This work session regular meeting of the township council is called to order. Madame Clerk, >> 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 Monday, November 10th, 2025. >> If you could all stand for the Pledge of Allegiance and remain standing for the invocation by Councilman Ramen Barrison. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the
United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> We gather tonight in service to our community. Mindful of their
responsibilities entrusted to us, we lift up in prayer those among us who are struggling to put food on the table, our neighbors, our elders, our children who face each day without the support of vital programs like SNAP. Grant us
wisdom and courage to shape policies that reflect justice, dignity, and care for the most vulnerable. May our actions be guided by empathy, equity, and a shared commitment to the common good. Amen. >> Amen.
>> Madame clerk, please call the role. >> Councilman Embarrison, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Francois, >> here. >> Councilman Karazzi, >> here. >> Mayor Kramer, >> here. >> Councilman Onaka, >> here. >> Council member Patnik, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Rudine, >> here. >> Councilman Vasinella >> here. Councilman Wright,
>> yes. Item number five on the agenda uh we have uh one proclamation uh world diabetes day uh 2025 Dr. Karazzi come here.
>> Good evening everyone. >> Uh so this is a proclamation about the diabetes awareness day which is going to be on November 14th. Unfortunately, diabetes affects almost 10% of Americans. So, I had lost an aunt
because of the diabetes and a few of my relatives, brother-in-laws and so forth, they have diabetes. So, I'd like to read this to increase the awareness. Whereas diabetes is a serious chronic disease that affects millions of
Americans and their families impacting quality of life and placing significant burden on our health care system. And whereas more than 38 million Americans are currently living with diabetes and
approximately 1.2 million Americans are diagnosed with diabetes every year. And whereas diabetes is the eighth leading cause of death in the United States and a leading cause of kidney failure, lower limb
amputations, and adult blindness. And whereas the theme of World Diabetes Day emphasizes the importance of early detection, proper management, education, and access to quality care for all
individual living with diabetes. And whereas through lifestyle changes, prevention care, and increased awareness, type 2 diabetes can often be prevented or delayed. and those living
with diabetes can lead full healthy lives with proper management and support. And whereas it is essential that we work together as a community to raise awareness about diabetes prevention, support those affected by
this disease, and promote healthy lifestyle for all residents of Franklin Township. And whereas we encourage all residents to learn about their risk factors of for diabetes, maintain healthy eating habits, engage in regular
physical activities, and speak with their health care providers about diabetes screening and prevention. Not therefore be it resolved that the mayor and the council of Franklin Township do hereby proclaim November
14th, 2025 as World Diabetes Day in Franklin Township and urge all residents to increase their awareness of diabetes prevention, treatment, and management and to support those in our community
living with this disease. And here I have Linda Powell who is a member of the advisory board of health. So I'd like to present this to her. >> We will take a picture. I just wanted to add that
>> that I work with um and have been working with kidney failure patients for the last 46 47 years and almost 60% of my patients are affected by diabetes. >> There you go. Beautiful.
Thank you. >> Anyone else wishing to speak? >> Oh, I'm sorry. >> You skipped a part. >> I'm skipping way. >> I was gonna close to movie. >> All right. Thank you. Um we're actually
to upcoming events. Skip the step. Um tomorrow is Veterans Day uh at November 11th and we have Veterans Day ceremony which is going to be held right here inside council chambers. Mr. Lord has decided it's going to be too cold to do
it outside. They can go outside for the bell ringing. coffee and donuts will be served. And um uh that's that's about the time. I don't know the time. 10:30, which makes sense.
10:30. Um I unfortunately won't be able to be there. I'm going to be working. It's my day of the week that I work. Uh Mr. Borlocker, do you have any announcements for events >> other than Veterans Day? I was just
discussing something with the with the council woman. But did you do veteran site? >> I did. >> That was the only other that was the only one I had. >> Anyone else have any other announcements? >> On Thursday, there's the hearing for the Department of Environmental Protection
for the air permits for the TransCo pipeline, the Nessie project. Um, and that's from 5:30 to 9:30. And um, if you're interested in finding out how to register, it's important to have your voice be heard. you can visit our township website under um Nessie um the
task force if you scroll down there's a spot where you can um get a link to register um but it's again important from 5:30 to 9:30 they left a little more time this time because they ran out of time for the previous permits
>> anyone else okay now public discussion do we have unanimous consent to open to the public Seeing no one uh disagreeing, we're open to the public for anyone wishing to speak on anything to do with government.
Five minutes. No uh um yielding of time. May only come up once. >> Linda Powell, 22 Buffer Drive. First, I want to congratulate all those of you who um ran uh to be reelected and
congratulations that you were reelected. Um, I was very happy about the elections results, not only here but around the country. And that was quickly, my happiness was quickly dashed on November 7th when we
found out that both New York and New Jersey approved the quality air um, water permits for the Nessie project. We've been working against this project since 2016. The the project hasn't changed. It's just as polluting. It's just as
damaging. The only thing that has changed is that the climate's gotten worse. We've had the hottest summers. We've had more uh more uh destructive storms and more flooding. And um it it looks like because of these decisions
and the basically bullying by um our current president and federal government, um we're going to be headed more in that direction. But there is a possibility of hope. Um, as council member Ed Patazic mentioned,
there is still the air permit and it if you want, this would be this Thursday, November 13th, there's another virtual hearing and you can either go to www.scrap-nes.org org or on the township website if you
look under um committees and commissions under task force go to the bottom of the page and it'll say news and it says join the NJD hearing you can click on that which will lead to a page where you can sign up
um I I'm not sure that I have the hope I've had in the last nine years that we've been fighting this that will go through, but I still think that we need to stand up to the bullying and blackmail that's
being done by some people in our federal government. Um, the other reason I'm here is I presented a draft resolution um on the Immigrant Trust Act. Some of you may remember, I don't uh I didn't look up what year it was, but several
years ago um this council uh unanimously approved a resolution uh on the immigrant trust directive. This is a little bit stronger because it actually makes I believe it makes a law in New Jersey and what it does it it
allows law enforcement, schools, courts, hospitals to have a way to say that they will not do ISIS job for them. Of course, ICE has changed in the last
several years as well. um and their tactics have changed and who is now ICE agents has changed. And I just think that this um gives our local resources something to fall back on and not have
to support um some of these what look to me like immoral kidnappings more than more than you know lawful actions.
And that's all I have for tonight. Thank you. In fact, I have to leave for another meeting. >> Thank you. >> Anyone else wishing to speak? >> Javon Walker, 15 Street. Um, just wanted to, it might be just a general
question more than a request, but um, I read the story about a month or two ago about uh, two high school girls that were killed uh, by a fellow high school student in uh, Cranford and basically it was like a a
whole story. Um, unfortunately the girls were murdered but a lot of their peers are trying like a change.org work petition and trying to go to the state government to eventually like try to allow underage kids to seek
restraining orders against individuals. I don't know if that is only allowed by the state law or if there's anything that we can do within a locality. I I give what you mean, Mr. Blocker. Um, I don't know if there's anything that can be proposed um, municipalitywise
uh, within Franklin Township or is there any type of thing that we could do to further reduce type of like domestic violence or restraining order, anything like that even for teenagers or people that are um, minors? That's the only thing I have. >> Thank you.
Uh, >> you want me to answer Franklin? Well, does this Franklin reporter want to speak? No. They're the only ones else in the room. So, yes, you can answer that. >> So, u Mr. Walker, domestic violence laws
are are uh dictated by state statute and a municipality is prohibited from superseding state law when it comes to things like domestic violence laws. It's actually in a criminal code. Um and um
the the code itself affords uh a number of things to domestic violence victims. Um in fact, I think New Jersey has among the most strict domestic violence laws in the country. Um but
juveniles are not subject to um domestic violence restraining orders because juveniles are covered under a different set of laws that are basically for lack of a better term the child abuse laws. So um that's why they're not entitled to
um restraining orders. Um they're they're they cover they're covered under a different set of laws. I I I am familiar with the the matter that you spoke of. I'm also familiar with the the change.org effort to get um restraining
orders to be available to minors. Um and that's something that would be handled by the state legislature. >> Um do we have unanimous consent to close public session? Seeing no uh descent, uh public session
is closed. Um we've already addressed the public's comments and questions. Go time for council reports. They don't there's no one here. They don't have to go on that long. Um Mr. Kurazzi, >> thank you so much.
>> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Good evening, everyone. Uh let me first extend my heartfelt gratitude to members of our community who exercise one of their most important civic duties and casted their
votes. Congratulation to all including my colleagues who won the election and also a special thanks to others who did not uh have the opportunity to win. Your hard work and efforts are
greatly appreciated. Of course, now that the election is over, uh we must put the politics aside and work together to serve our community the best we can. Uh we had advisory board of health
meeting last week and had a special guest, Mrs. Clark, which is the executive the director of the affordable housing. She shares uh some information about steps that people can sign up for
low and moderate income housing as well as the rental and purchase and the rental. And she also mentioned that things are really tough these days. Uh not a lot of people uh can afford even the rent as well as the or the purchase
of the the housing. So um we also had the members of the advisory board of health also had some food collection as well as some money donation to u to give to food bank and uh speaking of the food bank actually today I visited the food
bank and spoke to director of the food bank Derek Smith and I'm happy to let you know that um uh they last week they graciously met the extra needs of the community members. In fact, they had about 10%
increase, but they did not have any any issue. And Derek mentioned that last week they purchased $50,000 more so of food. And when I was there, I saw the refrigerators and the shelves were completely full and they were waiting
for tomorrow when they open their doors for the community members to come and serve them. One thing that we need to keep in mind is that the food insecurity is an ongoing issue in our township and
many other places. Almost 10,000 people depend on their food needs at least supplementing their food needs. They go to food bank. So we need to continue supporting them. And I'm glad the house of worship as well as others individuals
uh they are really helping. and I saw one of my old friends uh Rich Seaman who's outside and they were collecting food and that's really wonderful. Um, also this this uh afternoon before I
came to the council, I got a a message from one of my neighbors that their church uh First Baptist Church, they are uh going to be giving 100 uh turkeys and all the other stuff that needed for the
Thanksgiving is going to be this Saturday on the 15th and first come first serve starting at 9:30. That's on nine persing avenue. So again, people, community members, different community
members as well as the house of worship are stepping up to help our community members and hopefully we'll continue to do that and uh I'm sure Franklin in the past they have been able to help and in the in the future they will also continue to help. One important thing
that you have to remember is that based on what Derek told me that this year compared to last there was about 25% increase uh in the number of people that they went food bank. So the need is increasing the place they h they have is
very small and hopefully in the next couple of years they will build a very large place to meet the needs of the community. Thank you Mr. Mayor. That's all I have. Thank you, Councilman Ali Jaka. >> Okay. Thank you, mayor.
First of all, I want to use this privilege to thank those who voted for me in the last election and those who did not vote for me. This shows my reactive and response to their problems. I will continue to use I will continue
to do my duty and support whatever that is good for Franklin. Thank you, mayor. This is what I hope. >> Thank you, Councilman Embarrison. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, real quick update. Uh, the sewage authority board
meeting, uh, we approved the, uh, budget, uh, for next year. Um, so that's all taken care of. As you remember, I think it's 2 uh 8% or 2.9% increase uh
in some rates uh to make up uh the shortfall. Um other than that, uh I I talked to a resident last night um about uh he uh was scammed with a
cryptocurrency. It just I can't just understand why people still get scammed with all the publicity we have been um offering with the FBI u deputy mayor
organized FBI uh seminar here couple of places despite all that and all the coverage the newspaper does we still have people falling victim to uh crypto coverage this gentleman spoke to me last night Um obviously our PD is not
equipped to handle such uh fraud. Um so it's really FBI has to get involved. So we are trying to um uh get the matter uh to the FBI. Uh so please don't click the
links that come to your emails or WhatsApp regarding crypto or financial education or whatever. Nothing is free. Just go to reliable companies uh that you know of that have a track record. Um
now for the some good news uh as you know that we have been working on the YMCA um funding uh for building a YMCA in Franklin. Uh last Diwali in 2024 I made an announcement. I haven't given much uh
um publicity to that and my my wife and I um as a family we made a contribution um as a startup as a seed money and I'm happy to say this week last week one of my close friends longtime friends an
entrepreneur pharma executive uh has signed a pledge for a million dollars uh towards YMCA so that's a good news uh we are hoping that many will uh follow suit and um make that a reality for the
township. That's all I got. Mayor, >> thank you. Well, that's quite a bit. Councilwoman Francois should have had my mic ready to go. Good evening everybody. First, I want to say I got a chance to attend the Veterans Day breakfast this
morning with Councilman Rom and the mayor. Uh Joe Danielson had a full house over at the stage house. It was a really, really delicious breakfast and it was so nice talking to so many veterans. The place was full. So, I want to say happy Veterans Day to all of our
veterans. Thank you so much for your service. Also, um there's going to be at the youth center on Wednesday, next Wednesday, November 19th, a Friendsgiving dinner for all of our
youth and their parents from 4 to 6:00 p.m. This is our third year doing that. And it's a it's a lovely holiday dinner for the youth and their families over at the youth center. And also I would like to congratulate my co council colleagues
for your winning your reelection. I've been very proud and happy to serve with you and I'm gra I'm grateful that I have two more years to go to serve with you. Councilman Charles Onyaka. >> Yes.
>> Councilwoman I'm sorry. Deputy Mayor, Chief Udin, Councilman Jim Basinella, Councilman Council Member Ed Patastic, and Councilman the illustrious Carl Wright,
>> him too. >> Love you, too. >> Love you, too. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. >> I understand four of those, but >> Mr. Vasinella, >> thank you. Uh, few items. Uh since you
mentioned our illustrious gentleman here at the end, I I feel compelled to start with what I was going to mention. Uh one of the items I was going to mention, uh Carl, Mr. Wright, is been um the leader
in pushing sidewalk ex expanding our sidewalks in town for everybody, but especially geared towards moving school kids safely back and forth from school. Obviously, everybody uh uses them and will be safer for them. But with that mention,
Highland Avenue, the one of the last pieces of the puzzle of what I think is the second or third phase here, is almost complete. There's a sidewalk from Franklin Boulevard to Irvington Avenue. Probably should have been there decades ago, but um uh it's coming along
wonderful. And uh uh Carl's initiated a lot of long stretches, including that one. Uh I've been focused more on replacing uh pieces that were missing or destroyed by trees, etc. But I'm really happy that we've kind of turned the
corner and uh we'll take a look at what needs to be left, Carl, but hopefully we'll finish that up in the next few years. Um all that being said, uh the main meeting I'm reporting on is a public works meeting. We spent um some time reviewing some possible ordinance
amendments. They're not ready yet um to move forward, so I'm not going to get into the details, but one of the items was doing a comprehensive review of the self-substaining uh convenience center that we have because um it's a great service. We want
to keep providing it, but we have to make sure that the uh the cost we charge and the the um cost it costs us to keep it going are somewhat um you know self- sustaining. So, we're reviewing that and uh we'll have possible ordinance changes
coming forward with some others in uh the coming couple of months. The one item that I would like to mention uh was uh I'm going to say kind of unanimously moved forward um is the re I call mini
reforestation of uh an area of Castle Park known as Bara Woods and I'm happy to say that all the work that the subcommittee put into it is paying off. Uh long story short, we're take a couple months but getting the bid specs
together and hopefully um we will have a contractor and hopefully that will move forward in the um after the beginning of the year so that the planting can happen in in April or May. One of the first projects of its type in Franklin and hopefully not the last. Um and I want to
thank everybody who worked on that. Um, one other item I wanted to mention. Oh, and especially subcommittee, William Burrs, Robert Hudact, Mary LaCau. I I know where is Mary. I hope I'm not mispronouncing her name and um myself
who's on the subcommittee that put the project together. The one last thing I'd like to mention is there's a lot of talk about hunger recently uh and food issues. Uh there was an item I came across um in a publication that the
county puts out called Spotlight Fall and Winter Somerset County. Nice little publication that the uh county puts out. And one other one item I don't think was ever mentioned. I'll just read it right from their their their publication. In addition to the experience in fresh foods and our farmers share with
residents and visitors, our farmers also work handinand with the county and our local food banks and nonprofit partners to help battle food insecurity. One item is that Somerset County seniors aged 60 and older. Um I guess 60 now makes you a
false senior, but seriously uh 60 and older who meet the income eligibility limits and I don't know what they are. They're not printed here. Can receive a $40 voucher to use at local farm stands. Um, so you can buy fresh fruit, vegetables, and herbs. I assume the
county sponsors this program financially. So, every little bit helps. And that's a program that I don't know if there's a link on our website. Maybe we could put a link so that seniors in Franklin or people over 60 could take advantage. The last thing I'll say with
Thanksgiving coming up is, you know, we we do all these efforts and I applaud them. I've been working on hunger issues literally for 40 years. At the end of the day, good old-fashioned gesture by a neighbor, friend, a relative, a
stranger. If you see someone that looks like they could use a meal or don't have a place to go for Thanksgiving or for whatever other reason seem like they could use food, um, you don't have to go do it formally. You don't have to write
a big check. you can just make them a meal, invite them to dinner, and a good old little community spirit. Um, those little gestures go a long way. Um, thank you for mentioning all the other stuff, Rob, by the way. I know that fails in
comparison, but I'm hearing there's a million dollar seed money to keep that going. So, I'm jumping from making a neighbor a meal to when somebody like the benefactor you're talking about that I don't know, but God bless them. Um, steps up with a million-doll pledge. So,
sometimes it's the big things that thank you for delivering on and sometimes we don't need uh the big things, just the little gestures uh that you could do individually from your house or your car u also mean a lot. So give for
Thanksgiving how you can where you can to people who don't have as much as you. Thank you. >> Thank you Council Member Patasnik. >> I will say uh congratulations council member um Embarrass for that amazing announcement this evening and then also
to Rich Seaman who is collecting in the lobby food for the food bank. Um, money goes far because as uh, council member Karazzi mentioned, they have a buying power, but sharing the food that you have is also a great way to help. Um, given the food shortages under SNAP, but
anytime it's always goes a long way. So, um, to community members for stepping up in all different ways, it's quite meaningful. Um, thank you to the voters on supporting my election and congratulations to my running mates, uh, who did a fantastic job. Um, also want to thank uh Patrick Murray for running a
great campaign. Um, as well as the opponents for uh, you know, being respectful throughout the process. And then also congratulate our amazing uh, uh, Congresswoman, now governor-elect Mikey Cheryl, who will be the second woman governor of New Jersey, the first
Democratic governor, who was endorsed by the former Republican governor of New Jersey. So, I don't think we talk a lot about bipartisanship these days, but I think uh that stands out to me as pretty monumental, and I think uh the state is in good hands with her leadership. Um I
also want to echo um my disappointment and uh with the approval, which was a one-two punch of New York and New Jersey for the water quality permits for the Williams Transco Nessie pipeline. Um it is unneeded, it's dangerous, and you know, this council has been firmly
opposed and we will continue to do everything we can uh to protect our community. Um and um I also wanted to say on a on a brighter note that and thank the the council and the public I guess it was land use committee. Um but
we have to do a storm water evaluation as part of a requirement from the state. We were able to secure a grant through Montgomery Township to do a regional approach which is one of two in the state because water doesn't know geographic political boundaries. Um it
knows where water runs which is from the highest point to the lowest and to the they call that a watershed. And so along the Milstone River through the leadership at the Stony Brook oh sorry the watershed institute we had um Jim Waltman come talk about shad remember he talked about the shad. So their
organization pulled together a number of towns so that we could pull resources together and look across the watershed um which is going to open up benefits for us for accommodating and adjusting. We got a lot of phones going off up here. It's very exciting. Um but so I
just want to thank everyone for their patience and that's good news. Um and sometimes it it helps to pray I guess and hope uh the DP was able to give that grant so that was nice. Um, and also, um, congratulations and thank you to our
veterans, uh, which we don't thank enough, our mayor, uh, who is a veteran, uh, Chanel Robinson who is our county commissioner and Assemblyman Danielson. Also, uh, Franklin's own serving as elected officials who are veterans. Did I miss anyone? I tried to be
comprehensive. Those are the ones that come to mind. And all the families and spouses of veterans. And for those of you who had veterans in your family, we appreciate you. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. uh Pataznik. Councilman Wright.
>> Mayor Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Just uh three quickies. Um as I campaigned on the avenue, one gentleman struck me and and stopped me for a a question, and that was open
space. And while I gave him chapter and verse on open space and the mayor was with me, still didn't get cross exactly what open space was. And he kept asking me question. I kept telling him, but this
is what we're going to do. Uh, and I've asked the township manager to give me a hand with this. Let us pinpoint all the open space we have and let's pinpoint what we have on that open space so that you could tell. Okay, Carl, you walking
down the street on the side of the road, you see a big that sign, a big sign that says Franklin Township open space. Well, what is it doing? Uh, we bought it so nobody else could use it. Nobody else
can develop it. Um, parks. Um, if we use it, if we spend the money to use it to buy land, no one else could could buy the land, I think. Um, no. Uh, Catalpa.
>> Kelpa. >> Yeah, Catalpa. Um, somebody else could buy that, put a couple houses on there. Um, what's the other one on 27 where the board of education sits? Consula. That's what I was thinking of.
Um, the fathers of consulatada, they gave us first rights to that. And believe me, they gave a piece away a couple years ago. And the amount of town houses uh >> was really a killer. Um,
but nobody knew about that one. But, uh, in their divine wisdom, they gave us first spot at this one. I'm glad we bought it cuz uh it would have really been dangerous for us because our board of education in which we're always trying to protect
would have been blown up. Affordable housing. Um we brought up a for affordable housing and it's always in everyone's mind and it's um we need to do a town hall and for one
reason. I'm chairman of the uh redevelopment agency here in Franklin Township. And everybody comes up and asks, "Well, what is affordable housing? Where can we sign up on it? Uh how come we can't get it? Is it just for Franklin Township?"
Well, what I wanted to do was bring in two of our redevelopment uh contractors and have them explain to you what it is we do and how do you get on the list?
Uh what is your qualifications? And if you live in East Brunswick and we call you because we have a housing uh apartment open in Franklin Township, how does that work?
Do you pack up your bags and come running right over here to Franklin Township or do you wait for another goround? Um, that needs to be explained in depth because that's the question people ask.
Um, definitely more sidewalks. Uh, Councilman Bassinel, definitely more sidewalks. Um, that's it. Thank you. Uh, Deputy Mayor Rudin, >> thank you. Uh, just a few things. Um,
most of the items have already been spoken about. So, thank you to my council peers and congratulations to all the candidates. um that won the election. So my peers, thank you so much. It's great to um work with you guys for another four four years next term. So um
public works, we had a meeting earlier today. Um we spoke about our 2025 roads and everything that's been paved. Um and PE, you know, public works has been moving very diligently and has been completing most of the items. There are
few roads that are still left which will be carried over in um 2026. Spring of 2026 is when they usually start. Um so I anticipate those roads are going to um get completed at that time. Um Nessie on
November 13th at 5:30 Councilman Pataznik I am also registered as a speaker so I plan to speak at that um event as well. Um, and as we're talking about a lot of the, uh, food
insecurities in town, um, I just want to name a couple things that's also going on. So, CJCC, Community Jersey Community Center had informed me that to make an announcement that, um, they are hosting an early Thanksgiving at their location at 80 Cottonail, um, Lane in Somerset.
You do need to RSVP. Um they have limited seats, but it gets really packed and they serve very delicious um hot Mediterranean food there. Again, it's CJCC. If you go to their site or Facebook page, I think you can RSVP there. Um it's right here in town and um
they're offering great great uh early Thanksgiving meals. And then um I also saw something that our clerk sent out from Somerset County. Um there's an emergency snap food distribution drive-thru that's happening. Um that's
at 411 Chimney Rock Road in Bridgewwater and that's on November 15th which is a Saturday from 9 to 4:00 p.m. And then you know you can check the uh criterias of what's needed from there. But these are just the a couple food related um
things that's happening in town. And then apart from food, it's getting cold out there. So, um, our assemblyman who was here, Joe Danielson, is having a 2025 headtotoe winter clothing drive. Um, that starts on November 5th and goes all the way to January 16th at his
location at 334 Elizabeth A. Um, so if you have spare things that's on hand, that can be donated. Um, I always say make sure you give it out and help our um, folks that need to just get warm and bundled up. Um what we didn't talk about
was a Franklin Township restaurant week that just occurred in November 2nd to I think November 8th um just passed and a lot of our restaurants had bundled up and and did this and I really hope that our residents um that are out there had taken the opportunity to go and eat at
these um wonderful places. A lot of the list that went down and most of them I have been to and I know they offer great meals. So I really hope everyone had taken the time to um enjoy that restaurant week. Um, and I I agree, Councilman, right, with you on affordable housing town, who I think the
education is needed, and I think you hit on Oh, you're over there. You moved on me. Um, I think you hit on a lot of the keyyn notes of of what I hear also as I'm walking um on the streets as, you know, a lot more about affordable housing, but I'm I also um I know I did a couple seminars last earlier this year
on scam and cyber um on attacks that's happening. And I I do think that's much more needed because attackers are getting very smart with AI and all that happening and it's so easy for elderly folks as well as the youngers to um just click on something and it just takes
them to this thing where um all of a sudden the entire phone and their banks and everything just got scammed. So we just have to be very um uh we got to get smarter than them. So, I I do look forward to seeing how we can kind of we have another town hall that will benefit
the residents on um learning more about the upcoming um scams and and what happens. Um with that, I think there was one more and I'm not sure if the township manager is going to talk about this or the mayor about the uh the 911 text platform. Are you going to talk about that?
>> Okay. So, I'll let you talk about that then, mayor. And that's all I had. Thank you. >> Thank you. So for my comments, uh, one of the things I forgot to tell you about Veterans Day ceremony tomorrow, uh, Colonel Jonathan Hart will is the
chaplain or was a chaplain in the army. Um, and he will be, uh, the chaplain for the ceremony. His seven times greatgrandfather, Reverend John Hart, was the first United States Army chaplain
uh, for this country. So appointed by Washington. Um that's pretty cool. Seventh grandson or seventh times grandson. Um 911 texting. You can now text an
emergency to 911. You put 911 in as who you're calling. >> Now you can put 911 in. Mayor, please don't say 911 because 911 is sometimes confusing for people because there is no 11 on a phone. Oh, >> we always say 911 for 911.
>> Uh, you put 911 in and then you text your emergency who you are and where you are. Um, and that can be very useful if your house is under siege and you're hiding, you don't want to make any
noise, you can do that very quietly. Uh, so we're one of the first in the state to have that. And uh our police were rightfully very proud of that. Um happy birthday to the Marines.
>> Today they are 250 years old. They were uh an organization before the country was a country. Um speaking of 250, Franklin 250, uh we're getting together a passport for Franklin 250.
It's a booklet uh listing restaurants, perhaps other types of vendors. Um, and you go to each one of these places, you get your passport stamped, and at the end, if there's going to be 25 of these
uh establishments, if you go to 20 of them, you're entered into a drawing for a uh a prize. Um, so we're This is The purpose of this is to raise money. It's free to the public, but the uh people who are the restaurants that are in the
passport uh pay $250 uh to be in it, and that money will go to offset the costs of Franklin 250 um because we want to minimize any expenditures uh to the taxpayers. Uh if you're interested, go to the uh township
website 250. Uh and there'll be more information there. Uh the last item is uh for those of you who don't know, uh Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman has said she will
not be running again. There is a long line of people lining up for that. I'd like to announce that I am not running. Uh that's going to be a very small field, so I'm very hopeful to win that.
Um >> people not running. >> People not running. Yes. Um Mr. Born Locker. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um so, drive-thru food check. Um 911 check. And
my report's done. So, thank you council members for doing my report for me. Um, and I think I have something coming up in the next section. So, that's all, Mr. Mayor. >> Okay. Uh, council discussion items. Proposed 2025 township council meeting
schedule. Madame Clerk. >> Okay. Um, so the first thing is when you all would like reorganization, either January 1st, which is a Thursday, or Tuesday, January 6th.
>> Is the Is there an option of doing it? >> It's It's your option. >> No, no. On No, I'm saying anything that would forbid us from doing it. Not and I'll just throw this out there as a third option. not on the first, which
I'm not against, but we've seemed like we've gotten away from doing it on the first, although Thursday maybe that works. But also, uh because it sometimes involves more people from the public, Mr. Vas, >> I am mayor. Okay, it's important. Thank
you. Um involve inviting people, etc. And people who are being sworn in sometimes have more people coming. Uh, we could also do it on I know Saturday may not be the best for yourself and other people involved, but that is an option. If we want to forgo New Year's
Day and forgo doing it on Tuesday night, that may not be as practical for uh guests or the little bit little bit of fanfare that we have. So, I just want to put that out. Mayor, go ahead. What were you Councilwoman for woman Francois who's done this many many times may have
something to add. I the deputy mayor was looking at me. So I said five people are getting sworn in. So it's cake, it's ice cream, it's speeches, it's family, it's a big thing. So if you want to have something specific for your reelection,
do it on a Saturday. A lot more people will >> That's what I was throwing out there. I don't know if anybody thought a mayor I didn't mean to snub you there. I just thought that maybe that was a practical alternative. uh but uh obviously the five people or four others besides myself would would uh have an opinion a
strong opinion about that. When I say Saturday, I meant the first one which would be technically the third. >> Um >> well, we have to have to do it within seven days, >> right? Well, I just figured and then that that could be our first council meeting
>> allow for the fanfare, but I know some people are like, "Oh, no, not New Year's." I'm fine. We need New Year's also, but how does how does everybody feel about that? Like a Saturday perhaps? >> January 3rd. >> January 3rd. >> January. >> What time?
>> Whatever time you guys want. >> Well, when we used to do it New Year's, it was like 1:00 12 or 1 or something. So, it wasn't too late or too early. >> It's your It's you guys call the five of you. It's your call. What you would like to do. >> What day was this? >> January 3rd. Saturday. Saturday.
>> Okay. Okay. >> It's not the first though. No, >> no, that's not the first is Thursday. >> Yeah. >> Charles, >> I'm okay with Saturday. >> Okay. >> And we can have the council meeting that day, too, to make all the appointments. >> Yeah. >> Yeah.
>> Bob, >> I'm sorry, mayor. Yeah, I just >> Nothing Nothing to do with me. >> So, let me clarify that this meeting on Saturday, >> just the guy who works here >> going to be the swearing in and the appointments. We're not going to have a regular council meeting, >> right?
>> Okay. >> Well, we could put >> No, it takes >> What day would be the next council? >> Doesn't make sense. >> Then it would be the 13th. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Okay. So, you would have two you would have three meetings. The first one would just to do all the business that we
normally would do that we used to do on New Year's, but we're thinking Saturday might be more practical. >> Okay. >> I don't know. Is that >> That's okay. It's up to you guys. >> We have a unanimous consent. >> What time? >> I didn't hear Ed say anything.
>> Oh, Ed. It's a an empty chair. >> Well, we should give him the courtesy of of chiming in. I I I didn't realize he wasn't here >> until I looked and it was a empty chair. >> But um >> All right, then. Let's hold that for a
second. Let's do best practices. >> Uh, calendar year 2025 best practice inventory. Mr. Bornlock, are you >> Thank you. I'm assuming that all council members received a copy of the best practices inventory. Uh for those of you who don't know it, it is a uh it is what
it's called a best practices inventory that is a requirement of all municipalities in a state by the New Jersey Division of uh Department of Community Affairs. Um there are roughly 70 questions uh give or take um in this
year's version of the best practices inventory and they are from a uh just for survey purposes only half a point or one point that's tied to your state aid. Um and the requirement this year was for
32 points and we achieved 39.5. So, we receive our full state aid based on that result. Um, and if there are any questions, I'm here for you. I think it's pretty self-explanatory um what was distributed and and is in
the agenda. >> Any questions? So, I had a question. Item number 14 was about uh electric vehicles. Um, do you have a policy? I believe that >> Yes, that is the question.
>> Pardon? I said yes, that is the question of for number 14. Yes. >> Yes, I I know that. I was saying that. >> Well, you said you had a question. I think you probably don't have a question. You probably have a comment. >> No, I I have a question, Mr. Bornelock. I'd like to ask it.
>> Okay. >> Um, it's about electric vehicles. uh whether you have a policy to use them um uh use them whenever you can or buy them whenever you can buy a vehicle.
>> Correct. It's for purchasing. >> Right. >> So, we don't have a we answer to that was no. >> Correct. >> Here is my question. >> Would you is is there a reason why you think we shouldn't have a policy? It
sounds like a good thing to me, but maybe there's a practical reason not to. >> Well, this is this would create a formal policy to purchase hybrid or alternative vehicles whenever such vehicles are suited for the intended use. That's completely a decision of you. There's no nothing that would prohibit us from a
practical standpoint from doing that. It's just the the only thing that prohibits you from doing it is the availability of vehicles and the practical application of those vehicles. >> Okay. >> Yeah, that's that's >> that's something we can work on. Um,
so, uh, do we do we vote on this? >> No, you don't have to do anything. It's just it's required to have it as a public comment, a a public discussion. >> Okay. Um, back to the council meeting schedule.
Mr. Patasnik, you missed the suggestion to have it on. >> You can hear out there. >> I knew it was going to come out, you know. There you go. >> Actually, Councilman Ray help me. >> Okay. >> So, you do that, man. Come on.
>> Does anyone do you need a vote? >> You said 1:00. >> Well, there'll be a resolution at the next meeting adopting the calendar. >> That's good. >> Okay. >> What time? >> 1:00. >> One. Okay. >> All right. We are council discussed.
Um, item number 12, approval of the minutes. I present the following minutes to township council for their approval. Township council work session regular meeting October 28th, 2025. >> Do we have a motion on the minutes? >> So moved. >> Seconded. >> Moved and seconded. Any discussion?
Anyone like to pull an item or make a correction? >> Madame clerk. >> Councilman. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Frlaw. >> Yes. >> Councilman Karazzi. >> Yes. Mayor Kramer, >> yes. >> Councilman Onaka, >> yes. >> Council member Batanaznik,
>> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Dean, >> yes. >> Councilman Vasanella, >> yes. >> Councilman, right? >> Yes. >> Approval of the warrants. Warrants in the amount of 3,127,74.77 on November 10th, 2025 are presented to the township council for payment. Do we
have a motion on the warrants? >> I move that the warrants as read be paid. >> Seconded. Moved and seconded. Any discussion? Anyone would like to pull an item, discuss an item? >> Madame clerk. >> Councilman embarrass.
>> Yes. >> Councilwoman Francois, >> yes. >> Councilman Karazzi, >> yes. >> Mayor Kramer, >> yes. >> Councilman Oniaka, >> yes. >> Council member Faznik, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Rudin, >> yes. >> Councilman Vasanella, >> yes. >> Councilman Wright, >> yes.
>> Item number 14, public hearing and adoption of ordinances on second reading. We have none. Item number 15, ordinance is on introduction on first reading. Ordinance 4485-25, an ordinance amending the municipal code of the township of Franklin, uh, county
of Somerset, New Jersey, more particularly chapter 226, vehicles and traffic section 226-13, parking prohibited at all times on certain streets, Brookline Avenue. Uh, the following ordinance is presented to
the township council for adoption on first reading, posting, and publication in accordance with law and public hearing and final adoption at a meeting of the township council to be held on Tuesday, November 25th, 2025 at 7 p.m.
in the council chambers. Do we have a motion to introduce? >> So moved. >> Second move and seconded. Any discussion? I just wanted to make sure the manager >> So, so mayor, this is in reference to a a request from the sewage authority.
It's in front of their pump station on Brooklyn Avenue and they need the area to ensure that they have access at all times. >> Thank you. >> Any other comments? >> Yeah. No, that was just wanted to confirm and thank you.
>> Yeah, >> Madame Clerk. >> Councilman Barrison. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Francois. Yes. >> Councilman Karazzi. Yes. >> Mayor Kramer. >> Yes. >> Councilman Noni Jaka. >> Yes. >> Council member Bataznik. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Roudin. >> Yes. Councilman Vasanella. >> Yes. >> Councilman Right.
>> Yes. >> Ordinance 4486-25. Ordinance. An ordinance accepting an easement agreement for a pump station and associated utility infrastructure from Princeton Route 27 LLC for the
premises known as block 5.02, 02 lot 53 as per docket number ZBA 24 000015. The following ordinance is presented to township council for adoption on first reading posting and publication in accordance with law and public hearing
and final adoption at a meeting of the township council to be held on Tuesday, November 25th, 2025 at 7 p.m. in the council chambers. Do we have a motion to introduce? >> So moved. >> Second. moved and seconded. Any
discussion? This is to connect us to American Water at the southern end of town to ensure um more
ensure the water supply and also to save us some money. >> No other discussion. Madame clerk. >> Councilman embarrass. >> Yes. Councilwoman Francois, >> yes. >> Councilman Karazzi, >> yes. >> Mayor Kramer, >> yes. >> Councilman Oni Jaka, >> yes. >> Council member Bataznik,
>> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Radine, >> yes. >> Councilman Vasanella, >> yes. >> Councilman Wright, >> yes. >> The consent consent agenda items A through Q as listed in the consent agenda portion of this meeting are presented to the township council for
adoption. Do we have a motion on the consent agenda? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Moved and seconded. Any discussion? Anyone like to pull an item? Ask about an item. >> Like to ask about item J,
resolution 25-478, authorized out of state training. What is that for? It's the um international conference that I attend each year where I attend um sessions such as we did a whole one
on how to handle Gen Z. um uh employees. Uh it's it's a much higher um kind of session than the state association. >> So it's it's more for like your
professional development. >> Yes. >> You get any certifications for any of that training? >> I have um I have the highest one. I have the master municipal clerk associate one from there. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Any other questions?
Madame Clerk, >> Councilman Embarrison, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Francois, >> yes. >> Councilman Karazzi, >> yes. >> Mayor Kramer, >> yes. >> Councilman Reichaka, >> yes. >> Council member Pataznik, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Reed, >> yes. >> Councilman Vasanella, >> yes. >> Councilman Wright.
>> Yes. >> Uh, item number 17, resolutions to be voted on separately. We have none. We have no old business. We have no executive session. Do we have a motion to adjurnn? So moved. >> Second. >> Moved and seconded. All in favor say I. I. >> Oppos say no.
>> We are adjourned. >> Be well. Franklin.