In accordance with the open public meeting act of the state of New Jersey, adequate notice of this work session regular meeting of the Franklin Township Council was made as required, indicating that this meeting would take place at the municipal building at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24th, 2026.
>> Uh, please all stand for the pledge of allegiance and then remain standing for the invocation by Councilman and Barrison. 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. Let us take let us take the next few moments of silence to each seek in our town in our own way whatever sources of inspiration will grant us the strength
and power in our thoughts and decisions to be for the benefit of all people at all times. Amen. >> Amen. >> Madame clerk, please call the role. Councilman >> here. >> Councilwoman Francois >> here.
>> Deputy Mayor Karazzi >> here. >> Mayor Kramer >> here. >> Councilman Noni Jaka >> here. >> Councilman Singh >> yes. >> Councilwoman Nudin >> yes. >> Councilman Vasinella >> yes. >> Councilman Wright. >> So we have a few uh commendations and proclamations. Item number five on the
agenda. Anyone wanting a copy of the agenda, you can find it near the clerk. Uh the first by Councilman Vasinella uh regarding Kevin Auzio. Okay, so this is one milestone I wish we never had to celebrate or acknowledge,
but uh I'm just going to start out real quick by saying of April 11th, 2006, I was about two and a half weeks will be 20 years. I got the worst phone call. I was only on council a few months, the junior council person. I got a phone call which to this day unfortunately is
the worst phone call I ever got as a councilman. And that was from our then manager Ken Daly who informed us of the uh catastrophe. So anyway, I specifically just pulled a couple paragraphs
um that were part of the executive summary to give you an idea of what happened that day. On April 11, 2006, the East Franklin and community volunteer fire departments responded to a possible single single family dwelling fire at Whittier Avenue in Franklin. East Franklin Fire Department Chief Dan
Krinski responded and was notified while still in route that the police department was on the scene reporting a working fire. When Chief Krinski arrived on the scene, he reported a well-involved fire. He immediately requested a second alarm assignment be dispatched and directly
contacted the name New Brunswick Fire Department to request assistance. Chief Kzinski and police officers confirmed that an elderly female resident was still inside the home. Approximately 15 minutes after dispatch, as the members of the interior crew were nearing the front door, the floor suddenly
collapsed, causing causing a rescue personnel and resident victim to fall into the basement. The friendly home immediately erupted into heavy fire conditions from the collapsed floor. A garbled mayday message and yelling was heard over the
fire ground radio. Chief Kerninski radioed that he had firefighters down and immediately requested a four alarm fire be dispatched. Doesn't get any better, folks.
Firefighter Kevin Auzio was 20 year 21-year-old member of East Franklin Fire Department with approximately three years of certified firefight experience. Auzio became trapped in the basement area for a prolonged amount of time following the sudden floor collapse. He was pronounced that following his removal from the structure.
Fortunately, that is the only person we lost that day. There were three other firefighters who were hurt and I believe deserve to be recognized all in their early 20s. Firefighter Ryan Dalton was a 22-year-old member of East Franklin and approximately four years of
certified firefighting experience. Dalton or Dalton, sorry if I'm mispronouncing it, received smoke inhilation upon running out of air while still in the basement. He was transferred to the burn center at St. Barnabas Hospital for two days for treatment. Firefighting firefighter Matt
Desmond was a 22-year-old member of the East Franklin Fire Department. approximately four years of certified fire training. Firefighter Desmond received secondderee burns. He was treated and released from a local hospital. Firefighter Nick Rine was a 20-year-old member of the East Franklin
Fire Department. Approximately two years of certified firefighting experience. Firefighter Rine received secondderee burns. He was treated and released from a hospital. This is from the state ultimate report. There's probably 25 pages or so. I just
felt those three paragraphs represent what we're acknowledging tonight. So, without further ado, I'm just going to read the proclamation and then ask um Chief to come up and receive it on behalf of the family. >> Okay. Whereas the township of Franklin
mourns with profound sorrow and honors with enduring pride the memory of foreman Kevin Auzio a devoted volunteer firefighter of the East Franklin Volunteer Fire Company who gave his life in the line of duty on April 11, 2006 while heroically attempting to rescue a trapped resident from a burning home.
Whereas Kevin Auzio exemplified the finest qualities of selfless public service, having begun his emergency services career at the age of 16 with the Union Emergency Medical Unit in Union, New Jersey, and thereafter serving as a PDM EMT technician while pursuing his studies in criminal justice
at Ruckers University. Whereas Kevin joined the East Franklin Volunteer Fire Company, earned his firefighting certification, was elevated to the rank of foreman in recognition of his extraordinary dedication, and served as a certified CPR instructor, teaching his neighbors and community members the
life-saving skills he himself embodied. And whereas on the very day of his passing, Kevin received the results of his New York City Police Department written examination upon which he had achieved a near perfect score of 99.6 six out of 100 I believe a testament to
the brilliant future of a continued public service that was tragically cut short and whereas the township Franklin extends his deepest and most heartfelt gratitude to Kevin's beloved family who raised a son of extraordinary character supported his selfless calling to serve others and for sharing Kevin with this
community the price his family has paid can never be repaid only honored and the community is forever in their debt whereas he's Franklin Fire Department now gathers to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Kevin's passing with a celebration of life on April 11th, 2026,
so that his courage, compassion, and character may be honored and his memory kept forever alive in the hearts of his community. Now therefore be proclaimed by Philip Kramer, Mayor James Vasinella, Councilman, Fifth Ward, on behalf of the entire township council of the Franklin
of the Township of Franklin, Somerset County, New Jersey. Today, April 11, 2026 is hereby designated Kevin Auzio Day in the township of Franklin and the mayor and council call upon all residents to join in honoring Kevin Auzio's extraordinary legacy of courage,
volunteerism, and community devotion and to support the East Franklin Fire Department's celebration of life in his memory. We are all blessed to have known him. Uh, Chief Thank you folks. Appreciate you very much,
>> Chief Kenski, who's been there I think like quarter century chief and and did well getting that department through this catastrophe. Please, whatever you'd like to say. >> Thank you, town council, mayor, and um
Mr. Vor Lockacher, who was Mr. Vorn Locker back then, and is Mr. Vorn Locker today. Uh, we appreciate you recognizing Kevin and hope to see you all on April 11th. Thank you, Councilman Barrison. You have the next
four proclamations. >> Good evening everyone. >> Give me back some love. >> All right. Okay. So today I have four different uh commendations. Uh this is uh for our children the next generation
of uh politicians, doctors, engineers um you know whatever you may have um in my language in India Tamil um we have a saying if anybody knows Tamil mada pa guru dam that means your mother your
father and your teacher are the three gods. Uh, so you got two gods in your house and the third god is in the school that you all go to, right? So you respect them in that order. Um, so you'll be good. You'll become a politician like me down the road. All
right. Anyway, the Sed Hill Prep is a private school in town. Uh, has been recognized as a blue ribbon school in the country. So uh, when I saw some postings about uh, the ch the students achievements, I reached out to Dr. Nan
uh who's the uh chief educational officer CEO um and I said you know I'd like to bring the kids to the council and recognize them and she obliged and uh thank you all for coming. I think as a young person you may not realize what
goes on in towns in terms of administration, you know, what happens with the council and and the affairs that uh matter to the citizens and the residents, right? So I think this is a good opportunity for you. We forced you to come and watch us function uh
although you are free to go after your accommodation. Right? Okay. So I'm I'm so these are very similar verbiage on all the uh commendations except the first one which I'm going to read in full because I think I'm very proud of
this young man uh Yajur Subramanan if he's there. So, I'm going to read uh >> Oh, good. >> Okay. The the mayor and council of the
township of Franklin, Somerset County, New Jersey are proud to extend this formal commendation to Azure Brahman as student of Sir Hill Preporary School, Somerset, New Jersey in recognition of his extraordinary academic achievement,
intellectual excellence and outstanding representation of his school, his family and the township of Franklin. Whereas Yajur Subramanyan a student of Sid Hill preparatory school has distinguished himself by winning the
regional scripts spelling B out spelling competitors from Essex Somerset and Union counties at the South Orange Performing Arts Center in Orange, New Jersey. An achievement accomplished by only a handful of students across the
entire state. And whereas Edure demonstrated remarkable composure, mastery of the English language and depth of linguistic knowledge in navigating a challenging field of words, including I can't even pronounce these words,
etc., etc., and ultimately securing his championship by correctly spelling the word mering. Mering Mering is a French word, is it? And whereas by uh virtue of this regional victory,
Yajar Subramanyan will represent Sira Hill Preparatory School and the Township of Franklin at the prestigious Scripps National Spelling B in Washington DC. Folks, I have only seen Spelling Bee stars on TV, but now we have one here potentially
national champion. uh the most celebrated academic competitors in competitions in the United States and whereas Yajger Yajger's achievement reflects the dedication, hard work and scholarly pursuit of excellence that Sira Hill Preparatory School has
fostered since its founding and serves as an inspiration to students throughout our community. Now therefore be be it resolved that the mayor and the council of township of Franklin do hereby formally commend and congratulate Yajur
Subramanyan regional scripts spelling be champion to soon to be national champion. Yes, sure. >> Uh I would like to thank uh the mayor, honorable Mr. Kramer, uh the council of
Franklin Township um for this wonderful uh honor and recognition. I'm also deeply deeply grateful to my school uh my founder Dr. N uh my principal Mr. Sely and my teachers and
my friends and family who have supported me throughout this uh they inspire me to work hard every day and so I can compete with pride at the national level. Thank you. Nice job. >> All right, so I have three more and each
student is going to make a speech. There's about 50 of them. You'll be here all night. No, I'm just kidding. Uh so the next two the next one is for uh a team of students that uh one
regional championship uh for future city. Uh pretty so I'm not I'm not going to read the whole proclamation. It's read it's very much similar to Yajur but um I'm going
to read the names of the students. Uh so this is an engineering uh future city competition. It is u uh I guess it's a zero um environmental a food waste uh and design
of the city. Uh and I think they picked Phoenix, Arizona, something like that. Okay. Uh why didn't you pick Franklin? because right is very well balanced. >> Okay. >> All right. We'll take that council. Yes.
>> Okay. Yeah. So, uh so they designed a future city based on um uh to be sent to >> Yes. Okay. Did you send it to Phoenix yet? Okay. So, I'm going to u call the names of the students that were in the
team so you can all come here and receive your certificate. Uh, let's see here. Um, Absal Muhammad. >> Congratulations. Congratulations. >> Oh my goodness.
>> Congratulations. >> Anandita Gujar. Shivad Desai, Sakastra Ganpur, thank you. >> Casey Connor, >> congratulations. >> Samira Dshi,
>> congratulations. >> Aia Kumar, Arian Sha, Wala Vijay, Raj, >> Dylan, Lee, Jonathan Lee
>> and Indigo James. >> Congratulations. >> Congratulations. Congratulations. >> Congratulations. Great. Congratulations again. Two more to go.
>> Okay. Next one is is a uh they looked similar when I read it but one is a a regional and another the last one is a national level uh recognition and the uh
this one is for the NAQT academic quiz team that is the regional one right so uh congratulations to the team again I'm going to read all the names you can do the same 13. Nikico Gafalo,
Yajurroman, Shivad Desai, >> Samart Dakira, >> Walab Vijayra, Congratulations. >> Congratulations. >> Arman Kashan, >> congratulations. Congratulations. >> Arian Sha
and Vira Shukla, >> congratulations. Congrats. So they all earned the qualification to the NAQT Middle School National Championship in Chicago, Illinois, placing Sed Hill Prep among only 160 middle school teams selected
nationwide out of thousand of competing programs. Congratulations to you all. Congrats again. All right, the last one is for the national recognition. This is actually world challenge
competition. It's uh the these kids competed u other students from New Zealand, China, Colombia, Australia, Canada, Singapore, and Turkey. So uh and 13 US states
they're all were in the competition and congrats to our team here. Uh they were placed um second in the in the world guys. So this is phenomenal achievement and a big hand
to the team. All right. So I'm going to read the names again. Anandita Gurjar, Isra and Indigo James. >> Oh,
>> and there's more. >> Congratulations. >> Congratulations. >> Good work. >> Aliyah Patel, >> Casey Connor and Tanish Patel. And then you have Augustia Mabu,
Shivad Desai, Vedant Pandya and Ajour Subramani. >> Congratulations. >> And the last group is Absal Muhammad >> Sahasra Janupur. Congratulations
>> and Samira Doshi. >> Congratulations. >> Congratulations. It's okay. Congratulations. Congrats again. Please give a big hand to all the competitors and all the winners. And of course uh to the school for uh
doing exemplary job of preparing these young people for the future world. >> Thank you so much. I have some extra certificates I think kids who didn't show today. So >> next we have troop 113 Eagle Scout
proclamations by Councilman Oni Jaka. It's alumni parent. into the mic. >> Charles >> into the mic. >> Hello. Hello. Just a second. >> Okay. Whereas Gre K Gregory, a senior
student of Franklin High School, began his scouting journey in September 20 2014 as a Tiger Scout with CO Park Pack 195 at St. Matias Church, later crossing
over to Bay Scout Troop 113 at Somerset Presbyterian Church in March 2019. and Waras Khal demonstrated outstanding leadership through his role
as scribe patrol leader and senior patrol leader managing troops activities and frustrating communities spirit throughout his distinguished
six-year journey towards Ego Scout and in doing so earn 27 merit barge with focus on citizenship, emergency preparedness,
first aid outstand for his ego scout service project organized and led a team of scouts to resppire
the parking lot lines, handicapped spaces and directional arrow at Somerset Presbyterian Church giving back to the troops, chhattering organization and benefiting
the congregation, all facility users and the central Jessie enrichment center press school leaving a lasting and positive contribution. as a testament to his vision, initiative
and compassion and while executing his his ego scar service project demonstrating exceptional resilence by outgoing challenges in
logic in logics and project planning thereby strengthening his time management. and leadership ability building skills and values that will continue to guide him towards further
success and meaningful contribution to the society. Now therefore, be it proclaimed that the mayor and the council of the township of Franklin, Somerset County, New Jersey, do hereby formally commend and
congratulate Carl Gregory upon his exemplary achievement of attaining the distinguished rank of Eagle Scout. the highest honor in scarring and extending their heartfelt congratulation to his
remarkable accomplishment which reflects his dedication, pverance and unwaving commitment to the highest deal of the scout oath and law. Be it
further proclaimed that the township of Franklin celebrates Gal outstanding service to to his community and wish him continued success in all future endeavors.
Good. Congratulations. Thank you. Okay, our next scout I keep. Okay, you go Zski. Elijah Zavalski. And I think that was close enough, right? Um,
it's our second scout. Oh, I'm sorry. Go ahead. >> Yes, I know we have a lot going on here tonight, so and we appreciate everybody here. Um, and I know most of you know what scouting is about or have heard of Eagle Scout. So, I'm not going to go
into detail, but both of these uh gentlemen uh did not come across this uh rank easily as it's really uh the culmination of uh seven, eight years. Sometimes you come from Cub Scouting 10 years and I got a feeling most of them
have been involved since they were uh allowed to be involved. So, um thank you. Thank you for your accomplishment and your dedication to scouting. Um okay, here you are.
Make sure Zatski Elijah Zavski began his scouting journey in 2014 as a Tiger Scout with PAC 113 at Somerset Presbyterian Church, later continuing as a member of PAC 195 at St. Modias Church from 2 2015 through
2017 and joining Scouting America Troop 113 at Somerset Presbyterian Church in 2018 where he embraced the values of service, citizenship, and personal responsibility throughout his scouting career. And whereas Eli, as I put it in
here, through years of dedication, leadership, and service, successfully completed the demanding requirements necessary to earn the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest honor in scouting America, achieved by only a small percentage of scouts, which he attained on February 11, 2025, representing years
of hard work, perseverance, and unwavering commitment to the principles of the scout oath and scout law. And whereas Elijah is a senior at Franklin High School where he's distinguished himself as an honorroll student, a four-year member of the Franklin High School baseball program, a four-year
varsity swimmer, and a musician performing on the baritone saxophone um in the Franklin High School marching band, busy every season, demonstrating the same discipline, teamwork, and commitment to excellence that have defined his scouting career. And whereas
Elijah's remarkable achievements reflect the steadfast support and encouragement of his family, fellow scouts, and scout leaders, all very important to this process, and the faith and community institutions of Franklin Township that have guided and inspired him throughout his scouting journey, building skills
and values that will continue to serve him and his community for years to come. Now therefore, it be proclaimed that the mayor and council of the township of Franklin, Somerset County, New Jersey, do hereby formally commend and congratulate Elijah Zavowski
upon his outstanding achievement of attaining distinguished rank of Eagle Scout on uh February 11, 2025 and commend him for his leadership, dedication, dedication, service, and commitment to excellence. be further proclaimed that the Township of Franklin
extends his sincerest best wishes u for continued success in all his future endeavors and thanks him for serving as an outstanding example of the values of scouting and community leadership. Congratulations. There's some proud parents if you'd like
to come up. and 113 um uh has got been around since I was in scouting and we're talking over a half century ago. So, uh it's been around a long time. 195's been around long time and one way or another they all seem to continue and keep
um doing what you see them doing here today. Thank you. Yes. And I know we have a lot going on, but if you want to say if the scout wanted to say something, I think Hello. It's good. You're good. You sure? You want to thank somebody?
Come on. This is it. >> I know we got a lot going, but take one second and thank who you'd like to or whatever you'd like to say, guys. >> Um, I'm very honored to get the get the uh rank of Eagle Scout. Um, it's
been a hard journey. um took me all the way to senior year to get it. I hope all my other fellow scouts find their way through Boy Scouts and find the the same um life lessons that I learned. And uh hopefully Boy Scouts teaches them uh to
live life to the fullest. Um I want to thank my parents for always be being behind my back. Uh my scouts, my friends, and um everyone else who supported me on the way on the journey. I'd like to thank the honorable mayor and council for this recognition and
honor. Um, first and foremost, I'd like to thank God for all of his blessings, uh, giving me an amazing support team with my family, my parents, sister, and my brother. I'd also like to thank the leaders of my troop, Mr. Slack, my dad,
Mr. Prasad, Mr. Zvatoski, Mrs. ski and everybody else who supported me along the way, my fellow scouts. Um, it's been one heck of a ride. I've made some of my best friends, Eli, Timmy, amazing memories at summer camp. And I just like to thank you all for
supporting me on my way. Thank you. So, so that's it for our proclamations. So you it will not be considered rude if you came just for the proclamations to leave. Now you're kidding. Here we go.
>> I just ask that you close the doors behind you. Yeah. If someone could close the doors on the uh Thank you. That's why you >> folks, you can gather in the in the lobby, but we have a meeting to
continue. >> Hello. >> All right. So, it is time for public discussion. I ask for unanimous consent to open to the public. Without objection, we are open to the public. Uh this is the general
public session. There's going to be public session later for Catala Park and another one uh for the uh uh community develop community development block grant CDBG. Um
and it's just a first reading. So the there'll be no uh public session for the ordinance. Um so you can speak about anything that has to do with government. 5 minutes of time. No yielding of time.
May only come up once. And please state your name and address. >> You can come up. >> Good evening, council. >> Got to speak right into the mic. >> That's That's >> There we go. >> Good evening, Adam. Adam Moore, East
Franklin. Just like to take a second to personally thank the business administrator, mayor, and the town council for recognizing recognizing Kevin and his sacrifices. And that uh we also like to consider keeping Kevin's legacy alive forever, considering and
allowing East Franklin take over the former first aid building that's on Gerard Avenue and tra it into uh a training facility under Kevin's name, Kevin's Memorial. And uh that's it. Thank you.
>> Anyone else? >> Uh name is Mark Langston. I'm a resident at Franklin Park, New Jersey. And um we had a concern in the community. Um >> your address, please. >> What's that? Oh, my address. >> Yes. >> Uh 83 Chelsea Court in Franklin Park.
>> Thank you. >> Um dear Mr. Mayor and members of the township council, this letter is to formally request immediate attention and decisive action regarding the increasingly dangerous traffic conditions within our neighborhood. What
was once a concern has now escalated into a serious and ongoing threat to residents, pedestrians, and especially children who live and play in this community. At the intersection of Beakman Road, Chelsea Court, and Lindsay Court, vehicles routinely travel at speeds far
exceeding the posted limit. Despite the clearly residential nature of the area, drivers frequently accelerate through this stretch as if it were a throughway rather than a neighborhood where families live, children play, and pedestrians must cross daily.
Compounding this concern, statements from local police indicating that traveling up to five miles per hour over the posted limit is generally tolerated would effectively permit speeds approaching 40 mph in this area, far exceeding what is appropriate for the
residential neighborhood, particularly when some main roads are limited to just 25 mph. Reducing the posted speed limit from 35 to 25 would be an important first step in reinforcing that this is a residential area where caution not speed
should govern driver behavior. This re reckless pattern has already resulted in the fatal injury of pets and is deeply troubling to acknowledge that if meaningful action is not taken soon, it is only a matter of time before a resident is seriously injured or worse.
The danger is no longer hypothetical. Recently, a vehicle traveling at excessive speed lost control and left the roadway entirely. The car crashed onto the sidewalk and came to rest between two trees off the road, creating a scene that could easily have resulted in a far greater tragedy. Emergency
responders arrived quickly and an ambulance transported the passengers to the hospital. The fact that this occurred within our neighborhood on streets where residents walk, children play ride bicycles, and families cross daily should serve as a clear warning that the current situation is unsustainable. Alarmingly, just two
weeks later, another collision occurred nearby. In that incident, one driver ran through a stop sign while another vehicle was in the process of making a turn, resulting in a crash that again underscored the dangerous driving patterns present in the area. Two serious incidences occurred within such
a short span of time is not coincidence. It is evidence of a growing safety problem that demands immediate attention. Given these circumstances, the installation of a blinking pedestrian crosswalk at the intersection of Beman Road, Chelsea Court, and Lindsey Court is not simply a helpful
improvement. It is an essential safety measure. Such a system would significantly increase driver awareness, reduce excessive speeds, and provide a clearly defined and protected crossing point for residents. Compounding these concerns, there has also been a collision involving a street sign and a
wiring box near the intersection. The damage to the infrastructure further further demonstrates the severity of the driving behavior occurring here. In addition to the danger posted by reckless drivers, the damaged equipment itself now presents another hazard that must be addressed without delay. Equally
urgent is the need for safety enhancements at the intersection of Chelsea Court, Stewart Avenue, Beman Court, and Stewart Avenue and Beman Road and Deler Park. These areas feature nowadays um roadways that curve and bend with limited visibility, providing little warning to pedestrians and
approaching vehicles, particularly those traveling at excessive speeds. The current design of these infrastructures creates conditions where a serious accident is not only possible, but increasingly likely. Clearly marked crosswalks and pedestrian crossing signals would dramatically improve
safety and help prevent a tragic and entirely preventable loss of life. Residents throughout this neighborhood are growing increasingly concerned. The hazards are visible, incidences are increasing, and the risks are no longer theoretical. With pro with prompt and meaningful action, the next accident may not end with damaged vehicles. It may
end with the loss of a neighbor, a child, or a loved one. 30 years ago, infrastructure such as crosswalks, curb cuts, and pedestrian crossings with proper lighting were not viewed as pressing concerns in the area. However, today, with thousands of residents calling this neighborhood home, these
safety measures are no longer optional. They are essential. The growth of the community demands modern safety solutions to ensure the protection of all who live, walk, and travel there. I'm going to jump to the closing paragraph. Uh there is an old phrase
long used in the Navy. We're all in the same boat in a stormy sea, and we owe each other a terrible and tragic loyalty. It spoke to the understanding that a ship only functions when every member of the crew looks out for one another and takes responsibility for the safety of all aboard. The same principle
applies here. A neighborhood, like a ship, works only when its people and its leaders recognize that we share responsibilities for one another's safety. By taking this action now, we affirm that commitment that neighbors look out for neighbors and that the well-being of this community is something we protect together.
>> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> I only skipped five lines. I think it was pretty. And I have copies of um hundreds of signatures in the area and stuff from the police if you want. You can hand them to the clerk. >> Okay. >> And we respond at the end of public
session. Anyone else wishing to speak? Seeing none, I ask for unanimous consent to close public session. Without objection, public session is closed. Uh Mr. Mayor, in this particular circumstance, this matter has already been investigated both by the police
department and our township engineer. Um, coincidentally, both the public safety director for the police department and our township engineer are in the audience. So, while I certainly have the background to answer this one, I think I'm going to defer to first the township engineer to address the study
that was completed and the results of that study and the recommendations and the limitations that that you as the governing body have in this particular circumstance. Darren, you just grab the microphone and >> Good evening. Good evening everyone. My
name is Darren Massie. I'm the township engineer from Center State Engineering. We did take a look at the speed study here. There are some slightly elevated speeds in the area. What's your recommendation? The PD was made to enforce the area more more often. Now,
in terms of the crosswalk that's being requested, Chelsea Court and Lindsay Court are both private roads. So, by statute of law, this would actually be a midblock crosswalk. It wouldn't It does look like an actual uh intersection, but because there's not two rightways
intersecting, it's actually set that way. So, if any crosswalks were to be installed, it's technically the HOA's responsibility as part of that being a public right uh roadway. and though and I did take a look at the handicap ramps that are there. They were built at a
time before ADA accessibility was as uh scrutinized as it is today. So, they would need to be upgraded and marked and uh that would also include any kind of signage for the midblock as well as if it went to council an ordinance that would put a midblock crosswalk in place.
uh the study for a flashing beacon uh there would have to be a little more work done just in terms of how many people are crossing to see if the volume would warrant it but on initial review I didn't see that as being uh uh necessary in this area
>> sure and and I'll just I actually have so for for kind of context as far as what Mr. as you said regarding speed um uh during the the week period that was studied um which was at the be you know
earlier this year uh 12,233 cars were studied during the course of the week um the average speed was 32 mph um the high speed for the the what we'll call the the 99th percentile the the the
highest speed uh traveled was 46.9 mph the 85th percentile speed was 39. Um, some of you who have heard me talk before know the importance of the 85th percentile. The 85th percentile is that speed at at which that speed or below is
what you know and is I should say it is the 85th percentile is the speed at which um the the state statute and the federal manual deem safe and prudent. that which 85 or
85 out of 100 vehicles is traveling at or below. Um while while I understand the gentleman's concerns about uh lowering the speed limit, um the recommendation was made from the engineering department to the police
department that the appropriate action would be increased enforcement for speed on the street. Um, director, if you want to come grab the microphone. I know you have statistics on the number of details that have been conducted for traffic law
enforcement on that area. >> Okay. Good evening everyone. Uh, yes. So, my my traffic division has been out on Beakman in uh what we call TLE traffic law enforcement for uh 2026. So far, we've had 43 instances of
enforcement. Um as far as accidents are concerned, our last our crash stats for the last 5 years um there was one speed related crash uh in that area um for a total of
so about eight nine crashes over the last 5 years down in that area. Um so while we understand the concerns uh usually crashes are uh the driver's fault and not the roadway and not the area but we will continue to um enforce
traffic down in that area as uh as needed. Uh if anyone has any questions, I can answer. But uh as the town street manager explained, the speeds these speed studies we do, we do them during a year, sometimes more than once a year,
and they're usually very accurate. >> And the only thing I'd add is that often times there's a question about how speed limits are established. and and that that goes to the reason why you go through this engineering study process
as far as speed surveys and accident uh analysis is because the so there there are three speed limits in the state of New Jersey by statute. There's the 25 mph speed limit which is the um the business
district and residential speed limit. Then there's a 35 mph speed limit which is a suburban residential. And both the suburban residential and the residential are are specific to the type of building frontage or property
frontage on a road. Suburban residential being um 50% frontage uh property frontage uh has to be residential in nature for every 1320 ft. And then for a
25 mph it has to be um 50% of building frontage has to be residential, excuse me, residential in nature for it to qualify for a statutory 25. The third speed limit 50 is all other speed all
other roadways other than those posted with some other speed limit. the the roads that we're talking about here, Stuart and Beakman, are um statutory resid uh suburban residential. One of the things that often causes some
confusion is there is the word and it has been interpreted by the court with frontage, not rearage, but frontage. So, but Beakman Road in the area of Society Hill has no frontage. So, it doesn't qualify
or town houses, but it doesn't qualify for a statutory 25. It's a statutory 35 because there is no frontage. So, 50% of the property is residential. So, there's where it qualifies for the suburban residential, but not the statutory 25
that some other streets might qualify for. Um, and as far as the the intersecting streets where they're requested, flashing beacon and crosswalk, um, we've dealt with that in a number of neighborhoods where, um, we have HOAs that have streets intersecting
um, public streets. Um, these are private streets. They are not a a legal intersection per state law. So therefore, a crosswalk would require actually a separate ordinance by the governing body um of the municipality to
and it is only as a result of an engineering study can a midblock crosswalk be installed. And again, as Darren said, as far as the flashing beacons, that's something that um would require
an engineering study to determine the the pedestrian volume at that crossing. So, that's where it's at right now. I think that the recommendation for um increased enforcement is being followed through on and needs to continue. And
then what generally happens is following um enforcement activity, a second study is done, second speed survey is done to see the impact that it's had. But I I will tell you that at 5 mph over on the
85th percentile, the 39 in a 35 would generally be accepted as a 35 mph speed limit. and not and and the reality is is I've warned this council in various times through my career. Um sometimes
you need to be careful what you wish for. As those speeds increase, the 85th percentile increases, then the law says that you should adjust the speed limit up, not down. So in this particular case, it is close to the 35 mph speed
limit. Um, and we all know and I've preached like uh, you know, a a minister on the pulpit on a Sunday, the the people and the way that people are driving uh, is increasingly more aggressive. And unfortunately,
changing a speed limit downward is not going to change that aggressiveness that they exhibit on our public roads every day. And as as a uh as a person who's, you know, spent the better part of their adult life trying to advocate for traffic safety, um I it it's disturbing,
but it's a reality that I don't think that the the decreasing of speed limit is going to stop people from driving in an increase, you know, in an aggressive manner. So that that's unfortunately where we're at right now. So, that is
what the police department will continue to do in that neighborhood and then they'll revisit it in several months to see where we're at. >> Just one quick correction. My email wasn't open up all the way. >> You've got to speak into the >> Yeah, got otherwise the TV can't hear
you. >> Doesn't hear you. >> Um, just a correction on the stat. There was actually uh my email didn't open all the way was 14 crashes over the last five years and only one of those crashes was attributed to speed. And generally the the the engineering
standard for um in uh for uh regulatory actions, a traffic signal or a stop sign or a four-way stop is that the the uh regul the regulation will impact uh accidents that have occurred on a in
a one-year period. Five or more of the type of accident is what is looked for. So if there was one speed related accident in five years, you would look for five speed related accidents in one year as a as a one of those engineering
standards to look for in in changing the regulation. >> I'm so glad you cleared that up because I was going to ask that question. >> That's the number. >> Mayor, >> yes. >> I was just going to quickly respond to the other item that was mentioned. I'm
not going to get into the details because we're entertaining a couple proposals as what to do, including one from East Franklin as what to do with the old um first aid squad. Um but I I will say this and we don't know hopefully be figuring that out in the
next couple months. Um, I do I will say this. Whatever we do with that building, if it has anything to do with first responders in general, especially volunteers, I would wholeheartedly support anything to uh honor um Kevin and um just for what it's worth. Um not
going to go into a lot. We had the proclamation earlier, but he was is and hopefully will remain forever the only volunteer firefighter or first responder that I'm aware of in the history. 228 years of uh Franklin Township that that
uh died in the line of duty. We had a couple police officers unfortunately in the 60s, but um believe this is the only volunteer, the only firefighter that's ever perished in the line of duty. And uh it wasn't mentioned when we read the proclamation earlier, but uh Kevin died
trying to rescue an old lady is quite quite frankly what happened. and uh a little house fire, a little single family residence house fire that would probably seem like, oh, you know, a training thing or something simple. Uh floors collapse and catastrophes happened, but he died literally rested
trying to rescue someone else. And and I do want to say mention uh we do have in the back of the room, the cameras might not see them, but a handful of uh I'm going to say people who were uh toddlers, maybe a little bit older when when this
happened. and the idea to see people coming out and volunteering and continue the legacy not only of Kevin but all the uh Franklin Township firefighting. Most all of our firefighting is done volunteer. Uh we use some in-house resource but um staff but you know we
have a big history here and uh uh there's nothing that epitomizes that better than seeing you men and women coming out here tonight. uh not only pay tribute but more importantly you're serving the community running towards what most people run away from. Thank
you. >> So the mayor I got one more thing on this. So, first of all, as a volunteer first responder, my sincerest condolences to Kevin's friends,
families, and uh squad members. Uh my thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Uh I wanted to acknowledge uh the gentleman from 83 Chelsea. Um you're from my ward. uh understand and
acknowledge the concern that you brought to the council. Appreciate that and I'm really glad that you got a real-time response from the township manager, from the engineer and our public safety director. So, um hopefully that helps
you um uh get your concern addressed and question answered. >> Okay. Thank you. And why don't you just continue with your council comments? >> Mr. Mayor, if I could just add one more comment though, though. So, and and because I I I thought it, you know,
there there is somewhat of a in a way a cruel twist to what occurred that day 20 years ago. Um there it was not and and certainly certainly not to take away from anything. The the woman who died in that fire, I don't know if many people know this, was the mother of one of our
active duty police officers. So, it not only impacted the entire emergency services community with the loss of Kevin, it was also the mother of Tom Culage um who um actually passed away only days after he retired from the
police department um from a terminal illness. But we we we put those two families together in our minds in the police department every time we think of them. So it it was a it was a a double
loss that day in that Kevin was trying to save Tom's mom. Um so there is always that connection that the police department will have with the fire department from that day. >> Thank you for mentioning that, Bob. I didn't want to get into police business, but that was another piece of the
situation. Thank you. >> Little bit of Franklin history today. Um, Councilman Singh, >> sure. >> Council comments. >> So, a couple of things. Um, a little over a week ago, I was with the
Kingston um, village advisory committee. I actually met them for the first time. Um and uh in the near future I do plan to do a drive around with them to understand their issues, understand
their challenges and uh if needed when needed, I'll I'm going to bring back any concerns that this council can help back to the council. Um, the second
thing I wanted to talk about was I'm starting to get a lot of questions on taxes as it relate to our residents after the virtual hearing um we did uh last week. Uh subsequent to that uh
virtual hearing, there was a press release uh that was widely circulated discussing a significant increase to our municipal taxes. And um I know there are more sessions planned
in the coming weeks before we formally adopt uh the budget. But in addition to that, I would request the mayor and the council to do some uh town halls uh specifically one if needed for the first
ward so we can explain to the people how we going to be projecting revenues and what are we going to do with the proposed spending so everyone is aware in the spirit of transparency and visibility which is uh something that
I'm very conscious about. >> Um thank you ma'am. So, I I'm going to respond to that. We do that every year uh practically, but most years we do that and we can't do it until we've completed the budget because we don't
know where the budget's going exactly. So I I think what has happened mayor and and and so I and I think I understand what Councilman Singh is saying is there there's been a press article online that's headline is basically that that
council proposes major increases in municipal budget that to be introduced. So, and and I and I think that that kind of needs to be cleaned up a little bit and and maybe it's misleading or or misunderstood, but
the budget hearing process is just simply municipal department heads presenting their budget to the town council. After that presentation, a great deal of work is done on the part of both myself, the finance officer, the
financial consultant, the financial oversight committee, and then ultimately a budget is presented and introduced by the town council in probably I guess about 3 weeks or so from now. Um, first meeting of of April. Yeah, first three
weeks. >> For example, the manager and I spent about two and a half hours today slamming our heads together, >> right? trying to >> and we spent I guess about two and a half hours last night doing the same thing and we'll do that again for several nights this week and then again
several nights next week and that is go on and on and on until a budget is completed and introduced. So what was what transpired over those two nights of budget hearings is is not the budget. It
is it is department budget presentations to council much different than the actual final product of a budget >> which does not have to be done in public >> actually. So, so the the way that the law prescribes in a manager council form
of government is that the township manager has a public meeting where the department heads present their budget to the township manager, not at a council meeting, but at a
meeting, a public meeting held by the town manager. Um, years ago, the town manager, I believe it was under the the time of Ken Dailyaly, made the decision to move that meeting to a a meeting with
the council present as opposed to a meeting outside of the presence of council because it's the manager who ultimately prepares the budget that gets handed over to council for introduction. So this this process is a little bit
been been and and and I think it was done in the interest of transparency, don't get me wrong. It was there's much more many more people have the opportunity to do it uh see it in this fashion than they would if I held a meeting at 8:30 in the morning in the town conference room with my department
heads where the public was invited. That's the that's what the or the the statute calls for though. >> So >> thank you. Nonetheless, there you have it. correcting my it is held in public but not the way we do it. We could go above and beyond. Okay. Um Councilwoman
Udin. Thank you, Mayor. Good evening, everyone. Um at the last council meeting, I didn't have the numbers front of me, but I wanted to report um pleased to share that approximately 1 million of the total 3 million in road paving um investment has been secured for our W
second W. Um, and as the budget hearing concludes, I'm hoping and I'm hopeful that we'll start having that list ready and we'll be refreshed and available online. Um, I was just going through the online and I noticed there was a specific typo. So, I'll address that with our um, township manager and our
public works team to get that um, site um, updated and refreshed so that as you go online, you will be able to see the 2026 um, road paving schedule. And what they do is they start um providing status of in progress, completed, and
what's next. So you'll kind of get a chance to see where um where they are with uh updates as to the roads. Um we are committed to improving our infrastructure and keeping our residents informed every step of the way. So just
more information around the road paving and um how much has been secured for the second ward. Um, on a more sober note, um, I am deeply saddened to share the passing of a resident and a fellow second ward
resident. Um, one of my good friends, Suzanne Goldley. Um, she was very vibrant and dedicated member of our community. Um, she served on the JFK um, Democratic Club as well as was a communitywoman. Matter of fact, I was just on phone call with her last week
and she was always um full of warmth and energy and you know telling me that she's walking out in the streets and meeting her neighbors and kind of having those discussions. Um you know I'm very sad to hear that today I found this out. Um and um thanks to our uh thanking
reporter advocate for making an article on her. Um please keep her family and loved ones in your thoughts. Um rest in peace Susan Goldley and miss you very much. um and our conversations over the years. Um the other thing I did want to mention
lastly was um we're talking about the 2026 budget and the budget hearing that is recorded and made available online as we have done every year. And um so if you missed it in the last two um sessions that we had and you want to learn more about the budget, it is all
made available online at our YouTube channel. So you can go in your um own leisure and be able to hear the readings and and see what we're talking about. That's all I had. Mayor, thank you. >> Thank you, Councilman Embarrass. >> Um thank you, Mayor. I really have a
quick update. U just uh took public safety um meeting um took place today and um fellow Councilman Basel, I will give you a um detail update but I just wanted to cover a couple of thing that
came to my attention. One was a request for timing adjustment of a traffic light on Route 27 and Kotaloo um intersection and uh I I was told that um our uh traffic uh department uh did a quick
study and recommendations have been sent to uh the state do uh which is responsible for that light on route 27. Um so it's it's going to take some time. So please be patient with that while
that uh gets processed. Uh and the second one second update is uh and we received a request for a um new street lamp at the um on Western Road in front of uh Renaissance uh community where I
live also. Um, so I think that is a uh much needed light for this uh for the residents there because it's kind of dark in the night if you're driving by driving by. So um the township manager reported that uh recommendation has been
that request has been sent to PG&G and he did caution that it could take anywhere between 6 to 14 months. So I wouldn't uh hold my breath on that uh until then. So uh other than that I
think we had a um um beautiful ceremony on March 16th at Majid Ali um on Sid Grove. Um, Councilman, our deputy mayor, um,
Karazzi organized a uh, u meal with uh, the community there uh, as a part of the Ramadan celebration and happy to report and he was he probably will tell you and uh, they collected more than $13,000 in
this period of Ramadan to give it to people and and and I think Franklin Food Bank, the people are here, I think was a beneficiary of that. Uh great job uh deputy mayor. Uh and then last but not least uh we had
a internal meeting about YMCA uh on a uh discussion of some agreements uh with the attorney manager myself and the mayor and um more to follow later on that. That's all I got. Mayor, >> thank you Councilwoman Franuis.
>> Thank you. Thank you Mr. Mayor. I rarely uh report out on subcommittees that I participate on which are very many but I would like to at least comment on what was said here earlier about the budget. So myself, the mayor, the deputy mayor,
and councilman Singh, we sit on the financial oversight subcommittee, and we meet and we meet and we meet for hours and hours and hours and hours before the budget requirements, the costs, the revenue, all the expenses associated
with the budget. We fine comb every detail, every line in the budget before it ever comes to the public, before it's ever presented to full counsel. And so we there's a lot of due diligence that goes into that budget. We don't raise taxes just for the sake of raising
taxes. We look at every possible expense. And everybody knows that the cost of living is going up. The cost of living in terms of energy, anything you can imagine in terms of salaries, in terms of insurance, in terms of health
care, everything is going up. And so we look at how we can squeeze blood out of stone based on how big the stone is and how much blood we can squeeze out of that. So I I just wanted I wanted to comment on the fact that there's a lot a lot of work that goes on for months and
months before the budget is ever presented to the governing body, the full governing body and also to the public. There's a the people that are sitting here on this council are very conscientious, are very concerned, are
very caring. We live here. We are members of the public. We are we represent you and we take our jobs very very seriously and the amount of time that we spend. I just wanted to put that out there. And then on top of that, we meet and then the mayor meets with the
township manager. Then the township manager goes back and meets with his staff. There's a lot of work that goes into this. So, I needed to say that, Mr. Mayor. And also, I'd like to just say congratulations to the two Eagle Scouts and also the uh Cedar Hill Prep students
that were here today. They certainly made us proud. I'm very proud of our young people here in Franklin Township and the future that they bring to us uh and their bright futures as well, for the world, not just for Franklin. Thank
you, Mr. Mayor. Thank you, Councilman Basinella, >> and Councilwoman French, why you you gave me another thought, so I'm going to piggy back on the taxes. Um, I don't know how they did it, but when I first got on council, we used to meet in that
conference room over there because no one, even the public, would be interested. There was nobody but the council and the manager and the clerk. And we had a booklet this big, literally this big, um, because everything was paper back then. and we reviewed it and
spent hours and hours like literally I think after 11:00 at night sometimes. But the point is we didn't go back there to hide. It was no one had any interest. Taxes uh 0506 as much as they weren't real cheap, they were nothing like today. Things have just obviously gotten
out of control. But we did that and then we put them on TV. Then we had more meetings and more meetings and it's been a transparent process. Transparency isn't the problem. Unfortunately, money is. But bottom line, uh, we will see sometimes the greatest way a count a
township can grow. I literally believe this is by learning how to sacrifice and that comes from government and from the public. So hopefully there won't be a real lot of sacrificing, but sometimes that builds character. Not to be silly, but I think
we saw that exemplified um by uh what I know were a lot of sacrifices on every side of the room tonight. I know from the firefighters to the boy scouts to these academic achievements that just astonish me every month. Anyway, I don't want to go on and on, but that's our
budget. Um, another person went want to recognize, I don't even know the details because I'm still um not completely focused here tonight, be honest with you. But Rahm, who goes far beyond what he does in our as a councilman, but the
public service and philanthropy that he practices has earned him an award. And I'm sorry I can't remember the the exact uh okay our deputy mayor will mention so I just wanted to u think that is important mentioning the only thing I have to say otherwise is quickly the
public safety meeting that was mentioned earlier two two good things goal zero which is to have as few or no accidents injuries etc uh will be April 14th May 17th and June 6th the director um who
was here earlier has three specific days there. They're going to be doing extra enforcement. Uh they often can utilize grant money. So, it literally is more uh officers there for enforcement. And whether it's uh sometimes it's a flexible type enforcement. Uh one of the
big uh focuses is distracted driving. Please be careful. And another one is move over where you're supposed to move out of the lane in certain times for emergency vehicles, etc. But we will be doing that. And um the goal isn't to ticket people, but the goal is to get people to stop doing stupid things when
they're driving uh so that we all can be safer in this town. So um thank you, director. And every month, um starting next month, for several months, we'll be doing that. The only other issue I wanted to mention was we have street lights out on Hamilton Street. Uh a whole bunch of them. We didn't realize
how many were out. Uh we did a review of it and we have contacted PSEG knows everything that needs to be done and hopefully it'll be done soon. We can't speak for PSEG, but if you do notice it, you can go on a portal for PSENG. If you notice a street that has a lot of them,
looks like something's wrong, you can bring it to the manager or whatever council person you'd like and we could do what we can to get the process moving. But Hamilton Street will hopefully be back fully lit very soon. Uh that's it. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Councilman Onako.
>> Yes. Okay. Mayor, our next uh HRC meeting will be coming will be on on Wednesday, this coming Wednesday. And uh there will there will be a presentation by Kerry Slugghan
the programming and outreach township librarian on uh diverse activities. That is one. two um I want to use this opportunity
to congratulate the the two young men the go scouts it's not easy to attend to that rank in the boy scout uh uh leadership congratulations
and at the same time I use this opportunity to congratulate you too okay thank you very much mayor that's all I have for tonight. >> Thank you, Deputy Mayor Karazzi. >> Thank you so much. And I really appreciate Councilwoman uh France for
eloquent description of what goes uh around this budget and time and uh what it takes. I also want to mention that the first time when the cards for the assessment came out, uh I mentioned to to mayor and township manager that might
be a good idea to have another town hall meeting after the budget uh is uh put together so we can talk about the assessment, talk about the budget, talk about the the tax breaks for the citizens and especially senior citizens. So hopefully that will be coming
sometime in April. So just uh council me sing. So that is going to be happening. Uh so I have two items that I'd like to mention. One is that I'd like to extend a special congratulation to Councilman
Rahm Amberson for his uh election as one of the Americans 250 public service champions by local golf 250 and the National Academics Public Administration. a big big uh
accomplishment and we really are proud of you. You make us look good. >> Thank you. >> All right. And and the second one as uh council mentioned was this the special gathering that we had and I want to
recognize the community of the masid Ali mosque for organizing a wonderful interface Ramadan dinner uh which uh we had official not only we had a local community from different uh faith groups but we had officials from
local county state including attorney general was there and it was really a great gathering and also a special thanks to the Muslim community for raising almost like $13,000 over $13,000
and we were happy that we were able to uh uh support food bank so they can support our neighbors who are facing food insecurity. So again congratulation to everyone and I think mayor that's all I have. Thank you very much. What was
the range of the donations? >> Oh, yes. The the donation varied from 5 cents to $2,000. >> We included the school children school, that's a private school, and one student
brought five cents, five pennies, and we were very happy to see that, too. So, it was great. Thank you, Mayor. >> You're welcome. >> Yes. Um, so I have a Franklin 250 announcement for this weekend, this Saturday from 1 to 4. Um, it's uh, could
you have done it? It's a, uh, celebration of the women in, uh, women's contribution to the revolution. uh stories of uh what the women what women did during the revolution, living history demonstrations,
um colonial traditions, hands-on activities for kids. Uh so part of our uh Franklin 250 celebration, which the county has recognized as clearly the best in the county, uh doing more than
the county itself, uh continues this Saturday and will continue thereafter. That's it for my comments, Mr. Manager. >> Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, just a couple of upcoming events and and I'm going to take it one step further on
the Franklin 250 mayor. There's an event that follows the one this weekend on April 18th, George and Ma George and Martha cocktail affair, an evening with the Washingtons to be held at uh the Hegman Farm, which is under the
management of the Meadows Foundation, a property owned by the township on South Middleush Road. Um, April 18, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. the Meadows Foundation and the Franklin 250 Committee will host George and Martha Cocktail Affair, an evening designed to
bring visitors face to face with the nation's first couple in a warm, engaging, and historic rich setting. Tickets are limited. It is a $50 ticket that includes the admission to the presentation like colonial style fair and a tasting from the open signature
bar featuring historic spirits. All proceeds support the ongoing preservation work of the Meadows Foundation. Attendees must be 21 or older to enjoy the alcoholic beverages. Non-alcoholic colonial refreshments will
also be available. Um, also upcoming on Saturday, March 28th from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Franklin Township Community Senior Center here in the Municipal Complex at 50:05 Deont Lane is the annual Bunny Bonanza for the little
kids. Take your own photos with Mr. and Mrs. Bunny. Face painting, balloon artist, music, kids crafts, and more. Um, so anyone with the little ones wants to come out and meet Mr. and Mrs. bunny and have your face painted. I think they'll even paint adult faces if you so
choose, but I think it's intended for the little kids. Um, last one is uh an effort on the part of our environmental commission. Saturday, April 11th from 9:30 to noon is the
annual John Clyde stream cleanup. This year, Cely's Run, for you those that don't know, Cely's Run is what crosses Easton Avenue in the area of High Hop and Rucker Plaza in between the two. Um, and that cleanup will take place in
conjunction with the lower RON wershed and our environmental commission. If you are interested in participating, there is a link on our website. Uh the the banner at the top of the homepage will bring you to it and it is the uh
registration paperwork that needs to be filled out if you wish to volunteer and help our environmental commission and the lower watershed partnership um clean up a stream on the morning of Saturday, April 11th. And that's what I have to report tonight. Mr. Mayor,
>> thank you. I'm going to do a little Carl Wright and take a second bite of the apple. Uh, Councilman Embarrass when I was third ward representative, I I brought that light up uh the length of the light at Caloo Lane. >> And I I this sounds sarcastic, but I
sincerely wish you well with that endeavor. I was I was unsuccessful in years. >> Well, so it's it's funny that you say that, mayor, though. uh you complained to me about that light and having been stuck at that light about a month ago
and that is what prompted the police department upon my urging to investigate it again. So things go full circle. So while someone may have complained to Councilman and Barrison, it was your complaint to me that made me go to the police department and ask them to look
at it. >> Right. >> So there you go. Mayor, I have a few more blocks I want you to drive on that. You can maybe maybe tell Bob how bad they are. >> All right. So, >> here you get quick action. >> Item number 10, there's no council
discussion item. However, item number 11 is a council discussion item on development of Katalpa Park. Um, we'll start with a presentation. Katalpa Park. Interestingly speaking of when I was third ward when I was running for mayor the first time Katalpa Park was in
contention and it has been held up mainly by D. Um and now we when we went out to bid it came back much higher than we were expecting. So, we've done a redesign
>> and it's been to wreck, it's been to uh open space, it's been to the land use committee and this is what has >> okay >> fallen out of that. >> Okay. Good evening, mayor and council and the
public. I'm here to discuss the Kapa Park project as uh Mayor Kramer had mentioned. Just wanted to give a quick overview of the project that went out to bid last July 1st. As part of the project, there is a covert first in a stream that runs through the center of the project in this location.
I'm just showing that to say there's a northern portion of the park and a southern. So, I'm going to focus on the northern portion first. There are two cricut fields proposed on the east side. One would be 450 ft by 516 and the other
would be 400 ft by 459. In this area, there would be a pavilion for the Cricut fields with bathrooms as well as picnic tables. Then the opposite side there's a 67 car parking lot and community garden with hose with uh water
access. Uh water is going to be brought onto the site uh for uh for the bathrooms as well as the community garden. Um, now working our way south of the covert is where the most of the site
amenities take place. In this area, we have an 86 vehicle parking lot, a playground area that has three large playground structures, one that's going to be inclusive. The inclusive playground is actually being funded by
the Somerset County uh, open space grant. They there was a grant received for $360,000 so everyone's aware in that area. There will be um two swing sets as well as iris benches and some shading. Along that area there is also and I'm
going to zoom in a little more. There are going to be two basketball courts. To the west is a larger pavilion where there was stamped concrete. There's 12 picnic There's 12 uh seating tables, five picnic tables and grills for the uh
for the residents. >> Excuse me. You have the satellite layer on. >> Do you want me to shut that off? Is that >> hard? Okay. It's a little easier here. You know what I will do? Just if you want to bear with me for one second. >> Is that easier to see?
>> It's better. >> Oh, sorry. >> Zoom out. Zoom out and show the cricket. Don't make it white cuz it's not at night anymore. >> No problem. So again, the northern side here are two cricket fields shown on the east side. Um there is the pavilion area
in this located here with the six picnic tables, the bathroom, parking lot for 67 vehicles on the opposite side of the driveway with a community garden. One item I did leave out is there's a wet pond for storm water management on this side.
Now this is the stream crossing here with the bridge and covert. Once we come south, this parking lot to the south is holds 86 vehicles and it's going to be servicing all the amenities. The first the playground area which I'll zoom in
on. So there's three larger structures. One of them is going to be all inclusive for AD and that means ADA access which the grant I mentioned before has received. There'll be two swing sets as well as a pavil uh a shade structure from some benches and benches around for
parents to watch their children. This building will be servicing as a restroom with an overhang as well. Now back to the basketball courts if we work make our way west of those. This is a 44x 34
pavilion with 12 picnic tables. One of them will 12 um regular tables. One of them will be ADA accessible, which means there's not going to be seat there, so somebody in a wheelchair can just can sit can be at the table with their friends and guests. There is another
picnic table area as well as grill. Um then moving to the west we have first this is a botchi ball court two botchi ball court areas cornhole area to the north of that and then north of that is horseshoes for the
family grill picnic area for amenities for people celebrating a birthday or just a day at the park west then we have both two tennis courts as well as eight pickle ball courts and there's a path that works its way
all the way around that I should have mentioned that starts on the north side it works its way through the south side there's going to be trail markers so if anybody's jogging they can keep track of whether they're at a quarter mile half mile so they can do that now what one
thing that was removed from this plan well first there there was two other items that were included one was they were fitness stations which included bond rubber surfacing which is needed so if somebody falls and their head hits there there's a head there's It's called a head impact criteria. So, it's a
softening blow so they don't hurt themselves if they fall off. As well as the stamp concrete. Now, this project went out to bid last July and it came in at approximately $9.3 million at which point the council had rejected it due to
cost. It's gone to both open space and land use as the mayor said with the director to see if how we can bring the cost down. So, some major ways that this cost was brought down were two. First would be to the replacement of the stamp concrete with the regular concrete. So
the areas would still be accessible and ADA accessible. It would just be a finish difference and that helped bring down the cost as well as the removal of the fitness stations. There were originally 10 fitness stations around this path that are being removed at this time which which included the the bonded
rubber as well as the fitness. There actually had to be like small retaining walls to break the grade to keep them level. So, by doing that, we also uh looked at the restroom areas and we value engineered those with the with the provider. What we were able to do was
the interiors had a fiberglass reinforced plastic finish. They've been replaced with a block and a latex epoxy finish, so they still easily cleanable for public works. There was a stone veneer finish on the front that's now
going to be a fiberglass batten finish. So those two help bring down the cost. So with that and tightening up some of the design in terms of area and reducing the uh soil the soil and um seating areas, we're able to bring the project
down to approximately $8.6 million, which is about a reduction of approximately $614,000. And then in the last land use meeting, it was requested that we also include some deletion items just in case anything happens where the price is coming in high again. So, I did include
three deletion items. The first would be to remove the botchi ball court, which would reduce the project by about $213,000. The next would be on all of the pavilions and shade structures. There's a decorative 3-ft high wall that goes up
which would be removed and they would just be steel post in the ground. That would save $48,000. Then the last would be the removal of the horseshoe pits and cornhole if needed. And that would reduce approximately about another $53,000. Bring the total hard cost construction
cost to think the 8.35 to $8.45 million range, which is about a $900,000 reduction from the last bid that went out in July. Uh the direction was to try to get that number in between 8.5 and 8.9 million. So we're in there. We're
right in the middle. if nothing is deleted out and we have some playroom if we do need to use the the deletion items. Now, one item that also is there is there's going to be soft costs for the construction management of the project and a project this size is probably going to be in the range of
400,000 to $425,000 just so the council's aware. So, those are the major changes to the project from what went out to bid. So, I just wanted to go there first and then see if the first of the council has any questions.
>> So, I'm the last one who should be asking a question because I've been in on most of it, but um the fitness path surface, what what did we wind up with >> with hot mix asphalt? >> Hot mix. Okay. And what are we doing with the bathrooms in the winter? They're not heated.
>> They're going to they're going to be winterized and and shut down. >> Okay. And there was a request from um one open space uh member. Um I realized it would be a redesign, but he did ask about it during an open space
meeting having the tot near the um community garden so people could kind of watch >> that mayor. That that was when there was not going to be the other part of the park developed. So that would not go
along with what this proposal is. >> You'd lose the parking for the cricket fields if you did that, >> right? Okay. >> And and just and just so I don't know that you're aware of this, but we have two other parks that have permanent um restroom facilities. They're winterized
every winter as well. No, none of them have heat. >> Okay. >> We have to winterize Williams Park and Inman Park every year. >> Anyone else? I just wanted to make a comment. Well, thank you so much. I'm the council liaison for the trail committee and
we've we've talked about this quite a bit actually and we reviewed different options that were out there and this was the option that that we really liked. We think that is important for our community and if you would have gone with the other options the lowcost
options and later on add to this would have been more costly. So this is really u you know the good thing that you have done to reduce the cost further and we really appreciate it and I hope uh this will be a reality after so many years of talking about it.
>> I just I had a question. Yeah. Let me just quickly um as a refresher for everyone how big of a park is this? >> It's approximately 29 acres. >> 29? >> Yes. >> Would this be one of our largest if not premium? >> Middle bush is our largest. It's
approximately 77 acres. So this is about a little less than half the size of Middle Bush. >> Okay. So 29 acres to be exact. Okay. That's that's as a refresher. I want to make sure everyone knows what we're talking about. Thank you. >> Yeah. I wanted to know about the size as
well, but um as a new council member, I just want to say it's been a long time in the making >> u for a variety of reasons and I'm super excited that uh we are moving forward. Uh ward 1 in general has been underserved
when it comes to recreational spaces. Um and this project brings the much needed amenities. Uh once we done our residents will not have the need to use amenities from neighboring towns. Um, one of the
things that uh are important to me is equitable access, equitable access to recreation, >> and I think this park provides that to our uh uh residents. I'm also supportive of the tweaks that uh have been made um
to match our budget and any affordability concerns uh without giving up >> a lot of the amenities that were originally planned. So, thank you for all the work. >> You're welcome. >> You and members of the council and I
look forward to dedicating this park upon completion to our community. >> So, thank you. >> One comment made. >> Well, so actually this is question time. They're going to have public session. You might want to hear that before you
come to a final decision. >> May make just one. >> Absolutely. So um the cricket community in Franklin is huge and it's there are many many teams that play in in the already crowded fields. Uh so whenever I
go to an event at the cricket uh matches and programs they they always ask me when are we getting the next cricket fields and and this is I've been telling them yes soon soon. to see them now coming into reality. It's a great news.
It's a great day for the cricket uh teams and the players in town. Thank you. >> Oh, I just had a couple questions. I'm sorry, mayor. >> Okay. Uh just a couple things. I was one of the people involved when the original
plans were Councilman Ted Chase who's in the audience, Dr. Chase, >> Councilman Prasad, Rajie Prasad, myself, I can't remember the fourth, I think it was Carl Wright. We actually worked on the initial plan spread out with the big pages and some of these were wish lists, some of them weren't even thought of and
some of them we all petitioned for. But the start was the impetus what the cricket the need for cricket and obviously expanded. The couple questions I have uh you mentioned $400,000 of soft cost for full transparency. Is that basically meaning engineering cost to the firm
that we contract being the firm you work? Right. Correct. Okay. And that should cover it from start to completion. Correct. >> So, so Councilman, so obviously our township engineer works for Center State who is now taking over the design and
generally speaking, you're asking the question of the person who will be overseeing the inspectors on behalf of the township who is our township engineer. So, yes, that that the uh the answer. No, I'm just saying I Darren might be a little about shy about
answering that part that part of this project would not go out to bid. We're utilizing our township and I feel comfortable with that. Yeah. I just want like I say this is finally coming to be and make sure and no stone and turn. A couple of things
>> the track >> this whole big walking track. Let me why if it can be ADA compliant which is my understanding I know we've worked with you would or was you or someone would in our other parks making some crushed stone knowing
the cost the environmental impact the maintenance the eventual replacement costs etc are not going with I don't know the technical term but that hard pack crushed stone that meets ADA looks much more organic looks is much more
environmentally friendly friendly and cost I'm going to say you know dimes on the dollar. So I thought that was up for discussion. Could you give us clarity on that? >> That was so part of the issue is at least in other parks we've noticed as well with drainage. Those paths are
washing away and and it takes a big effort to get DPW back out there just to stabilize the parks. So there's a part that was just constructed over on Wesn Canal and as part of that with the rain and the drainage swelles and pass the paths are washing away. So that's part
of the problem. >> But if they're put in and that drainage situation I know exactly what you're talking about because there's a little spot on one of them that I uh worked with helped get done. If long as that's uh dealt with at the time of construction, that does not remain an ongoing problem. I mean barring a
catastrophic flood. >> Actually it does. >> Gravity still exist. Actually, Councilman, we're we're we're experiencing issues in certain parks because of the issues of why. Well, and that's why But you're saying it doesn't, but it does. >> Well, if you build it with the
>> No, if if you build it in an area like the the Katpa Park, which has significant grade changes, it washes out. These are not flat circular paths to that. >> No, may I'm good with the answer. just this is our one shot to bring this up and I know a few people have talked
about that cuz those are great when we do put them and they can work with the gravity >> in certain applications that's fine but in that this application >> moving along just couple um so we got the crush stone the engineering cost
>> how far is the bathroom building from the other bathroom building >> approximately you do a quick measurement approximately One's by the creek and one's by the playground. >> It's probably about 900 ft apart from
each other. >> 900 >> with the uh with the uh stream crossing and the bridge crossing in between them. >> So fifth sixth of a mile. Okay. Um well, look, I I love this project. I love everything we're doing down there. It's just it's funny you brought up acres.
Um, you know, obviously the middle bush is the biggest. For people who don't know, Inman is probably the second biggest, but a lot of it's undeveloped purposely. Um, those are our two biggest parks and we have others. I don't know of any in our town that has two full-blown
bathroom buildouts. And I mentioned that I don't want anybody inconvenienced. I just want to look at this realistically. Um, a lot of our parks have portaotties. I'm not suggesting we don't have a bathroom here, but a lot of them have portaotties for their only usage.
Absolutely need a good well-built bathroom. Is it totally like not even up for discussion that if you had one full-blown bathroom maintained because they always require maintenance and everything else that comes along with it and utilities to have that and then to
have and I mean the nice well-maintained portaotties if there's a bigger need in other areas because you're talking several hundred,000 for that uh uh bathroom from start to finish. So again, I love everything we're doing and I want there to be amenities, but is that not a
realistic consideration? >> So I don't think that he's the appropriate person to answer that question, Councilman. To be honest with you, appropriateness is your decision as a body. But I will answer the question as to why there's two. So there's a reason why there's two bathrooms and there's always been two bathrooms in the
design of this park is because of the demand on the bathrooms when both Cricut pitches are being utilized and then the the demand for bathrooms for people who are having um family reunions parties
with the picnic pavilion in the in the playground area. So, I I don't anticipate people who are having a family reunion walking 900 ft to the Cricut pitches to use the bathroom.
Likewise, and when you have two Cricut pitches at use at the same time, the the request from council during the course of design was for a bathroom facility in proximity to the Cricut pitches. So it's
it's almost as if this is two separate parks. It's there one portion of the park, you know, to the north for cricket is separated completely by natural uh uh you know, the stream and the bridge to a
second park to the to the south which is basketball, cricket, I I'm sorry, basketball, um pickle ball, a playground, an inclusive playground intended for um accessibil uh
accessibility challenge children. So, we put a bathroom there. I So, you you know, if you want one, then I would say that you would need to tell us which one is more important. >> Well, I I don't want to get too deep into it, but I guess >> excuse me, >> just I'm going to take control back of the meeting,
>> otherwise he gets on my case later. >> Um, we're at item A. Item C, there will be a motion in a second and then we can have discussion. >> This is question time. >> Well, just imagine the answer to the question, mayor. >> No. And thank you. Thank you uh Mr. Ranker. So from an engineering
perspective I and I'm just asking I don't know is there any way to strategically locate it so that it can in kind of in the middle that it could serve both ends of the park and then as needed supplement it with what we do in the other parks with port if needed if there's you know the engineering is there any way to do that
>> stream in the middle of both front >> why don't we put in the stream but is there any feasible way that it could be utilized by both ends because it is kind of like two parks you're right and I'm glad I'm glad we have it >> the stream is what kind of dictates that portion of bit cuz we'd have to get out of the environmentally sensitive areas,
too. Not just the stream, but the buffers as well. So, you'd be within the parking lot, which I mean, you'd only be 100t away from where it is now if it were moved. >> Okay. The last thing I'll say is I just hope we can do it in a way that cuts down as few trees as possible. Thank you, mayor.
>> Okay. Anyone else? Um, Mr. Vorn Locker, how will we pay for it? Um, so there has been to date a number of
capital ordinances that were adopted by this council. Put my glasses on so I can read my notes here. Um, the the first c uh the first uh capital ordinance was adopted in 2016. That was a capital bond ordinance. A portion of that bond
ordinance was funded initially and what was uh used to pay for the initial work by the engineering firm that was designing the park as well as the uh the permitting that began and that funded most of it. Um there's been two other
bond uh I'm sorry, two other capital ordinances since then. Um right now available out of the open space trust fund in the way of cash capital that has been appropriated by council through
ordinance is uh just under $5.4 million. In addition to that from that original bond ordinance is um just over $2.4 $4 million of unfunded bond capital that
would be now funded in furtherance of the park development. So that total is 7.84 million. Um if the numbers are in the neighborhood of what um Mr. Mazy has estimated here um that brings us to
about uh $1.2 million shy of of the $9 million mark. maybe 9.1 for in total with with the uh construction management on the high side. Um so in com in conversation with our financial
consultant um in fact a discussion that was had with the financial oversight committee and Mr. Hodgeik last night. Um, and based on the current uh, debt service that the Open Space Trust pays
um, and the decreasing debt service um, that the Open Space Trust Fund pays annually um, on its current uh, bonds. The recommendation would be to bond for the balance of uh the proposed cost here
which again >> so 5 so the the the 5.4 million is available in cash >> about 2.4 million a little more available via the original bond ordinance that was passed in 2016 that
would then now get funded. So the balance that brings you to 7.84 84 million and the anticipated cost is about nine. Um that means that you need another um 1.2 million which means that
would be an additional bond. So so the bond sale that would take place would be about $3.6 million in total. >> So >> the former capital bond plus the the future. >> Am I correct in saying this is all out
of open space money? all out of open space money. >> So it doesn't increase taxes. It gives us less money to do other things, but it doesn't increase taxes. >> So right now, the current state of the open space trust fund is a little over $14 million. That's including $3 million
that has already been appropriated in cash out of the uh the open space trust fund for the acquisition of the Brener property on Route 27. that was the the subject of a capital ordinance at the end of 2025. That property hasn't closed
yet, but the money's been appropriated. So, um like I said, a little over $14 million. It's anticipated that when uh with the currently proposed budget for open space for 26, um there will be about a uh a net increase in the trust
fund in 2026 of about $6 million. Um so and obviously that that would be available for any other acquisitions that might take place during the course of this calendar year or any into the future. But the the health of the open space trust fund is is good. The
financial health of it is good. Uh however, you know, in in not looking to deplete the the trust fund unnecessarily further, the recommendation from the the financial uh consultant, Mr. Hajlick is
that we bond for the balance of this particular project. >> Any other questions for Mr. Born Locker on the money? >> The 300,000 that the county is contributing open is that is that is it net of uh the 9 million?
>> So so actually that would come off of this partic this the estimate is is including the development of the park. So the overall cost would be reduced by that $300,000 grant. Yes. Correct. >> Okay. Then I ask for unanimous consent
to open to the public. Hearing no objection. We are open to the public. Same rules as before, but we are limited to discussing the park. >> Good morning. Good evening. Um uh Bill
Connell, 25 Spring Street. Um I'm also a member of the open space. Um I guess question for the manager talking about the bonding in the end that bonding how much additional cost over the life of that bond will it add to the overall cost of
the >> I I guess that'll depend on the bond rate that we get when we sell the bonds. >> Okay. Um Councilman Vasinella um I've ridden a lot of gravel. Um he is 100% correct. There are all sorts it's it's fantastic. like the Jersey the
Canal in particular was fantastic. Got washed out. Um I spend a lot of time in Mbush Park. It's fantastic. Over time you can watch it become more and more of a problem. Um it is definitely great. It just doesn't have a long lifespan. >> I hear you, Mr. Connell. Um
>> get a mountain bike. >> I'm kidding. Thank you. >> Um actually I kind of did. Um anyway, and then the uh real question is is um we have discussed in the open space about the parking lots and whether they should be paved as a way to save money. That was not brought up at all. Um and
the argument is that um the cricket fields in particular if you're looking to save money is it's only used part of the year and not during the winter months. So they're really it doesn't have to be paved if the argument is it's
easier to maintain. Okay. It's just, you know, I uh grew up on Franklin Township Little League. It was gravel end to end and I grew up just fine. Um >> to be debated. >> What? Nothing. >> Um
uh I think that's it. Um anyway, thank you everybody. >> Thank you. Anyone else wishing to speak? Evelyn Pachalik. I live 15 road in the midst of Catalpa
Park. I am the owner of Catalpa Farm. I've lived there my entire life. Times change. The vicinities changed immensely. I will say in the 10 years since you did the
study about where parks should be in Franklin, I sat in on one committee meeting where there was a recent study that said they wanted more amenities at the northern end of the township and maybe we'd have to bust them to the south. So, please keep that in mind.
However, my main concern tonight is to I I printed off maps from email and Adobe Acrobat. I my house is in the middle of this and I for the life of me can't figure out buffer zones. I would
like fences around my property so that I don't have errant cricket players or tots or whomever people are supposed to be on the trail with their dogs on the leash. And that already does not happen all the time. So I fence my dogs in to be on the safe side. So I don't know
where that fits into your plan. I am not an engineer. I can't understand it. But please, I'm asking the council to make sure that there are fences around my property to keep the visitors from the park in
the park. >> There are fences around your property from the original open space meetings. >> And what kind of fences are they? >> It's actually, if you want, it's a post and rail fence. If you want to just bear with me for one second because I know it was a uh Let me just
grab the one note. It's a decorative 4 foot high fence and then there's also a gate in front of your driveway where you're going to have driveway access where the gate will open and close so nobody drives down your driveway as well. And my other question, I know that at one point there was a
discussion, there were issues about getting over the stream and the brook with the DP and I'm not sure what the ultimate resolution to that discussion was if there's going to be two bridges over the stream with one for which it
currently is and it's falling apart. dilapidated to one lane bridge because due to health and medical issues my husband and I need 24 access with emergency vehicles in and out. So even during the construction of this we
cannot have it so that we can't get vehicles in there at any time. >> So that is a requirement for the bidder as well to keep access to your site. Uh, so you're going to have access the whole way through and that's going to be coordinated during the pre-construction meeting as well with the contractor because we they we are we made everybody
aware as part of the bid that you were located within the spark. So they're not they're not aware that everything can't just be shut down from the le they have to leave access to you the whole the whole remainder of the project. >> Yeah, cuz fire trucks, ambulances, which have been there unfortunately many times. Um,
>> so is it one bridge or two bridges? >> It's going to be one bridge. >> One bridge. And that means cutting down the large trees that are next to the bridge. >> So there's going to be a portion of trees. If you look at the screen, this is the bridge area that the the line
going where my cursor is is the stream. It's going to be the bridge. So there are going to where the trim we have to remove the trees in that area to a limited extent per our D permit in order to get the bridge and the footings in so that we can cross it. It's going to span the stream though. So, the footings will
be outside of the stream bed area. >> And the only other thought I had was, you know, we've had just all of us can attest to it, horrific flooding and rain. And I don't know if the D has been back out to change their minds. I' I've
read that there's updated flood maps throughout the state based upon uh the weather that we've had if they have if that's been taken into consideration with buffers. So, in terms of the permitting, we were permitted over the older regulations that were there, but
in this area as well, there's a there's a good amount of clearance underneath the bridge because that was part of what they reviewed for if that stream fills up so that we're not going to have any blockage to it. >> Okay. And would my husband and I have input into the type or mechanism of any
gates that are put up? I'm not I'm not thrilled by posting rail fence to tell you the truth, but >> I think I believe that the manager we could uh adjust as we need to on the >> Yeah. I mean, you understand, Miss Pollock. I mean, when you sold the property, this is what the town bought it for, and I understand we're we'll
certainly work with you, but we're the the goal here is to move forward with the project as as we were proposed. No, we as far as fencing, I I believe there's been a number of conversations between the the the design engineers, which at the time we're CME now is
Center State, same engineers. Um, and you as far as >> No, never had a meeting with anyone. >> It was a white I believe it was a white uh post and rail fence uh PVC PVC fence is what you're looking for. You know, where there'd be the three bars is what was the land use >> kind of like a horse fence, a horse farm
fence. That was what was requested as we were told. If you want something different, then you would certainly be able to to tell us that, but we'll include that in the new bid specs. I can't imagine that one fence will be significantly more in cost than another >> moving forward
because I get a little nervous. You know, in the last 10 years, we've spoken to no one. >> Well, there has been no change in the design in the last 10 years. >> I understand that. I know that you were at a standstill for for quite a while, but I would like to know that
communication going forward and I feel like the township has to reach out to us. I can't harass you when I know that things are at a standstill. That just doesn't make any sense. But I'd like to know that someone would contact us and >> Oh, you'll be notified before
construction even begins. That's going to be part of what I do as the construction manager of the project. So, there's going to be a pre-construction meeting where there's going to be dates that are decided for construction. And I would be in touch with you at that point since you're centrally affected with the construction of the project. And I'll also after the meeting, I can give you
my contact information. You always can feel free to email me or call me if you have any questions, too. >> And and I appreciate it. I think it'll be a lovely park when it's done. You It's been a long time in the making. I understand that. So, I'm not against the park. Um, I understand it's been a long
haul and I hope that the people who use it um appreciate nature and not just the sports aspect of it. I know the people who go on the trail love it. Thank you. Ted Jace, 159 Old Georgetown Road. I
came tonight to hear this presentation. I'm very happy to see how much of the original plan has survived and that we're going to be able to do almost everything that was originally planned
for. Uh, one point I just really in response to Councilman Vasinella about the bathrooms. Remember the bathroom up by the Cricut pitches will also serve the community garden
there. But a further point is it's very important to find a citizen who will to work out the management of the community garden. I've been somewhat involved with
community gardens that were established in part under environmental commission uh impetus. And it's it's really crucial to have somebody who will, for instance,
assign plots and keep track of and and keep the township in informed of the condition of the garden and generally supervise it. But from all of the uh
aspects of Society Hill around there, all of the residences, it should be possible to find somebody who will take to that. So again, thank you for being able to do nearly everything that some 10 years ago
we drew up. So um of course >> is there anyone else wishing to speak? So I ask unanimous consent to close to the public without objection. We are closed. Mr. Vornlocker, did you want to answer the surface about the surface of
the parking lot? >> So I I I certainly will address it. Yes. Um, so as far as the surface of the parking lot, um, I I honestly think that some some, um, among us don't recognize
the level to which our parks are used 12 months a year. Um, this particular park and both parking lots fall on what we refer to as the Brown Trail. Um, uh, is utilized year round. Um and the there
will be uh as you know Mrs. Pachchalik mentioned there are there are houses and buildings and people within um this area that um will need to maintain the driveways. They'll need to
be plowed when it snows. uh to include the parking lots for those people who will utilize certain aspects of the park even in the winter when it's snow covered. um plowing, even if it's just after the fact and not necessarily for
um people to utilize the park, um is nowhere near as efficient and also then requires a significant amount of maintenance after the fact when it's a gravel parking lot as opposed to um a an
asphalt uh parking lot as is proposed. Um while I appreciate Mr. McConnell's comments about the little league fields. I think that if he's been there recently, he'll note that we built an asphalt parking lot now. Um, and this is
one of those times where I think it's from a a financial standpoint and an economy of scale here and that it is it is far less expensive to pave it now as part of the overall construction of the
park as opposed to coming back later. and fixing what we didn't do right the first time. Um that's what we've done elsewhere and it is more costly. Um the preparation of base cores for a parking lot is much easier to do when you have
the excavation m machinery there and and you're installing a parking lot to be constructed as asphalt to begin with as opposed to just covering something over with gravel and then now having to remove all of that to now build the base course for an asphalt parking lot later.
That's what we did in Middle Bush Park. And we're paying the course, we're paying the price for it to some extent because certain parts of that uh the parking area and driveway were not built well and now we'll have to be completely reconstructed when they're repaved as
opposed to just having a park driveway and parking lot last, you know, for the 20-year uh useful life of a parking lot. So that's my comments on the paved parking lot. >> All right. So item number C, resolution
26124, authorized that advertisement of bids for the development of Katalpa Park is presented slashmodified is presented to the township council for adoption. Do we have a motion? >> And a second. >> Second.
>> Okay. Now we can discuss discuss away. Mayor, my only uh question here and by the way, Councilman Sing, what you mentioned was um absolutely true. This this brings a real balance long overdue.
Um so I hope nobody in the audience takes any of our questions, including Mr. Connells as not supporting this, but we with the bud with the price tag, we're just trying to cover all the basics. But that was the vision 10 years ago and I'm thrilled that it's fun seem
to happen this year. That being said, um was the 400,000 mentioned by the um for the engineering part of the bonding part of that the numbers you described then? >> So, so generally you would anticipate anywhere between 5 and 10% of the cost
of the project for um uh the uh the construction management. I think that in in his generous way, Mr. Massi has said that it's going to be about $450,000 which is closer to the 5% as opposed to
the 10% of the uh construction costs of this project. So that's that that is all of the work that an engineer would do to oversee and inspect all of the work on a daily basis. >> So voting yes on this which I'm likely
to do here. I just Is there a top mount? Like, god forbid things come back and it's 11.3. I want to see it as built as presented. >> So, that's your that's your you you need to tell us that >> we're going out to bid. >> We're going out to bid. I can't I don't
have a crystal ball. We He just gave you what his cost estimate for that bid is. >> If we go out to bid, um the items you mentioned were possible to be deleted. are they being in the bid and then depending how much we'll be able to line
item them out. >> I want to just move this forward and I just want to understand so we go for the bid if it comes in higher than what we want we can uh legally line item out the those items specifically and and and
come to a point if it comes back >> the items are going to be deleted they actually do have to be deleted in a specific order. So the reason why I picked out the botchi ball first was it was the highest item and the other two items are relatively same because the botchi ball area is around 200,000 with balls.
>> Yeah. You don't need to review all that again just because I know we want to move along. >> So I I'll give you the I'll give you the the the the other part. So the way that the bid specs would be structured is that there's there's ways that they will bid the project. They will bid the project as a whole and then they will
bid the project without A, without A and B or without A, B and C. All right. So that's why he's saying it the way he's saying it. >> Thank you. It's just this is a little different than some of them. >> You can't pick and choose. That's you. >> Um well, you know, I'm I'm fine, mayor. That's all the questions I have and
we'll go for it and see what happens. Perhaps any other any other discussion? >> Question. Are you uh expecting one U construction company to do the whole project or they going to be several of them that they're going to be bidding at different parts of it and then you're going to be working with all of them?
>> So, it's going to be bid under one general contractor. They may have subcontractors under them, but the general contractor is responsible by law to be doing 51% of the contract. >> Okay. >> Thank you. No problem, >> Darren. I just uh >> Go ahead. >> Just I want to emphasize on something. So, I know you mentioned and thank you
for giving us a detailed view. Um, this park seems really nice. Um, we're talking about amenities that we don't have in other parks. We're talking about cricket fields. We're talking about pickle ball fields. Um, I know Middle Bush has a skateboard and, uh, Neon has a pool. So, it seems like we're adding a
lot more uh, amenities to this park as well as maintaining other parks. Um, and you mentioned also um, the ADA proofing, so it's creating inclusiveness. Um, so I just want to make sure folks understand that this park is going to have a lot of
nice amenities included. Um, and if this goes the way it goes without it being another 10 years, let's not do that, right? Um, I want to make sure we don't have nothing that stops us because we do get a lot of um, uh, cricket players. Um
I think we have a lot of folks that come outside to come in here as tourists and play cricket with our um teams in Somerset. So, I know um councilman me and Barrison mentioned about them and I know they're using a lot of fields that we have today, but with our growth in
summer in Franklin Township with the demographics also slightly changing, I think a lot of the amenities are making them feel very inclusive and they're going to be extremely happy to hear that this park is going to have what they are looking for um that we don't have. So,
thank you. >> So, for my quick comments, uh Mr. Porn locker. Name the num. Miss Kachchalik very politely said something about northern parks and southern parks. Can you name the parks south of Amwell Road?
>> Sure. Um Delar Park, Kingston Green >> and East Milstone, which is >> I guess that's all right. It's it's on Amwell Road, but yes, East Milstone Park, which by the way, we don't own. We have a a long-term 50-year lease with
the state for that. That's true. So we are we do not have many parks in the sub part of >> town. We have those two. >> And I originally came into this there were two option mainly two options. This option and then a smaller park with the
idea of that would only be on the north side with the idea of that maybe later on we'll build more in the southern part. And I came to realize if we're going to build it, if we're going to get it, we need to do it all or it's never going to we'll never build the rest. So
that's why I evolved to this basic design. So unless there's someone >> So I I I and I would just add one last thing. So that you know often times I think things are lost to history. The original park that was proposed at this
location was a park designed by an engineering firm called Shore Dealma. that that park design utilized all of the property that is um that the township owns here, which is far larger
than what is being developed uh as a as this is proposed. that that park development also included several baseball fields. >> Um and and it developed the entire
parcel um in the area uh that is adjacent to Bunker Hill Golf Course. Uh and uh it went all the way out to the backside of the Mellan properties uh in
uh Beacon Hill. So it it was it was yeah you can see for on that aerial it it was some some described it as you know 10 lbs in a 5 lb bag which is probably not a bad description. It was overdeveloped but a significant amount of work was
done in the initial design phases of this park um by Mr. Russo and Mr. Mazy long ago uh in 2014 and 2015 as it led up to the the the public hearings about it in 2016. Um it it it is
it it takes into account all aspects of um impact in to the surrounding area. It does. And and and to Mrs. Pachalik's concerns. We will certainly work as as hard as we can with her and her husband
to ensure that their property is is secured in a in a in a way that's not only to to their benefit from a security point of view, but also aesthetically pleasing to them as well. So I what what
you what you want is what we believe we're going to give you. Bob, one question. The 29 acres that is going to be used for this park, what how much is left for the rest of the Any idea? >> You're you're asking me to remember
something from long ago in life? May maybe you have that there may pollic knows the answer. How much did you sell to us? What was the total acreage? Do you remember? >> Around 102. So therefore, so that that I
I trust her number better than anyone in the room right now. >> Fantastic. Oh, it was her family's farm, so she would know. >> Wonderful. So, we have a lot of >> there's a lot of undeveloped open space that will remain undeveloped and and I
would not see any way after this park is developed that you could utilize that property and develop it further. So, just won't won't work anymore once we do this. >> Thank you, Bo. So moving the meeting along I think
madame clerk. >> Councilman embarrass. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Francois. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Karazzi. >> Yes. >> Mayor Kramer. >> Yes. >> Councilman Oni Jaka. >> Yes. >> Councilman Singh. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Udin. >> Yes. >> Councilman Vasanella.
>> Yes. >> And now for the item that audience has been waiting for all this time. >> What's up? uh community development block grant for fiscal year 2026. Uh public key I never know how these run, but I think we're just supposed to
have a public hearing. >> Yes. >> So, okay, we will open Okay. Then I ask unanimous consent to open to the public. Um we'll be a little more flexible with the rules. Without objection, we're open to the public. If
you are presenting an application for community development block grant, CDBG. >> Good evening, Mr. H. Can you hear me there? Good evening, Mr. Mayor and council members and members of the public who still are here. Um, I am
Amber Silverman. I am an independently licensed social worker and trauma therapist and I'm here tonight as the COO of the Center for Great Expectations. We're located at 19 Delwood Lane here in um well in
Somerset. We have applied for two separate grants of $20,000 each. I also want to say that um we've received grant funding from you in the past that we are very uh grateful and appreciative for.
Um the Center for Great Expectations or CGE is an organization that provides a continuum of care with several different um in some different locations, but our um primary services are for pregnant and parenting
women and pregnant and parenting adolescents. In uh just to give you a brief history, in 2008 we built two residential facilities in Franklin Township and today we serve over 500 women, men, children annually um in our
programs. Those programs include an adult women's mommy and me program. We provide substance use treatment for women at our facility and their children up to age five are able to stay with them. That's very unusual for
residential treatment there. There are not that many um around. It's a small percentage of substance use treatment facilities. We also have a residential facility for adolescent girls aged 13 through 20 who are pregnant or parenting
and their children also up to age five. Newborn to age five can stay with them while they receive treatment. Treatment in both these facilities can range from um nine months to um a couple of of years. We also have a child development
center um where these children can stay while their mothers are getting treatment or going to school in the case of um adolescence. We have permanent supportive housing. We have an outpatient um treatment facility that
serves women and men. And we also have an in community case management program with doulas and therapists and peer recovery support um um peers. So, um, the two grants are, um, one $20,000
grant to go towards the staffing costs of teachers and our manager of our Katie's Place child developmental center. The other $20,000 is um to replace two 20-year-old
furnaces at our residential facilities. Um, you know, our mission is to provide a safe environment and provide traumainformed care. And these two grant applications are for just that. It's
very meaningful because we um have lost about $4 million in state and federal funding. We've had to lay off people. It's been very challenging and whatever you can do to help us um we would be very grateful for. Thank you. I don't
know if anyone has any questions, but just wanted to let you know about us. >> Thank you. I've had the tour. Very impressive. >> Thank you. >> Good evening, Mayor Kramer and members of the council. Um, my name is Ali
O'Brien and I'm the development director of the Franklin Food Bank. Uh, Franklin Food Bank has been serving this township for 50 years. For half a century, we've operated as a private nonprofit unaffiliated with the township government in name, but deeply bonded to
it in mission. We are here tonight not just as a service provider, but as a dedicated partner in the well-being of every resident in Franklin. Um, I want to start by saying thank you to each and everyone of you. Um, and to Dr. Chase as
well and to Deborah. Um, the the CDBG funding and the support from this council have been transformative. Um, you haven't just given us funding, you've given our neighbors dignity through improving our infrastructure and making our atmosphere welcoming and warm. And if you have not been to the
Franklin Food Bank in the past 12 months, I do urge you to come for a visit. Um, because of your investment, we've been able to expand into our warehouse, uh, install a drop ceiling, double our market square footage. Um, we moved away
from the pantry model of the past. If you walk into our market today, you'll see highquality, professional shelving and real shopping carts, the kind you'd see in any modern grocery store. You'll also see beautiful, efficient, and brightly lit display refrigerators and freezers, allowing our neighbors to
peruse the variety of brands and foods we have. and keeping our fresh produce nice and cool from the time we open till the time we close. Uh these simple changes help to create that atmosphere of dignity and respect and abundance fundamentally reducing the stigma
associated with food access. Through our partnership, we've optimized every inch of the inside and outside of our building. We've created a welcome center adjacent to the shopping area, which freed up our lobby to become a muchneeded volunteer space. And most recently, we've expanded that welcome
center with our own mobile reception office and filled and smoothed the parking lot to ensure that office was accessible by wheelchair. Now neighbors no longer need to wait outside. We welcome them in from the heat and the cold, the rain, and the snow. That mobile office isn't just a waiting room
either. It's a hub for stability. It allows our partners to provide health screenings including blood pressure, A1C, cholesterol, flu vaccines, and more. Our partners are in our space weekly providing SNAP enrollment assistance, housing support, substance
abuse prevention programming, and job placement. Inside this mobile office is a private space for our resource navigator who holds a masters in social work and who has met with hundreds of families we serve. Helping them navigate complex systems and create a plan for their future
beyond the food bank. However, I am here to tell you that while we are experts at MacGyvering our building to fit our needs, we are reaching a breaking point. Uh we have pushed our current building and our capacity as far as they could possibly go. This year through CDBG
funding, we plan to rehabilitate the receiving area of our warehouse, ensuring that every pound of food we provide to the community is safely handled and that our equipment is protected from wear and tear. The need in Franklin Township is disproportionate and growing. There are just over 11,000
SNAP recipients in all of Somerset County. 4,000 of them live right here in Franklin Township. That is onethird of the entire county's SNAP population that we are caring for every day. Beyond this, two of every five food insecure individuals don't qualify for SNAP. They
just are not able to make ends meet, and we care for them, too. No one here is a stranger to the rising costs. In the past few years, we've seen housing prices increase by 50%. Transportation increase by 40%. Utilities and groceries
both up by 20 25%. Child care costs have increased by 60% since 2019. The Department of Labor identifies child care as unaffordable in 99% of US counties. And when a family cannot meet
a tuition hike or a car repair or a really cold month, that money almost always comes out of the grocery budget. And that's where we come in. Last year, we provided 3.1 million meals. Because of the Franklin Food Bank, our neighbors don't have to choose between heat or groceries. They can use that money to
pay their rent, keep their lights on, afford transportation to work, pay for daycare so they can go to work, and afford their life-saving medication. There is no end in sight to the cost disparity. That is something bigger than Franklin Food Bank can solve. What we can do is continue to increase the
capacity of our programming and our building, but we can only go as far as our concrete seams and they are officially bursting. We will continue to beat this drum because our residents need us to. We ask for your continued partnership through CDBG funding and any
other opportunities the council can identify to lift up the food bank. We have served Franklin for 50 years on our own. With your help, we can ensure that no resident of this township has to wonder where their next meal is coming from. They can get it right here at home. Thank you.
Are there any questions from council? >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Anyone else? Good evening. I have uh a couple of presentations for on applicants who were unable to attend. The uh YMCA
uh serves the money Franklin, I'm sorry. The YMCA has been serving Franklin Township with a swim program which they offer through the title one schools here in the in the township. and they have also provided additional other services
within the Franklin uh township area. Um I got to put my glasses on. I can't really see this tiny stuff. I was trying. Um in 2025, the Greater Somerset County YMCA continued to provide vital services
to the Franklin Township community. The wise programs help to ensure the neighbors have resources, relationships, and support needed to thrive. It includes financial assistance, reliable child care, academic support, water
safety, swim lessons, food security, summer camp, counseling, counselor in training, teen fitness, adult and senior wellness, workforce development, youth and government programs.
uh in 2025 uh $126,436 in financial assistance and community community support uh served one in three children uh with assistance for child care and summer camp. 550 children in
before and after school care. 89 children in vacation care during school breaks. 33 children in safety around water program, 82 children in summer camp, 18s in engaged civic responsibility and
youth and government. Um 4,300 meals and stacks distributed through school and camp programs and 500 plus adult participants in weekly fitness classes. Um, we also have a letter submitted on
behalf of YCS Youth Consultation Services um, submitted a grant for a grant this year for their group home which is lo called Caven House located at 1205 Amwell Road. For over a 100red
years, Youth Council Service has been a trusted leader in providing behavioral health, special education, and social services across New Jersey. We empower and give dignity to children, adolesccents, youth adults, young adults, adults with de development
disabilities and their families who are facing complex uh challenges. Through our Sautell adult residential services program, we operate a network of warm homelike residents that are often referred to by our residents as their
forever home that offer 247 support tailored to each individual's unique needs. The YCS home in Franklin Township is called Caven House. Caven House provides emergency short care, short-term residential care for up to
four adults ages 21 and over with intellectual and development disabilities who are experiencing a crisis in their current living situation. The home offers a safe and supportive environment where individuals can stabilize while staff conduct
assessments and work with the division of development disabilities to determine appropriate future placement in our programming. Our request for use of CDP DBG funds is to replace the deck and modify the ramp and create ADA
accessibility. This will remove barriers to access, ensure that home um the the home meets current safety and accessibility standards. The existing structure has aged and no longer adequately supports safe and accessible
entry for residents who may have mobility limitations. Uh they submitted their submitted application was for $70,000. We had in total 12 applications for the program this year. Um, six of them were
for the social services category. The total amount was $89,565. We had two applications in public facilities. Total amount $250,000. and we had four applications for housing
assistance. Total amount 145,9 last year the township received $348,512 from the federal government um to uh administer the CDBG program. Uh this year I I have not received a letter yet
um specifying the amount we will receive. It could be at or below the number that we had last year >> to be determined. >> When do you normally get the letter? >> Um,
it could be May or June. We're I know that they did approve the budget that much. It made it through the quagmire. So, we're just waiting for the letter. Maybe May or June we should have it. >> Okay. >> Okay. Thank you. That's all I have.
>> Thank you. We're on now to item number 12, approval of the minutes. I present the following minutes to the township council for their approval. Regular work session February 24th. Um budget hearing March 9th. Work session and executive session
March 10th and budget hearing March 17th. Do we have a motion on the minutes? >> So moved. >> Seconded. >> Any discussion? Any uh corrections? Madam clerk. >> Councilman embarrass. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Francois.
>> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Karazzi. >> Yes. >> Mayor Kramer. >> Yes. >> Councilman Ni Chaka. >> Yes. >> Councilman Singh. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Nudin. >> Yes. >> Councilman. >> Yes. >> Time to pay the bills. Approval of the
warrants in the amount of 20,486,356.32 on March 24th, 2026 are presented to township council for patient payment to have a motion on the minute on the um warrants. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Moved and second. Any discussion? Anyone
would like to pull an item? >> Madam clerk? >> Councilman Harrison? >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Francois. Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Karazzi. >> Yes. >> Mayor Kramer. >> Yes. >> Councilman Oni Jaka. >> Yes. >> Councilman Singh. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Udine. Councilman Vasinella.
>> Yes. >> There are no ordinances on second reading. We have one ordinance on first reading. Ordinance 451-26. An ordinance releasing, extinguishing, and vacating the rights of the public to a portion of the street known as
Executive Drive in the township of Franklin County of Somerset State of New Jersey. the foregoing ordinance presenting to the township council for adoption on first reading posting and publication in accordance with law and public hearing and final adoption at a meeting of the township council to be
held on Tuesday, April 14th, 2026 at 7 p.m. in the council chambers. Do I have a motion to introduce? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Moved and seconded. Any discussion? >> Madame clerk. >> Councilman Barrison. Yes. Councilwoman
Francois, yes. >> Deputy Mayor Karazzi, >> yes. >> Mayor Kramer, >> yes. >> Councilman Oni Jaka, >> yes. >> Councilman Singh, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Nudin, Councilman Vasinella. >> Uh, we're on we're on to the consent agenda. Item number 17. Items A through
Z is listed in the consent agenda portion of this meeting. I present to the township council for adoption. Do have a motion on the consent agenda. >> So moved. >> Seconded. >> Moved and seconded. Any discussion? Anyone like to pull an item or point out an item? Madame clerk.
>> Councilman Embarrison. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Francois. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Kurazzi. >> Yes. >> Mayor Kramer. >> Yes. >> Councilman Oni Jaka. >> Yes. >> Councilman Singh. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Nudin. Councilman Vasanella. >> Every time I looked at the agenda, this
consent agenda grew this time. Just got longer and longer. >> Mhm. Item number eight. >> No resolutions to be voted on separately. Item number 19. Does anyone have any nominations for boards, committees, commissions?
>> Yes, someone does for the >> who's going to Mayor. We have a couple >> human relations too. >> Go ahead. You want to go? >> Yeah. Let me see. I think I don't have it. I don't have it. Just one minute. >> So, I nominate uh on behalf of uh
Councilman Charles uh Sirajaz for the human resources um relations commission. I'm sorry. >> Yeah. >> For the full term uh three years. >> Okay. Any other nominations for that position?
Any other nominations for any other position? I'd like to nominate Kiki Anastas for the open position of the environmental commission. Kiki Kiki. Kiki. >> I didn't say her last name right and not >> that's why I never say your last name.
Okay. Kiki. >> Okay. >> The artist formerly known as Kiki. Um any other nominations for that position? Any other nominations for any other position? So we can do it by acclamation. All in
favor say I. I. oppose say nay. Motion is carried. Congratulations Kiki and >> Kiki and uh >> we got it. Okay. >> Okay. >> Thank you.
>> Yes. >> Okay. >> So we uh I'd now like to well resolution 26151 authorized executive session. Williams transcode litigation update is presented to the township council for adoption. Do I have a motion to move it
to executive session? >> So moved. >> Seconded. >> Moved and seconded. All in favor? Oh. Madame clerk. >> Councilman of Harrison. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Francois. Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Karazzi. Yes. >> Mayor Kramer. >> Yes. >> Councilman Onjaka. >> Yes. >> Councilman Singh.
>> Yes. >> Councilwoman Odin. >> Yes. >> Councilman Vasinella. >> Yes. >> So we're now going to go into executive session. uh we would discuss the item that was named. When we come out of executive session, all we would do is close executive session and um close the
meeting. No other uh business will be performed. This concludes the meeting. Be well, Franklin.