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, May 27th, 2025.
Thank you. Please stand for the pledge of allegiance and then remain standing for the invocation by Councilman Jim Vasinella. 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. Oh, he's not here. Want me to do it? Yes, sure. I'll be sub I'll be substituting for council member Vatinella who's not here. Let us take
the next few moments of silence to each seek our own way. Whatever sources of inspiration will grant us the strength and the power in our thoughts and our decisions to be to the benefit of all people at all times. Thank you. Amen.
A terrible microphone. Madam clerk, please take the role so I can learn that Mr. Vasinella isn't here. Councilman Embarrison here. Councilwoman Francois here. Councilman Kurazzi here. Mayor Kramer here. Councilman Oni Jaka here.
Council member Bataznik present. Deputy Mayor Reedine here. Councilman Vasinella. Councilman Wright. Yes. Okay. Uh next up we have commendations and proclamations. Franklin Township stigmafree commendations.
Is that Mr. Vasinella was going to I hope he's okay. Why don't you do Here he go. There he is. It's only one minute after Mr. Vasinella. Go directly to the podium. No, he's got
to pick up the Oh, it worked. So, yes, we're going to acknowledging whichever ones are here this wonderful effort. I think there's about a dozen or
so. Okay. Okay. So, they're going to read the name of all the young people in Franklin we're honoring tonight. And this kind of
explains it. We, Philip Kramer, mayor and James Asel, Councilman of Franklin, Township of Franklin in the county of Somerset State, New Jersey, on behalf of the Township Council and all the citizens of Township of Franklin hereby extend our appreciation and commendation to the youth we'll be nameing in a few
moments. In recognition of your commitment and service to our residents in raising mental health awareness, your efforts have not only helped reduce stigma surrounding mental health, but have also empowered your fellow community members with education, support, compassion, and more. And with
this issue, which obviously is a concern for all ages, I personally think it's great the work they're doing at the stigmafree council in general, but the fact that they're engaging young people to learn about something that can be addressed, should not be stigmatized,
and we will never be able to abolish it, but we will be able to deal with it and make a lot of people's lives um a lot better hopefully. So, they'll be able to talk much better than I can about what they did, but they really deserve uh to be acknowledged for this effort. This is
something that has not really been dealt with with a lot of nonprofits that involve youth over the years in town, the great work that they do. So, I'm really glad to see that they're picking up the ball with this. And uh what would you like to give a little bit more insights that? My name is Safy
Callen. I am the special projects manager for the township of Franklin. And right over here is my fellow co-chair, Phyllis Beiels. We are the co-chairs of the Franklin Township Stigma Free Council. Uh the council's mission is to eradicate mental health
stigma and substance use stigma within Franklin. And we do that through advocacy, through programming, uh through education, and the young people behind me are doing the same. We meet the third Wednesday at the community senior center, and our next meeting is
June 18th. So if you want to join us as a guest or just join us as a brand new member, we welcome you. Uh we also are asking people to pledge to be stigmafree, meaning that you carry on our mission as well. So I have a computer set up where you can just sign
in to be a stigmafree resident of Franklin Township. Um or if you don't have a moment, just scan the QR code and then you can sign up on your own. We're going to recognize 12 young people today and they are doing the same work where they're breaking down barriers through
mental health advocacy. Uh first are our two sixth graders from Thomas Edison Energy Smart Charter School, Rafiki Tabani and Sedarth Kuramula. Take away look happy. All right.
and she could not be here with us today, but um mental health advocacy gold award project recipient on how to be a superhero Emily Chavez. She is also the found one of the founding members of Smile with Braces. Um but she is now in
her first year at American University. And I'm going to have one of the recipients, Angela Wika, read out the names of the um recipients for Smile with Braces. She's joined by Connor Lion.
So, Smile with Braces is the St. Matias Youth Living Evangelization. Um, and braces stands for bringing and raising awareness to combat existing stigmas. And we just recently had our St. Matias self-care fair on April 27th.
And our mentors are Deacon John Rodonsky and Sulan Schvky. And um our members are me, Angela Wa, Connor Lions, who's with me tonight, Ana Lisa Damsky, Emily Chavez, Isabella Famalin, Carl Fertado,
Abigail Joseph, Isabelle Magcguire, James Nornelada, and Miles Williamson. [Applause] So we believe that the pursuit of health and the pursuit of happiness should not
have any barriers especially shame, judgment, anything along those lines. We want to make this community a safe place, a place of understanding, and a place of care. So thank you very much. You could just stand for a moment. We'll take a picture of you guys.
Linda's gonna take a couple photos together. so much. [Applause] And just for what it's worth, although the kids have are doing are young residents are doing a great job and
involved in this issue. Uh the co council welcomes anybody to get involved. Um there's a wonderful group of people um led by Safy and Phyllis who co-chared a stigma free council. So please consider getting involved if you
have interest in that. Thank you. Thank you. And I'm sure I'm going to pronounce this wrong, but the next item is FA American Commenation. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I appreciate it. You're welcome. Um, first of all,
congratulation the Ziggbrey group. It was just amazing. Anytime I see the youth coming and doing something in our community really gives me such a great pleasure and the future of our community is brighter for sure. And today actually
I I'd like to uh recognize another organization with several members of them that have been working on various programs to unite our community. And so I'd like to invite them. Four of them are here I believe and come forward and
I'm going to be reading on commenation come and speaking of the future generation here she is as the fourth one uh commendation by the mayor and council
of township of Franklin we Philip Kramer mayor and Alex Karazzi councilman in the Township of Franklin, County of Somerset, State of New Jersey, on behalf of the Township Council, and all residents of Township of Franklin do
hereby extend to members of Tina America appreciation and commendation for organizing an active participation in the First World Culture Day dialogue and development held in Franklin Township
Library on May 10th, 2025. 5 to celebrate cultural diversity in Franklin Township and foster respect for differences and promote mutual understanding among Franklin Township diverse community.
Now what was for those of you who participated including we had the president of interface council who came and a few other people what was amazing was the speeches by young people the high school elementary school and I
believe there are a couple of them that they're going to be speaking about the importance of diversity and they talked about their life experience one of them was saying that she was very shy by bringing a food Indian food to school but now she's not anymore because she
feels that she's part of the community and people respect and she said that if somebody tease them they will try to educate them so it's a wonderful community we have as I have mentioned before we have this we are the second most diverse community and it's just
amazing community we have and congratulations thank you [Applause] This is for the picture.
Okay. Uh, which item number six on the agenda? There are copies of the agenda over there by the cur clerk. Um, item number six is public discussion. Do we have a motion to open to the public? So move. Seconded. Moved and seconded. All in favor say I. I. Oppose say nay.
Motion is carried. We are open to the public. Anyone wishing to speak about matters related to government, we all have five minutes. May only come up once. No yielding of time. Please state your name and address. Javon Walker, 15 Street. Can
everyone hear me? Perfect. Um, I like to say just as a like a supplement to the proclamations today, I was doing some thinking and I feel as though Franklin Township deserves like a cultural langu language class uh
supplemental to what's offered at the board of education. like I don't know whether we could do it sometime during the week or maybe sometime on Saturdays or Sundays where we can accommodate volunteers within the community to open up uh classes for language andor culture. We have such a diverse
community from people of all backgrounds um Latin Americans, Africans, Asians, Europeans, uh people of all backgrounds that speak different languages. they come to this uh community for different reasons whether it's from genocide from famine
from political revolutions I think that we could open up a uh like classes or some kind of informational sessions u from people by this community to the youth or anyone interested in them. I think that it
helps foster greater diversity and unity within the community. Like for instance, the Hungarian population that moved out to Franklin Township from the 50s and 60s probably escaping persecution by the Soviets, people from the Iranian revolution, people from the famine and genocide of Bangladesh, from what's
going on in uh Israel with Palestine, um the numerous types of coups in Africa. Like there are so many reasons why people are here in this community that we can all learn and foster some type of togetherness and education uh from one another. So, I would like to help set
that up if possible. I don't know if it comes from funding, if it if it's from Franklin Township volunteers, from the residents. Um, I just think that as a community, we won't see the immediate effect of it. But years down the road when students are able to not have so
many differences because they understand why people are in this community from the communities that they come from, from their parents, why they're here, when they're here, when they got here, the political avenues. Um, I just think it's it's it's an asset to this
community in Franklin uh can continue to foster being a leader and specifically on the diversity part. That that's something you can't even equate. you can't calculate, you can't put a number on it. It's just something where someone would know, oh wow, they come from Franklin. There's 25% South Asians,
there's 20% African-Americans, 20% uh Caucasian Americans, and so forth. Um, that's just a big part. And I had a couple other questions related to like rent control. I was curious to know what exactly is the regulation for
rent control. Is it 3 and a.5% of what the Okay, appreciate that, Mr. Borlocker. Um I'm curious to know exactly what the um what the rules are for a for a landlord to be able to raise rent if it comes from the property tax increase, if it comes from is it a certain percentage that's tagged to the
current rent that they're able to raise it. Um so I'd just like to know that. That's it. Thank you. Anyone else wishing to Anyone else wishing to speak? Michael Brian, 40 Brian Court. First of all, I would like the council to know
why I am here. I am here only to talk about traffic on schoolhouse road, truck traffic and warehouses. I am not here for any political reason. In my previous residence for the past 50 years, I was a
very active member of the Democratic Club, helping many candidates get elected. I also at last time I was here, I questioned that the police traffic department did not return my phone
calls. Uh, and nobody on the day said, "Maybe we should look into that. Nobody said that. It was completely ignored. As far as police are concerned, and you've heard this line before. I
have respect for police. I have friends that are police officers. But let me tell you about my relationship with the police. I have worked with over 200 police agencies in this country. And
yes, I said 200. I work with big city police departments. I work with uh county police department, sheriff's police departments, RCMP port authority, tribal police and
47 state police agencies talk working up to and including state police colonels. I've attended many IAP conventions. Uh I I don't know if
anybody knows what the IAP IAP convention is. It's the International of Association of Chiefs of Police. The largest police chief convention in the world. And I could I think I could
safely say your police chief probably attends I've many sworn officers waited online to talk to me to help to help them raise money for their charities and
events in Planefield, New Jersey. I attended a Wednesday night boys out boys night out club with many police officers for 15 years. Among them was one of my dearest friends who who I really miss,
Anthony Pari, who was president of New Jersey State Police Chief Association and director of the Police Chief Academy. Clearly, I have no malice
toward police officers at all. At the last meeting I now for my questions. At the last meeting I was accused of calling the mayor to discuss
my issues. That is absolutely not true. That remark was brought up because I could not respond and the mayor was not here to say it wasn't true. I want
to know why that was brought up. Question number two, what are the boundaries of the restricted area for trucks on con on on schoolhouse road? Is the proposed new warehouse question
number three is the proposed new warehouse in that zone and will trucks be permitted to enter that warehouse through the zone and be classified as local
deliveries? Question number four. The signs on schoolhouse roads saying they're limited to four tons are this big. I don't think the truck drivers even see them. Will the signs be made
larger? Question number five. The Canal Walk H Homeowners Association has appointed a committee to monitor truck traffic on Schoolhouse Road.
I did not know anything about this committee until I received uh a Google email uh stating that the HOA uh was asking for volunteers. In no way
did this idea come from me. Will the council work with the schoolhouse vol I'm sorry the HOA volunteers to help alleviate the traffic
on schoolhouse road? Thank you. Anyone else wishing to speak? Shirley Tolman. Um, can you hear me? Okay. Tolman on Tolman, 57 Tolman Lane. And, um, I thoroughly agree with
what the young man I thoroughly agree with what this young man just said because I see the same thing. And I never got a call. Manager, you promised me a call from someone. Mayor, you were here, too. So there was no need. The engineers
working on your project. No, you said they were going to call me. Well, he was out of the office, so he locker. That sounds like a bunch of smoke to me. He's working on the project. You asked for it, he's doing it. Yeah, but what's he doing?
You know what? I have better things to do tonight, manager. Mr. I could be out having a dinner with a handsome guy with a lot of money, but I'm here tonight. I'm here tonight because I want to w I want to
get a commitment out of this guy, Councilwoman who represents my district. I want a little help with this. Okay? And mayor, I want a little help with this because I am dead serious here. You think it's a joke? It's not a joke. The
signs don't work. The cameras don't work. We need a structure. We need a structure. And you can laugh all you want, but structures work. They stop tractor trailers from coming through where they don't belong.
And word gets out and when they break down on 287 and they want to take a detour, they don't take our detour. Okay. So, I expect to hear something. I'm not going to sit here waiting. No. How long
have we been dealing with this? Too long. Aren't you sick of it? You were promising those cameras that they were up two years ago or maybe a year ago. Time flies. They were never up. They were never up. You led us to
believe they were up. Okay, enough said about that. You know what I'm talking about. You know what I'm talking about, right? Okay. I have a question for our attorney. Hi, good evening. I'm Shirley Tolman. I don't think I've met you. I'm
Carol Berlin. Okay, Carol, in all fairness, maybe you're not up to speed as much as the man who used to sit there at least two weeks ago. He was there. And what I would like to know about the lawsuit, Mayor Kramer, the one on the
property at the corner where I live that we've been dealing with for so long. I want to know if money, real money, has changed hands on that property. Do we know if
Anatol and the corporation that he sold it to, was there money exchanged? Can anybody tell me that? Do we know that from the lawsuit or do we have any idea we answer questions after count after?
Okay, I know you will. Thank you. Then the last thing is it against the principles of the council if anybody asks you for change spare change after the meeting. Would that be
against the principles? I need your spare change. And the reason I need it is I'm filling up these baby bottles. Does anybody know about the baby baby bottle drive? Okay, there's an
organization that um I used to rock babies for them and they're right across from uh Parker in Somerset and unfortunately the name escapes me right now, but I feel great
expectations. Thank you. Thank you. I wish you knew more about what I asked you earlier. I know a lot and I'm going to tell you when you're done. Yeah. Right. Right. Well, I want it out here in the open, okay? Because I want it on
record because I'm getting tired of it. Okay? So, the reason I'm asking that is if you have some fair change and you think that it's worthwhile putting it in a baby bottle, not so much for the mothers because they need to grow up. Those mothers need to grow up, right?
But those innocent children, those babies. Then I'll leave the baby bottle up here after the meeting. Thank you. Thank you. First of all, I would like to bring you greetings. My name is Pastor uh Johnny Meyer, Senior. Uh I'm a resident of uh
Somerset County for the past 30 something years. I'm at 26 Hunt Road, uh Somerset, New Jersey, and I love the city of Somerset. But I'm also here because I'm the pastor of Book Gospel Temple of Praise Church, which is located right in the Hamilton Street
Special District. We're at 135 Victor Street in the city of Somerset, New Jersey. And what I want to know is how does this assessment affect us as a church and as a church community? You're talking about uh I also want to know is
Excuse me. I'm sorry. Are you talking about Hamilton? Stop the clock. Are you talking about Hamilton Street special improvement special improvement? Yes, you can speak about it now, but there's going to be a section special section. Oh, okay. In the meeting about that, but you you can speak about it now if you'd
like. Okay. Okay, good. I just want to know what I can do to help out. Uh I want to know I guess once we have the meeting, how does that assessment affect church property? Um start the clock. Okay, go ahead. Listen then I'll wait
the meeting. Okay. All right. Thank you so much for giving me the time. God bless. All right. I'm sorry I interrupted you. No problem. So, anyone under 18 does not have to give their last name or their address. All you have to do is give your first name.
Hello, my name is um Aldan. Uh I'm nine and I'm in Claremont Elementary School in fourth grade and I'm happy to live in a in a community that's the second mo the
second most diversified community in New Jersey. and I'm gonna talk about uh promoting cultural diversity. Cultural diversity days on May 21st which passed and promoting diversity in the
society means recognizing and valuing differences in race, culture, gender, religion and background. To promote diversity, we must start with education. teaching students about different cultures encourage and encouraging respect at a young age. A diverse
society is more inclusive, creative and resilient. Even in our school, we have we have international food festival which is today May 27th. It portrays the diversity in the society.
The media also plays a key role by showing diverse people and stories in a positive and authentic way. Workplaces comp workplaces companies should hire people from different backgrounds and create environments where you everyone feels
included and heard. Traveling to different places can also teach us about more cultures and many types of foods and dresses and etc. I believe traveling gives us a lot of real experiences about the cultural diversity among different
people around the world. Communities can also host cultural events and discussions that bring people together and build discussions. Speak to the microw and discussions that bring people together and build understanding. Did
you know that in Franklin over 65 languages are spoken? In conclusion, promoting diversity means making space for everyone and learning to appreciate what makes us different. It creates a a
stronger, more united society for all. Thank you for giving me this opportunity. [Applause] Um, good evening. My name is Elenier and I'm a junior at Franklin High School and uh, so I would like to speak regarding
the occurrence of the World Day for Cultural Diversity which was last Wednesday uh, May 21st, 2025. And uh we live in a society made up of people from different backgrounds, traditions, and beliefs. And that's a beautiful thing. But cultural diversity
is more than just celebrating food, festivals, or clothing. It's about understanding, respect, and inclusion. So how can we promote promote it? First, education. So let's teach our children and ourselves about different cultures, not just in history books, but through
real stories, music, literature, and conversations. And I know we have the race, gender, and equity course at the high school and we also have the AP African-American studies course at the high school. And I feel like that's great. And I would also like to see more additions to the curriculum that uh try
to expand on our diversity and our culture in Franklin Township. So when we understand each other, fear and prejudice fade. Second, representation. So whether it's in media, politics, schools, or workplaces, people from all
cultures deserve a seat at the table. Seeing diversity in leadership encourages young people to believe that their identity is valued. So living in Franklin Township as the uh second most diverse township or uh community in the state. I definitely feel like my culture is valued over here and I'm very honored
to live in Franklin Township. Third, communication and open-mindedness. So instead of judging what's unfamili unfamiliar, let's ask questions, listen and learn. Let's speak up when we see discrimination and support inclusive policies in our communities. And
finally, we must remember that diversity is not a challenge to overcome, but it's a strength to celebrate. So when we embrace our differences, we build a society that's not only more just, but also more innovative, compassionate, and united. And I would like to thank Mayor
Kramer and Dr. Karazzi, Councilwoman at large and other elected council members for giving me this opportunity and thank you. [Applause] Anyone anyone else wishing to speak?
Good evening. My name is Skip Richards. I'm a resident of Canal Walk. I live at 14 Brian Court. My issue tonight is with the town and what it's done in the past. I moved to Canal Walk in 2018. I did research on my property before I moved
here. The property adjacent to it, which is now the B9 application, was zoned RO. Check the county website. That's what it said until up until after the approval, sorry, after the time of application of the county of the B9
application, the county website said RO. It was never changed. the township failed in its duty to the town to township residents to keep the county website posted so we could actually know what the zoning of that property was
during CO planning board or whoever or the ordinance were passed uh that changed it or codified it into the BI zone. Now us as canalw walk residents are stuck with a B with the B9 application which has been basically approved with you know minor
modifications that are going to take place. Um my question to the board is there are exception and well I'm let me jump over to what Mike said before about the 4 ton limit. Schoolhouse road is a 4-tonon road from Randolph Road to Western Canal
Road. There are we all know there's exceptions to those rules and one of them is warehouses. If there's deliveries being made to a warehouse, it's an exception. However, Franklin is can make exceptions to that rule, which they did on Western Canal Road and on
Western Road. There's there are no trucks absolutely not allowed. Why was it not done at the B9 on Schoolhouse Road right next to Canal Walk? Why were we not exempt? You know, you did it on
Western Road and you did it on Western Canal Road, but you didn't do it on Schoolhouse and Metlers. It's a travesty. We're sitting there as senior citizens. We got to deal with a warehouse now. Thank you. Hi, good evening. My name is Jan Brandt.
I live at 22 Bryant Court. Um I wasn't going to mention anything what Mr. Richard just said about um the RO that actually the same thing happened to us and the website wasn't whatever website we looked at was not updated and in fact on your website on the Franklin Township
website it has uh uh block 514 lot 60 as being all BI and actually it's not all BI it's actually residential as well. So, that's on on the site that you guys have, but anyway, that's not what I was going to talk about. Um, Franklin
Township um has done that traffic study and um for the master plan. And through this study, it's been discovered that the township will have ratings of F um at um all the um different intersections
once the warehouses are built, the proposed warehouses are built. And I came here about a month ago, you know, just asking about um emergency response and um you know, how long for an ambulance to get to W two. And I'm I'm specifically um honing in on Ward two
because that's where practically most of the warehouses are built. And if um all the intersections are going to be rated F once all the warehouses are there, won't that affect the um emergency response and you know to apartments,
residences, things like that? And um and I know when I came here um about a month ago, I spoke about a specific response and all and actually it took about um let me just look here just to
confirm. Um, it took 18 minutes for an ambulance to get to an emergency response at Canalwalk. I don't want to mention the specific thing. There were police who arrived ahead of that response, but we know if somebody is really having um, you know, um, in a bad
situation, for example, cardiac arrest, you know, uh, police can do so much, but you really need emergency response people. And once once an ambulance arrives 18 minutes later, I mean, you know, kaput, you know, really that person if they're in cardiac arrest,
they're really don't have much chance of survival um when that happens. So I I just wanted So my question is um how long for an ambulance right now presently to arrive to a resident's
apartment in Ward 2? Uh and I'm not talking about police, but an ambulance. and um has the council thought about this traffic report and all the um the intersections rating F that it's going to you know naturally be affected. You
don't need to do any studies about that unless you have some you know um different emergency response. My second um topic is about the um the 4 ton limit and the deliveries and all and how there's local deliveries allowed. So,
it's just it's kind of ironic because, you know, there were ordinances made so that there would be no, you know, trucks allowed on Schoolhouse Road. However, local deliveries are allowed and local deliveries like there's all these warehouses on Schoolhouse Road. Why make
an ordinance that you're you're not allowed to have trucks or deliveries on um Schoolhouse Road if local deliveries are allowed? And let me tell you how that's um like the DRCC when there was a report when Canal Walk when they did a report on Canal Walk, they said, you
know, we're not going to worry about the traffic on Schoolhouse Road or to B9 because there's ordinances in place for no trucks. So, we don't have to worry about the traffic there. The traffic's not going to be impacted because Franklin Township put in all those
ordinances. So, hey, let's not worry about it. I would recommend to the council to think about sending the traffic report to the DRCC because right now according to their report from you know a year or so back I mean they didn't approve B9 because there's other
processes in place even though B9 said they were approved by the DRCC but they weren't. But when the DRCC assessed them they weren't concerned because no deliveries and no trucks are allowed on Schoolhouse Road. they saw those
ordinances in place. Um, so I think that's it. Thanks so much. Anyone else? Anyone else at all? No. Okay, we'll I will motion to close the public portion here.
Seconded. Moved and seconded. All in favor say I. I oppose say nay. Motion is carried. Uh now it's time for us to respond. Um at the last meeting I announced why I have to recuse myself
about anything to do with B9. Uh at the last meeting I announced that I have to recuse myself with anything to do with B9. simply stated is I do entirely separate medical legal
expert witness for what happens to be the same firm as represents B9. I didn't realize that until about a month ago and once I did I immediately recused myself. So I can't answer any of the B9 questions. I will answer one thing about
the light the uh cameras. Mr. Voraclocker reported repeatedly that the cameras were delayed because we're waiting for PSEG PSEG to put them up to allow us to
put them up etc etc etc. If you think that we have any control whatsoever over PSENG you're sadly mistaken. They are a an entity above the state. Uh there um
so uh let's see what other ones can I answer. Um I I miss Brent
I reviewed the um body camera uh for the incident that you talked about the police response. Mr. Born locker can give you the numbers. Was almost immediate. It was appropriate. I shouldn't say almost immediate. It was
It was quick. It was appropriate. Um gave excellent care. And there's not much you can do besides um um CPR, oxygen, and a defibrillator, which
she had her own defibrillator. Someone made a comment that she's just said uh when she someone said there's a defibrillator. That's because she had her own which she was familiar with and she was ready to use that. I I I'm not
an emergency tech. I don't work in an emergency room. I am a doctor though. I thought she did an exemplary job. So, and and the the main um the main factor in whether someone
responds to emergency action for for a heart attack is how quickly CPR has begun. So, that was that part was done well. Um, as to the specifics you were asking about, perhaps Mr. Vornlocker can
answer. Um, and uh maybe um maybe Mr. Karazzi, do you have any does anyone have any other comments? But do you have comments about the international language issues that were
I have actually Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Thank you very much. I have I have a comment on that. First of all, thank you so much for the suggestion. We are very fortunate in Franklin Township because our schools already have various programs and probably you don't know but
there is a culturally responsive school leadership program and they engage in all kinds of activities. Sometimes they have ask people to dress up like another culture and so forth. So there's a lot of things going on, but I would suggest
that if you have an idea, uh the gentleman that you can talk to is Mr. Plumber. Mr. Plumber, I don't know if you know him, but he is the leader for the diversity program. And you'll be amazed at stuff that they have. And I'm
100% sure that the the social study teachers, they have all kinds of programs recognized in the diversity in our township. But uh if you have ideas, please uh feel free just to go ahead and talk to them. Thank you.
Any other council members? I'd like I'd also like to add to that. So I think we also for the adults we have the human relations commission and that could be something that you could talk to them about. Perhaps they can do something in the community as well outside of the school district.
Yeah. Thank you so much, Councilwoman. actually the leazison for that and we had invited Mr. Plameumber to our HRC and he's explained quite a bit. So yeah, please the next meeting is on uh June 25th. So please come to that meeting if
you could. Thank you. Any other council members? I I I just want to comment on that um emergency service and I have also reviewed and I think I agree to everything that you said. They have done the police force that was in Canal Walk. um they have done everything that they
need to. On top of that, we have been also offering uh CPR lessons to citizens, residents, and our police force that do come off. Um they are registered and they have the um equipment to handle for the first one.
So, I definitely want to say I agree to everything that the mayor mentioned around the EMS and the exact time. I think uh Mr. Bnacker, you can probably mention. I do have a question on the signage if I know I heard two people mention about signage and we have signages out there. We have sign a lot of signages that we put up and we
continue to review signages and um almost kind of thinking is there something else we can do for truck drivers but I know the truck drivers have specific routes that they use that's different like a GPS system that's meant for trucks. Um, so if there
is, you know, a certain street that we have, um, indicated that they're not allowed, it's automatically, I think, presented on their maps. But something that I would like to brainstorm a little bit more on to see what we can do for trucks, if there's a specific signage
that I'm hearing today and I've heard in the past as well. So, I'll definitely take that into consideration as well. Thank you. Anyone else? Mayor, I I think he left. So, I just want to make sure some people might have seen the pastor that was here. Yeah. And and I just for those who
can't see, our executive director for Hamilton Street is in in the audience. Uh and I'm sure gave him the information on how the assessment, which generally speaking, and he'll correct when we do the presentation. Hamilton Street, a nonprofit, a registered nonprofit that
doesn't pay uh tax exempt would probably be exempt from the assessment. And I'm sure our executive director told the pastor the many ways he can get involved because we would love for more organizations and civic groups to get involved. So, anybody who had heard uh
he's already been informed, but I just want to make sure everybody knew the followup on that. Mayor, thank you. Okay, Mr. Gindabre Javon. I I learned that from Mango languages which are available free
at the Franklin Township Library uh when I went to go visit my family in Poland. And interestingly, I just came back from visiting my Polish family in Canada. All from an online totally free available with your library card as a resident of Franklin um to learn languages. And I
think it's a great idea. I'm not sure we have to or should or should not stand up individual language um classes. Um but it is a diverse community. We have a lot of diverse backgrounds. I can't say I can have a full conversation, but I can usually get through a store. Um, do
he he forgot to mention that if you have a library card, it's called Hoopla and it allows you to download a book for so many days or something like that. So, if you wanted to learn a language, there's the way to do it.
Well, we had quite an active council um public answers to public questions. Now take a breath, Mr. Vorn Locker. So let's talk about weight limits on roads, whether it be Schoolhouse Road, Weston Canal Road,
the municipal portion of Western Canal Road, or any other road that has a weight limit. And I believe looking at the list here, there's probably about 40 or 50, maybe more in the township that have designated weight limits.
Um, weight limits are adopted by municipal ordinance and it is governed by title 39 of the New Jersey uh revised statutes. And it requires that when a municipality
uh places a weight restriction on a public roadway that um local deliveries and pickups are exempt. Um the gentleman who mentioned that somehow that he thought that Weston Canal Road and
Weston Road was a strict restriction on trucks, that's simply not true. When municipal ordinance 226-17 is amended from time to time to add streets to it, um that's the the
ordinance that uh regulates weight limits on on roadways. Um, it's just another street added to that municipal ordinance. So, I you can show me whatever you want. I'm looking at the municipal code and I adopted enough uh
uh weight restrictions in my career to tell you that every single road when it is weight restricted has a an exemption for those trucks that are making pickups and deliveries along that roadway. Every
single one. So there's no exemption that doesn't allow for pickups and deliveries. Fact. Okay. So, and in fact, 226 reads, "Vehicles over the registered gross weights set forth are excluded
from streets or parts of streets described except for the pickup and delivery of materials on such streets." It's the ordinance in its entirety plus the names of the streets. So that's weight limits. Schoolhouse, as someone else mentioned, has a weight restriction
that is between Randolph Road and Western Canal Road. That weight restriction, by the way, goes back long before anyone ever had an idea or an inkling that there would be a thing called Canal Walk. And probably long
before there was ever a warehouse on Schoolhouse Road. It goes back to the olden days when schoolhouse road was about 18 feet wide and look like a snake on a bad day. Okay. Um so that's where
that weight restriction comes from. After the improvements were made to schoolhouse road, most of which were made by Canal Walk and Premier Development, the uh weight restriction remained. That's where that comes from.
So that's that's the reason for the weight restriction. Should a truck come up Schoolhouse Road from Western Canal Road and make a delivery on Schoolhouse or one of the streets off of Schoolhouse such as Heler Park Lane, it would be absolutely permitted to do so.
Um, as far as signage, signage was in increased and improved along West and Canal Road both at school, well I should say both at schoolhouse and Cottontail Lane directing trucks to use those roads that are not weight restricted. Randolph
and Cottontail big white signs. They're at each intersection um that that tell trucks to use different routes other than schoolhouse. Um, and there was also signage improved along New Brunswick
Road uh and uh Elizabeth Avenue at that intersection as well. And we're having we've had discussions with Somerset County regarding um Amwell Road. There's an issue with signage related to the bridge that goes over canal over the canal on Amwell Road
and the advanced signage that goes all as far back as Elizabeth Avenue. I've put in a request for Somerset County to consider changing the signage that exists at both Matlers's and Elizabeth on Amwell Road due to the weight
restriction of the bridge on Amwell Road. So that the last avenue of escape for trucks off of Amwell Road is not Metler's but is Elizabeth Avenue. so that trucks will be uh directed to
Elizabeth that are heading westbound on um Amwell Road so that they're not using Matler's Road to access points to the north or west. So that's that's a little bit of of information on weight
restrictions. I think the mayor addressed the camera issue more than I need to, so I will not. As far as obstructions, uh, Miss Tolman, um, obstructions where they're not, uh, a
natural occurring thing, um, are certainly not something that I would encourage, nor would I really think was, uh, the the appropriate answer to an issue. Um those obstructions as you call them would also
severely hamper emergency vehicle responses. A it you know you have uh fire engines both ladder trucks and engines that exceed the the height limits um and the wheelbase uh and and so I don't think that that's the right
answer. I have asked Darren Massie from CME who accessed the township engineer to evaluate your request uh and your suggestion of a roundabout at Metlers and Weston Road. Um I spoke with him last probably about a week and a half
ago. He was off and out of the office for most of last week. And what he told me was he was nearing completion on the evaluation and he wanted to do a field visit and then once he was done with that he would be in contact with me and you to discuss what his findings were.
So he didn't need to talk to you beforehand. He needed to do the work. So that's what he's doing. So my turn to talk. Um, so that's the answer for roundabouts. As far, sir, as as what you
saw on a county website, and I don't know what you saw on a county website um as far as the zoning in Franklin Township, but I will tell you is that the B9 site was uh zoned as M2 Light Manufacturing as far back as
1998. Um, and that was prior to the approvals of uh, canal walk. And it was M2 all the way up until the consolidation of the M1, M2, and CB zones into the newly created BI zone.
The the creation of the BI zone didn't allow for any different type of development on the B9 site. It just simply incorporated um the the warehouse and light industrial uses that were not
a permitted use in the CB zone, which is the Davidson Avenue World's Fair Drive area. And it then allowed for those types of development in that area of the town. and any permitted uses in the in the former CB zone would now be
permitted in the former M1 and M2 zones and those included office buildings, most of which were already a permitted use in the M1 and M2 zones. So that it was not RO. Now, the property at the
corner of Weston Road and Matler's Road on the east side of Matlers's was in fact RO and it was RO until it was reszoned RR3. But the RO and and for for what
it's worth, prior to the approval of Canal Walk as Senior Citizen Village, that also was RO, which was a commercial zone. So that that kind of sums up my zoning lesson. And I'm trying to think
if there was anything else. There was one on on Mr. Walker asked about rent control. So rent control was addressed by the rent control staff member, Mr. Dominac. Okay. And rent control is under I believe 267 in the code is all of the
information on that. And I think he answered did he did he get you what you needed? Okay. Perfect. Okay. Excellent. So that was right. One in five were not answered. I did you write them down? I I'm trying to I was trying to write as fast as I could. So, the one about
calling the mayor. Yes. Um I handle a million phone calls. Uh you're a gentleman. If you said you didn't, I believe you didn't, but I I wouldn't remember if you called me or not. Why
was I I don't I don't know what I honestly have no recollection of what you're talking about. Mr. T the last meeting two meetings ago. The meeting I missed. Somebody called the mayor. It was probably about you. No, someone called
the mayor about a complaint I guess that you raised as well. That very well could be. The mayor passes on complaints almost on a daily basis to me. That's my job. I watched the video that doesn't stand out to me, but I'm going to I'll rewatch I'll
rewatch. I I'm I'm again You're a gentleman. I believe you. Um, but I just I I can't testify to what what you whether you called me or not, but I believe you.
Um, I don't know what five was. It was around HOA volunteering. So, that's not my that's not me to answer. You're asking if the township will work with the HOA. To be honest with you, I know absolutely nothing about what you're talking about. So, I wouldn't give an opinion on my from my part on
working with or not working with an organization when I know nothing about what you're talking about. And and what I will say though is that I didn't have an opportunity to address it at the last time that you were here when you talked about the police department being non-responsive and that the woman
who you spoke to in the traffic bureau, you were a gasast by the fact that she didn't know anything about the cameras. The woman you spoke to is a clerk. There are no female officers in the traffic safety bureau. I would not expect a clerk in the traffic bureau to know
anything about lights uh uh cameras being put up in a specific area of town. She would have no reason to know anything about that. So, you were you were very critical of that and and that that is something that I I can't say
that any clerical staff working in the town would have any knowledge that we're putting up cameras on Schoolhouse Road and Western Canal Road. Um but but that that I just but you said that you had
that conversation with her. So, so I made the mistake of letting a little back and forth happen. I regret it. I think that covered them all. Mr. Bron, two things. Um, the canal walk EMS tra that Miss Brand brought up
about the EMS emergency service resolution uh resolve time if you can talk about that. I I didn't hear you counciloman. the response time to I I couldn't so so you know having been involved in emergency services for a very very long time I think that that
question can't be answered how long will it take an ambulance to get to someplace and canal walk there are so many different variables involved in answering that question that we could talk about it literally for hours variables such as
the number of available ambulances at any given time in Franklin based on the time of day, the day of week. You know, we there's generally two ambulances providing ambulance coverage by Robert Wood Johnson, um Barnabas, um around the
clock, but then you also bring into play East Milstone that has coverage times during certain times of the day and certain times of the week. Um so that there's there's a and how many are on calls? Are there other calls that are demanding an ambulance? Do they have to
go to mutual aid to another uh municipal first aid squad? Uh whether it be uh Mammoth Junction in South Brunswick or now Bound Brook Police Department is providing EMS coverage to to Bound Brook and they're they provide uh um mutual
aid coverage. Um it it certainly depends on the time of day. There's no doubt. You know, when you talk about levels of service at an intersection, just keep in mind that that's not 24 hours a day, seven days a week levels of service that
that study showed. Those are peak hour levels of service during the weekday periods. All right? That's not all day every day. That's 7:30 to 8:30 in the morning and 4:30 to 5:30 in the evening.
those levels of service are anticipated to rise to a level of service F. F is also um there there's a range for each letter that's assigned to a level of service. It's not just like 10 seconds
for A, 20 seconds for B, 30 seconds for C. the the the ranges for each level of service um are are you know there there's different ranges in different time periods um when calculating a level
of service no we're not going to have a back and forth all right that's the answer the answer is that an emergency vehicles when responding to an emergency have the right of way over all other
vehicles. The roads that lead into Canal Walk, if we're going to talk specifically about Canal Walk, are generally 36 to 40 feet wide, which leaves shoulders, plenty of space for an ambulance to pass a line of cars at an
intersection. They do it all the time now throughout the township. Lights and sirens means everybody needs to yield to them. I watched it today at an inter at the intersection of Pier Street and Elizabeth Avenue on my way home to go eat dinner before this meeting and
everybody pulled off to the side and the ambulance went through and that was during rush hour. So it it it's you know when you talk about how long it takes for an ambulance to get to a call a wide variety of variables. So that that's you
know I can't give you a time that that being said council is not oblivious to that traffic report. We we recognize that traffic report right now warehouses are not permitted use the uh people who
have the consultant has recommended something else for the uh master plan. The master plan is not a zoning. though right now it's not a permitted use and we I I guess I can only speak for myself. I'm quite aware of that traffic
study. I watched um I watched I wasn't at that planning board meeting but I watched it. There was one other question that the councilman just reminded me. So I think that Miss Tolman asked the question was was money exchanged? Well, I don't think
anyone up here was a witness to a check being handed over by B9 Schoolhouse LLC to Premier Development or whatever LLC Mr. Hiller was owned the property under. But I can tell you this. If you if you
choose to take the time to register your name on the county clerk website and do property uh searches on the county clerk property search, you'll certainly find
that there's a deed that was filed with the county clerk indicating that there was consideration given for the property on which B9 made their application in the t to the tune of 24 million in change. Um and and so a a formal filed
document uh indicated that consideration was made for the property. I I don't know what much more there there could be on our part as to to know was there in fact a sale of property. Legally I believe that that indicates that there was a sale of
the property. Right, Miss Berlin? There we go. All right. Um, where the where I almost said something bad. Where the heck are we? Um, okay. That comments council comments
number eight. Um, let's see. We'll start with you, Mr. Wright. Okay, real quick. Here we go. Memorial Day parade. Now, I was at the Memorial Day parade, but I was at the beginning of the parade
down on the bottom along with uh the beginning, God, who was it? Uh Bob Lorty, sorry about that. And he says something very interesting to me. He's been doing the parade for almost 20
years. And he said, "Well, Franklin Parade, Franklin's Township's parade." And I comment and I says, "No, Bob, this is your parade. You've been down here 20 years. You've never seen the parade because you're always here, but you always put it together." Now, take
ownership of the parade. And he says, "Well, okay, I'll take ownership." So, I thought that was kind of funny on Bob's part. But here we go. I have two posters up here. This one is for the Civil War, the First
United States Infantry Regiment Colored. Uh, and I'm going to read you something about it because it's very interesting. Just a short little blip. The first US colored infantry regime regiment. The United States War
Department on May the 22nd, 1863 activated a unit called the First US Colored Infantry. They served from May 19th, 1863 to September the 29th,
1865. Action scene. The seeds of Petersburg. Battle of Jeff's Farm. Battle of the Fair uh Oaks and Dairtown Road, second battle of the Fort Fiser, the Carolas campaign, they lost a total
of 185 men during battle. When you look at all the other troops, everyone says um Civil War dead, everyone talks about the American Revolution. Everyone talks about everybody else
except these guys over here with the Indians called Buffalo Soldiers because of their hair. So ladies and gentlemen, when we talk about service, the last full measure, please
include include the colored fighters of this country. Now the next one I have for you Juneenth. Junth is very important to at
that time colored people. Junth signifies on June 19th 1865 a proclamation was given to the township of Texas and I say township all of Texas that declared the negro black were free.
But you see there was a problem with that. It took two years from the date that Lincoln signed it for it to end up in Texas. So actually we were slayed for two years but didn't know we were free.
Now at that particular point when they came down and said okay you're free. They were encouraged to stay on the farm but only if they were paid to stay on the farm and work. Some of them did. someone took freedom and
just dispersed themselves. So again, Junth is very important to us because it signifies the last outpost of slavery. Now, here's my beautiful banner. June 19th parade. Every year we give a parade now. And every year, I'm going to come
here, put the the banner up, and tell you, come on down and hang out with us. It's this year. is the June the 14th from 11:00 a.m. to 300 p.m. And we're going to discuss loudspeakers. Uh what does Junth mean to me? How does that
work for me? Now Junth is not just for me. It's for everybody. Everybody. Somewhere along the line, something happened that made you free. From the colonial wars to World War II with the Jewish population, everything happened.
So again, come on down, hang out with us. Junth parade. Now, the reason why the military is important to me is a long time ago, my mother wanted to be a nurse, registered nurse, but she didn't have the money to do it. So what did she
do? She joined the forces. Uncle Sam said, "Come on down, join the Air Force, and I'll give you a degree." And that's exactly what she did. for two years. She got her degree in nursing. And as usual, you had to get time to Uncle Sam. So, she was down to Fort Hood, Texas, and
had a whole lot of fun, she said. But she came back home, got married, and we're still a nurse. Um, then my father, he went to the service in the army, you know, come on down here. Uncle Sam needs you. There's a big time draft.
So, I have two parents that served in the military. And yes, when mama passed, big- time military came on down and gave us the flag. Last full measure, she didn't do it on the field. Other people
do it on the field. And that's what the Memorial Day parade is all about. Now, some of us think it's a beautiful parade. Everybody comes down, gets a little red flag, and waves it all around. But no, it's about those that go
to war and don't come back. So, we need to recognize that and give them the honor that's due. Now, as I said about the parade, I'm not going to talk about it. I'm going to let
all them talk about it because everybody else will have something to say. Uh, and since I took enough time, I'm out of here. Mr. Mayor. Thank you, Mr. Wright. Mr. Patasnik. Uh, thank you, Councilman. Member
Wright. Um um just wanted to do a quick shout out for Franklin Pride. This is going to be the second annual Franklin Pride celebration. It's on Saturday, June 7th. It starts at 12:00 and it goes till 3 on a first come, first- serve basis. There's free ice cream and
there'll be performances at the gazebo, um including the Franklin Band. We'll have the New Jersey Gay Men's Chorus. We'll have the cast of the Matilda from Villagers Theaters just across the way um doing performances as well as other um dignitaries and speakers. It's a
great way to get to meet other folks. In addition, there's going to be over a dozen different community- based organizations that you can learn about and get involved with and churches, um arts and crafts, um and then there'll uh hopefully be um some other food options including baked goods uh to support
local uh businesses. So, it's going to be a wonderful day. Feel free to bring a chair if you want to watch the performances and rest. Um, in addition, uh, bring a a refillable water bottle because we will have a water filling station um, for folks to get hydrated. Um, assuming it's um, you know, it's
going to be warm as things warm up. We Memorial Day was kind of strange Memorial Day for us. It was pretty cold, so it's kind of hard to imagine a few weeks of getting hotter, but that's the general trend. And we look forward to seeing all you there. want to thank uh the staff particularly Safy Kalen for making that happen and the pride
planning committee and um we look forward to a really great day. Thanks so much. Thank you Mr. Val. Thank you mayor. this past month. Uh we have did not have a public safety or public works meeting, but I do look forward to reporting out
next month because since our budget was passed successfully uh recently, we can now go out and uh spec and bid our projects, our infrastructure projects, uh which we are doing quite a bit from
some coming from the money COVID money some people called and other infrastructure bills from Washington. So, we are uh we are moving along quite a bit, but we didn't have a meeting, so we'll be re updating it as these uh bids and projects go out.
Um I don't know what else we have to say about the Memorial Day parade, but it was fantastic and the weather was better than it's probably been in a decade. And I don't know, but it seemed like the longest parade we've had. And uh I I'm not making light of it, but ironically, people were mentioning about emergency
services. Uh I know in the recent years we've bought some um uh vehicles and uh increased our capability, but I'll tell you that was a real parade of showing our volunteerism and our resources. I don't know if I've ever seen that many
emergency vehicles in our parade before. Um, it was obviously a lot of other things, dancers and and antique cars and everything else. But just for what it's worth, and I'll piggyback on that, um, I'm well aware of the traffic study. I have I don't know every detail of it.
Uh, and I'll ditto what the mayors say. And please don't assume um what any of us are thinking or believing are ultimately uh uh vote or want as these master plan reviews and possible uh zoning uh uh changes of any kind happen
or don't happen. So um I also and I'm sure everyone else on council uh falls into this category. I also know what I see with my own eyes and I've watched this town for 60 years. So, uh, as good as reports are and should be seriously
considered, we can see what's out there and we can review it and as individual and as a majority of council come up with whatever ways we can um deal with keeping that situation under control. So
please just uh and any thoughts about it uh tell us um email, phone, whatever way you want, come to the meeting. So um just wanted to put that out there. Otherwise um we still have a couple meetings, but for those who don't know because I
actually wasn't sure what day we going to have our other extravaganza we have each year or fourth of July fireworks and I just Is that on the 3 which I believe yes. Okay. again this year it's on the 3rd. So although we have a couple council meetings, but please put that on
your calendar. Hopefully we'll get as good weather and turnout as we did for Memorial Day parade. And yes, uh thank you Bob Lort um for two decades of of doing what you do to honor um as Mr. Wright said, people who make
uh the ultimate sacrifice. I think uh I I think that's it. Mayor, thank you very much. Thank you, Miss Francois. I haven't talked about the youth center lately, which is used to be my favorite
topic, but there is one program I wanted to highlight because I think it was phenomenal. We had a youth center drone program. It was a six-week program, all free. It was for uh youth center members from the ages of 11 to 18, and they
learned all about drone technology. And as you know, if you've been watching the news or if you live in America, you know that there's drones are everywhere now. So, they learned a lot about the drone technology. It's a $30 billion business right now. And I think uh in terms of
the skills and the learning about the technology and learning about the future of drones and their different use cases, it's the future. So, we had a uh six-week introduction program and the the kids were able to do drone racing league simulations. They they led
studentled flight demonstrations. They talked about obstacles and challenges. They did a simulator-based flight through hands-on lessons and drone safety and maneuvering. It was a I didn't get a chance to go to the graduation, but I can tell you that their dedicated parents were there. They
were be beaming in pride in in attendance of how their children showcased their drone skills and their teamwork. And because it was so successful, we're going to have another uh program that will be free. And we're able to offer that program for free
based on the uh grant that we got from Assemblyman Joe Danielson, which is a wonderful thing. We're not offering that program anywhere else than Franklin Township. And uh we plan on giving u another version of this in the fall. So, I just wanted to highlight that because
for the children that participated, they learned a lot about the technology for free. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Thank you. I'm going to take a drone course. [Music] Yeah. Or recreational would probably get a lot of adults. I'm sorry to interrupt, but that uh is a subject more and more
people are interested in. I know it's a youth center, not adult. Embarrassing. Sorry, mayor. Uh thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um so we are um working with RVCC to begin a series of advanced uh manufacturing workforce
training at the Franklin Board of Education campus on Route 27. Uh we'll probably begin the class in July, mid July, uh 2 days a week. Um again it's an introductory course that's going to
begin uh with the 3D printing and then it's going to move on to uh machine shop uh related courses uh which would eventually become uh creditw worthy. In other words, if uh um people who take
those courses pass national credential exams, those courses will translate into college credits towards a man advanced manufacturing uh training degree at um RBCC and then if um you s so choose uh
to carry on to NJIT uh engineering program in manufacturing that'll uh be accepted as uh valid credits. So that we are excited about the program. Uh we are going to be announcing we are going to be putting out flyers and the schedule very soon.
Uh we hope the count uh the people of our township take advantage of these programs that we are bringing in. Again these are tuitionbased programs. Um we do not in incur any expense from the township except uh offer offering to
host the program at our facilities owned by the Franklin board of education. Um other than that I have uh uh continue to work on bringing the YMCA to town. Uh we are uh still um talking to uh
philanthropists throughout the town and other uh agent government agencies in order to mobilize uh the funds. Um a little slow uh in the making but uh we think uh we will get there eventually. Uh we had um we had a planning board
meeting on the 21st. for those of you uh who watched uh there were two uh hearings u and then there's a number of on the cultural aspect I think Mr. Walker mentioned about learning different cultures. This
town has so many different um groups of uh people from many different countries, many different cultures. Um you know as a township we celebrate different cultures as well throughout the year. Uh major major uh festivals. Um last
weekend I happened to attend a Turkish day festival in town on Cotton Trail Road. Wonderful. wonderful uh event. Um a lot of Turkish people showed up. Um speeches, uh performances, music, dances, food of course. Uh wonderful,
wonderful two-day event. So I would encourage all of us uh to uh experience different cultures uh that are different than ours. I think the young uh um men spoke very eloquently about understanding the different culture is
the first thing that you need to know to overcome the fear of the cultures. So uh these events are a good example of uh um the cultural diversity in the town and it gives all of us an opportunity to go
and learn different cultures which uh are different from ours. Um and apart from that there was a central Jersey transportation forum. Um the county uh hosted u the central Jersey transportation group um at the Duke
Farms. If you have not visited Duke Farms in Hillsboro, please do. Great place to um visit. They offer tours um it's it's a the natural uh preserved land. Um uh it's it's it's a beautiful
place. Uh other than that um oh AAPI celebration that's another event that governor hosts every year at the drum vet I was invited as a AAPI member um so I was there uh to celebrate
the AAP uh heritage month um which we uh gave a proclamation in the last council meeting. That's all I got. Mayor, thank you. Thank you Mr. Oni Jaka. Okay. Thank you mayor. Uh let me talk a little bit
about diversity as it positively affects um African community. Cultural diversity is one of the tripports that formed the basis of uh Franklin Township. We cannot
overemphasize it importance in Franklin. In Franklin Township, African community makes up 20% of the total diver diversity and the cultural u
section. We also have individuals serving in different areas contributing to the growth of Franklin Township. As at this moment the Syrialian community in Africa
they have their own cultural day. They establish a cultural day which we are trying to bring all other Africans together to have one day for diversity and cultural celebration. If we can extend this
cultural diversity to communities by having a cultural day in Franklin that will be very very helpful. I'm suggesting if we can have one day for different culture and different diversity come up one day and do
exposure of our culture that will help also to promote our diversity. Thank you mayor. Thank you Dr. Karazzi. Thank you Mr. Mayor. Uh just to build upon what uh my colleague uh Councilman uh Rahm
mentioned uh besides the Turkish festival, we had the Greek one and there are two more coming, the Lebanese and Hungarian is going to be coming uh I think in a week or so. So please take advantage of it. It's just amazing
festivities and we are lucky to live in a place that you don't have to travel to Greece to learn about Greek. You don't have to go to uh Istbul to learn about Turkish because you can see right there and so forth. So please take advantage of that. But there's one thing that I
also wanted to add. The Franklin Day is coming up. I believe it's going to be September 20th M probably. So um I encourage anybody who wishes to showcase their
culture, please come. That's a wonderful event. You have probably 10,000 if the weather is great, maybe more than that people coming and imagine we have some tent after tent or one large tent with different cultures of people that they
live in township from music from arts from slideshow of your country that you've come from. Introduce it sweets food share with the people. So it's a wonderful opportunity for all of us to take advantage of that Franklin day. So
just wanted to mention that uh that it's uh coming up and I hope people will will come and showcase their culture. That's what I have and and also a couple of other things. So we have we're going to have the advisory board of health um
annual presentation to the council on June 24th. So please come. You'll be pleased to hear from the uh the chair of advisory board of health which I also uh am the liaison about the accomplishments and also the goal for the rest of the
year. Uh we also had the senior citizen um meeting and Mr. um manager I heard quite a bit complain about some of the projects that not being done. So I've connected with Carl. There's a big list that we have. Yes.
you and I will talk about that often. All right. Because I need to be notified by you. Okay. So, but anyhow, so that's um uh they they like to get to see some of the stuff is is being done and uh I'm
sure it will be uh taken care of hopefully in the future. That's what I have. Mr. Mayor, thank you. Deputy Mayor Odin. Thank you, Mayor. Uh just few things that I had. So May 30th, this Friday, I will be at Canal Walk. Um there is an anchor program that is being
hosted by Assemblyman Joel Danielson and it's in line with our state treasurer. So we'll be um we there's there was a series that was done um and the next one which is on Friday it will be in Canal Walk clubhouse. So um if you are in Canal Walk your calendar it's 1 to 2:00
p.m. Um that's all around property tax relief program. If you have questions around taxes, anything specific for the treasur, they will be there and they encourage people to ask questions as they are going live with their slideshow. So again, May 30th, can walk
from 1 to 2:00 p.m. Um June 4th, now moving out to June 4th, I will be in Somerset Run, there is a seminar that's happening in Somerset Run for um estate planning with um guest speaker Tina Jola. So, we will be there um for that
event. If there's someone that's interested that would like to be at Somerset Run for that specific seminar, please let me know and I'll add you to my guest list. Um so, that takes me to the health fair series that I spoke
about last um last council meeting. And there were some questions that came up as you know what is this health series um health fair series and it's the non-traditional which means we're not doing like a vendor booth. Um we are strictly going to like more seminar
based educating the residents and talking specifically about things that formed an entrance from a lot of the residents. So the feedback came out from the residents to myself and the staff um as we were talking to people. And so the first one starting in July is around
bone density and July 30th. So you'll start seeing more um programs rolling out. I'll start talking about it as it gets closer. So July 30th bone density, July 31st we're doing anxiety workshop. So there's a lot of things that are happening and um I know a lot of folks have mentioned and provided feedback.
someone thank everyone that's been working on putting this together, but we are not looking at a traditional vendor booth where we get 50 vendors coming in and just set tables and they give free, you know, um, stress balls or water bottles. We're looking at really educating the residents. And I think
that's more meaningful because that way you could do more takeaways and understand what's important to you and you get to choose what workshop you want. So if you can't make it to all, you want specific ones. that way you're um able to join the ones that matter to you and it's all going to happen at the
senior center. So, it's a common space. Um we're trying to look for timing that works during the day. Um so, it's not so much in the evening. It's something that works out for everyone. Um we spoke a lot about culture and diversity. So, I won't get into the the stuff that's happening. I
think we all kind of spoke about that. Um we spoke about the traffic study. I want to mention that, you know, there's that's the reason why we did a traffic study, right? We all approved that ordinance and we paid some third party vendor to run that study so give better understanding of what's happening in
town. We live in this town. We go through the same roads as you'd go through. So completely understand the frustration sometimes at those peak hours um when you're trying to get to a shop right or you're trying to get to um route 27 and even the middle bush is all
backed up. So, you know, I I agree to everyone mentioning around traffic study and I that study itself is online. Um, so if you haven't had a chance to take a look at it, feel free. I think there's going to be more discussions as we get to that. But, um, definitely understand
where you're coming from on the traffic study. Um, last thing I do want to mention is, you know, I have a neighbor, um, Billy, and I want to give a shout out to him. Um he is actually right now at um took his dog Jenny to doctor and
you know sad news um she's at a very late state of cancer um and I just got the news he had to put her down. So prayers for Billy my neighbor and we talk about a lot of good things but just got the alert that you know um so very
sad and prayers to that family. That's all I had. Mayor, thank you. Um, so Mr. Wright eloquently uh gave thanks to the Mr. Lort for the Memorial Day
parade. I just want to add um Mr. Leort has always strived to make that parade non-partisan, non-political. He he sets the rules. Um we give a nod to that within the first
amendment rights. Um he limits campaign signs. He limits handing out of literature. He he limits people who are running. He doesn't have them speak. I think this time he got a hernia
trying to keep that going, but he did. And um it was you you couldn't even tell this country had parties if he went to that Memorial Day parade. And uh it's not easy for him to do that, but he does
that. Uh well, um there's one service at the library I want uh people to know about. Um they have an apparatus or several apparatus for converting media. So, if you have an old cassette tape that you want onto a
thumb drive, if you have a a VHS, you want to put that on a thumb drive. Everything goes on a thumb drive now. Um, it has ways of converting uh old media to new media. Um, you uh get in touch with the library, you
reserve a time, and uh then you can go at it. So that's, you know, thousands of dollars you might spend that you can you can save. I don't know how quick it is. I don't know how much availability there is, but that service is available. Um,
then the last thing I want to talk about is I got some letters from some students from the fifth grade at Franklin Park School and I thought I would read three of them. One of them has to do with the library. So, I'll read that at the next
library board meeting which is tomorrow in person at the um library. Um and let me read some of these. I, Justin, as his last name, a resident of
Franklin Township, is sending you this letter because this is happening on the trails of Franklin Township. And I want this to change by recycling the garbage to better the environment. This is happening because people keep littering
on these sacred trails. And this is how we can fix it, by cleaning the trails. I'd like you to address this before the summer, please. Um, so that was about littering on the trails. The next one
is, "Dear Mayor Kramer, I, Omar, a student of Franklin Township, is sending you this letter because there is a lot of trash on the streets. This is happening due to careless citizens of the town. Trash such as empty soda cans, empty water bottles, and cigarette
filters. This is how we can fix it by putting trash and recycling bins around the parks and other areas. Another area that is diagnosed with litter is cigarettes by the stone part of the sidewalk. I'd like this to change within
a month. I would I would like people to stop littering. And that doesn't I'm not I'm not pushing that off. We do try to put out as much trash cans as we can. We have these big belly cans that are solar
powered, internet connected, and they tell our DPW when they're full so they can empty them, but sometimes it is hard to keep up with them. And then I got this.
I an Naga resident of Franklin Township is sending you this letter because of wild and stray animals coming near our apartment. This is happening because neighbors are giving food or keeping food outside which then the animals come
to and eat. Uh I want this to change because these stray and wild animals can carry disease that can spread to us. this is happening and how can we fix it is by making a strict rule that says no
feeding or no putting food outside since the animals come and eat it. If the people disobey the rule, they should pay a fine. I would love to have this problem fixed as soon as possible. Thank you for your prompt attention. Um,
actually, I'd gotten similar messages from three other adults. Uh I have written an ordinance um and uh we've had some suggestions about it. At our next admin meeting, we
will discuss it again um and see where we can go with that. But because of them writing me these letters, I went to Franklin Park School and gave the four students a uh commendation and I spoke to the class. It was quite a bit of fun.
Um, everyone was quite excited and I hope to do it some more. Um, and that is what I have. Mr. Manager. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Just a couple quick things. Um, one, um, for,
uh, residents throughout Franklin Township because our recycling is divided up into two different days. Um due to the Memorial Day holiday, Somerset County has notified all municipalities with recycling collections this week that there may be
delays in the collection. And if your day is normally Thursday and you don't get picked up on Thursday, leave it out until Friday. If your day is normally Friday, leave it out um until it is collected. You are not being forgotten.
It's just that they may fall behind by a day. Um, the next thing is I'm actually going to address an email that I just received by Mrs. Brandt. Um, Mrs. Brandt just sent an email to myself and Mr. Dominac and the mayor and it is a
screenshot of a commercial website njparcals.com and it appears to have the wrong zoning for a parcel at 104 Schoolhouse Road. Um, so I will read to you what it says at the bottom of
njparals.com. The information displayed here is obtained from public records. NJ parcels makes no guarantees on the validity of the data presented. Information should be independently confirmed and you use the information displayed here at your own risk. NJ Parcels is not a consumer reporting
agency per the Fair Credit Reporting Act and NJ Parcels is not a title search company. And if you go to the township website and you go to the homepage and at the top click on interactive map and go to the legend on the left and click
zoning, you will find that that parcel that is listed as RO, which actually no longer exists in the Franklin Township zoning code, is actually listed as BI. So therefore, I would not rely on any
data that I were to obtain from the internet unless it's from a reliable source. And I certainly would not consider NJ parcels a reliable source. In fact, if you go to the NJ parcels website right now, you can also book a
cruise on Royal Caribbean and uh get an account with US Bank. So it's a commercial website. It's not valid for any type of legitimate research. Use your municipal website. Use your municipal zoning map, not some website
called NJ parcels. So, thank you, Mr. Mayor. Miss Brandt, you know the rules. Miss Mr. Mayor. Yes. I just want to add something quick if the manager was finished.
Okay. I said thank you. Okay. I didn't hear you. No. And thank you for the update. Um, I just want to piggy back. You made me think again of Memorial Day. Yes, Bob Lort handles it in a very pure and accommodating way. I just want to mention our own PJ Parker, the other
half of Franklin reporter and advocate. I can't remember the students name. Um, but there was two beautiful songs sang there at that Memorial Day parade that were really heart-wrenching and I just recommend anybody watch that service or whatever you want to call it, the
ceremony. And I know it was a little long and the mayor was up there too. He's a history buff. But I was standing, but I was enjoying every minute of the speaker who also gave a very intriguing history of Franklin Township. A lot of facts that I didn't may or might have known, but I didn't know. So, uh, just
for what it's worth, I don't know if it's out there on YouTube or on the internet, but, uh, it's worth taking a look at that ceremony that really highlighted. Oh, and Steve Goouli, who was the longtime MC. So, a lot of Franklin people, but anybody, by the way, it's not closed. Anybody who wants
to get involved in any of these events in a significant way, please come forward. I'm sure we will embrace anybody who wants to get involved with any of the events. Thank you. Okay. Thank you. No council discussion item, though I feel like we've had it. Uh,
approval of the minutes. There are none. Time to pay the bills. warrants in the amount of $3,118,326.38 on May 27th, 2025 are present to the township council for payment to have a motion on the warrants. So moved. Seconded. Moved and seconded.
Anyone like to pull an item, discuss an item? Madame clerk. Councilman embarrass. Yes. Councilwoman Francois. Yes. Councilman Karazzi. Yes. Mayor Kramer. Yes. Councilman Oni Jaka, yes. Council member Batasnik, yes.
Deputy Mayor Udin. Councilman Vasinella, yes. Councilman Wright, yes. Item number 13, calendar year 2025, Hamilton Street Special Improvement District Assessment Role. Uh, public hearing on the calendar
year 2025 Hamilton Street SID assessment role is uh appropriate. Do we have a motion to open for public hearing? So move. Second. Moved and seconded. Uh all in favor say I. I. Oppos say nay. We're
open for uh public hearing. Uh this time on Hamilton Street uh SID assessment role only. Um same rules as before. Anyone wishing to speak? Mayor,
seeing no one coming up to speak, I will motion. No, no, no. Oh, please come up raising your hand. I didn't. Hello. Can you hear me? Yes. Yes. Uh, my name is John Baptist. I've been on Hamilton Street for 55 years, which is
probably longer than any of the property owners that own property on that street now. This is my third Hamilton Street improvement. Your address, please. Your address, please. 858 Hamilton Street. Thank you. And this is the third time I've gone through this process. The
first time they're planting some cherry trees which the cars came along and knocked down. The second time I got excessed for thousands of dollars. We got some benches. We got some flags which fell down and the wind tore up. We got some garbage cans which never got
empty. And that's all we got. Now here we go again. I want to know what this money is supposed to do. How much is supposed to be raised? How long will this assessment go on? And I want I want answers to these questions. And I think that's only fair. Only thing
we got, we got the notice that you you approved it. We had no prior notice that you even considering it, which was not fair. I don't think that's right. Last time was millions of dollars that collected. And I told you what we got. We got nothing. Now we got an
improvement. We got six marijuana joints within a block within two miles. Eight if you count the ones out on 27. This is improvement. I don't think so. What's this money to be used for?
More garbage cans, more flags, more more [Music] trees. Give me an answer. Anyone else? Can I ask you a real quick question? You own a house on Hamilton Street?
She disable. It's a business, not a house council. Okay. Okay. That's what I missed. Come on up. My name is Squigglin Doorbin. I live at
128 Card Street, which is within the um Hamilton Street zone. I received a letter regarding the assessment, but that is not even so much
my main concern is what impact does the assessment have on the private homes uh especially off Hamilton Street. I'm on Cassid Street. Number two, like the
gentleman said, there are dispensaries that put up all over Hamilton Street, which is not good for our children. We've been fighting this situation. We see it in Edge where drugs have been infested and a problem. And now we're
making it legal on Humington Street. This is not good. And I'd like if somebody would address that problem, please. Sir, just so you know, your assessment is zero. It has no impact on you. You're a private homeowner and there is no monetary assessment on your
property. It's just that your property falls within the special improvement district based on the limits that were set many many years ago as to what what where the limits of the special improvement district are. It's basically one block in from Hamilton Street on
both sides of Hamilton Street. So you have no assessment. you you are you are not no private residences are assessed for the improvement district. It's zero. I'm looking at the assessment chart right here.
Um as to the second question that I answer talk about was the amount of dispensaries which it seemed like there's no limit because they're popping up everywhere and this is not good for our children.
That's something that I that's the council would have to address that. Anyone else wishing to speak? We're going to we're going to do this the same way as we do council the general comments. We're not going to answer until we're done. Hello everyone.
Good evening. My name is Jagish Patel. I'm from 921 Hamilton Street, Somerset, New Jersey. I want to know that I spend around $18 to $20,000 past. Is there any counelor or anyone
come to that address and check it out? Is there any development happen? Why I spend $18 to $20,000 and second things that uh still you want to go against that things I my
suggestion I have to means you have to stop that nonsense because there is no way you can spend that kind of money and doing nothing just sometime I figure out couple of banshees not on my place and
garbage care that's it we spending 15 to $20,000 for that reason. You supposed to be look when we spending the money they go to the worth or not. If not worth it then stop that all
things they put the light no make sense what is the light you cannot read over you cannot walk from there that's all look over there and what you did on 18 to
20,000 and I figure out something that they not going to develop anything on my street anyway you people look Hamilton What you did develop? What kind of development you did it? Wasting of the money and
right now it is very difficult to run the business and even though you want more burden to the customer. Thank you. Anyone else? Sure. No, you have to Oh, can someone
bring Vince can you bring her the microphone, please? Thank you very much. I just want to um bring it to the Yeah. Name and address of the council. Ma'am, name and address, please. Pardon? Oh,
Julie Higgins, Route 518. Says it's Princeton, but we're really not Princeton. She won't talk. But the um years ago we had an whole issue with a pipeline that wants to come through our property. Everybody thought
it was over and they went away back. Miss Higgins, I'm sorry. And we spoke earlier today. This is about Hamilton Street. The the general comment time was earlier today was the first public
session that we had. I'm I I feel very badly that but I've got to follow the rules. I know you came here specially to talk about the pipeline and I'll be happy to talk with you more about it after the meeting but I can't do that. I
gave the letter. Yeah, I wanted to see the copy of the letter that you got. What she's talking about is she's gotten a letter from uh Williams Transco. They're talking about the uh gas station, gas pump station
again. We think, we don't know. Um but I'm sorry. Back to the Hamilton Street. Anyone else wishing to speak about Hamilton Street? I'm sorry, ma'am. Hello. Good evening, everyone. My name
is Yatin Patel and we own the 653 Hamilton Street and we own 645 Hamilton Street and uh I I never come in the meeting. I just first time I came and I see the letter came in the mail this
like CY 2025 special assessment. So I I don't even know what is that assessment and where they going to invest the money. But uh in my house they don't they put the zero money and like only the 653 they put like
$71.94. So that's uh I have no idea what is that for the money for the assessment. So So you you want to know what that money is for? So you're in a special improvement district and that money can
only be spent on improvements within the special improvement district. It's been used for things like um tree planting, sidewalk replacement, um street lighting, banners, the the the events that occur on Hamilton Street are funded out of
that. Um, you know, and I know there's a number of people here, and I just want to remind council, um, up until 2014, the Hamilton Street Business District was a
corporation that um did the annual uh assessments for the special improvement district. In 2014, council took over the responsibilities of that. Since 2014, there has been no assessment. So the 20 2014 was the last
year for an assessment and since then there have been none. So in the last 10 years there have been no assessments to fund any of the projects along Hamilton Street. This SID um budget calls for an
assessment of $34,268.34. The way that that's calculated is just based on your the assessed value of your property times a multiplier. This multiplier to get to that number is 0.0020004 cents per 100. Um so it yes that residential properties are not
assessed as part of the only commercial properties. So you have you have that one property that's a commercial property right and that property got that that your number is correct 71 and change and how that like uh that going to be every quarter that going so no
that's that's an annual assessment that's annual assessment that's an annual assessment and it'll it'll be uh the the it's paid quarterly like you know like taxes right every quarter um and it's just for this year only for
this year there could be an assessment next year or not depending on what uh what work is uh the the improvement district is looking to to do. What I what I would strongly suggest to anyone including the the gentlemen who have
already spoken about this is that you know the Hamilton Street Advisory Board is comprised of a number of different types of members. There are resident members. You're a resident member, you could be on the ad advisory board. Um
there are local business members um and then there are staff members. Mr. Dominac is the director as far as staff is concerned and there are elected officials. If you want to know what's happening in the Hamilton Street District, you can attend the meetings.
Um the meetings are held here in this room, right? You're you're generally every every usually now they they've gone to quarterly meetings. Um but certainly what I would say is that you should speak to Mr. Dominac who's the director and he can he can give you
information uh that would you know maybe help you in in understanding the things that are being done and what's going to be done in the future. Yes, absolutely. Okay. So but yes it is just an annual assessment and it's this year's assessment like I said that may not be
the case next year or you know it could be less it could be more it could be none and it's going to be effect for the residential house next year or that no it's it's never for houses. It's always only just for commercial and that's
that's by the the um by design. It's intended for commercial assessments for the improvement of you know the the shopping district along Hamilton district but the couple Johnny told that they have a lot of like dispensary
stores over there and like getting and they're getting an assessment too. Any building that's a commercial property gets an assessment. Yes. Okay. Thank you very much. You're welcome. Miss Javon Walker, 15 Street. Um, Mr.
Borlocker, I'm curious to know what the total assessment like what's the total price for all the improvements being done for Hamilton. The the assessment is what I just told you, 34268. I don't have I mean I can let me let me just do something here. Um, hold
on. So, what I might be able to do for you is total up the column here. Bear in mind that the assessed value is going to include all properties in the SID, not just the commercial properties that are
assessed. It's going to include every um So, I could so I could assume that 34,000 is going to be raised from all the commercial properties. That's it. So, 34,000 is raised from all of the commercial properties. The total assessed value in this SID is 235
million. Um like I said this this spreadsheet I'm looking assess or fair market value. That's the assessed value. Gotcha. So and it's based on an assessment. So any any property that is commercial has an assessment. These these assessments annually range from
what looks to be in there's a couple properties here that are only assessed about you know 35 or $40. And the largest assessment is one of the big shopping centers. Okay. And that looks to be about $3827.
All right. So, question for you andor the council. Is it possible to set up like an ordinance where the first hit that you raise from uh from raising the taxes and and reassessing uh values is to the cannabis dispensaries? Is that
possible or do you have like basically what I'm saying is you sent out a special assessment to be able to pay for these improvements, right? He said well there there's an ordinance that created a special improvement district 20 years ago. Okay. And that special improvement
district requires certain things to be done and that's one of those things is an assessment to raise funds for the improvements along the district. Hence the name special improvement district. Um, and that was that was a decision of council many many years ago. Like I
said, that special improvement district was run by a district management corporation. Okay. For years and it was determined that there was dissatisfaction in the manner in which it was being run and the work and the the work that was being done. Um, and so
the decision was by council to take um and and be the district management corporation. uh and appoint an executive director and create a Hamilton Street advisory board as opposed to the district management corporation having
their own, you know, and it was a a 501c3 corporation. Um, is it possible to propose like a a new ordinance that can supersede that? Is that possible? You you can propose anything you want to the nine people that sit next to me, but I would suggest it before you propose
things, maybe you attend a meeting. That's fair. Yeah. Okay. All right. Um, that's it for me. Just wanted to ask on that. Yep. Ju just to let you know that the next meeting of the advisory board is on July 7th if I'm not mistaken. So,
anybody who's interested to learn more, if they have a question, please come to that meeting. It's going to be here at 7:00 and there you will see the members of that advisory board and then you can ask all all questions that you have. Thank you.
Anyone else? M. Just we'll close out and then we'll Yeah, we'll close the public portion. Mayor, we have a public portion still. Okay, go ahead. Yeah, just I know Councilman Wright wants to speak, but I mayor, I'll motion. Mr. Vasinella,
let me speak. Does anyone else wish to speak? That's what I was going to ask. Okay. Sorry, mayor. That's what I was getting to. So, if no one else wants to speak about the Hamilton assessment, I'm going to motion to close the public portion.
Second that, mayor, I just have one comment. Um, do the residents of the Hamilton Street. Uh, there's a motion on the table. Is there a motion to close public session? So, moved. Moved and seconded. Second.
Moved and seconded twice. No. Well, all in favor of closing public sessions. I let me say it. Wow. Opposed. Okay. Thank you. You have a Yeah. So, I'm I'm just looking at the board
committee commission vacancies. There is a Hamilton Street Advisory Board. There is a vacancy for 100% residential member and one of the gentlemen who lives Mr. Baptist who lives in the street as as a and has as has a
residence. I would ask you become a member of the Hamilton gentleman that I was just talking to. I I that's why I said it. There is a vacancy. So you can become a member. There's three vacancies. I think there's two left. But for what it's worth um right in line
with what Councilman Ram is saying, we are looking. Matter of fact, I have a proposal. I just haven't had time to put it forward. um been work talking to Councilwoman Francois. Uh we're going to add slots for
I don't want to get into exact details because we were going to talk about it in our meeting as we're supposed to do and we'll bring it but to where people from the public both uh business and residents can get more involved because I think there's a lot going on there and a lot more people want to. So yes, I encourage people to come to the meeting.
There are some openings and there very well may be even more openings in the near future. And that really is the way to to have your voice heard because everything that is voted on everything that is spent is recommended by that
group and you could be part of that discussion and that proposed budget and the items budgeted comes out of those work sessions. And we don't just rubber stamp, but unless we find something really off about it, we will tend to go
with their recommendation. Just to put it in practical terms, we technically have control, but we defer to this advisory board of volunteers. So, please, please get involved. And Mr. Baptist left. He's been here for decades and a very reasonable man. Um, I don't
go by the philosophy it's only $10 or $50, but to put into perspective because some numbers came up. It has, it is very low and that $70 you mentioned is for an entire year. So to put into perspective, these assessments are
extremely small bits in comparison to other special investment districts in the state and other types of programs like this. So you're really getting a lot. And and there was something mentioned about it goes for things like trees. It does. Although recently, and one reason we have not had an assessment
that cost one dime to the commercial properties for over a for a decade now, as the manager was pointing out, is because we've been doing things innovatively, like finding a quarter million dollars in a shade tree fund that paid for a quarter million dollars
worth of important green improvements. and we didn't have to ask one dime from the assessments from the B. So years ago there were some good things done with the money and not such good things. We revamped it. One of the first things I think Mr. Vornlocker did if I remember
is myself and some other council people restructure and we spent hours and hours thinking the best way to do it. And is it perfect? Probably not. But it's pretty darn good and a lot better than it used to be. So again in a decade that the ordinance changed in the whole
structure zero zero uh cost to the commercial uh owners now there's a very small cost we will do what we can to keep it to minimal amount or nothing but again get involved you will I don't want to say control but you will have a say in the narrative and what uh how your
money is spent. So, I just wanted to put it into kind of a uh perspective uh that hopefully will answer some of these questions and concerns. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
I have no microphone counsel. Somebody mentioned cannabis, and I want to address that issue right quick. Um, we didn't see it
coming. We looked at it. Um, and I'm going to say it was a grab for tax dollars. My colleagues might say I'm wrong, but that's what I thought it was. And um, we didn't see the
amount of uh, cannabis shops coming. Now, should we have capped it earlier? Yes. But it didn't happen. When we realized it, we caught up to it. We capped it. And then we had it roll back
down to what we wanted it. And did we start at 21? Do did we cap at 21 and roll down to 18? M. Mr. Born Locker, 18 is the number. It's 18.
18. Yes. Okay. And um I'm going to take the hit for that. Maybe I shouldn't. Uh now, as far as looking at that cannabis situation, I don't like it. It's
here and I have to put my hands around it to strangle it because yes, we do have it here. Yes, they are on on the side street and yes, unfortunately there are
three one two three four I believe in walking distance from the fire department community fire department I don't know Berry Street all the way down to and I don't
know what the gas station is Um, Mr. Dominic, what is the gas station on Hamilton Street? The last one across the street from what I think is the Korean church. I'm talking about the BP Amico. Yeah,
that's Sheno Shenco and Hamilton Street. Between that stretch, um, there's probably four. There four of them there. And, uh, two of them you can just like walk out of one and walk into the other store.
And what we're looking for is attrition. Not everybody can survive being right next door to each other. Somebody has to go. It's the law of economics. You know how people want to start at the far ends, but they they
they get greedy and they keep moving and before you know it, they side by side. Somebody got to go. And that's one thing that I I'm looking for. um to whittle them down. So, I got to put myself in that
position of just waiting for that to happen. It's going to be a while, but I got my finger on that switch. Now, um again, tax dollars
again. Um didn't see it coming. We thought it was going to be one thing and god forbid it turned out to be something else. I don't I don't know what the tax dollars what have we brought in so far. Do you know Mr. Dominic? How
much so far? Um I would say in 2023 I think it was $120,000 give or take and in 2024 it was about 400,000. So, we're up to about 520 and uh I would I I you know without
speculation no without speculation it will go up this year there's other types of businesses that have come online that besides dispensaries where we'll also get um tax money uh you know cultivating and and distribution right businesses as
well. Um, you know, there there certainly is a saturation point. We've talked about that on a number of occasions where regardless of the number of dispensaries you have, there's only so much demand. Um, so, you know, I would imagine at some point once, you
know, we'll hit that saturation point. I think one has already closed. Um, and I think that's probably because there was uh much anticipation that wasn't met as far as their business was concerned. That's what I'm looking at. That's and
that's going to happen. Yeah. So, with that in mind, I'm sorry, but uh blame it on me. I'll take the hit. My backyard. My backyard. I said 44 for my
backyard. And um we're going to make do. But again, um we just have to watch that marijuana. I want I thought it was going to end up like the liquor stores being so far
apart that you could handle it, but it didn't happen that way. We didn't see it that way. We didn't zone it that way, and I should have looked at it. Um, but that's what happened to the
marijuana. I want to make sure everybody knows where it came from, how it got there, so that when it comes time to actually put a finger on it, the finger's right over here. Thank you. Go ahead. So, there's two things I
want to say. I want to piggyback on what Councilman Wright said. Yes, the market is overly saturated and we did put a cap because of that and because of demand some of them will close because over supply and under demand eliminates business. Number two, I want to say I
heard a lot here tonight about we're assessing you and you want to know what's going on with the money. I also heard that, you know, you're not too copy with the trees and the garbage cans and the what we did put in cameras what I think helped with security on that on
on Hamilton Street. But um what we need to hear, we we've certainly mentioned that people need to get involved and we want you to get involved. We need your input. But I think for those of us that are on the Hamilton Street Advisory Board, we need to listen to the complaints that we heard tonight, where
we're we're assessing people and they don't like what we're doing with the money that they that we have assessed them on, even though we haven't done an assessment in over 10 years. So, we need to take that under advisement. You know, there's four of us up here on the Hamilton Street Advisory Board. And you
know, and it is very unfortunate that we had so many cannabis businesses come to Hamilton Street. And that's why we put a cap. Like Councilman Rice said, we didn't foresee it was going to happen that way, but it's called free enterprise. So that's all I have to say,
Mr. Mayor. Anyone else? No. And and and and not that I want to sound defensive of of what Councilwoman Francois just said, but the reality is is that the voters of the state of New Jersey voted to legalize cannabis. The voters here in
Franklin Township overwhelmingly voted to legalize cannabis. The decision was made by the governing body to allow cannabis dispensaries and the cannabis regulatory commission throughout the the the
uh early stages of licensing of uh cannabis facilities. made it known loud and clear often that towns would be limited to the number of cannabis dispensaries and that, you know, in in a
town our size, we should anticipate no more than eight licenses. And I'm not talking about eight dispensary licenses. I mean eight licenses for any type of cannabis business. And what clearly happened was
while the state of New Jersey voters voted to pass cannabis as and legalize cannabis um and municipalities where many many many municipalities where the voters overwhelmingly voted yes chose not to
allow for cannabis dispensaries in their towns. So these businesses h were severely limited as to where they could go and the regulatory commission went back on their word bottom line and they approved way more than we thought they
ever would in a very short period of time. And you know we we did what we did but I I think that there were there was a lot of double cross let's put it that way and and once that happened we realized that that's when we put a cap.
Okay. M. Uh, so there was also a question of no prior notice. Um, Mr. Dominic, do you want to address that? Well, no p well, no notice goes out by
by the clerk makes notice to every property owner in the manner uh, you know, in certified in regular mail. Um, so there's that's the only way to do notice on any type of
assessment. So every parcel in the SID that has an address attached to it received regular mail and certified mail. And did we do it at the time as appropriate? Yes. Microphone. Microphone. Amory. It had to
be at least 10 days and it was over 10. Okay. 10 days from what? From today mayor, I think that's where some of the confusion comes that some of the people here and just put this is important. I think they are suggesting they weren't notified
prior to the Hamilton budget being sent to council or council voting to approve the budget. So although we're following the law the way we're supposed to with informing them of the insessment after the fact, I think what may be helpful and we
can't figure it out tonight is a way for them because not everybody can get involved or go to the meetings, but could be made aware of the budget if they're in the district when it's being discussed and then uh I'm going to say uh uh recommended to council for passage
because that's when it would these issues would be perhaps part of how that budget evolves and is finally presented to council. So, we're following the law, but I think we can do more is what I'm saying. The budget is published in the newspaper. I understand that, but it's a and we are following
the law. And I I I know you're following the law, but I'm saying this is a special investment district, and I would like us to explore, we don't have to do it tonight, ways that they could be aware prior to in a way where it's almost too late.
So again, I just want to add that clarity because I think that's too late. If you voted no to the improvement district assessment, then you would have to go back and would have to um You're right, Mr. Roacher. I'm just saying from a pract practical standpoint, the end result, right? But at a practical
standpoint, we could have more constructive input as opposed to some upset or lastm minute concerns brought to council as it's going through that process which starts I'm going to say a few months
back from where we're at now. So, we're not going to solve it tonight, but again, I think we can come up with something because it is a special assessment that we notify the people that could actually end up having to pay additional taxes. So, I just make one
comment on that. There there are a few things folks can do. you can subscribe to the website and you can check off boxes for the different boards and commissions you're interested in and when there's updates related to those like uh uh agendas you can get a notice
in your inbox and you can click on it and see if there's anything of interest. Um, so I think the technology is already there. Um, and we have a lot of public notice requirements within the public open meetings act and it's incumbent upon the affected folks to to follow
those. And you know, this hearing of the budget is the official notice for it. But I I don't think, you know, we need to pay an airplane to fly over the area to let them know it's happening. I would suggest folks to look into that. If you have questions, you can contact the clerk or the folks in the business
office. I subscribe to a lot of different things, the boards and commissions I'm not on to get those updates so I can monitor what's happening and decide if I'm going to attend. It's a great reminder and it's a, you know, not AI, but it's a a nice technological feature. Mr. Dominic, the question was asked,
what is the money going to be used for? Well, this year's budget is 40,000, but 6,000 of that is money that can only be spent on emergency preparedness. So, the majority of the money is being spent on marketing
banners. We hold events on Junth, Week of the People, and miscellaneous and for Halloween. That's where most of the money is spent. And it's and that's that's every year. Most of the money is is spent doing that. In the past, we've spent money on
various studies. As Mr. Vornocker pointed out, we spent about a half a million dollars in the last uh 10 years doing infrastructure improvements which included sidewalk and curbing and the tree removal and the tree plantings and
several hundred other thousand dollars on other types of improvements. Most of that, the majority of that is not through the special assessment. It's because the township was able to find funds from CDBG or the shade tree
commission because of the way the council decided it's in the past the SID would just would have raised the taxes for the last would have raised a half a million dollars and it would have used that. You gave Bob and I a mandate to not tax to try to find the money through
different sources which is what we've been doing with the help of the three or four of your council people said making sure that we do that don't tax them every year. Prior to the council taking over the SID and the improvement and and
as as the management corporation the annual budget was between 80 and $90,000 a year. Yep. And all of that was raised through assessment every year. Every year. Every year. Every year. Okay. This assessment is
about what they say $35,000. You know, a little bit less than $35,000. Um I'll also remind you that that when it was a district management corporation, the executive director drew a salary of about $50,000
a year of that 80 of that 80 to 90,000. Um and uh so you know yeah he's gone now. He well that was Mr. Papis was the last executive director. Um and so just
to clarify it was 30 though. H just for clarification it was 45,000 in this last year. Oh I thought yeah but prior we had a whole different structure before I got on council that that it cost a lot I think is what you're referring to. But we're we're definitely cleaned it up.
And again, with the remainder in that SID budget, once council took it over, you have gone the next 10 years without doing an assessment. It's pretty significant. Mr. Mayor, if I may just
add one comment here. Sure. Uh let's just remember that the marketing that Mr. Dominic mentioned the whole idea is to attract people to come to that part of the town. So it's going to be benefiting the businesses. So
that's the purpose and then we hoping that people from across town will come and do shopping, do some other activities and so forth in in Hamilton Street area. One of the one of the biggest complaints from business owners
10 years ago was the safety on Hamilton Street. Um at that time for extra patrols the special improvement district would pay the police department for offduty officers to patrol on Hamilton Street. Um the commitment that council
has made since then has created a community relations bureau manned uh on Hamilton Street, I believe right next to your building, sir. Um and so they've installed cameras at uh eight different locations that are monitored by the
police department. 24/7. Um th those were things that were done after um council took over the SID. Um and so now police officers patrol Hamilton Street, not at the cost of the business owners, but at the cost of the
township and there are officers dedicated to the Hamilton Street area as part of the community relations bureau. So there there have been a number of commitments that have been able that have allowed us, Vince and I, to keep it to where we didn't need to do an
assessment until now. Any other comments? So, resolution 25210, adoption of the calendar year 2020 2025 Hamilton Street Special Improvement District Assessment Role is presented to the township
council for adoption. Do we have a motion? Seconded. Moved and seconded. This is now where we're supposed to have the discussion. We already had it, but does anyone else does anyone have something else to say?
Madame Clerk. Councilman Embarrison. Yes. Councilwoman Francois. Yes. Councilman Kurazzi. Yes. Mayor Kramer. Yes. Councilman Oniaka. Yes. Council member Bataznik. Deputy Mayor Roudin. Yes. Councilman Vasinella. Yes. Councilman Wright. Yes.
Item number 14, public hearing and adoption of ordinance. On second reading, there are none. Ordinance on introduction and first reading. There are none. Consent agenda. Items A through N as listed on the consent agenda portion of this meeting are presented to the township council for
adoption. Do we have a motion on the consent agenda? So moved. Second. Moved and seconded. Anyone have a question? Like to pull an item, discuss an item? Madame clerk. Councilman Embarrison. Yes. Councilwoman Francois. Yes.
Councilman Karazzi. Yes. I'm sorry. Mayor Mayor Kramer. Yes. Okay. Councilman Oni Jaka. Yes. Council member Pataznik. Deputy Mayor Dean. Yes. Councilman Vasinella. Yes. Councilman Right. Yes. Old business.
2025 boards, committees, and commission vacancies. Does anyone have a nomination? Nope. So, I have a nomination for a committee that's not listed here. Back in 2023, we uh voted to have a committee
for the 250th anniversary of our nation. Um the county is beginning to get active about it. Um there are various organizations uh propping up to help celebrate that. I
would like to get this committee uh going. I I want the 250th anniversary to uh be well represented here uh in town. Um maybe go a little overboard with the fireworks. Maybe do have a drone show.
Think out of thinking out of the box. We can have a battle reenactment. We can have some lectures about the uh revolutionary war times. We we can and we can draw tourism with that. Uh so I would like to nominate as the
chair a name that's come up before tonight is Mr. Lort. Uh he's done as we've all just recognized an excellent job with Memorial Day um and Veterans Day. Uh and I think he'd be a great
person to head up this committee and we we'll start stocking with more people and more ideas. So I nominate Mr. Lort. Are there any other nom for chair? Are there any other nominations for that position? Just a question. Did you talk to him? Is he willing to chair? I told
him he will be chairman. Okay. You volunt him. Volunt him. Very very well put. Good choice, man. And he he gratefully uh and happily accept. That's wonderful. Any other nominations for this position?
Can do it by acclamation. All in favor say I. I. Oppose say nay. Haha. Mr. the court. We thank you for your service. Let's see. Um any other nominations?
Um executive session. There is none adjournment. Do we have a motion to adjurnn? So moved. Seconded. Moved and seconded. All in favor say I. I. Opposed say nay. We are adjourned. Good luck. Be well. Franklin.