Philip Kramer, Mayor on behalf of the Township Council and the residents of the Township of Franklin do hereby recognize and celebrate the Franklin Township Chamber of Commerce for its steadfast dedication to our community and do and do officially proclaim April
29th, 2026 as Franklin Township Chamber of Commerce Gala Day in Franklin Township. We offer our sincere congratulations to the FTCC on this occasion and look forward to their enduring contributions to the prosperity, unity,
and well-being of our great community. Congratulations. >> [applause] >> So, I wanted to on behalf of the Franklin Township Chamber of Commerce, thank you for this proclamation and for continuing to support the local
businesses here, and more importantly um support my craziness and for helping me transition into this position for the last few years. Um you've all been so um instrumental in helping members join and supporting the
events that we continue to host. Um this year, as Ron said, um we have the event scheduled for April 29th at the Marigold, and we are going to be honoring among other businesses um our own Mayor Philip Kramer. So, if
you haven't gotten tickets and you'd like to attend, it is on April 29th. Um and we continue to um honor about seven or eight business communities um every year at the annual gala. It's our largest fundraiser.
Um and that's basically how we um you know uh support the organization. So again, thank you for your support, and thank you for this proclamation. >> [applause] >> All right. Okay, now it's my turn, but before I come down, is anybody from the
Conference on Horseback here by any chance? Just want to make sure. Okay. Then we'll hold off that commendation for next week. Next next meeting and I'll come to the one that I'm Good evening everyone. So, one of the
the most beautiful thing in in Franklin Township is diversity. And pretty much we have people from all over the world. And so this month is the heritage month to one of our great community groups, which is the
Arab American. And so April is the American Heritage Month and I have a proclamation to read. Whereas Arab Americans have been an integral part of the fabric of the United States for more than a century.
With millions of individuals of Arab descent contributing to every sector of American life. Including business, medicine, science, law, the arts, education, and public service. Enriching the cultural, economic, and civic life
of communities across the nation. And whereas the Township of Franklin is home to a vibrant and growing Arab American community. Whose members bring the rich traditions, languages, values, and
heritage of their ancestral homelands. Including Lebanon, Egypt, Syria, Palestine, Jordan. Yemen, Iraq, and other Arab nation. It strengthen the diversity and the spirit of our
Township. And whereas Arab Americans have made enduring contribution to our shared American story. From pioneering entrepreneurs and distinguished scientists to celebrated artists. Athletes and elected officials. And have
consistently demonstrated a commitment to service, family, community, and the democratic ideals upon which our nation was founded. And whereas the month of April has been recognized nationally as
a Arab American Heritage Month. Providing an opportunity for all Americans to celebrate Arab American history and culture. To promote cross-cultural understanding and mutual respect. And to to
and to reaffirm our commitment to the values of inclusion, dignity, and equal opportunity for all residents of our Township and nation. And now therefore, be it proclaimed that the mayor and council of Township of Franklin,
Somerset County, New Jersey do hereby designate the month of April 2026 as Arab American Heritage Month in the Township of Franklin. And call upon all residents, businesses, and institution
to honor and celebrate the immeasurable contribution of Arab Americans to our community. And to the United States of America. And to join in fostering a spirit of unity, respect, and appreciation for the diversity that
marks the Franklin Township. And our nation And makes our Franklin Township and our our nation great. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Our next one is uh International Dark Sky Week.
And Councilman Singh. You can you can come to the mic. I'm going to join my neighbor also because he's the leader of this uh astronomical uh club. So, I just want to Oh. Okay.
All right, good. So, we have someone to receive the proclamation. Welcome. Um So, good evening everyone. Um I'd like to recognize um the International Dark Skies Week. Uh which is this week between April 13th
and the 20th. And uh good reminder that the night sky that we all share is a shared resource. And we often take that for granted.
Um By reducing uh light pollution we not only protect our environment and wildlife but also uh by the same token restore
something that's meaningful for our residents. And the simple ability to kind of look up and see the stars when we want it. Um I want to recognize some great work done
by the Franklin Township Environmental Commission. Um and uh the Franklin Township Trails Committee. And uh they have partnered very closely with the Franklin Astronomy Club um over
the last few years. On various events. Um educating uh our residents on the impact of light pollution and the importance of uh using appropriate light. Um using warm light. And uh using
controlled light. So, uh I'm not going to read the proclamation but I'm going to read a couple of key parts of the uh proclamation towards the end. Um So, it says, "Now therefore be it proclaimed
by the mayor and council of the Township of Franklin, Somerset County, New Jersey that the week of April 13th through April 20th 2026 will be celebrated as an International Dark Skies Week.
Be it further proclaimed that the mayor and council publicly commit to its continued work in achieving environmental equity environmental stewardship pollution and light pollution prevention
and mitigation, sustainability, and resiliency as a standard of practice in all of its projects, in all of its policies, and all of its programs." Congratulations.
And >> [applause] >> Well, thank you Councilman Singh. And thank you to the council. Uh to the mayor as well, who's not here. Uh as well as to the Environmental Committee Commission and the Trails Advisory Committee. Uh as an amateur astronomer, I certainly have a vested interest in a
clear dark night sky. But International Dark Skies Week is about more than just us astronomers looking into the night sky. It's about all of us. It's about any of us who's been kept up at night by a bright light shining into their bedroom window.
It's about suddenly realizing that there aren't as many fireflies or lightning bugs out there as there used to be because the light just confuses them and they don't know how to find their mates. Or the moths who are major pollinators of the night sky are suddenly attracted to our bright lights at the porch and
they're missing all the flowers. Or the birds who are migrating in wrong directions don't know which way is north or south. The trees who think that it's day or night and they don't really know. And they don't know when to drop their leaves or hold on to their leaves. And it's about energy. It's about wasted
energy. And it's about so many other effects it has on our health and the health of our environment. So, as a amateur astronomer, I'm here because sure I would love to see a dark sky. But it is it is about much more about, you know, what the quality of the night sky indeed as a real natural resource is
truly all about. I'll leave you with two interesting little tidbits here. Only two in 10 of us in the United States can see the Milky Way at night. Unless you've been out into a dark area, been out camping out west or up in the Adirondacks somewhere, it's very likely most people here have never truly seen
the Milky Way. Just a natural beauty of the universe. And light pollution is encroaching into our into our country at the rate of 2% a year. That is every year there's 2% more light out there.
Dark Skies and what Dark Skies International is trying to do is not trying to make everything dark. Light is a natural light, you know, at night artificial light at night is a is a wonderful resource. It's very important. It's really spurred technology. It's why we are even here right now. But
with learning about responsible use of light how to bring the light down a little warmer, a little lower, point in the right direction, that's really what it's all about. The Astronomy Club is sponsoring a couple of events coming up this Saturday. You may have seen it's called the Go Dark Sunset Hike and Astronomy
Night. We're hoping for clear skies on Saturday. You're all invited to John Clyde Preserve and Memorial Grasslands. John Clyde Memorial Grasslands Preserve on Saturday night. Um and on next Wednesday at the public library, I will be actually presenting a
practical overview of how we can all mitigate the effects of artificial light at night, called Allen, uh as well as just generally light pollution. So, we'll have some tips about how to change some of the lighting around your house or in businesses to help with the confused fireflies and the
sleepless nights that we may all have. So, thank you again to the council. Thank you to all and it's a wonderful weekend. Look up tonight. Yes. >> [applause] >> Can you also mention about the work that you did in high school? Uh uh the work that I did in in high school? >> You are doing in high school. Okay.
Actually, so with the astronomy club, the Franklin high school Franklin high school has been very eager to uh connect with us, the larger astronomy club. And just to give you a sense, our astronomy club has about 200 registered members. Uh just not only in Franklin Township, but around the neighboring communities. And Franklin
high school has a very interested group of uh students who have formed a Franklin high school astronomy club and they have invited us to uh come tomorrow and to speak about ways in which we can work with them, help some budding astronomers, budding scientists, and maybe some budding light pollution
advocates. So, looking forward to doing that very much tomorrow and I think another great way in which we can all work together as a community, not just for the old gray-haired astronomers like myself, but for the youth out there who represent the future. So, thank you for reminding me about that. Thank you so much.
Thank you, [applause] Jim. Thank you so much. Our last one is the Arbor Day proclamation by Councilman Massenella. Thank you, Deputy Mayor. And um Councilman Singh, I think that was your
first proclamation and seriously, it was one of the most interesting ones I've ever seen come through here. And maybe someday people who make or watch digital billboards will appreciate what was said today and we'll see a lot less of those. Seriously.
Anyway, this is uh going to wrap it up with some trees here. This is the last proclamation. Uh I'm sure most of you heard of Arbor Day, yearly event. A lot of people might not know what it is or where it came from. Well, here's a few sentences that will
uh fill you in on that. Whereas National Arbor Day is celebrated annually in April by communities nationwide as a time to promote the benefits of trees. And whereas trees can reduce the erosion of our precious topsoil by wind and water, lower our heating and cooling
costs, moderate temperatures, clean the air, sequester carbon, produce oxygen, and provide habitat for wildlife. And whereas trees are a renewable resource giving us paper, wood for our homes, [clears throat] fuel for our our fires, and countless other wood products. And whereas trees in our Township increase
property values, they actually do, enhance the economic vitality of business areas, and beautify our community. And whereas the Township of Franklin has recognized the value of trees by creating a shade tree commission to promote tree conservation and planting and maintaining trees on public
property throughout the Township. And whereas the Township of Franklin has been a proud Tree City USA for over 24 years and that's not easy to do. Over 24 years. And whereas the Shade Tree Commission in partnership with the Franklin Township Department of Public Works will once again host the Arbor Day event
on April 24th, 2026 at the Township Gazebo, right out here. It's going to be beautiful. And a tree planting at an historical property in town. Not sure which one. Steve will maybe tell us. And therefore, myself, James Massenella, council
member, and Philip Kramer, mayor of the Township of Franklin, on behalf of County of Somerset, State of New Jersey, on behalf of the entire council, hereby proclaim Friday, the 24th day of April, 2026 as Arbor Day in the Township of Franklin, Somerset County, and urge all
citizens to celebrate Arbor Day and to support efforts to protect our trees and woodlands for this and future generations. Just like what was mentioned before, can practice environmentalism conservationism and everything else right here, literally in our backyards
and in our town. And uh I'm going to just turn it over real quickly to Steve Gilhooley, our modest chairman of our Shade Tree Commission, which is really um leading the effort in a lot of things I'm not going to talk about tonight because he's actually going to bring a quick 5-10 minute report so all of uh council and
the public will know the great things we've been up to and will be up to. But I want to present him with this proclamation and thank him. And I see uh Commissioner Hudak in the audience. Um also, thank you, Bob, for coming. Um and thank you for for the good work. And
you can say something about Arbor Day. Thank you, Steve. Thank you, Jim. >> [applause] >> Thank you, Jim. Recognizing I'm the last of several proclamations, I'll keep it short. Uh what we do in the Shade Tree Commission is we manage the trees and canopy on public property in Franklin Township.
So, that means we help improve the canopy by adding trees wherever we can. We work with residents in town to make it affordable and easy to get access to trees through our spring tree sale, which is going on right now. So, please check our website if you're looking for a beautiful tree to add to your yard. We
have two varieties. Um and we work with the DPW to replace the trees, take down trees that are dangerous, that have died, for example, and to add trees wherever we can. So, this year, for example, we did some tree plantings along JFK Boulevard. We did plantings in Rutgers Heights Park, over
in Consavoy Park, and we're working right now with the town to do a major reforestation in Castleton Park, which will be called the Bartha Woods, where we'll be adding over 100 trees plus under undercover to reforest a whole section of that park that used to be a farm and used to be a little forested
pocket. So, what we're doing is trying to increase the number of trees, increase the health and the quality of the air in Franklin Township, one tree at a time. So, if you're interested, we have two openings on the commission, little plug there. So, come on down next Thursday night here at the council at the the large conference room in the in
the building and we'd love to meet you and love to you help you plant a tree. Thank you, Jim. THANK YOU, JIM. >> [applause] >> OKAY, THANK YOU. SO, NUMBER SIX, THE public discussion. Um I would like to ask for unanimous consent to open the
public session. I don't see any objection. So, we will open the public session. You may come to the mic and each one you have 5 minutes. Please state your name and address. Um
astronomy group is leaving and I just wanted to say something. My name is Eleanor Hogan, 9 Republic Row, Somerset, New Jersey. And I just joined the astronomy club um about back in November. And I just want to say those
guys put in a lot of work and effort for the astronomy club and they are such bunch of nice guys. They bring their uh telescopes for everybody to use and they do seminars every month and teach us
about the skies. And I just want to say it is a great club and I hope you guys all support it. Thank you. Uh good evening. My name is Shanique Davis and I'm a resident here in Franklin Township and I'm here uh tonight about the new leaf disposal fee.
I'm sorry. 227 Blake Avenue. Shanique Davis. Uh >> [clears throat] >> so, I'm here tonight about the new leaf disposal fee at the convenience center center, which took effect April 1st. So, I have a few concerns and I'll be brief.
So, first, uh there was no notice. Uh the Township sends us Nixel alerts for down wires, traffic traffic accidents, uh races that are taking place, and delayed tax bills. However, we did not receive a notification, at least a formal notification, about this new fee.
Um and that's not acceptable. Um if you can text me about a tree across Route 27, you can most certainly text me about uh this increase of fee. Second, the payment process is indeed a barrier. Residents must obtain a permit in advance and pay by check or cash. No
onsite payment and no credit card accepted. To purchase a payment to purchase a permit, uh you have to visit public works, which is open uh weekdays 7:00 a.m. to 2:45, or the clerk's office, which is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30
p.m. Most of us are at work. Um this wasn't designed for with working residents in mind. Um as an example, I work in New York City and it was a challenge just to get here tonight due to New Jersey Transit's ongoing issues. Um third, the hours. The convenience center is open only two Mondays per
month, 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., and one Saturday per month, uh 8:00 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. You named it the convenience center, but I would argue that it's living up to the opposite and it's an inconvenience center. Working families simply cannot access it on that
schedule. Fourth, I'm asking for a grace period. This policy dropped on April 1st with no warning, again. The center is barely accessible. People have leaves piling up right now with no realistic way to legally dispose of them. A grace period
at minimum through April is fair and the reasonable thing to do. Fifth, comparable towns do better and they do it for free. Um I checked Piscataway's mini dump is open Tuesdays and Thursdays until 8:00 p.m., Saturdays 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Evening and weekend hours designed, again, for working people. Coupons or permits are not required for leaf disposal. Residents drop off at no charge. They also provide curbside leaf pickup and include two free bundles of 20 leaf bags with each resident service card. New Brunswick similarly collects
leaves curbside in spring and fall for composting and provides 20 free leaf bags per property. Even South Plainfield's yard waste site is open 6 days a week. None of these towns charge residents a flat fee to drop off leaves. This Township approved about 18
marijuana dispensaries generating significant licensing and tax revenue, yet cannot absorb the cost of leaf disposal. We already pay for garbage pickup. We pay uh in Jersey generally we pay some of the highest property taxes in the country. Charging us 10 or $20 if
you have an SUV, $10 for a car with no notice, no accessible hours, and no easy payment method is a failure of basic service delivery. My ask are simple. At minimum institute a grace period, um easier way to pay, and then send proper
notice going forward expand the hours to include meaningful weekend and evening access, and revisit whether this fee is justified at all. Thank you. Thank you. >> [clears throat] >> Okay. Yeah, okay. Deborah Emmons, 67 Robert Road.
A councilperson is expected to lead to be a leader of their respective ward as well as an as a representative of Franklin Township as a whole. Never should there be rumor rumors or doubt of their primary residence or if they even
live in the municipality. I respectfully request that Councilman Wright disclose his current primary residence to both fellow council members and residents of Franklin Township. And has he also updated his voter
registration to reflect his new address? Lastly and additionally, I speak to the council in the the Township Council and the attorney and ask what are the requirements for one to keep their seat if a councilperson is no longer living at the
address on file and has not updated [snorts] such. If a if Councilman Wright has not yet updated his address to reflect to reflect a primary residence in the fourth ward, how many days is he allowed to do so before it's out of
compliance? My name is John the Trackers. I live on Arlington Avenue, Somerset. Uh a few meetings back I requested a light consideration of a light at JFK Winston Drive. Did anybody ever look into that?
I Sir, we answer when everyone is done. Oh, when everyone is done? Yes. Okay, I got a couple other issues. I I suggested they put a uh uh rumble strip on Amwell Road [clears throat] for safety. Okay.
Just another and uh couple other issues uh Is there a reason they got 18 uh marijuana dispensaries? That seems like an awful lot. And the accident rate gone up in the Township because of that?
Does anybody know the answer to that question? We'll give the answer >> when we're done, sir. Ask your questions. Just ask my questions. Thank you. >> Okay, I got one more item. Uh on Arlington Avenue I when I bought my house there, it was a residential
street. Now it's got four different tow towing companies there. Is there a limit on how big the trucks can be? Four tons or something? Is it endless amount of trucks going up and down that street? There's at least four towing companies on that street.
Okay. I just wonder if that's right. It's supposed to be a residential street. >> [clears throat] >> That's all I have. Thank you. Chipona Walker, 15 Street. Um first thing I'd like to say again, um the Township Council knocked out of the
park with all the proclamations. Um they're always very thoughtful and covers many different uh topics and and um best advantages of Franklin Township in general. Um the next thing I'm going to ramble on for a bit, but uh to back back up on
Mrs. Emmons' comments, I would I would request that the council do like uh I don't know a full investigation or do like an inquiry, like an official inquiry into Councilman uh Wright's primary residence. Um it's one thing for uh person of the
council to engage in certain behavior do certain things, but when a primary residence is in question by a resident, I think that should really be taken up and taken seriously by the council because that could be someone cheating out the rest of the council um
for being part of the council is cheating the taxpayers out of the compensation that they receive, and also a lot of the uh municipal-wide decisions that they make on behalf of themselves as the council and on on behalf of the residents. Um unfortunately Councilman Wright's not here to speak and and and
and give us the answer, but uh from what Mrs. Emmons' uh request was to the council, I think that's it's something that can't be ignored and um probably can't wait until maybe one or two council sessions later. Like it's something that seems seemingly has to be
addressed uh pretty quickly. Um not just for the residents' knowledge, but also for any type of process that's an implication of uh Mr. Wright's primary residence. Thank you. Okay. Anybody else? Good evening, Council.
Name's Kevin Cammen. I reside at 357 Girard Avenue. I first like to thank you guys for providing this platform where we could bring our questions and concerns to you for answering. Um my concern right now is I don't know if
you're aware of it. I'd like to bring to you all attention. I'm a crossing guard for the Township. I cross the kids at Franklin Boulevard and Holly Street. Once I cross them, they walk over to Matilda Avenue
where they have the hardest time getting across the street because the cars just come up and a lot of most of the time the drivers is being inconsiderate. Um Then it dawned on me one day, why aren't
the white lines there? They were there at one time. They're pretty much faded out. Franklin Boulevard and Matilda. Same thing on Franklin Boulevard and Bear.
What will it take to have them repainted so when the cars pulled up and they see the kids standing there instead of just coming up to the corner trying to see if they can get out and leaving the kids stuck there where they where they're scared to go out because they see the cars there.
It's about their safety. Is why I'm here asking about what will it take to have those lines repainted? On the one side we have the I know there's a proper name for them. Warning grip red little squares that's
embedded into the concrete. Well, on one side, one of them I picked up and moved back into place. It's not even better into the concrete anymore. And it's crumbling crumbling apart. So if we could just see what it takes to address those issues for the safety of
the children. Thank you. Thank you. Anybody else? Okay. I don't see anybody coming, so I'd like to ask for unanimous consent to close the public session. I don't see any objections, so the
public session is closed. So um I will just mention one thing that Mr. Walker, anytime anybody who comes here and speaks and ask us to do something, we take it very seriously. We that's part of our job to listen and offer a
solution or uh go and and find whatever is needed so we can satisfy the needs of our community members. So rest assured what was we heard about uh Councilman Carl Wright, that will be uh looked into it and answer will be given.
So and I'm going to turn over to >> I I have a few. I'm actually going to start backwards. Sir, if you're a crossing guard for the Township, that means you work directly for the police department and you have a chain of command. You should have brought those concerns through the traffic safety bureau supervisor, who is actually the
one who would report it to the county that it needs to be fixed. So tomorrow you should have a conversation with Sergeant Rakes about what your concerns are because that would be the appropriate thing for you to do. Yes, I'm going to do I like I said, the
appropriate thing for you to do would be to raise your concerns with your immediate supervisor Sergeant Rakes. Okay? We understand? Good. Okay. So um the next thing I'll talk about is Amwell Road rumble strips. Amwell Road is a
county road, uh so I'm not sure where you would want the rumble strips to be, but if you'd like to you know let me know by way of email or whatever where on Amwell Road Long Road starts in in
you know our border with Millstone Borough and goes all the way to where it changes into Hamilton Street at Old Hamilton Street. So I'm not quite sure where on Amwell Road or Hamilton Street you think rumble strips would be appropriate, but it is a county road not under the jurisdiction of the town. So
that would have to be a county project not a township project. As far as Arlington Avenue is concerned the businesses that were approved the towing business that exists on Arlington Avenue and one at the corner of
Arlington Avenue and Easton Avenue are both approved uses for those properties and as such vehicles accessing those businesses would have permission to drive in Arlington Avenue. Also Arlington Avenue does not have a
specific weight limit. Some residential streets do, but Arlington Avenue is not a weight restricted road. So again if there's a concern about traffic on Arlington Avenue I can raise that with the traffic safety bureau of the police department, but there is no specific
prohibition for the tow trucks that are accessing the businesses there that are tow companies. They're that's what they are. That's what their businesses are. There would be no prohibition for those trucks to access the businesses on them street. Sir,
I can't address you can't speak out. There are two companies that operate out of the former Anthony Motors business and there's the business at the corner which is Guaranteed Motors at the corner of Arlington Easton which is actually their original location I think
beginning in like 1929. So that's the original Guaranteed Motors and Anthony Motors which was opened in the 1960s was sold to Riches Towing and Riches Towing now has another company operating out of the same yard that Riches
operates out of. So I am familiar with the licensed businesses there. Um And then at JFK Boulevard and Winston Drive that's a a traffic study that it's a full traffic warrant analysis that gets done. That's done by an engineer
that is underway to see if there's a warrant for a traffic signal at that intersection and I will tell you that the study itself takes a significant amount of time and then the funding would have to be put in place to pay for the light. JFK Boulevard being a
township street a three-way intersection traffic signal is somewhere in the neighborhood of about $300,000 for installation. So it's not something that would be budgeted in this current cycle. It would be budgeted in the 2027
budget year if in fact the warrant analysis shows that it's necessary at that intersection. So that's underway with the engineering department. Um Got that one. Got that one. That one.
That one. And then the last thing and I think that the you know the certainly members of the public safety I'm sorry public works committee can jump in. I'll I'll address the brush. It's not necessarily leaves it's brush. So we've been taking brush at no cost for
quite a number of years at the convenience center because we're able to grind it up there. The convenience center is not a large area so we no longer have the ability to store material there that that storage of ground material is regulated by the DEP.
The yard is not large enough for us to store material there beyond what we have and in fact we were advised that we can't store material at the in the volume that we have been storing it up until this past fall. So the DEP has
said you can't do what you're doing anymore which means we have to get rid of it. The way we got rid of it previously was we made an offer to our residents to take it for free. Nowhere near the number of residents have been taking it over the last several years to remove it from our
storage yard to be in compliance with DEP regulations. So therefore we now have to pay to get rid of it. And the only way that we can pay to get rid of it and make it stay within the the budgetary
constraints of our public works operation is to charge for the the disposal of brush material. It was not an easy decision. In fact it was reported on several times here prior to
the introduction and adoption of the ordinance that was required to change the fee structure to charge for the brush. So while it was not an easy decision, it was a decision that was discussed on multiple occasions in public meetings here.
The public works committee debated it at several of their meetings prior to it going to a public session and during that debate the decision was made to lower the fees for brush drop-off that are
significantly lower than other types of debris dropped off at the convenience center. You know the convenience center is is is is not the ideal operation for the disposal of things
like brush and debris yard debris. It's it's intended purpose was to process as more of a transfer station large types of garbage that people didn't have the ability to dispose of
through their garbage collection companies. It was never intended to be used for yard waste and and and debris. Brush because there's insufficient space in our convenience center and we don't
have any location to remove it to other than there that is within the the approval of the DEP. So it's a difficult situation that we're in. We never had to get rid of it before, but
the amount that has been brought in over the last several years has overwhelmed the convenience center as far as storage is concerned and the DEP said you have to get rid of it. And it's costly to get rid of and that's what brought on the ordinance amendment
to call for a fee for disposal. Not something that I wanted to have to do, but unfortunately we're put in a position where even the fee that we're charging is not covering the total cost of disposal. And as far as the hours I I would like
to expand the hours of the convenience center. It's something that I've had a discussion with the public works manager about in the past and we can certainly have that discussion again. Almost wish that you'd been at the last council meeting because then I would have had a public works committee meeting tonight before this meeting and we would have
had the discussion there, but we'll have it at the next public works committee meeting and have that discussion. It it is costly obviously we have to pay overtime to the employees to be there. And so therefore it it's there is a cost
associated with the with the extended days of the week and extended days of the month more Saturdays, but we'll certainly give it consideration. I don't think it's an unreasonable ask. I would like to see it myself.
It might encourage less roadside dumping. Thank you manager. Can you also mention about the the leaf I guess one of the question that >> So we still do street side leaf pick up. I mean that that will continue. And and that's in the fall correct. So
that the leaf pick up will not go away. And leaf dry leaf leaf drop-off is different than yard waste and mulch yard waste and and brush. And sticks branches those things are the things that you need to get the
permit for. And as far as paying for the permits we are working very hard in this year's municipal budget we anticipate being able to um enter into the agreements with companies to allow us to take credit cards for
things like that which will then allow it for to free up as far as when you'll be able to do it. It won't be limited by hours. You should then be able to make those purchases for your permits online. That's the goal for that and many other
types of permits to be honest with you. So we're working on that. That is in the the software and [clears throat] the contracts to administer the the credit cards are in included in the in the budget. Hopefully they'll be included in the budget when
we get to that point of introduction at the next council meeting. Thank you manager. Anybody else? I just quickly cuz this is an important point everything Bob said I agree 100% with. There is no charge to bring leaves.
Correct. There's no charge. I want to be clear. We have never charged. Most people do the leaves in the fall, but we realize spring sometimes you could do clean up also. So we don't charge. We don't have where we go around the town in the spring because it's just not feasible because there's only a few, but I believe we
have no plans to change any of that. So leaf pick up will be free and curb side as always on the fall. The shrubbery and just you know throw a little bit onto what Bob said. That's kind of why we have these
standing committees where we meet with a few people and they brought a much higher price. Management has a job to do. I respect it. This is like the business end of it. We represent the people and we had two or three meetings and I I
talk casually. We beat them down and beat back and we ended up with a third or a half of the actual charge that management wanted to put and I'm blaming management. Like I said, we both have different jobs. We try to come to a conclusion that best serves the public. Um they were going to
shut that thing down about 15 years ago and the same thing we fought and we found a way to keep it open. I've been using I don't use it now, but it's a 50 some years ago as a little kid. I remember going there. So, no, it's precious and we're going to find a way to keep it hopefully. The hours I think
we should look at if there's any way possible we want to do it in a way that works for the residents. And and I know we're we're depending on what we approve in our budget, we're going to have in improving some of the payment system so things will be easier in in in a variety areas including the convenience center.
If Yeah, let's see what happens with the budget. I just wanted to throw that out. And the last thing, John, um uh cuz the reason I haven't called you back is because we're waiting for that study and I don't know what's going to happen.
I think it needs a light, but we're going to get the facts. We're talking JFK and Winston ironically. A lot of people have been talking about it recently. The bottom line, um we will find out and like the manager said, if it happens, it would probably be in '27. Um
the rumble strips we'll bring it to a set public safety meeting. We got them on Easton Avenue. If it's feasible, there's probably places out there that would be considered on Alwell, but uh we will now have that in our next month's this month's public safety committee. Just wanted to
>> Sorry. make sure cuz I know you and I have talked about that. And if you have any other ideas, please bring them bring them to us. Thank you. Anybody else? I just want to make one comment, Deputy Mayor. Uh so I've heard a couple of comments about uh Councilman Wright's
residence. Uh as of a few weeks ago, um I can vouch for him uh that he lives in town because I've met him. I have dropped him off at his residence on Fuller Street. So, um I don't know where you are you are you are getting your
information from, but uh he's a good friend of mine. So, I kind of uh don't appreciate people coming in and throwing accusations at uh council people. Ron, I just want to add he has a son, I believe, with the same name.
And I'm not going to comment on anything tonight cuz that's not my business, but I just thought I wanted to throw that in the mix. So, sometimes there might be a legitimate confusion, but not for me to deal with. I just wanted to make sure people were aware that I believe his son has his exact name. Yes.
>> Who Who Who's an adult? Who's an older adult? It will be looked at and you will get the answer and uh so without any doubt. Anybody else? All right. So, we're going to go number eight, the council comments and reports. Uh we'll start with uh Councilman
Onijeaka. Okay. Those are the the human the human relations department Can you talk into the microphone? Oh. I can't hear you. Okay. >> Pull the microphone closer to you. Okay. Make it closer.
The human relations committee they they scheduled a meeting for the 24th of this month. And uh last time they they have their meeting they had a meeting and uh following were invited.
The police chief was invited at at the meeting and he spoke and explained uh his functions as the police chief. Okay, that is what I have for the night.
Thank you, Councilman. Councilman Messina. Uh thank you, Deputy Mayor. Couple items real quick. Uh the public works meeting which we did meet earlier. Um without going into a lot of detail, we actually may end up with a little more money than we actually expected to put
towards roads. Certain money is earmarked for certain things and comes back to us sometimes. Um you know, where their costs are adjusted. So, we may actually be doing a little bit more road paving and infrastructure than we intended in the next couple weeks when we make a final decision, we will put the list out, of
course, for everybody. That was the main thing at the public works. Um Real quick, I rarely ever do this because um you know, you're always going to anger someone or if you miss somebody, but I wanted to comment on the passing of an individual.
Um before there was this Mr. Warnlocker, we had another person whose name wasn't Warnlocker, but uh it was Ken Daley and he was a manager of our town. Um Although we had one gentleman for a year
in between the tenure of Ken and Bob, basically most of what you see in the town, good and bad, and I think most of it is pretty darn good, is a result of the management execution and skills of whoever manager is. Ken Daley, who I
admittedly butted heads with often, at the end of the day was a brilliant man who um world was a different place 20 some years ago. He threaded the needle very delicately and and and and efficiently, I believe, in dealing with people in the
public and uh it was a different world politically and transparency or lack of transparency and Ken did a did a good job. And I just going to mention a couple things about him. He was the oldest of seven kids. Never knew that. He was the big brother. Um
and although I knew he was a pretty multifaceted guy, I didn't realize uh after he graduated his first wife and him took a cargo ship for 41 days to Mombasa, Kenya and landed at a to teach at a Catholic mission in the mountain village where he spent 3 years
teaching English and biology and science. Um would never have thought that from Ken, but Ken didn't talk all that much um other than council stuff. And uh otherwise, just couple of little tidbits. When he graduated North
Carolina and got his master's doctorate's degree in urban planning, he went on to uh and this I did know, San Antonio, Texas where um he worked for the city of San Antone back when um Mayor Henry Cisneros, which some people may remember, one of the
first uh uh Hispanic mayors of a major city in this country. And Ken did a lot there. Was in charge of economic development. Ended up um bringing the Alamo Dome, SeaWorld, and other stuff. I've never been there, but I've heard uh you know, went through a
real renaissance. So, I just wanted to mention that. He was a long-time activist, as I'm finding out. Committed, and this I know, to advocate for less fortunate even as a as a council as a manager. He I I feel he did that when he when he could. Um tutored
kids with foreign languages, volunteered to deliver food, did a whole bunch of stuff in his retirement. And um I'll end with this which I think kind of sums up, interestingly, his life outside of uh government. His deep intellectual curiosity and encyclopedic memory were
evident in the essays he published through online platforms in a wide range of topics including arts, aging, grief, death, meditation, Buddha Buddhism. I know Councilwoman Francois had the privilege to work with him for several years, as I did. Bob uh did probably
longer than us because Bob's been here longer than us. Ken was here about 12 years or so and I don't think but once or twice in my tenure here I've ever brought this up, but I think it deserves mention cuz for what it's worth we technically have nine, but
I I I say we have 12 because in a way the clerk, the attorney, not this wonderfully young gentleman, but our regular attorney, he's with the firm, of course, substituting tonight, and our and our manager, really uh basically it's a uh uh 12 if I'm doing my math right, a
12-person team. So, I I felt it was appropriate to mention his passing and uh rest in peace, Ken Daley. Last thing I'm going to say is thank you. I'm sorry. Thank you for everybody who helped out um Saturday. It was a wonderful memorial
service for Kevin Apuzzo. I'm not going to go into detail. I just want to thank three people, specifically our public safety director. Thank you for being here 20 years ago. Thank you for being here last Saturday. Uh Dan Krusinsky, who is if Kevin Apuzzo is the soul of
the East Brunswick Fire Department, Dan Krusinsky, chief for 20 plus years, is definitely the rock of it. And thank you for being here 20 years ago and for being here ever since and arranging Saturday. And the last thing is to thank the Apuzzos which thank you is kind of uh
uh doesn't do much, but thank you to the Apuzzo family. Uh that's all, Deputy Mayor. Thank you so much, uh Councilwoman Francois. Yeah. I I thank you for acknowledging Ken Daley. Um back in 1996,
when I was the mayor, I spent my first two terms on council as mayor, and he was the township manager and I learned a lot from Ken Daley. As you said, we didn't always agree. >> [snorts] >> And during that time, a lot of don't know this, a little bit of history,
when we when I became on council in 1996, Franklin Township was Republican controlled and it had been Republican controlled for over 17 years. When I became got on council, we became the majority because there were four of
us that ran at large and Councilman Ricky Sumpter was already the fourth ward councilman who was on council. And so, because the not that I'm talking politics right now, but because there was a Republican regime that had been a stronghold for many, many years, when I
came became mayor, there were quite a few changes from a policy perspective that I wanted to make happen, which I did. And so, that's why he and I butted heads, but I did learn a lot from him. He taught me a lot about budgeting, he taught me a lot about government, and I rest rest his soul in
peace. The other thing I wanted to say is thank the people that came here tonight and brought up the issues that you brought up because without you bringing these things to our attention, a lot of times we don't know. And even questioning where a councilperson lives,
our constituents have a right to know that. So, thank you for for that input and to the deputy mayor comment and to the the our councilman's comment. We all know where he lives, but I think it we need to change have that address change on the registry.
So, thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Deputy Mayor. Thank you. Councilman Umbersa. Uh thank you, Deputy Mayor. Um one of the events I look for every year is the uh
the Franklin Township Baseball League inaugural event that took place last week uh last weekend and um this year was a good one. The weather was very cooperating unlike the previous years, it was freezing.
Um so, we were at I was told that there are more than 350 uh uh players, kids, uh in the league this year and they have also added um two out-of-town teams to play
uh in the league um because the South Brunswick uh they had only I guess two teams and they were looking to uh play more matches with other other teams. So, uh so that was all good and a lot of
parents, a lot of volunteers. Um the um I I there was one complaint about electricity on the field uh due to PSE&G delays. Uh so, in our public works meeting today, uh that was brought up and I was told
that the PSE&G should be on site Friday to inspect and hopefully next week we will have power uh on the fields. And of course, we also uh I was one of them one of the council people that
attended Kevin Apuzzio's memorial service um 20th anniversary young man 21 years ago, he lost his life uh the line of duty. Our hearts
go out to him and and and his family. It was a great event. Many fire trucks from other towns uh came in uh to uh to recognize and uh pay respects to him. That's all I have, Mr. Mayor
Deputy Mayor. Thank you. Thank you. [laughter] Councilwoman Addeen. Thank you. Good evening. Um so, I have quite a bit of I'm going to go as fast as I can. Um it's been a beautiful two weeks. The weather's getting nicer outside, so I've been able to do quite a
few of the events now starting off with one of the first workshops. I had uh had the honor to be at Canal Walk with the Indo-American Club and present my first seminar of this year at scam
and fraud awareness to the seniors and that was in partnership with our police department on presenting that out and just going through some of the preventions that we can do because it's never enough information and as we all know, hackers and scamming is happening so
frequent with um AI coming involved. So, it's more important that we get our seniors aware ahead of all this and the more awareness that we can create, the more they can go out and talk to their family and friends and you know, just making sure that the
community is knows what's happening in town and how we can create some of those preventions. So, excellent event. We had more than 75 residents that were there. Again, this was done by um the the group that we came in form. It was the
Indo-American Club in Canal Walk. So, we're just again, like I said, I'm just kicking off these for this year. There's going to be plenty more of stuff that's happening throughout Ward 2 and that's one of them. I do want to mention that if because this one was in a private setting,
we do have a public one coming up. Our Assemblyman Joe Danielsen is hosting along with the mayor and council called senior fraud form happening on April 29th. I believe it's here in the morning. So, if you missed that one, please do join this one cuz I think this
one is going to have a lot of more um key people from the state I think coming in as well as long as our as well as our Franklin Township Police Department as well. I was also one of the members that joined the Kevin Apuzzio Memorial
20 years of celebration. Again, a beautiful memorial that was done always by your side and um a lot of people that showed up in their community for this event. Um we also had a Franklin 250 event. It
was the theme was could you have done it? I was a speaker at that event and there's a lot more happening I think this weekend there's going to be more of that follow-up of the Franklin 250. So, please do go attend. You're going to learn a lot of things that >> [clears throat] >> the the team that's coming up with they
do a phenomenal job. So, great job by the staff. Um I also conducted four weddings um and that's always fun cuz that's something different and I want to say, you know, the fees from the wedding that I collect go straight to the animal
shelter and you know, giving back to the animals, it's it's it's again a beautiful thing. So, uh folks go out and get married, come in so we can give more money to our animal shelter. We need more people to get married. Um and I think that's yeah, that's about
it. But thank you and like I said, always if you have ideas or brainstorm anything that is happening for this year in terms of workshop and seminars that you want to bring to your community, please feel free to reach out to me. I'm already working with some of our county representatives to see what we
can kind of bring in some of the hot topics for this year. Thank you. Thank you. Councilman Singh. So, um I want to start off by saying great proclamations today and I just want to congratulate all the great work that's
been done by our residents, by our committee members, board members and frankly the council as well. Congratulations to the Lions Club for making the generous contribution to our food bank. It is important. It's an it's essential and I'm glad they were able to do that and thank you, Councilwoman
Addeen to to be a part of that. Um I know um Councilman Vassanella covered this. Right before this meeting, we were part of the public works meeting and um
there's some good news on our paving projects that are that are coming up and I want to just outline a couple uh that are going to benefit the first ward including roads like the Canal Road, Leete, um
uh Carriage Trail, Sterling, Stewart and others. So, really looking forward to getting that paving work underway. And lastly, as I continue to do my walks in the first ward, I know there's been a
long-standing issue with our community as it relates to the traffic light between uh Easton Avenue and Easton Boulevard and Route 27 and a pedestrian crossing at Gold Star and Route 27. And I just want to provide a quick update that
we've been continuing to work with our residents as well as DOT to come to um a good outcome, a favorable outcome and frankly, a balanced outcome as it relates to our township, not necessarily convenience to a particular community.
And I'm very hopeful in the next few weeks we would be able to share some positive development with our with our community as we continue to work on this. Thank you. Thank you. Deputy Mayor. Uh on my part, I'm going to start with
something on a lighter note. The Franklin Soccer Club, they have started the season every Thursday at 6:00 in Middlebush Park and Saturdays 9:00 at Sampson G. soccer fields. There are hundreds of our
young people that they're coming and their families are coming. They really having a great time to to play soccer and watch their children to play soccer. And I remember that when my three daughters were growing up almost 30 years ago, I used to coach
along with late John Klyte. And this year, my granddaughter wanted to play soccer and they didn't have a coach. So, she was not going to be able to play. So, guess what? I volunteered to be a coach.
So, they even gave me a shirt with the coach sign. So, it is fun. Believe me, it brings up all the great memories that we had. So, if anybody is a soccer fan or knows how to play soccer or wants to learn and you want to volunteer, they're looking for
volunteers, coaches and assistant coaches or any other volunteers. So, please stop by at on Saturday or or or Thursday and hopefully they will have enough uh volunteers. Uh I also had the opportunity to attend
a memorial for Kevin and in fact Mayor couldn't be there, but he gave a statement and I read it for on behalf of the on behalf of him and the council. And the other thing that I want to mention is that myself along with my
colleague Councilman Ram and a few members of Board of Education, we attended YMCA annual volunteer award event. And members of our township received two awards. Congratulations to Councilman uh
Amberson for receiving Living Our Cause Award and for Frank and Franklin Public Schools for Community Partner Award. Wonderful job, Ram. And again, we hope that one day, hopefully,
in the next uh 5 6 7 years, we will have a wonderful Y here in our township. We deserve it because it's just an amazing thing that we can have in our township. Helps everybody from younger to older people
from diverse community members. So, if you're interested, uh I am and as well as the Councilman Amberson, we are on the campaign committee. If you're interested to support, be engaged, please uh let us know. And I'm
telling you, this is one of the great things that we can have in our township. So, just really looking forward to have it. I'm a member at the Piscataway YMCA. And it's just amazing. We've been there for my wife and I over a year.
And it's a great place to have and to be. Um also street lights. Uh believe it or not, Franklin Township pays uh to PS&G even if the lights are out. So, if you see a light which is
out, please let the township know and so we can have them corrected. And lastly, Saturday 25th, please mark on your calendar starting 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Franklin Township Police Department,
which is located at 495 DeMott Lane, they are going to have the the medication uh take back. So, if you want to get rid of any old, unused, outdated medication safely, please bring them to the police
department. And this this has been a great thing for our township in the past and again, it's going to be on Saturday, the 25th. Lastly, May 9th, there's an event is going to happen. It's called Trash the
Vape. And unfortunately, the e-cigarettes and vapes is starting to make their ways towards the to uh uh to our youth and it's important for everybody to learn about its danger and
what to do. And also, there is a a way that if you have any e-cigarette or vapes you wanted to get rid of it, they can take it and dispose it safely. And that's what I have. Moving on to number nine. Yes. Yes,
number nine is township manager's report. >> just thank you, Councilman Vassanella. I'm number nine. >> [laughter] >> So, thank you, Deputy Mayor. Uh some upcoming events to report on, some related to our youth, some related to Franklin 250.
Uh the first is registration is now open for the 2026 Franklin Township Police Department Youth Police Academy. This is a very, very popular program. So, for those of you who are listening and maybe listening on FTTV later as
this is recorded, registration is open. The The program will run from July 9th through July 17th. And it'll be held at Franklin High School from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. It is for um
grades 8 through 12 only. And there are only 30 seats available for the Youth Police Academy. So, if you are a teenager between you know, between grades 8 and 12 or you're the parent of
a teenager between grades 8 and 12 and they are interested in learning what our police department and what law enforcement officers do, um get to our website as soon as possible and begin the registration
process um because it fills fast and July may seem like a far time off from now, but it's not and it will be filled and you'll regret it if you wanted to do it and you procrastinated like most the
uh of my teenage children did when they were teenagers. Um don't procrastinate if you're interested. Um so, very, very, very good program for um our young people to learn about our law enforcement uh
a law enforcement career, but also just what police officers do. Um next, speaking of young people again, on this Saturday, April 18th from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., there will be a resource fair at the Franklin Youth Center. It is
free. Um you are encouraged to register and you can do so on our website. However, walk-ins are welcome. Um this is for ages 14 through 18.
Um and there will be summer employment opportunities, also uh learn how to apply for college financial aid and also information on vocational training. Um if you are interested in summer employment, you should come with a copy
of your resume and wear uh clothing that is appropriate for an on-site interview for summer employment. There are a number of employers that will be present and uh it's encouraged that you uh
you come and be open-minded about learning in the environment that you'll be in, but also um we'll feed you a little bit, too. There's a complimentary brunch for the kids between 14 and 18. Now, we get to Franklin 250. Uh the
first is an event that will be held this Saturday. Uh we've spoken about it here previously. Um it's referred to as George and Martha, a cocktail affair. Um it is an evening with the Washingtons at the Hageman House that will be
transformed into Hageman's Tavern of 1776 time frame. Uh you can join the Meadows Foundation and the Franklin 250 Committee for an immersive evening with George and Martha Washington as part of the semi-quincentennial celebrations. Enjoy
a lively presentation about their partnership at the dawn of the revolution along with colonial-inspired menu and signature cocktails served in a recreated 18th century tavern setting. The cost is $50 per person. Uh the proceeds uh go to the Meadows
Foundation, which is responsible for maintaining several of the township's historic homes including the Hageman Farm where this will be held. Um there will be, as I said, 18th century culinary delights and sampling of historic spirits from their open
signature bar. There will be non-alcoholic uh drinks for those who don't um consume alcohol or or are not old enough to consume alcohol. And the last is also at the Hageman Farm and it is on Sunday, the 19th and
it's referred to now as the Shot Heard Around the World, the day children put down their toys and the revolution came to them. Uh step into the lives of children who grew up too quickly. Survival, loyalty, freedom, soldiers came through Franklin
again and again taking food supplies and anything they needed. Um this is for families and their children. The war was something they lived through, not something they chose and you can learn about what it was to be a child in
colonial Revolutionary War time here in Franklin Township um where the war did take place and uh there will be um not only uh demonstrations of daily chores and like candle making and
planting seeds and but also colonial games and and what they were able to do for fun as well as the serious time that they were living in. And that's what I have. Thank you so much, Deputy Mayor. Manager. And number 10, council discussion items, none.
Number 11, approval of minutes, none submitted. Number 12, uh approval of warrants. Warrants in the amount of $10,435,905.55 on April 14th, 2026 are presented to the Township Council for payment.
Can I have a motion? So moved. Seconded. Moved and seconded. Any discussion? I see none. Madam Clerk. Councilman Inman Barrison? Yes. Councilwoman Francois? Yes. Deputy Mayor Corradino?
>> Yes. Councilwoman Onyejiaka? Yes. Councilman Singh? Yes. Councilwoman Uddin? Councilman Vassanella? Yes. Thank you. Uh number 13, public hearing adoption of ordinances on second reading.
Uh ordinance number 4501-26, ordinance number 4501-26, an ordinance releasing, extinguishing, and vacating the rights of the public to a portion of a street known as Executive Drive in the Township of Franklin,
County of Somerset, State of New Jersey is presented for public hearing and final adoption. The public hearing has been noticed as required. So I I ask for unanimous consent to open the floor for public hearing.
I see no objection. It's open and just for this item only. Alex Strauss, uh that's spelled s t r a u s, it's always misspelled here, but elsewhere as well. Um
285 Hassart Way. Um I wanted to ask why this is happening. I mean, this this ordinance. Um who brought it you know, to everyone's attention and and why it's happening. Um so there's a 5-minute limit um for the second reading.
Yes. There is? Sure. Okay. Okay. Why is this ordinance happening? Is this to save money? Okay, because because um I can see why you might want to save money that you wouldn't have to repave the road, okay? Of course, you could end up with a road like a Trim Drive across
the way, which has looks like the moon in parts. So um that's great. Okay, maybe we won't have to repave the road. But what about Okay, it says vacate a portion of the road. Vacate what? It's my reading that it's the whole road, okay? And if it is the whole road, it
includes the traffic light. So we're giving away a traffic light to warehouse developers, essentially, without requiring any kind of maintenance, um saying that they will pay for uh uh replacement if necessary. Meanwhile, everyone wants a traffic light around
here, okay? So um it's one thing if we would give away and maybe Walmart, Kmart or whatever Kmart, Walmart, Target, Home Depot, Lowe's, all those things we don't have, but no, this is for more warehouses. The warehouse developers, we're giving away a traffic light. Make
them pay. There's no reason. Um I didn't see it in the language. Maybe it's there. Maybe I'm wrong that that there is language about the traffic light, but I did not see it. And again, um the traffic light is only for Executive Drive. It doesn't match up with any
other road, any other area. It's only for Executive Drive. So it's for those warehouses. It's for the three office buildings that are going to be warehouses, of course, because this is Franklin. And then also the iconic Ukrainian Cultural Center, which is an icon here, and of course, now they want
to sell to a warehouse developer and now build a separate road driveway to Executive Drive. So this is all going to be for warehouses and um is it true they don't have the money to pay for the traffic light? So if if if the traffic light is included and
they're not willing to pay, I say rip it out and give it to Princeton Highlands, give it to JFK Winston or might be my favorite, uh JFK Record Plaza, places that need traffic lights, okay? There's no reason why warehouse developers can't pay for
this. So maybe I'm wrong. I did not see it in the in the information there. So you tell me, is it in there? Otherwise, changes need to be made, okay? And I so I ask for a no vote if if if that is the case that includes the traffic light.
You can go on Google Street View now and see the traffic light if you don't know it's there. Thank you. Thank you. Anybody else? Okay. Uh I see no one coming forward, so I'm asking to unanimous consent to close the public hearing on this uh ordinance. Bob, would you like to answer that,
please? >> Sure. So number one, um and and I I may at some point defer to the the Township Attorney, but um Executive Drive is is a right-of-way, okay? So a right-of-way when it is
vacated, the property goes equally to the properties from the center line on either side. So therefore, in this particular case, the right-of-way that is currently
public, if it were if the the rights were extinguished and vacated, the property by right goes to the adjacent properties. Because while it is and this is this is I'm I'm going to try not to get technical, but it is technical.
A street is simply a right-of-way taken from the adjoining properties. Property lines end in the middle of a street and then a government takes a right-of-way over that property. And if the right-of-way is vacated, it goes
back to the owners on either side. In this particular case, Executive Drive was built by a developer. And the developer dedicated that street to the Township and it became a public right-of-way. They took their own
property, they constructed a roadway on it, and they deeded it to the town for argument's sake. And now that that dedication is being vacated. The traffic signal that you mentioned, uh and it's interesting that you do
mention it, was not paid for by the town. It was paid by that very same developer that the town required them to install at the time the office buildings were built on Executive Drive. So while it it it may be a Township traffic signal by
the very nature of the dedication of the street to the town, the town did not pay for it. It So the fact that it will now serve another use on that parcel of land, and as you rightfully said, it's already been
approved by the zoning board. So it's not a secret that what was approved. You You so eloquently spoke about it, but the reality is everyone knows that a warehouse was approved to replace the office buildings on Executive Drive. It
was a a a public zoning board hearing that took place over multiple meetings. So that's what's happening. And it was the zoning board's recommendation, and it makes total sense, to vacate the street. It will now become the private
driveway of one business, not three. The previous street served three separate lots and three separate office buildings. This will be serving one business as a private driveway by which that warehouse will access
Davidson Avenue. And if the zoning board approves the application for the Ukrainian Cultural Center, which you may feel as an icon, I feel it's a building that was built in 1986. It's not exactly historic in nature. It's an assembly
hall. The the church makes a decision, the owner has a right to do that, an application has been made to the zoning board. We won't comment here about that application because it's an ongoing application, but the reality is is that
that will also be served by this private driveway with a traffic signal, which will make the turning movements in and out of that private driveway much more safe than if it was at you I'm speaking. You're done speaking, sir.
Sir, you are interrupting. You are interrupting. Sir, you are interrupting. All right. So the bottom line is the traffic signal will serve a purpose at the intersection of the private driveway, much like
traffic signals do at other private driveways, where they don't serve a public street other than the main street. For instance, a warehouse development on Randolph Road, there's a traffic signal that serves that driveway as well. So it's not uncommon for that to happen.
But that's the situation with this particular ordinance. It would make absolutely no sense for the municipality to continue to maintain that driveway, which is what it will now become, as a public roadway.
The cost would be ridiculous to serve as a driveway. So that's why it's happening the way it's happening. Well, I just So I again, I shouldn't be addressing you because you should have asked your questions and now I'm asking them. But
the answer is it costs the same as it costs to maintain any other public road. And that public road will have significant truck traffic, which means it will probably at at 30 to I guess it's a 36 wide or 40-ft wide cartway.
That the cost is significant to maintain as far as paving every 5 to 10 years. It would not be something that the taxpayers should have to burden. >> And to replace the traffic light, what's the cost? Uh sir, you you you're missing the point. You can't continue to ask me questions.
I addressed your questions. You asked them. They're answered. Yeah. And and and if you have other questions after meeting, you can always ask the township manager. So, Okay. Um So, any any other comment from anybody else?
Okay, I don't see any. So, like to make a a motion to adopt. So, So moved. Seconded. Any discussion? All right, Madam Clerk. Councilman Averison? Yes. Councilwoman
Francois? Yes. Deputy Mayor Quaranta? Yes. Councilman Nonyeluka? Yes. Councilman Singh? >> Yes. Councilwoman Uddin? Yes. Councilman Vassanella? >> Yes. Thank you. Uh number 14, ordinances on introduction and first reading.
Ordinance number 4503-26, an ordinance accepting a conservation easement and permanent access easement from 31 Voorhees LLC in connection with
premises known as block 113, lot 1.01, block 119, lot 26.01, and block 132, lot 9.01
in the Township of Franklin, County of Somerset, State of New Jersey. The foregoing ordinance is presented to the Township Council for adoption on first reading, posting, publication in accordance with law, and public hearing
and final adoption at a meeting of the Township Council to be held on Tuesday, April 28th, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. in Council Chamber. Like to ask for a motion to introduce and set public hearing.
So moved. Seconded. Moved and seconded. Any Any discussion? Okay, Madam Clerk. Councilman Averison? Yes. >> Councilwoman Francois? Yes. Deputy Mayor Quaranta? >> Yes. Councilman Nonyeluka? Yes.
>> Councilman Singh? Yes. Councilwoman Uddin? Yes. Councilman Vassanella? Yes. Thank you. And number 15, consent agenda items A through X as listed on the consent agenda portion of this meetings
are presented to the Township Council for adoption. You have a motion. So moved. Seconded. Moved and seconded. Any discussion? Okay, Madam Clerk. Okay, Madam Clerk. Councilman Averison? Yes. Councilwoman
Francois? Yes. Deputy Mayor Quaranta? Yes. Councilman Nonyeluka? Yes. Councilman Singh? Yes. Councilwoman Uddin? Yes. Councilman Vassanella? Yes. Thank you. Item number 16 is a resolution ordered on separately.
Resolution number 26-178, a resolution of the Township Council of town Township Council of the Township of Franklin adopting a temporary budget and authorizing an emergency appropriation for capital purposes is presented to the
Township Council for adoption. Uh so, just to um just a a little bit comment. Originally, the plan was for us to today presented the budget, but we're still working on it. And but we need to have this
ordinance so we can we cannot we we shouldn't delay the capital project. So, Bob, any comments that you'd like to add before we move on >> No, I think that covers Okay. So, I'd like to ask for a motion. So moved. >> Seconded.
Moved and seconded. Any discussion? Okay, Madam Clerk. Councilman Averison? Yes. >> Councilwoman Francois? Yes. Deputy Mayor Quaranta? Yes. Councilman Nonyeluka? Yes. Councilman Singh? Yes. Councilwoman Uddin? Yes. Councilman Vassanella? Yes.
Thank you. And >> Mayor? Yes. >> I'm sorry. Just real quick because I know you're going to end on the next item. Sure. I forgot to mention, but I it feels important. This Sunday at Franklin High School in our wonderful theater, the Somerset County Symphonic
Orchestra, which is basically as good as anything you pay $100 to see, hundreds of dollars to see, is playing there. Their Christmas show was canceled. That's a wonderful opportunity if you live in Franklin. Check it out. It is 100% free. It's Saturday afternoon Sunday afternoon, and
the maybe the clerk can put it on our website. I apologize, Deputy Mayor, That's no problem. I promised someone I would mention that. Thank you. >> Sure. Thank you. All right, number 17, old businesses. Uh we have some committees and commission vacancies. And um I have three actually
uh uh candidates. Uh so, I'll start and then I'll ask if anybody else has any other candidates. So, the first one is for the Trail Advisory Committee. This is a regular membership for 4 years, and uh we have a candidate, Brian
Gel Ziggler. Ziller. Any other candidate for that position? Okay, I don't see any. So, I will nominate him. Uh the second one is for the Senior Citizen Advisory Committee. This is for
a non-senior citizen member, 1-year term. And I would like to nominate Ashuma Kaul. Any other nomination for that position? Okay, I do not see any.
And the last one is for the Advisory Recreation Council. Scott Lod Winson, who also will be the soccer rep as well. And uh any other nomination for that position?
Okay, I see none. Congratulations to all three of them. And go ahead. I'm just want It's actually not this Sunday, the following Sunday, the Symphonic. But again, anybody interested, uh it will be on our Township website. It's a nonprofit
organization. Thank you, Deputy Mayor. Any That's it, right? Nobody Nobody else has that. >> Deputy Mayor, just a quick question. That was the only spot that was open on the I'm sorry. Uh Bob That That was the only spot that was open on the trails committee.
>> Correct. So, this was a Yeah, this was a spot that we had it for quite some time, and believe it or not, we have four candidates. So, all of them were qualified. So, we chose the one that who had applied long time ago. That was they told me that that's the how we going to
go. So, first come, first serve kind of thing. Okay. And uh number 18, executive session. There's none. And it's time to adjourn. Thank you, everyone. Have a good night. Be safe, Franklin.