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 700 p.m. on Tuesday, October 28th, 2025.
>> Thank you. Um, if we could all stand for the Pledge of Allegiance followed by invocation by Councilman 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 [Applause] >> as we Excuse me. If everybody could remain standing, please. As we gather here today as members of
the Franklin Township Council, we pray that we are ever mindful of all opportunities to render our service to our fellow citizens and to our entire community, keeping in mind always the enduring values of life, exerting our efforts in those areas and those things
upon which future generations can build with confidence. Let us continue to strive to make a better world. Amen. Madame clerk, please call the role. >> Councilman embarrass >> here. >> Councilwoman Francois >> here.
>> Councilman Karazzi >> present. >> Mayor Kramer >> here. >> Councilman Oni Jaka >> here. >> Council member Bataznik. >> Deputy Mayor Udin. >> Oh wow. >> Councilman Vasinella >> here. >> Councilman Wright >> here. So, I finagled the uh agenda a little
bit and um I we have some visiting dignitaries and completely out of protocol. I'm having Mr. Lort uh present them. >> Good evening. I'm Baba, chairman of the Franklin 250 committee forum to
celebrate Franklin Township's role in the American Revolution. Uh, as we approach its 250th anniversary in 2026, here's something truly special. Franklin Township has been recognized as one of
the 60 victory towns and 200 nationally. That designation honors communities that played a vital role in the historic 700mile march to Yorktown, and Franklin Township was right in the heart of it.
Our 19 our committee of 19 members has been working tire tirelessly to bring the the legacy to life. I'd like to recognize each of them tonight alphabetical order. Barbara Breckley,
Jay Bird, Bill Carstat, Nick Nigdale, Brad Fay, Bill Grio, Bob Hudac, Randy Jones, Chris Kelly, Mayor Phil Kramer, George Luck, Glenn McParland, Terry Sergio, Councilman James Vasinella,
Jennifer Welch, employees who've been great, Isaiah, Steven Dah, Christa Hagenus, Safy Clannon as Franklin Day the residents met George Washington heard a fifon drum
watched Matthew Ruspollo carry General Washington's flag and you posed with general you walked away with your own copy of the Declaration of Independence. Today's Franklin 250 history was with a handshake. We also have commemorative
coins designed to bring our g our own uh that are unique to Franklin. Glenn McParlland was a designer of those coins. They're beautiful keepsakes that honor our local history and they've already sparked excitement across the
community. Starting this January, we'll host events every month leading up to the big anniversary. Each one is designed to to be educational and interactive and give residents a glimpse of the life of Franklin Township 250
years ago. You can find all the upcoming events and historical highlights on Franklin's page on Franklin's 250 page on the township website. We invite everyone to join us whether you're a history buff or just curious
about the past that shaped our present. Before I do, I'd like to introduce someone who's helped bring Franklin's revolution revolutionary legacy to life. Brad Fay of Griggstown, a living historian and spark behind Franklin's
march into America's 250. Brad has brought two special guests with him tonight. And I've been told if I say these words, open a door to the past, something special may happen. And Brad's going to uh give something to
and read something to the council. Thank you. Let me just begin by introducing Generals Washington and Rosh Shambo portrayed by two local men who uh have been studying this for a very long time and who bring a really authentic
look and knowledge to the role. Um and it's particularly appropriate that they should be with me here today. Um, and I just also want to acknowledge up on the screen there, we have a picture from Franklin Day where we really launched all of this. Um, with some of the same
reenactors, a great group of people that were there. It's the beginning of a very exciting year for a town like Franklin that has so many different connections to the American Revolution. And I'd like to to start by focusing on the one that
involves these two generals. Um, I I am regularly working with an organization called the Washington Roshambo Revolutionary Root Association. It's a mouthful, so we abbreviate it by W3R. And uh, today we're presenting a letter
to the council um, about the history of the trail that passes through Franklin Township. And I'd like to read that letter because I think it describes for you a really great moment in the history of Franklin Township. And if um
township manager wouldn't mind also clicking to the next picture, I'll I'll show you uh the map uh as well. So the letter reads, "Dear Mayor Kramer, the surrender of Lord Cornwallis to General George Washington and the Comp
Roshambo at Yorktown on October 19th, 1781 rang in the end of the American War of Independence. In the summer and fall of that year, thousands of American and French forces had walked, ridden, and sailed almost 700 miles along the
eastern seabboard. In 2009, Congress designated the land and sea lanes through nine states from New England to Virginia, the Washington Roshambo Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail. The hundreds of cities, towns, and hamlets they passed through, we call
them victory towns, stretched from New England to Virginia, Continental Army and its French allies, marched from Newport and Providence, Rhode Island, through Hartford, Connecticut, Trenton, New Jersey, Philadelphia, P uh Pennsylvania, Wilmington, Delaware, Baltimore, and they marched through
Franklin Township, earning the township the designation as a victory town, hoping that the capture of New York City, the center of British power at the time. Washington had concentrated Allied forces north of the city in July 1781. When a letter by
French Admiral Degrasse brought news that he was sailing to the Chesapeake rather than to New York City, Washington on August 14th decided to deploy to Virginia. The need to keep the march hidden from British General Sir Henry Clinton. Um Washington ordered the
construction of large ovens in Chadam to bake troop bread for the troops, reinforcing the idea that a siege of New York City was underway. Yet during August 1781, the Allied armies crossed New Jersey toward Pennsylvania on several parallel routes, which you're
seeing in the map up there, to assure access to food, water, straw, and firewood, as well as to hide the scale of troop movements. On August 28th, the units of the Continental Army under Ben General Benjamin Lincoln lay encamped at Springfield. The remainder under Colonel
Lamb camped at Chadam. French forces lay further west at Whippony. On August 30th, both American and French columns entered Franklin Township. Lincoln's units departed from their camp along the river road in Raritan Landing and marched through Franklin Park to
Kingston where they set up tents for the night. The next day they marched on present day route 27 through Princeton to Trenton where they joined their comrades for a crossing of the Delaware River. French troops staying on the west bank of the Milstone River marched down
River Road to Griggstown where they crossed the river and marched on the east bank to Kingston. They recrossed the Milstone and marched on Route 27 through Princeton to their camp on the road at Trenton. By the evening of August 30th, 1781, the
Continental Army had marched through Franklin Township. By the evening of September 1, the French army had passed through as well. The routes taken by the two armies that summer define Franklin's eastern and western borders. And the reason I wanted to show that map is you
look at the two the American and French lines. And what you see is you see Franklin because it's following the um the outlines of of the municipality. So, it's kind of a cool way to think about this. Um, as the United States prepares
to recognize its 250th anniversary in 2026, the victory towns of the Washington Rochmpo revolutionary route have special reason to celebrate. During our founding era, they witnessed one of the great military maneuvers in American and world history. A march to victory that helped create an independent United
States of America, the world's longest enduring democracy. Sincerely, Dr. Robert Celig, trail historian and the real expert who knows every bit of this trail through our area as well. And I just want to present the letter.
>> Thank you. This is my shameless way of advertising for Franklin 250. Several events coming up. >> Very good. >> Thank you. >> Is there interest in having a picture with these two fine gentlemen? >> You want a picture? I think the mayor
should get in there and take a picture. >> Maybe in front of the council or something. >> Oh, right in front of there. Looks a little similar. >> Not exactly. >> Anyone who wants to get in the picture is welcome. >> Or anybody doesn't. >> We're all celebrating. 250.
Mr. Ray is not going to out of the way. >> No attorneys allowed. Excuse. Where's Bob Lord? I was in Bob Lord. >> Oh, Bob Lord. >> Come on, Bob. >> Look at this. >> Well, nice.
>> Maybe our maybe our distinguished guests can hold that right in front. >> Okay. If the if the clerk could note that at 7 or at 12 after 7 the mayor lost control of the council meeting
>> to General Washington right >> thank you. We look forward to seeing you all next year. Generals, um, if you two could hang for one second, we're going to have a proclamation. I think you'd be interested there.
So, this is going to be uh a proclamation uh declaring National Veterans and Military Families Month. Uh any veteran, Johnny, Mr. Danielson, who wishes to stand with me as I read it is welcome to
come up. and generals, if you could stand by me. >> Veterans, come on up. >> Stand with the mayor. >> Any other veterans or anyone with anyone who has a military person or a veteran
in their family? >> Come on down. >> Anyone who's got a son or a daughter in the military. >> Okay. >> You should stand. Anyone with a a son or a daughter in the military? Okay.
Thank you, Johnny. National Veterans and Military Families Month. Whereas the United States of America has been blessed with courageous men and women who have answered the call to serve in our armed forces, defending our freedoms, and protecting our nation
with honor, courage, and dedication. And whereas the state of New Jersey and the township of Franklin are proud to be the home to thousands of veterans and active duty military personnel who have served in conflicts from World War II through Korean War, Vietnam War, Gulf War, and
the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as in peaceime service around the globe. And whereas the sacrifices made by our service members extend beyond the individual to encompass their families while providing unwavering support
enduring extended separations and facing unique challenges while their loved ones serve our nation. And whereas military families demonstrate extraordinary strength and resilience maintaining homes and communities while
adopting to frequent relocations. deployment cycles and the demands of military life. And whereas it is our solemn duty to great grateful to as a grateful nation and community to honor the sacrifice and service of our veterans and to recognize the vital
contributions and sacrifices made by military families. I now therefore I, Philip Kramer, the mayor of the township of Franklin, Somerset County, on behalf of the uh Franklin Township Council, uh
do hereby proclaim November 25th as National Veterans and Military Families Month in Franklin Township and encourage all residents to honor our veterans and military families through acts of service, expressions of gratitude, and
continued support for programs that assist them in our community. Thank you. Thank you. Um, we have another proclamation. >> Good evening everyone. All right. So I'm here to present a
proclamation uh to celebrate Hindu Heritage Month which is uh which falls on in October throughout the world. Um so as you know Hinduism originated in India it's not really it's a set of
principles and practices. It's a very flexible religion as you all know. Uh India's one point off of India's 1.4 4 billion Hindus are about 80%. Uh Muslims are about 14%.
By the way, India is the third largest Muslim populated country in the world after Vietn after Indonesia and Pakistan. Um there's a lot of diversity there about two two and a half% Christians and Sikhs. Uh so it's a very diverse country, secular country. So I'm
here to uh celebrate uh call the pro read the proclamation with our good friend and senior Hindu leader from our own town uh Mr. Sudani Liml Sudani for those of yes
for those of you who may not know Mr. and his family very generous to the town uh and to the community. Uh the um gazebo we all enjoy every year in the summer especially uh was made possible
by uh the donation from the Sudani Foundation. We thank you very much for that. and he continues to donate to other good causes including the food bank, the school system, Ruckers University, and
several others. We plan to hit him hard for our OMCA soon. A little plug there for you for OMCA. But um I'm I'm pleased to invite uh Mr. Zani here uh before I read the proclamation
and and the family. Please come. Yeah, we'll take the photograph after the reading. Yes, come on over. So, let me read the proclamation and then I'll give you the mic. Yes, you can stand right here with the mayor. Um, whereas the Hindu faith is one of
the world's oldest religions with a rich history spanning thousands of years and a profound tradition of philosophy, spirituality, and cultural contribution to humanity. And whereas Hindu Americans have been an integral part of the United
States for over 150 years, contributing significantly into the fields of science, medicine, technology, education, business, arts, and public service, while enriching our nation with timeless concepts including yoga, meditation, and principles of
non-violence, truth, and respect for all living beings. And whereas Franklin Township is proud to be home to a vibrant and diverse Hindu community that enriches our township through their cultural traditions, values of peace,
tolerance, and service and active civic engagement. And whereas Hindu festivals such as Diwali, Holi, and Naratri celebrate the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. values that resonate
universally across all communities and strengthen the bonds that unite all residents. And whereas recognizing and celebrating Hindu Heritage Month provides an opportunity for all residents to learn about and appreciate the rich cultural heritage traditions
and contributions of Hindu Americans to our township, our nation, and to the world. Now therefore, Philip Kramer, mayor of Franklin Township, along with the councilman Ram and Barrison and the entire township council do hereby
proclaim the month of October 2025 as Hindu Heritage Month in Franklin Township, Somerset County, New Jersey, and encourage all residents to join in recognizing the invaluable contributions of the Hindu community to our township and to celebrate the diversity that
makes Franklin Township a stronger, more vibrant place to live. [Applause] >> We'll take a photograph >> with a group. Yeah, I think. Yeah. Here.
You want to say a few words? >> Yes. Namaste and good evening to everyone. It is a great honor to join you all this evening to celebrate Hindu Heritage
Month here in Franklin Township. First and foremost, I extend my heartfelt thanks to the Franklin Township management for the continued support and recognition of this important occasion.
A special word of appreciation to councilman at large Mr. Ram Emperor for his kind invitation and for taking the initiative to organize the Hindu heritage month proclamation
on behalf of all Hindus in our township. This year marks the fifth anniversary of Hindu Heritage Month. A moment of pride and reflection for our community. Hinduism is one of the world's most
ancient living traditions. Teaches us the noble principles of Vasuakam. It means the entire world is one family. This profound idea reminds us to live in harmony, respecting all beings and
embracing diversity with compassion. As we celebrate today, let us take moment to remember our roots, our rich cultural heritage and the timeless values we brought from India. our matra
bhumi and karma bhumi which continues to guide us in our journey here in America. It is our collective responsibility to share these values with the next generation so they too can carry forward
our traditions with pride and understanding. Before I conclude, I would like everyone to please join me in giving a big round of applause to Councilman Ram Barasan, the Franklin Township leadership and to
all the participant who made this celebration possible. Thank you all once again for coming together to honor our shared heritage and for strengthening the bonds that unite our community. Thank you.
>> Can we call our friends to have a photograph? Please join us. >> Please our township. Yeah, please come township our other Hindu organization also they
can hold this. >> Come on. Come on. >> Yes. Yes. >> You want to stand here? >> Yeah, we can do that. >> Please join us. me. Hold up one second. I think you missing this young lady right back here.
Move up in the front. No, no, no. Put her in the front. >> She's hidden in the back. >> All right. Put her in the front. There you go. >> Thank you. angle. >> All right. Thank you.
Oh, you watch everything. >> I was fighting. >> Okay. Hello. Revolutionary theme. Washington.
>> If you're leaving, please go. >> I know of no other way to say it. Please enjoy our lobby. >> Please enjoy our lobby. Um okay. Uh that's commendations and
proclamations. Item number seven, upcoming events. Um the only event I know of or not I know of but a big one uh of great importance is Tuesday, November 4th. Vote.
Anyone other council members have an event announcement? There's restaurant week is coming next week, November 2nd through the 8th. It >> is. Okay. >> Do I need Do you have anything else to
say about it? >> No, I was just say it's on our website and the information and restaurants will be posted, I believe, either tomorrow or Thursday um for those participating. uh and just check the website and it runs all week and there'll be discounts
available at all of the locations. Safy was working hard at it today to try to get everything up and uh posted uh by tomorrow. >> Okay. >> Um I wanted to make one announcement about the Northeast Supply Enhancement
Project which is the Williams Transco pipeline and compressor station 206. Um, there is an air quality permit hearing that the New Jersey D is doing on Thursday, November 13th from 5:30 p.m.
to 9:30 p.m. If you're interested in registering, information is available on the Franklin Township website. If you visit the um Nessie Compressor Station Task Force page and then you scroll down to the news section, you can click on the hearing and register for that.
They'll do it first come first serve by registration and I think it's limited to about three minutes. The previous water quality permit um they ran out of time and everyone spoke opposed. Not one person spoke in favor. So we know this
is not only wrong for our community, but we need to make sure that the Department of Environmental Protection knows that we're opposed and for reasons um that they can reject the permit. And uh this is for air quality. two of the 16,000 horsepower compressors running on that
fracked natural gas and the pollution from it. Um, so that that's happening and I want to make folks aware. Members of council did testify previously opposed. If you're interested in attending, make sure you register as well and indicate that you're a member of council so that you can hopefully go
earlier in the queue. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Anyone else? Um, okay. Uh we are now to item number eight, public discussion. I ask for unanimous consent to open to the public. Seeing no
objections, we are open to the public. Anyone wishing to speak on any matter related to government uh may do so. You have five minutes. No yielding of time. May only come up once. >> Yeah. Otherwise, no one will hear you. Okay.
Well, we'd like to be heard. Uh, first of all, I'd like to thank the mayor and the township and the council for allowing or sponsoring the no kings event. It was a great day. >> So, that was I just want to correct you that was not sponsored by the township.
>> I wasn't sure. That's why I said I wasn't sure what. Nevertheless, allowing it to occur. It was an important day, a great day. And I also have to give kudos to the police who I think did a terrific job that day. So I wanted to get that on
the record. Uh the second thing is >> your name and address. >> Yes, I'm sorry. Thank you. Norman Roberts, 15 Benjamin Street, Somerset, New Jersey. Uh the second thing is I would like to get an update on the litigation regarding the uh updated
nuisance ordinance and the hearing that was held by Judge Menon several weeks ago. And I'd like to know if the town in the event that the ordinance is uh ruled against by the judge, whether the town
is prepared to appeal it in whole or if part of it is struck down such as the hours of operation and noise. Uh what the position of the town will be in that situation and that is my question. Uh four minutes
left. Okay, thank you. I forgot to add, please state your name and address. Thank you, Mr. Mr. or Dr. Kurazzi for correcting me. Anyone else wishing to speak? >> Good evening. My name is Eugene Waltz.
I'm a resident of Franklin Township since 1972. Uh my question is in reference to the school taxes. Uh my youngest son is 55 years old
and my question is why am I paying school taxes? And I know a lot of other homeowners in the township are asking the same question. And I would like someone up
there uh to give me uh an idea of why we're paying homeowners taxes and we don't have children in school. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Anyone else wishing to speak? We we answer all the questions
afterwards. >> Oh, okay. I'm fine with that. >> Good. Thank you. Jan Brandt uh 22 Bryant Court. Um first I want to thank um Mr. Vornocker and
Vince Dominic um recently when I've had questions that I've had to like reach out and ask them. Um they've gotten back to me quickly and been quite courteous and always have lots of information for me. So Vince isn't here, but thank you Mr. Vornlacer for um all the help.
>> He's probably listening. >> Okay. Thanks, Vince. Um, second, um, wanted to state that, um, um, I know I had some recent messaging with the mayor, um, who I consider a friend, and, um, there was something that was published in the, uh,
Franklin report. I was just talking to Mr. Bowman. He said to, you know, that I could submit a correction and all, but, I was upset because something was taken totally out of context, and I have it right here. And even more upset because it's caused me some hurt. And now Miss
Udin has posted it on her Facebook page. So I'm glad she's present so she could hear because I'm sure she realizes um the inaccuracies of it. Maybe she'll take it off her Facebook page. But um Miss Dina Lux had posted something um her opinion on the page and one of the
things that she said is that um she quoted me as saying I'm not against warehouses and um but she gave me credit for Sea Wagon all and that's totally taken out of context because anytime I've said I'm not against warehouses and you all up
here could probably verify it as well. So Missin posting this knowing that this is a lie. I'm against warehouses when they're put next to residential areas and everybody knows that. So just putting an article as an op-ed and saying that Jan Brandt isn't against
warehouses is um defamation. Um I also want to say that she said that um that I stood with the mayor in support. Yes, the mayor's a friend of mine and I supported him the last election and municipal government is really about the person, really not about the party. And
yes, I did take a picture with him of my backyard and he is my friend. And before I planned on running, I actually met with him and sat down with him. So, I just want you all to know that. So, if somebody's trying to uh defame me by saying that I stood with the mayor and I
was in support of the mayor. Um that I totally agree with. That's not a lie. But, um but she posted that as as if it's it's going to be a bad thing. But I don't like that she puts um like a spin on something that really isn't true
about me. So I I will publish something, send something to Mr. Bowman, but um I I don't appreciate when people put it on their Facebook page and could get the wrong idea about what I stand for and what I'm about. Um and I really totally believe that municipal government, we
all want the same thing. And one of the things that I when I met with the mayor, I said, "I'll work with everybody that I I want what's good for the community." And the only reason why I'm running against you, Massud, is because I think I could do a better job. I'm not going to say anything bad about you. Um,
you're a nice person. We were friends, too. I just think I could do a better job for the community. And that's what I'm running against you. So, I really I've tried to run a campaign that I'm not saying anything negative about anybody. I'm not, you know, trying to put people's words differently. I'm
really trying to run run a positive thing about what I can do for government. So, I just want to say that. But thank you all. >> Thank you. Anyone else wishing to speak? >> I'm Robin Sedam, 54 Skilman's Lane. Just a question. If I want to speak in favor of the proposed ordinance about fossil
fuels, do I do this now or will there be a separate comment here? So you can speak about anything to do with government now, but there is a separate uh portion for that. >> I'll wait for that. >> Okay. >> Did I handle that legally correctly? >> Correct.
>> Thank you. >> Hello all. Uh I'm a student of Ruckers University and I'm here on an assignment. Uh if any of you are wondering, um >> name and address and you need to get really close to the microphone. My name is Moss Mo Lenge. Uh I live at the Harrison apartment 575 East and A
apartment 15N if anyone you know wants to stop by. Um so my question is uh with the uh ordinance regarding the generators uh how will compliance for this new ordinance be checked? Uh will it be checked through complaints,
inspections or some other process? That's all. >> Okay. Thank you. Uh hello, my name is uh John Stone. I'm a Rucker student here as well. Um and uh my name is John Stone. Uh I live at 510
Hamilton Street, uh Somerset, New Jersey. And uh my question is, uh will the township share clear timelines and notices before road work starts? >> Thank you. Anyone else? Seeing no one else come forward, I ask
for unanimous consent to close the public portion. Hearing no objection, public portion is closed. Uh time to address the public comments, the nuisance ordinance. Do you have any update?
>> I I don't. And um you know obviously if there's a court decision whatever it is we'll talk to the council about it. I think council at to date has been committed to the ordinance and u filing an appeal um should there be an adverse ruling.
>> Uh school taxes. Um I'm happy to answer that. So I don't have children. I've never had children. I frankly didn't want children. I proudly pay my school taxes because it's it's good for
society. We need to fund our schools. And I I always think when someone comes up and says, "My kids are out of school. Why am I paying?" When your kids were in school, did you say the older people shouldn't have to pay for my kids? I
mean, that does doesn't come up. I'm not trying to embarrass you. I'm just saying that's the irony. So when I go to a doctor, when I go to a lawyer, when I go to the guy serving my food at a deli, I want them to be
educated. I want them to know about germs and washing their hands and all those kinds of things. So society is better with our with our schools. And people would not be able to pay for our children uh to go to schools if it was
relegated to just a few. That said, and I've said this many times, property taxes are a stupid way to pay for schools. It should be done by a means tax. The more money you have available to pay, then you should pay more. And I,
as people know, I'm a doctor. I probably would have to pay more. Uh, Assemblyman Danielson is here. We had a news uh press conference just last week about pushing the legislation or actually he
wanted a study um to end property taxes for schools. It's just it's the wrong way to do it. But for now, if we're that's what we're going to do, then everyone's got to pay. But I I mean I
I'm half agreeing with you and half disagreeing with you. We need to change the way we uh pay for our schools. Um I hope that answers your question. Um Miss Brandt, uh thank you for your
comments. Anyone else? >> Mayor. >> Yes. >> I just want to quickly mention with taxes because the window I think is closing right now. There is a great program in the state assuming gets funded every
year will be even greater for those people 65 and older that uh believe make under 400,000 is a pretty high threshold. It could be lowered in the future, but point is if you fill out the paperwork by August
31st, uh you are likely likely to re October 31st, you are likely to get a 50% reduction in your property taxes up to $6,500. Still not sure why more of that uh which
is the best um way right now until more is done perhaps through what the mayor was talking about to relieve the tax burden for seniors especially seniors that have reasonable amount of um money that contributed back into the economy. So, for what it's worth, that is a
really big program. You can say if you're you have $13,000 property taxes and you qualify, it will be reduced to 6,500, assuming it keeps getting funded by the state legislature each year. But, um, the window is closing October 31st and really spread the word to people. I
still find, you know, there's the anchor program, all that other stuff. this can very well yield you thousands of dollars on top of whatever uh senior discounts, freezes, uh etc. you're getting. So, that's something that that I think is
great. The mayor, what the mayor was talking about will even be better long term, but we want seniors to stay in New Jersey um of of a pretty wide range of economic means because that does fuel the economy. Thank you. >> Thank you. Um the generator the question
about the generator ordinance will be answered when we get to that which won't be very long from now. Uh there was a question about road work. >> So I'd love to know and we can talk about it later what class you're taking at Ruckers for that question. Um perhaps
in the engineering uh department but um in Franklin Township all road work is listed for paving purposes on our website. Um, in addition, we utilize the NIXLE system to alert motorists that uh
of impending uh road work, whether it be planned road work or emergency road work. Um, so those are the two primary methods to get information out. The the website is also will trigger emails for those people who sign up for email
alerts. So you can get Nixel by text or email. You also get emails from the website whenever um entries are made. Um, it's on the homepage of our website for upcoming street paving projects. And
as they go on, the alerts go out. Um, and you're going to wait and talk about how we're going to enforce that ordinance when we speak about that ordinance. >> When we speak about that ordinance. >> Okay. >> Bob, we also do often put out good
oldfashioned paper signs, right? Well, if you live in a neighborhood where we're going to be doing something and we have no parking on the street, then there'll be no parking signs posted by the police department. But generally speaking, um, road work gets announced via our alert system, Nixl, and our
website. >> And about two weeks ago, I asked Mr. Borner, why are there so many accidents? I'm getting so many more Nixl. They're just being more diligent about sending out the Nixl. It's funny, you know, so I'm going to just add to that. So, one
of the most frequent complaints that we receive about our police department, and we don't receive many complaints about our police department, we're very proud of them, is that they they don't utilize the NICL system enough to get notices out when roads are temporarily closed
for a crash or or you know, that type of notification. So, um, over the last couple months, we've had several conversations about, you know, getting those nixels out more often. And the mayor did say, you know, boy, it seems like we're having a lot more. We're
actually having less this year than we did last year. It's just that we've been telling you about them more often, so that makes it sound like we're having more. We're really not having more, but yes, more nichls. >> All right. Oh, and Miss Brandt, I
completely understand embarrassment about having a picture taken with the mayor. >> Okay. >> I just can I add something else to that? >> Yes. >> Okay. I just want to add we there's many opeds that are written right now in the news and um I share many things on my
public page and um many residents that are here have been reaching out to me about a couple things. So, I hope you guys getting your answers as quickly as I can get to. Um, Miss Brent, I'm still your council person. You can still reach out to me when you have questions and we have done brainstorm in the past. You
can continue to call me. Um, I I'm not sure, you know, if there's something specific that you wanted to talk about. Um, still very accessible, have been, and will continue to be. So, you know, feel free to reach out to me if you have any specific questions.
Thank you. Um, one last thing, Mr. Danielson, uh, you wanted to announce that you're having a veterans breakfast. When is it as
>> Thank you, mayor. Uh, every year I host a free breakfast for the any veterans in Franklin Township and the surrounding area. This year the veterans breakfast will be held on November 10th at 9:00 a.m. at the stage house. U so any
veteran uh who can attend can attend and are welcome and it's free and you'll be surrounded by many other veterans. It's a good time. Get to tell stories and see uh see friends and neighbors, commemorate your service uh to our
country. Thank you, mayor. >> If you do want to attend, we do ask that you call my office to let us know you're going to be there so we can plan accordingly, but it's not required. It's just appreciated. Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> That's Assemblyman Joe Danielson. Honorable Mr. >> Assemblyman. Okay. Um it's time now for council comments. Let's start with Dr. Karazzi.
>> Councilman. Good evening everyone. Yeah, >> you know, this past uh few months we've heard so much about taxes and so uh let me first extend a heartfelt appreciation to Assemblyman Joe Danielson for his
leadership for introducing legislation to create school finance reform commission to ease school tax burden on taxpayers. I also want to thank mayor and my council colleagues for their full support of this initiative.
>> Uh my fellow community members, the bold effort by Assemblyman Joe Joe Danielson will not be easy to accomplish. However, if we all support him, ask our elected official to support this legislation, we
hopefully see fundamental changes to ease the burden of higher school taxes for great majority of community members. Thank you so much, Joe. Really appreciate it. Uh, a couple of other things during the human relations commission meeting that we had. Of
course, we had Bob Laort who spoke everybody heard a few minutes ago and he gave us a a kind of a highlevel detail of a great event is going to be coming up next year. So, I hope everybody will go those events and enjoy. And uh we
have our advisory board meeting on November 5th at 7:30 p.m. across the hall. Our guest speaker will be Sharon Clark, executive director of Central Jersey Housing Resource Center. She will
address housing options for housing insecure and unhoused persons in Franklin and Central Jersey. So, please come again starts at 7:30 and if you're interested to hear some great uh presentation by her. Thank you, Mr.
Mayor. Thank you, Councilman Oni Jaka. >> Okay. >> Okay. Thank you, mayor. Um, we're about we're about to start. We've already started voting this time. And um, please, I want I want
everybody to go out and vote. It's your civic right. Go out and vote. And remember on the 4th of November is the voting day, the fully voting day. Go out and exercise your vote. That is one. Two
is we're about to enter Halloween period. It's time that we be very careful with our kids most especially in some of these neighborhoods. Mayor, that is what I have. >> Thank you, Councilman Embarrison.
>> Uh thank you, Mr. Mayor. very briefly. Um there was a uh CTMD urgent care center that opened up on Route 27 uh on the 20 uh on Route 27. Um so I I was there for the grand opening. It's a great place, good location, full
service facility. Um we welcomed them to town and there was a I think the same um press event we attended uh by Assembly Assemblyman Joe Danielson. uh right
here. Um and then trunka treat uh on the 25th uh at the St. John's Plaza. It was a great event. Many kids came over. Uh food food bank had a a trunk open. Uh not a trunk, I guess, a table. Um so it
was a a wonderful event to see all the families and the kids enjoying the trick uh the trick the treats rather. Uh and then we had a uh uh meeting today with the food bank. Uh this they did a poetry
contest um this year uh earlier this year and I was a a judge. Uh not that I'm a poet or anything like that but um we talked this is for the Franklin schools all the three the primary middle school and then the uh high school. Uh
there were hundreds of students that got um that sent in their work and um the final uh finale was uh held at the Villages Theater and um everybody got a prize cash prize and we talked about
today um continuing that in the future with some improvements. So that was a great initiative. Hats off to your group. uh among all the other things that you are doing that is a fantastic project uh encouraging our kids to uh
not only be become aware of uh fight against hunger also uh promote the lit literary um uh activities in the school system. So that's a great job. That's all I got. Mayor,
>> thank you. Councilwoman Francois, >> I was I was at the trunk retreat with Councilman Ramber and he also accompanied me at the Halloween party over at the youth center which is very well attended. So, the
kids had a good time and I hope on Halloween the kids are going to be safe. That's all I have. Mr. Mayor, >> thank you. I'm going to mix it up here and go right to Councilman Wright. Right.
Oh, >> thank you, Mr. Mayor. >> Hi. >> Councilman Barry brought up >> brought up the trunk of treat at John's Plaza. I just want to give the shout out to the Hamilton Business District once
again for helping to put that together. Um, it seems like the one line that always gets it is when they go through the bus and they see the gadgets that they have there. That's usually the longest line. Um, at the event, again, the Franklin Food
Bank was there. Uh, for anybody that want to come take home some goodies, they had it for you. Uh, and another thing that at this point, you should always support the Franklin Food Bank. They do a marvelous job uh for those
that are in need. They come through uh in a big way and he's sitting in the back right now. They come through in a big way and you ought to thank them for what they do. Also, Councilman Vasinella and I, we were just going back and forth over something that that was completed
and that was our beautiful sidewalks on Highland Avenue in Franklin Boulevard. uh drive by and see your tax dollars at work because it's a good deal. It allows our children to walk to school safely and um it's an ongoing process. So, it's
not a oneshot deal. And that's it, Mr. Mayor. >> Thank you, Councilman Council Member Patasnik. >> I have no comments. Thank you. >> My favorite councilman, >> Councilman Vasinella.
>> Hey, mayor. I don't know. >> I thought I was your favorite counselor. Anyway, um I'm going to guess it's public administration or political science that these guys back here are involved with. You're going to have to wait till the end of the meeting now to get your answer question answered. But
thank you for choosing Franklin. Uh believe both of you live in Franklin during your college tenure here on Hamilton Street. So, thank you and bring some good energy to that area. Um, hope you're enjoying that. Uh, real quick, it
is well, deer season. Every season's deer season, but this is the real deer season where the accidents, the presence of deer crank up quite uh quite a bit and the um unfortunate uh accidents also seem to increase. There's a lot of dead
deer. Um, when I'm done, when the moment or when actually at the end when the manager makes some comments, I'm going to ask him just to give the quick 30 second instruction of what to do if you see a dead deer. Um, but the first thing to do is be extremely careful because
it's um, uh, just that time of year where it's problematic situation in the state and admittedly in Franklin, its nature gets um, a lot worse. So, be careful. Um the main meeting I'm just going to
mention. Well, we had a public safety meeting. Not a real lot to um uh report there. Uh thank you for our acting police director. Uh keeping a public safety director, I'm sorry, keeping us updated on um on the issues that we want
to keep updated on No, Franklin is is is is uh being uh a safe community. So, the one meeting I wanted to mention though in a little more detail, Sha Tree, uh, the Sha Tree Commission. Um, first of all, there's an
article in the Franklin Times. They usually have one every time the Franklin Times gets printed. If you're interested in information, uh, assuming you have any trees in your yard or ever come across a tree, it's always helpful information. But the one thing we did that did come out of the meeting is the
I'm going to call Franklin's first mini reforestation uh project that um hopefully will be happening. Uh they approved um the basic proposal um and now working with the manager in
due time here in the next couple months hopefully we'll have a bid go out for that project. um that's been through the open space committee and we uh a lot of uh work put in by the Sha tree commission and not going to name names but I want to thank the subcommittee
that works so diligently on it and um we'll keep you informed hopefully that project will move forward and um we'll see shovels in the ground literally come next spring perhaps other than that um thanks for Bob Lord and the
whatever the Washington and I forget the their general's name. >> Rashambo. >> Rashambo. I know, cool sounding name. But seriously, uh we are a lot of people say we're at a crossroads of New Jersey. Well, we're also kind of a fork in the road with the American Revolution. For
those who saw that uh presentation earlier, please read up on it. I did not know the extensive uh history of Franklin's uh importance to the revolution which all of us here and everybody in this township is here
because of obviously what came from that um fight for freedom and I'll leave it with that mayor. Thank you and happy Halloween. Happy and safe and fun Halloween. >> Thank you Deputy Mayor Bodin. >> Thank you. Um just a couple things.
Happy Diwali. Diwali just passed and Halloween is coming up so happy Halloween. Um I had a couple residents from um the adult committees reach out regarding the lithium battery safety and we had addressed that um couple council meetings ago with the fire prevention
week here in um and just want to re um repeat some of the stuff that our fire prevention team mentioned about the lithium battery safety. Um, we always say when choosing um, power devices, specifically lithium, make sure you're choosing certified products, not the
third party. Um, this goes for your bikes, ebikes, scooters, um, I think even the cars has that, cell phones, laptops, etc. Um, handle lithium battery powered devices with care. Follow the manufacturer instructions. Um, do not
overcharge batteries. Sometimes we have a habit of leaving them overnight, so be careful. That's some of the things that start fires. Um, and always stay alert for warning signals and signs. And, um, one thing that I learned new, um, a couple weeks ago from our fire
prevention is that you're able to recycle devices and batteries properly. Some, um, known retailers like Best Buy um, takes device um, batteries and devices for safety. So, want to make sure that we address that. again um it
seems like there's been some ongoing um third party concerns on batteries that are for the adult committee. So I hope I addressed that for all the folks. And we did circulate um a flyer to the HOA so that will go out as well so that um folks that have purchased batteries can
um disregard them and get the real um uh manufacturer battery. So that's all I had. I'm I'm actually glad you mentioned about the DRC. I got a couple calls around reporting the the deers on Deont lane um which I'm sure Bob will address
those but thank you for mentioning that and that's all I had. Mayor, >> thank you. Uh for my comments once again vote November 4th or on every day except Monday between now and then from 8 to
uh from 10 in the morning to 8 in the evening except on Sunday from 10 in the morning to 6:00 at night, I believe. >> Okay. >> Um, and then my wife has and I have spent an enormous amount of time vacationing in Jamaica. So, my heart
goes out for that island. Now, it right this second is being pummeled. >> Um, Godspeed. Um, okay, Mr. Manager. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I honeymooned in
Montego Bay, Jamaica a long, long time ago. And I looked at pictures today. There's there's some live feeds coming out of Montego Bay because the hurricane shifted a little bit to the west and it's kind of took a took a direct hit on the grill and and Montego Bay and very
very disturbing. And my heart as well goes out. I remember very vividly how nice the people were in that country and a beautiful country and beautiful people. And I I my heart hurts. But um I will move on to my report. Uh just
quickly um it it must seem that is a theme today about our military and our troops. Um our uh recreation department is collecting um for our active duty troops through December 13th. Um there there is an
organization called um as I scroll operation Jersey Cares support our troops. It's a nonprofit that that collects um personal care items and food items to be shipped
overseas to our active duty troops. Um we are currently collecting at the community senior center through December 12th. There's a list of different items that are commonly requested by our active duty troops um who are overseas.
Um if you are interested in doing that, I would encourage you to just go to our website, click on the link for the list of items that are uh shipped over everything from Advil to um uh devil
dogs. Uh right. So, you know, they like treats too. um lip balm, Q-tips, deodorant, coffee creamer or candy gum, slim gyms, things that that are not generally supplied by our military overseas when they are on active duty.
And so that is one thing that you can do leading up to Christmas and the holiday season. The other thing is um and there's also unfortunately lately this type of theme and that is uh we are now uh participating here in Franklin
Township in the NJ shares municipal customer assistance program. This is funded by a nonprofit organization. Um it is a statewide initiative designed to help incomequalified households who are facing temporary financial hardship to
pay their utility bills. They can receive up to $200 for electric uh water and sewer bills. So for a total of $600. It is unfortunately right now a one time uh only not monthly but one time only.
But again, being funded by a nonprofit, um you if you live here in Franklin and are having difficulty in paying your water, electric or sewer bills, um and you meet those income requirements, u and there are different requirements for
seniors as opposed to non seniors. Um all of the information is on our website and you can submit an application through our website to receive that and it's grant funding. So, it's just uh some some way to assist our residents
who are have fallen on uh hardship financially. Um, and that's all I have, Mr. Mayor. >> Thank you. Uh, now for >> Oh, I'm sorry. I can't address the deer. I I'm sorry. Um, so if you see a deer on
the side of the road dead that had been struck by a vehicle, um, and you're unsure whether it's been reported, the agency you reported to is the police department. Some people sometimes think animal control. It's not animal control. Um, on township roads, the township is
responsible for removal. On county roads, the county is responsible for removal. on state roads, the New Jersey Department of uh transportation and um for the for the county and the township um we contract with a removal company to
kind of go along with what the councilman said and what the council woman said. Um for those of you who hunt deer, you'll know that this is the rut, right? That means they're uh they're looking for girlfriends and they're moving around
quite actively, especially at night. Um this is the highest number uh this is the season for the highest number of car crashes with deer throughout the calendar year. So there are a lot of deer being struck throughout the state.
There is one company in the state of New Jersey who does deer disposal. So they're busy right now and sometimes they don't get to the deer in that generally required 24-hour period. If you see it there, call the main number for the police department. That's the
2300 number. A dispatcher will answer the phone. They'll send a police officer to verify its location and then it gets reported to the deer removal company. If it's our street, if it's the county road, then we send that notification to the county road department and they
notify the deer removal company. We do pay for it. So that's why, you know, the county's responsible for their roads, the state's responsible for theirs, and we're responsible for ours. But you have to call the police department. And if it's not gone, and I'm going to make this call, if it's not gone in 48 hours,
call the police department again, and then they'll report it to the uh to the appropriate company again. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. So item number 12, council discussion items, uh, supplemental nutrition
nutrition assistance program, SNAP. U Mr. Smith, >> so this may be the most important agenda item. You can sit at the uh table if you'd like. Take the microphone. So we we we pride ourselves on our
diversity uh in Franklin and one of our diversities is economics and um this may be the most important agenda item we've had since I've been on
council. So Mr. Smith, Mayor, for those who don't know, Mr. Smith is the executive director now of our very u busy and successful food bank. Thank you, Mr. Mayor, and thank you, um, council. Good evening, everyone. Nice to
see all of you. Um, my name is Derek Smith, executive director of the Franklin Food Bank. Um, residents of Franklin Township and members of the council, we're facing an
imminent humanitarian crisis. On November 1st, 2025, SNAP benefits are expected to not arrive for thousands of families. This is a guaranteed disruption to their
primary food source. The impact is highly concentrated right here in Franklin. Of the 11,480 SNAP receiving families in Somerset County, 3,63
of them, that's over 30% reside right here in Franklin Township. So again, 30% of the SNAP eligible households in Somerset County reside here in Franklin
Township. At the food bank, our current capacity is built to serve approximately 100 to 120 families every day. We distribute about 3.5 million pounds of food annually. We are now preparing for a surge of
families in need that could be two to three times what we serve. Now, if any of you have been by the Franklin Food Bank, it is a beautiful building and we are bursting at the seams.
When I first started working at the Franklin Food Bank in March of 2022, we were seeing on average about 30 families a day. Now, we see about 100 to 120 families, and we're doing our very best to meet the needs of those
families. This Saturday, we could see upwards of two to 300 families a day. This emergency converges with other extremely difficult, extremely real issues. Cost of living increases since 2019.
Groceries are up 32%. Housing is up 50%. Child care is up 50%. and health care costs are expected to increase dramatically up to possibly four times what folks are paying right
now. Additionally, there are federal furlows, terminations from the government sector and the private sectors downsizing on a monthly basis. We are down about 35% food donations
from the Department of Agriculture. 35% decrease in food donations from the Department of Agriculture. And yet we're up about 35% neighbors knocking on our doors asking for access to healthy,
nutritious, and culturally relevant food. The resulting demand will immediately overwhelm existing emergency food resources. The Franklin Food Bank is honored to serve and we are mobilizing every resource to navigate this. We are poised
to tackle this, but we need partners to make this plan viable. We're pulling key operational levers and discussing at the leadership level what other levels levers we may want to pull later based on what the data tells us. So, here are
some of the things that we're doing. We're aggressively pursuing new retail partnerships to secure more food to support the growing need. As it stands now, we have partnerships with over 35 local grocery stores in and around
Somerset and Middle Sex and we're looking to increase that number. We are targeting food drives with houses of worship, corporations, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, and community- based organizations.
We're also partnering with organizations that are partnering themselves with university dining halls, local restaurants, and corporations for unused prepared food to increase ready to eat options.
We at the Franklin Food Bank operate with an appointmentbased model in our pantry. If you can imagine, to try to meet the existing needs that we see each and every day,
we try our best to serve six or seven families every 15 minutes in the food bank. When's the last time you went grocery shopping and spend 15 minutes grocery shopping? We are looking to increase it to eight
or nine families every 15 minutes to try to meet the growing need. We've been in constant communication with folks at the county, folks at the state, including the Office of Food Security Advocate. They are all active participants and
contributors to this effort, and they're partnering with us on solutions, which include dusting off some of the pandemic strategies of countywide drive-thru distribution locations.
These are all being considered pending this looming crisis that we're facing as a county, as a state, and as a country. some of the additional supports that we have at the Franklin Food Bank.
Currently, as we all know, if you're food insecure, there's a strong chance that you're probably also struggling with other services that you are entitled to as a human on Earth. from housing to health care
to transportation to employment. Through partnerships that we have with health clinics and hospitals, community- based organizations and others, we provide those services now to residents here in Franklin Township.
And we're going to increase their presence at 224 Churchill Avenue where our pantry lives because we know that there will be many individuals and families that will need the additional support
once we face this crisis. We are also looking to increase the amount of volunteers that we have at the food bank to match the increased numbers of neighbors that will be showing up at our doorstep to shop for food.
As I mentioned, we've been in contact with elected officials, folks at the county office, folks here in the school district, houses of worship, and the grocery stores. Folks, if you could imagine,
there are going to be families showing up at the grocery store on November 1st that did not hear about the cuts to SNAP benefits. >> So, what happens when Mr. Smith
just filled up his cart with delicious food for his family and Mr. Smith's two children are walking alongside him when he walks up to the cashier to check out. Mr. Smith pulls out his EBT card, which
he's used many times and it worked each time. What happens November 1st if that card doesn't work? How does Mr. Smith feel? How do those children feel?
How does the cashier feel? So in addition to the advocacy work that we have done at the elected official level, we've also reached out to grocery stores, NJ food council and others to make sure that there is a communication
plan in place so that families and individuals in and around Franklin Township are in the know. If we want to ensure that our residents have an opportunity to shop for food in an atmosphere of dignity and respect, these are the kinds of things that we
have to do. So this is a call to action. We require immediate coordinated action from this council and from this community. Our current structure at the Franklin Food Bank allows us to bend.
But without your collective support, we may break under the weight of this impending crisis, which is a crisis that is humanmade. Food insecurity is not
an issue about lack of food. It's not an issue about lack of money. It's about what are the things that we are prioritizing as a society. What are the things that we believe to
be true as a human right for all people in this country regardless of their status. As a community, we're inviting you, we're asking you to think about ways that you and people
that you know can volunteer at the Franklin Food Bank. We're asking you to work with family and friends, houses of worship, other organizations to run food drives to be able to help
the Franklin Food Bank and others provide healthy, nutritious, and culturally relevant food to residents in Franklin Township that are in need. We're asking you to increase the awareness that is required for people in this community
to know what resources are available and how to access those resources. And we're asking you to reach out to elected officials at the municipal, county, state, and federal levels because the people's
voices need to be heard. council. You continue to support the Franklin Food Bank as a collective body and as individuals. You are always on the front lines with
us. I see many of you out there supporting the work that we do and we are supremely grateful for that. And we need some additional support. If there are funds available, flexible
emergency funds that can be granted to the Franklin Food Bank to help us with mass food procurement, purchasing the bulk food needs to serve the over 3600 families
that will fall over this cliff if SNAP benefits are frozen in November. What I'm speaking to is an immediate need. But as I mentioned earlier, even if this SNAP crisis was not in
front of us, the growing numbers of folks in our town that are food insecure requires this community to continue to support us, this council to continue to support
us so that way we can meet the need. the increases that I talked about at the beginning of this presentation from groceries to housing to child care all above 30%. I don't know anyone's salary that's gone
up 30% in 3 years. The gap is widening. The need is increasing. And we have to come together as a community as we have before. Franklin Food Bank has been here for 50 years.
It will be really sad if we need to be around for another 50 years, but we will be here as long as the need is there. We are extremely grateful for how this community has supported us over the years.
But I'd be remiss if I didn't say folks, we have a serious crisis in front of us connected to SNAP that could be starting as early as November 1st. There's a potential for wick cuts November 10th.
We all know what's happening with Medicare and Medicaid and Social Security. And there are many other programs that are benefiting our residents right here in Franklin Township that are on the chopping block. We see it every day on the front lines
at the Franklin Food Bank. We feel blessed and privileged to be able to serve this community. And we're willing to bend, but we can't break. If we break, this community will truly
be in peril. Please continue to support us, and I ask you to find an opportunity to support us even more than you have before. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Uh, Mr. Mayor, >> yes.
>> I'd like to help the food bank because I think it's a worthy effort. And as he says, uh, this council and this town has always been supportive. And I want to make this announcement on behalf of Franklin Township. The amount
of $10,000 from the American Rescue Plan to the Franklin Township Food Bank. >> So motion >> I'll take that as a motion. >> Second that motion. >> I think all of council fell over their
microphones trying to second. I got there first. >> Um, any discussion? C >> can I just first say thank you? >> No, not until we vote. Yes, >> I'm about to say I don't have the check, so you know I I can't give it to you right now.
>> So, one discussion is Mr. Manager, where did this money come from? So a as you will all remember as we came out of the pandemic um and uh there was some financial difficulties throughout the country um the the Biden
administration and Congress um passed the American Rescue Plan and funded a number of different uh municipalities throughout the country. We were one of them. Counties were also funded and states were funded. Um we utilize those
rescue plan funds for a wide variety of projects including the zoo fall health clinic which will be coming online to serve uh the uh the uninsured and underinsured members of our school district. That
that facility is on the site of uh the middle school, the Hamilton Street campus. Um and uh throughout with both CARES Act and and Rescue Plan funds, we've tried to utilize those funds for
projects that would benefit um all of Franklin Township. Um we we are at the very end of those American Rescue Plan funds. In fact, um Councilman Wright had asked, you know, what was the amount of funds we have left? This is literally
the last of the American Rescue Plan funds that we have. And um Councilman Wright said, "I can think of no good use for that other than this." And that's why he recommended what he just recommended. And I couldn't agree more.
I think that it's a it's a fitting way for us to expend all of those funds that ironically we received from the federal government um who is now cutting us off, right? Uh I think there is a certain amount of irony in all of that. Um so I think it's
certainly $10,000 well spent right now. So that's where it comes from. Mr. Mayor, >> so do we do this by roll call? Can I can I make a comment just still in discussion? >> Go ahead. >> Um, first of all, Derek, I want to thank
you for your leadership. Um, clearly we need your leadership in Washington and folks to come together because it's so disenheartening to know that families are going to not be able to eat and
survive in a country as wonderful as America because of political disruption and um childishness and the inability to put people over politics. And um and I think it's nice that this council has the ability to step up um in a limited
way, but um you know, it's it's a significant vacuum that's being left on this issue uh that hits right at home, but on so many others. Um and it's just really heartbreaking as we come up to this this deadline. Um, uh, you know, I think all of us are going to need to do
more, but also find a way in our civic responsibility to put pressure on the folks that are really causing this problem. And it's it's very unamerican. So, thank you for your leadership. >> Can I just add to that? >> Yes. >> Thank you. Echo everything that council
member Patazna said. I'm a proud ambassador of the food bank and one of the things I do is I always go around asking folks to be ambassadors because I think it's so important when you make something whatever it is and share it amongst your community because that's where your home is and that's first when
it comes to mind of donating money back out or helping a neighbor, a friend because you never know who needs it, right? It could be your next door neighbor that's going out there and I love the food bank because they don't check a lot of the criterias, right? people just go in and grab what they need. And um you know, recently I I
actually met with a high schooler um who was working on some of the um hygiene products. And um you know, it's again one of those popular items that you know folks you sometimes get so embedded with things and you think it's just common
things that people have and they don't. Um and um I was kind of re alerted by the high schooler that these are most popular demanding items that go so fast in the food bank. So it's not just food, it's so much more than that. Um it's your typical average needs and
necessaries right that you have at home. Um and I want to thank you um Mr. Smith and his entire staff for working and all the volunteers that are involved and all the ambassadors as well for continuing to promote. I think we have to continue
doing now even more because of what's happening um nationally and it's impacting right here at home. It's going to impact our friends, our family members, our neighbors. So, we have to just somehow figure out how we can do more now. Um like I said, if you have
$10, it takes only sometimes minimum of $10 a month um to help out and it makes it such a big impact to families in need. So, thank you. Just wanted out put it out there. Thank you. The ambassador program which I'm a member of too is a
monthly donation that you set up. It's very worthwhile cause. Dr. Kurazzi, >> thank you, Mr. May. Do we want to have a vote on the 10,000 before I >> Oh, that's that's that's good. Any other comments on the 10,000? Don't
>> Let's try to keep it. Anyone can blame anyone in Washington. That's fine. That's not what this is about. This is about what we can do here. So, if anyone has any other comments about this motion,
the $10,000. Uh, Madame Clerk, >> Councilman Embarrison, >> yes. >> Councilwoman France, >> absolutely. >> Councilman Karazzi, >> absolutely. >> Mayor Kramer, >> absolutely. >> Councilman Oni Jaka,
>> yes. Absolutely. Council member Bataznik, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Rudine, >> 100% yes. >> Councilman Vasinella, >> yes. >> Councilman Wright, >> yes. >> Normally, I don't allow any um uh flourishing of your vote, but this
time it was appropriate. So, it passes. Now, you can say something. Thank you. Um I am um I usually have a lot to say. I um
choked up a little bit. Um >> especially since I told you last night we didn't have any money. >> That's right. That's right. No, I mean we we you know as challenging as this is and this is challenging. Um,
I love what I do and I have the pleasure of working with a staff that love this work as well and over 400 volunteers that love this work as well. I feel very blessed and honored. I I see it as a
privilege to serve this community. Um, I raised my daughters in this community. My wife and I started volunteering at the food bank in 2019. My wife is the volunteer coordinator at the Franklin Food Bank. Um,
and even though this is uh these are some scary times, um, we are a very resilient and gritty race of humans. As an organization, um, we're very creative
and very resourceful. And even though I think it's going to get deeper and darker for a while, I feel confident that we'll get through this. This country has seen harder times than this. Frankly, the black and brown people that
represent the majority of the folks that we have served at the food bank for years have seen trials and tribulations worse than this >> and have found a way to overcome. one thing I know for certain um
and that's we are not going to get there if this community doesn't unite. As somebody who lived in New York for many, many years and and and some of you may have heard me say this before, the diversity of New York City is
beautiful, but New York City is very segregated. If we're not careful, we can suffer the same thing here at Franklin. It is racially and ethnically diverse,
but it is not as integrated as it needs to be. And I think each one of us has not only a responsibility, but also an opportunity to bring this community together. And this is one of those topics to the
mayor's point that has nothing to do with what side of the aisle you sit on. what you name that person or thing that you pray to. It's do you believe that access to
healthy nutritious food is a human right or not? And if you believe that it is a human right, then what are you doing to affect change in your household, on your block, in your neighborhood, and in your
community? And I continue to be blown away by how this council supports the work of not only the Franklin Food Bank, but so many other organizations in this town.
>> So hang on. Dr. Kurazzi has something to say. >> You definitely want to see your brother cry tonight. That's is that what we're doing? >> Thank you. Thank you. I you have heard me often saying that how blessed we are
to have food bank in our neighborhood. Not every town has it. And we know there are a lot of people that they can't even drive. They walk to places like food bank to get their food. And I know for
sure that their needs cannot be accomplished unless the community, the houses of worship and businesses and others work as partners to help. So when I saw the article yesterday about the possibility of government shutting down
and by November 1st people may not get the the fund snap funds. I started some conversation with mayor and um one of the things that I thought that we should do is to make sure that house of worship
take an active role in this possible crisis. We have 70 house of worships that is almost one house of worship for every thousand people that they live in this town. I don't know any other township that they have such a high
concentration of house of worship. So we can do a lot and in fact this morning I called one of my colleagues the at the mid Ali this is one of the house of worship mosque at 47 deg gro lane and I said look we possibly going to have a
crisis can you help and Derek I'm very happy to let you know that I have a check for $5,000 from Mas Ali. So, let me just come down there. Get a picture.
>> Yeah. >> Someone want to take the picture? >> I will. >> Oh, you got So this is the paycheck, but this is the >> Anyone else have anything to add or ask or ask uh Mr. Smith.
>> So, so taking Dr. Karasi's lead, um I'm going to contact a number of places of worship in town as well. Uh the Hindu temples, this being a Hindu heritage month, uh I'm hoping that I can mobilize some resources for you as well. Sorry.
And just following on that, our um uh the uh interface uh president, interface council president was here, but she had to leave and uh I will be asking her to uh have a meeting with the executive
committee of the interface council in in Franken Township so she can hopefully and that team can play an active role reach another house of warship and uh get more money. But Derek, if the government opens that $5,000, use it
towards that big project you have. All right. Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else? Uh so, uh I guess in closing, we'll continue to work with you and look for ways we can help. Um to everyone out
there, um in the Jewish tradition, if you do a kindness, it's a mitzvah, a blessing. If you do it without telling anyone, it's a double mitzvah, a double blessing. I'm going to give up one of my mitzvah to say I am an ambassador, so I
give monthly, but I gave a substantial amount in addition to that when I when I heard this call. So please out there if you can, if you have the means, if you're one of people such as me who's not being affected directly by what's
going on here, the it's time to give. And so again, thank you for all you do. Thank you so much, council. Thank you so much, Franklin. Love you all. Thank you. Thank you.
Okay. Um, approval of the minutes. I present the following minutes and to the township council for their approval. Um, the regular meeting work session regular meeting of June 11th, April 8th, and
October 14th. Do we have a motion on the minutes? >> Seconded. Moved >> and seconded. Any discussion? Anyone like to make a correction? Madame Clerk, >> Councilman, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Francois, >> yes.
>> Councilman Karazzi, >> yes. >> Mayor Kramer, >> yes. >> Councilman Oni Jaka, >> yes. >> Council member Bataznik, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Dean, >> yes. >> Councilman Vasanella, >> yes. >> Councilman Reich, >> yes. >> Approval of the warrants. Warrants in
the amount of 18,000. 18 million. I wish. warrants in the amount of $18,216,38957 on October 28th, 2025 or present at Township Council for payment. Do we have a motion on the warrants? >> So moved. >> Seconded. >> Moved and seconded. Uh any discussion?
Anyone like to pull an item? >> Madam clerk. >> Councilman embarrass. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Francois. Yes. >> Councilman Karazzi. Yes. >> Mayor Kramer. >> Yes. >> Councilman Oni Jaka. >> Yes. Council member Vataznik. >> Yes. >> Deputy mayor. >> Councilman Vasinella.
>> Councilman Wright. >> Yes. >> Now, what some people have been waiting for. Public hearing and adoption of ordinance on second reading. First reading is when we announce it to the world. Second reading is when we um
listen to your comments and then vote on it. Uh so this is ordinance 4483-25 an ordinance amending the municipal code of the township of Franklin County of Somerset, New Jersey uh with the addition of chapter 198 generators to
the routine use uh to prohibit the routine use of on-site generators powered by fossil fuels, petroleum products or other combustible materials is presented for the public hearing and final adoption. Uh the public hearing is
now uh noticed as required. Do I have unanimous consent to open to the public? Without uh objection, we are now open to the public. The same rules as I stated before. >> Good evening again, council. This is I'm
Robin Sedam. I live at 54 Gilman's Lane and I also serve as the vice chairman of your environmental commission and I wish to speak in strong support of this ordinance. Thank you very much for the initiative. Uh I do have one question. Does this
ordinance in any way help us with the NI plan in in the south part of the township? >> No. >> Okay. >> That's not a generator as a practical matter. >> They would only have one for emergency uses I would guess. >> Correct. Correct. I think they're required to have one for an emergency. I
think >> um I am not going to remain to hear the vote because I'm volunteering tonight at the church around the corner for sleeping there with two homeless families. So I'm going to go now because my husband is covering for me while I've
been here tonight. Um it's a privilege to be able to do that. That's something the county makes available through Home Inc. and I'm glad to be able to do it. But I thank you very much for bringing this forward. I hope you can vote on this unanimously and send a strong signal to the rest of the state that
this is a model for a good healthy living. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Thank you, >> mayor and members of the town council. Good evening. Eric Dezzero, that is D E capital G Ser O executive vice president
of the fuel merchants association of New Jersey trade association representing distributors of both heating fuel and motor fuel as well as HVAC contractors and on behalf of the New Jersey Propane Gas Association, I am the lobbyist uh
registered of record for both. Um qu two separate questions in my time. Um when I heard about this ordinance and I heard about generators, I think of the thing when your power doesn't work and that um you're outlawing generators, but you certainly are not. The even for fossil
fuel generators, if you need in an emergency, the ordinance allows that. But then I questioned the definition of generator and it says a generator means any device, engine, turbine or apparatus that converts fuel or combustible material into electric or mechanical
power. Now, on behalf of the the businesses I represent, we deal with boilers that produce heat. So, this building, the school, uh any, you know, your house, what have you, any type of either furnace, heat pump or boiler. But there are there's another type of boiler
that's used in industrial processes and that is those are processes where the boiler isn't used to heat the space. it's used in the manufacturing uh process and the and I have very little knowledge of those but my question is has this ordinance been
looked at through the perspective that boilers you have lots of life sciences pharmaceutical um uh food flavor and fl fragrance companies that are headquartered here and operate here does this does this definition of generator capture the
mechanical power that they are producing in Therefore, the routine operation of that facility might not be allowed. I do not know. I don't do heat. I I only do heat. I don't do process. So, that's question one. >> So, we for this we can have a dialogue if you would like.
>> The answer is no. >> No. >> Yeah. >> Um second question is does the uh what is the legal authority that the uh governing body has to enact this ordinance? I'm going to read from the air pollution control act. The preamble
of the ordinance says whereas the use of on-site generators powered by fossil fuels and other combustible materials contribute to air pollution, greenhouse gas, noise, hazardous waste. So the Air Pollution Control Act at NJSA 262C22
reads after August 2nd, 1995, no municipality, county, local board of health, local health agency, regional health commission, or any other political subdivision of the state may enact any ordinance pursuant to the Air Pollution Control Act, or the County
Environmental Health Act, or any other authority concerning air pollution except as provided in subsection B of this section. whether that subject matter is expressed by inclusion or exclusion from the act and part B just deals with municipalities and the the fee structure
for their ordinances. So second question is within the context of the state law is this is it permissible for this governing body to adopt this ordinance? >> Thank you mayor. >> Yes please. >> The short answer is yes. Of course you read the first whereas but you didn't
read the second whereas right that uh that refers to the public health and of course municipalities always I mean routinely regulate the public health safety and welfare they also regulate zoning they also regulate uh building occupancy they also regulate noise all
of which um is you know within their authority um I don't think anybody would suggest that that the purpose of this is so that you don't build a commercial building, for instance, a data center, and decide that you're going to put in a massive generator that produces noise
and um affects the public health, safety, and welfare, and is dangerous. Um um so I I I think that we there's all all of those basis for the laws, but it's our general power to protect the public health, safety, and welfare. It's
not specifically just a um under the health uh statute if that's what your limit. I know. I know. You asked me a question that I I assume was rhetorical in an in an email to my parallegal where you said I I just want to confirm that this ordinance is prohibited by that
statute, but it's not. >> And and and and just to add to that, it this this ordinance does not in any way attempt to regulate air quality standards. >> Correct. which is what your statute
is directed at. At at one time, municipalities in the state of New Jersey regulated air quality and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection through the law that you just read basically said municipalities will
no longer regulate air quality standards individually, but that the state of New Jersey will establish those standards and all municipalities will regulate them even that that the regulations will be even across the state. So what what
that direct what that directly did was just simply unify the state of New Jersey and its air quality standards and didn't leave it up to individual m municipalities to establish their own. This doesn't establish any air quality standards.
>> Right. But it is regulating >> No, it's not. It's regulating the use of power generators to power a facility off-rid. That's what it's regulating by any means, whether they're clean or not
as far as mechanical or combustible. If you power your facility with clean energy, solar, the township has no objection to that. According to this ordinance, it's but it's not necessarily
um fossil fuels. It could be burning anything. And mayor, I can give examples later if you'd like. >> No. And I mean >> and the the other point of it is you cannot get a CO for a for a dwelling for instance in New Jersey without it being hooked up to the electrical grid.
Correct. You have to have electrical power. >> There's a reason for that because there are safety reasons for for that. So, and what this is prohibiting is is somebody from having a commercial building that that source of energy is its emergency
backup. So, when that backup fails, that becomes a safety issue. >> And there are municipalities that prohibit the use of um whole house generators either powered via diesel or natural gas to power a home. So that you
know that that those there are municipalities that have that because of the need to connect to a utility for power >> and not not to make this a TED talk between Mr. Warlocker and I >> but it might turn into that >> and by and by the way we also have
zoning power too. We do >> to regulate uses in town. So I mean it's it's all part of our our our general as they call penumbra of of authority. >> Thank you Mr. Mayor. >> You're welcome. >> Thank you. Uh, hello. My name is Evan Retazellis.
That's R E N T E Z L A S. And I just have a question about one of the exceptions um in the permitted exception section. Um it's for mobile operations such as refrigerated trucks or food service vehicles, which I'm assuming refers to like food trucks or food carts
um and the like. And so my question is um is it required that these mobile food service um facilities is it required that they actually move because I I know that food trucks and food carts um consistently are in the same location for long periods of time maybe weeks or
months. So is it uh a requirement of this ordinance that they um actually move or are they allowed to stay in the same location um if they have the ability to move in location? >> This doesn't regulate that. It's a separate ordinance. >> We have a separate ordinance for that. >> Okay.
>> It's literally mobile food vendors. >> Thank you. >> Anyone else? >> So, seeing no one else, I ask for unanimous cons. Oh, >> got one more. >> Got it in. >> Who cares at this point?
>> That's Amar's problem. >> My name is Walter Quadiano, 304 seed of Rogue Lane. And I I guess the question is we're worried about uh the diesel engines. Meanwhile, we allow all these
uh warehouses and all the trucks and diesel trucks that are with the warehouses and there's no control over that. Maybe if we think rethink that with the we rather put up a data center that it and then
have them feed some of that energy back into the grid. >> They don't. >> So >> as as opposed to like five or 10% that they have to go over and there's must be clean generation instead of having all these
uh warehouses and all the trucks that are involved in that. And I see it on Cedar Grove Lane. I've been there for 75 years and uh it's quite the thing. So I don't know if there's an answer but I don't know how
well you guys have looked at you know I don't mean you guys but have you really looked into this that that's the best way to handle this? >> Yes. >> So first we do regulate warehouses it in fact right now in Franklin is an
ordinance that that bans warehouses. Um, so we do and we regulate hours of operation. So we do that all. We do that also. So there's there's a lot of stuff we can do. Data, by the way, data centers don't put power back into the grid. They only take power out of the grid. >> So if we if we if you had,
>> you know, when they build it that they would be forced to overbuild with clean energy or or a a better way of doing it so that they could be put back five or 10% back into our grid. Maybe we'll get our electricity down.
>> If they're using clean energy, they can do whatever they want. >> Well, not, you know, a cleaned up amount of fossil. >> I don't think the answer is no, Mr. Sure. >> You can answer somewhat clean energy.
>> No, I I don't think not the clean energy question. The answer is the amount of of CO2 from the from the newer generators. The answer is is I don't think state regulations would allow you to overbuild a generator to run a data center so that you could put 10% of your power back
into the system. That's just I I you know I'm I'm a lawyer. My father was an electrical engineer, but I don't think that that's how it works. >> Okay. >> It's my that's my non-technical answer. >> Uh it's interesting idea. I think you're
saying cleaner, not clean. this uh ordinance, the way it's set up, does allow for clean energy under a strict definition um that doesn't have pollution, not less pollution, which makes it cleaner. So, I think there's a
little bit of a a word salad there, but um they would be allowed to produce their own energy if it's clean. So, you would think like solar, >> which does not have >> water, some kind of >> correct. um whether they could produce
more and put it into the grid is not an issue for this council. It would really be something for the state and state law which does not allow you to produce more energy than you use. >> So, but it's a novel idea and I've heard that talked about that if all of us
could be small energy producers, I could produce energy or electricity for my neighbor if I could put a larger array. But currently that's not legal. But it's not up to this council. We don't have the authority. Okay. I guess um you kind of answered it. We'll see what
we move forward. But uh with the warehouse, >> if you're going to speak >> something with that >> with the warehouse, we really have to do something with the diesel with all the the tractor trailers. >> Yeah. That's not this. That's not We're on an ordinance has nothing to do with that. Right.
>> Right. But somewhere along the line, I think we have to look at that. We hear you. >> Okay. Thank you. Anyone else? Seeing no one come forward, I ask for unanimous consent to close public portion.
Uh oh. Seeing none. Um public portion is closed. Do we have a motion to adopt? >> Some moved. >> Second. >> Moved and seconded. Any discussion? I just wanted to, if I remember right, although I think the fellow left, there
was a question about enforcement. Is that correct? Was he referring to that ordinance earlier? >> Yes. >> Okay. So, although he's not here, I would still like uh whoever to uh address that question. >> The answer is you can't get a CO if you don't have a >> if you're not hooked to the grid. So,
it's pretty simple. >> Okay. >> For the gentleman who was here. >> Yeah. I didn't think that was much question. >> Yeah, that that's exactly it. >> Right. And and by the way, and you can't install a generator without having an electric construction permit, right? >> Well, the whole permit process. Yeah.
>> And if onebody somebody saw one, they'd call and zoning and >> you couldn't build a facility without building permits. And >> you could build a facility that has generators for if we lose power, we don't want to could be down for even a second. So, we have these generators here just for that. And then they cheat
and they use them. I which would be financially stupid because it'd be cheaper to get it off the grid than make it yourself. >> Not necessarily. That's >> today's math. But so >> especially peak hours. >> That's true. >> Emory. Emory. Could you give me the
screen for a second? >> Just they they do time of use large energy providers and it can change. So they might turn it on when it's really expensive and make their own and turn it off and then you're choking. cancer, asthma, heart disease.
>> See if it pop. >> And just for the enforcement aspect, that's also applicable to residential. Correct. With this ordinance that if somebody's trying to >> the button power their home from a generator, they're not allowed to. >> That's not my screen. >> Unless it's an emergency. Correct, Mr.
Reno. >> Correct. Correct. >> Okay. And then that would be enforced by someone in form in our town and our town would look into it. >> Let me try again. Now you turn. So, I think we covered any of my putting out for the gentleman who had left. Thank you. Question.
>> It's not working. That's okay. >> I don't know what's happening. >> Not not that it's not that big a deal. >> That's fine. >> Any other comments? >> I I just want to thank you again, mayor, for your leadership on this. I think the foresight that you have is spectacular. I know
that the township manager and uh our attorney worked very hard at different revisions of it and um I think the presence of a lobbyist from the fossil fuel merchants, one of the largest um oil and gas spending entities in the state being here uh really shows our
leadership, the tip of the spear um and the contagiousness which with communities may want to protect themselves from what we're seeing in the AI boom. Um and I would encourage them to do that. I think the residents would be pleased as I'm sure ours will be as well when this goes into effect. So, thank you.
>> Well, thank you for that. Mr. Vince Dominic also contributed uh a lot to this and thank you, sir. You're a gentleman. Um he came up at the beginning of the meeting and asked me when the proper time to speak was. Um
my comments on this was that um this is the next warehouse thing waiting to happen and this time at least we're ahead of it. So um I obviously am in favor of it. Any
other >> I I just I want for one Walter we've known each other for a long time. Um, what I would suggest you do is go on the computer and Google AI data centers and
and look there's a number of of uh articles and videos on it. Um, it it it will be chilling for you to see what the and the mayor said this is the next thing to come. This is the next thing
after warehouses. Um, it it is huge. All right. My son lives up in Carbon County, Pennsylvania, 90 miles from here. In a little town called Nesquoning, a Bitcoin
mining company purchased a former coal power plant has now applied to the state of Pennsylvania for the right to burn tires to supplement the coal to power just
nothing but that bit mining operation. And just down the road in Pen Forest Township, an AI data center is looking to purchase 700 acres of property that's not on city water and
will drill wells for cooling and it's has insufficient power from the grid to supply the facility. So, who knows how they're going to power it and that's 90 miles away. Look, just do yourself a favor and just look it up and see what
we're talking about here. Any other discussion? >> Yeah, I just want to add, mayor, um so happy that we're doing this um just looking back in 2020 and and going through the warehouse ordinance and etc and everything and the fact that we have done this proactive measure the council
and the staff and thank you so much to Mr. Brunlock and whole team for looking this and looking into this and making sure that this does not happen in New Jersey. This does well in Franklin. We're hoping that we can gather around the other neighboring um towns, but um
you know this is very important and this is the magnitude like what Mr. Warlocker said is extremely big, very impactful to our environment um to the residents and want to make sure that we indicate um we
we don't always get the credit for things like this. So, I want to make sure that I give my thanks to our staff and um mayor and the team that's been in this council for again being proactive measure on making sure that we're
keeping Franklin safe and um environmental friendly as much as we can. So, thank you >> can't you can't >> Mr. Mayor, the other thing I wanted to add to that, it's not just AI, it's data warehousing. >> Period.
>> Yeah. No, >> right. But the just for the lawyers, this ordinance is written. It doesn't matter how you're using it. >> Yes. >> We're not singling out AI, >> right? >> Um
I'm going to take a leap here and ask for a roll call. >> Councilman, >> yes. Councilwoman Francois, >> yes. >> Councilman Karazzi, >> yes. >> Mayor Kramer, >> yes. >> Councilman Oniaka, >> yes. >> Council member Pataznik, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Redee,
>> Councilman Vasinella, >> yes. >> Councilman Reich, >> yes. >> Thank you all. Um, ordinance in introduction and first reading. Ordinance number 4484-25. An ordinance releasing, extinguishing, and vacating the rights of the public to
a portion of a street known as Executive Drive in T in the township of Franklin County of Somerset State of New Jersey. The foregoing ores foregoing ordinances presents to the township council for adoption and first reading posting and publication in accordance with law and public hearing and final adoption at a
meeting of the township council to be held on Tuesday, November 25th, 2025 at 7 p.m. in the council chambers. Do I have a motion to introduce? So moved second moved and seconded. Any discussion? I think it's pretty
self-explanatory. Madame Clerk, >> Councilman Barrison, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Francois, >> yes. >> Councilman Karazzi, >> yes. >> Mayor Kramer, >> yes. >> Councilman Oni Jaka, >> yes. >> Council member Vaznik, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Rudin, >> yes.
>> Councilman Vasinella, Councilman Wright, >> yes. >> Uh, consent agenda. Um, the items A through Q as listed in the consent agenda portion of this meeting are presented to township council for adoption. Do we have a motion on the
consent agenda? >> So moved. >> Second. Moved and seconded. Any discussion? Anyone like to pull an item or >> Yes, Mr. Mayor? >> Resolution. >> Mr. Wright, your mic. >> It's on.
>> Okay. Resolution 25464, resolution of the township of Franklin, County of Somerset, New Jersey, designating properties identified as block 233, lots 1.01 and 2.01, and block
234, lots 1, 14.01, and 16 on the tap mat tax map of Franklin T Township as an area of redevelopment with condemnation powers. I would like to abstain
from that particular uh resolution. So, I want to back off on that. >> We should hold it for a separate vote then. >> Okay. >> I'm sorry. >> We'll we'll hold it for a separate take it off the consent agenda. We'll hold it for a separate vote and you can say >> Okay.
And resolution 25463. the um the grant application for mentoring for uh youth affected by the opioid and substance use. Um that is indeed a good program. Um we're going for the grant
which is definitely in need. So, I just want to pull that out so that people can see that we are concerned about our residents, our our our youth, and this is something that we could use for that and to that end.
>> Anyone else? Mayor, if you can just clarify the first one 25-446, what we're trying to do um with the pipelines the park
>> the lands in uh >> Castleton Park. >> Yes. Um there's they want the the company wants to change the valves on a pipeline. Um and uh they need an easement in order to
do that. These valves become automatic. It's a safety issue is to me. Um they can not automatic remote. Um, so if there was a uh gas leak in the pipes farther downstream, rather than someone
at headquarters saying, "Go get out there and shut it off," they can just shut it off. Um, I hate to do I I hate to help fossil fuel in any
way, but um safety is paramount. So, um >> I think it's important to note that this is an existing pipeline. Hasn't existed in that right away um in one form or another since about 1938. Um and it it
runs uh pretty much north to south through the township uh exiting down in the southern end of the town in Little Rocky Hill coming in across the river. the the current valves are in a flood plane um on the other side of the guard rail on Eastern Avenue across from the
park and a very dangerous location to access um and impossible to access during flood conditions. And this is moving the valves to the safer side of Eastn Avenue on the pipeline, which is where obviously where valves need to be,
and making them, as the mayor said, uh remotely activated so that uh in an emergency, it can immediately be turned off as opposed to currently where an employee of the pipeline company has to respond to the location to do so.
>> And they're paying us to do this. >> And they are paying us to do it at 10 times the value of the ease. about $155,000, give or take the dollar, >> which goes to open space for >> which goes to open space and the acquisition of obviously a much larger
piece of land than the.14 acres that we're talking about for this uh increase in the easement size. >> Uh, anyone else? >> Madame Clerk, on items A through P,
>> Councilman Barrison, >> yes. Councilwoman Fren, >> yes. >> Councilman Karazzi, >> yes. >> Mayor Kramer, >> yes. >> Councilman Oniaka, >> yes. >> Council member Faznik, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Redine, >> Councilman Vasinella, Councilman Wright,
>> item Q, resolution 20, uh, 5-464 is read by Councilman Wright. Uh, >> do we have a motion on that resolution? >> Solved. Seconded. >> Seconded. Any discussion?
Madame Clerk, >> Councilman Barrison, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Francois, >> your vote on Q >> from the last consent agenda. >> Yes. >> Councilman Karazzi. >> Yes. >> Mayor Kramer. >> Yes.
>> Councilman, >> yes. >> Council member, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Dean, >> yes. >> Councilman Basin, >> yes. Council may >> resolution 25-466 authorizing the formation of the Municipal Alliance Opiate Funds Advisory
Subcommittee. Um, Miss Franuis, do you want to make a motion? >> So moved. >> Seconded. >> Moved and seconded. Any discussion? >> Mr. I just wanted to make sure that they
knew it P >> was attached to item A. Am I >> Am I correct with that? >> No. Something different. >> Okay. >> Something different. >> Oh, I am. >> So, there's the funding.
>> Yeah. To vote on separately. Yes. Yeah. >> Well, that that that subcommittee would be administering and providing advisory to the use of those. Yes. So, it would be the same >> for that grant. Yes. >> Okay. You're about to say no. I was like, wait a minute.
>> Yeah. Uh um I'm >> So we have a motion in a second. Madame clerk. >> Councilman embarrass. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Francois. >> Yes. >> Councilman Karazzi. Yes. >> Mayor Kramer. >> Yes. >> Councilman Oni Jaka. >> Yes. >> Council member Vaznik.
>> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Dean. Yes. >> Councilman Vasinella. Yes. >> Councilman Wright. >> All business. 2025 boards, commissions, committees, and vacancies. Anyone have any nominations? Hearing
none. Resolution 25465 resol uh authorizing the executive session personnel matter is presented to the township council for adoption. Do we have a motion on the executive session? >> So moved. >> Second.
>> Moved and seconded. Um any discussion? Madame clerk. >> Councilman Barrison. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Francois. >> Yes. >> Councilman Karazzi. >> Yes. Mayor Kramer, >> yes. >> Councilman Oni Jaka, >> yes. >> Council member Vasnik, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Dean,
>> Councilman Vasinella, Councilman Right. >> At this time, council is going to go into executive session. There'll be no action taken after words except to um come out of executive session and to adjourn the meeting. So, taping will stop at this time.