WEBVTT METADATA Video-Count: 1 Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=lBQ4vGL75kQ NOTE MEETING SECTIONS: Part 1 (Video ID: lBQ4vGL75kQ): - 00:00:00: Meeting Commencement, Pledge, Invocation, and Roll Call - 00:01:51: Proclamation: Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month - 00:05:12: Proclamation: Pride Month and Celebration Announcement - 00:08:59: Public Comment: Pride Celebration Committee Member - 00:10:05: Commendation: Central Jersey Community Center Honored - 00:15:10: Discussion: Diversity of Franklin and Turkish Food Festival - 00:17:19: Proclamation: Tourette's Syndrome Awareness Day - 00:21:16: Discussion: The Importance of Tourette's Syndrome Awareness - 00:22:19: Public Comment: Seniors Snow Removal Program Suggestion - 00:26:14: Public Comment: Senior Living Center Development Impact - 00:27:08: Public Comment: Scheduling Conflicts, Council Attendance - 00:29:17: Public Comment: Warehouse/Data Center Ordinance Support - 00:34:52: Public Comment: Data Center Ban, Cannabis Licenses Questioned - 00:36:23: Council Discussion: Seniors' Snow Removal, Options and Constraints - 00:47:39: Council Discussion: New Brunswick Development Impact Clarification - 00:49:34: Council Discussion: Meeting Schedules and Volunteerism - 00:53:07: Council Discussion: Warehouse Ban, Cannabis and Rate Normalization - 01:04:57: Council Comments: Road Signage, Early Voting Information - 01:10:39: Council Comments: Landscapers, Williams Compressor station - 01:15:10: Council Comments: Police Department, Blood Emergency - 01:19:55: Approval of Minutes, Warrants, Budget Resolution Vote - 01:22:50: Budget Discussion and Amendment Process Clarification - 01:27:12: Resolution: Formal Vote on Municipal Budget Amendment - 01:28:03: Presentation: Mayor's In-Depth Explanation of the Budget - 01:50:27: Public Hearing: Open for Public Comment on the Budget - 01:50:47: Public Comment: Meeting Awareness Suggestions - 01:58:25: Public Comment: School Board Influence and Tax Concerns - 02:03:11: Council Presentation: School Budget and Taxes - 02:03:52: Budget Approval Vote, Next Action Item Begins - 02:08:02: Parking Ordinance, Consent Agenda, New License Details - 02:11:52: Zoning Board Appointment and Council Closing Remarks - 02:13:36: Resolution: Executive Session for Land Acquisition, YMCA Part: 1 1 00:00:00.080 --> 00:00:15.839 Madam 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 7 p.m. on 2 00:00:15.839 --> 00:00:32.880 Tuesday, May 26, 2026. >> Uh, if we could all stand for the pledge of allegiance and remain standing for an invocation by Councilwoman Sheipo Udin. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the 3 00:00:32.880 --> 00:00:55.440 United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, liberty and justice for all. >> If there is to be peace in the world, there must be peace in the nations. If 4 00:00:55.440 --> 00:01:12.240 there is to be peace in the nations, there must be peace in the cities. If there is to be peace in the cities, there must be peace between neighbors. If there is to be peace between neighbors, there must be peace in the home. If there is to be peace in the 5 00:01:12.240 --> 00:01:35.680 home, there must be peace in the heart. Amen. >> Amen. >> Madam clerk, please call the role. Councilman embarrass >> here. >> Councilman Fran Councilwoman Francois >> here. >> Deputy Mayor Karazzi >> here. >> Mayor Kramer, 6 00:01:35.680 --> 00:01:51.439 >> I'm here. >> Councilman Onaka >> here. >> Councilman Singh, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Nudin, >> yes. >> Councilman Vasinella, >> here. >> Councilman Wright. >> Okay. Commendations and proclamations. 7 00:01:51.439 --> 00:02:18.000 Our first one is the Asian-American and P spe Pacific Islander Heritage Month Proclamation by Councilwoman. I don't know. >> Keep it brief. Try it. 8 00:02:18.000 --> 00:02:49.840 >> Yeah, I got it. Hello everyone. >> Good evening. Whereas Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders encompass more than 50 distinct ethnic groups with whose heritage, culture, and contributions have shaped and strengthened the United 9 00:02:49.840 --> 00:03:05.840 States for generations. And whereas Congress designated May as AAPI Heritage Month, honoring milestones including the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants on May 7th, 1843 and the 10 00:03:05.840 --> 00:03:21.280 completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10th, 1869, built in large part of Chinese laborers. And whereas Franklin Township Proud proudly recognizes its AAPI residents, families, and community organizations, 11 00:03:21.280 --> 00:03:37.599 including OCA, New Jersey, whose dedication to scholarship, civic engagement, and cultural pride made make our township stronger. I therefore may be proclaimed that we the undersigned Mayor Phil Kramer and Councilman Chipa Udin of Franklin Township, Somerset 12 00:03:37.599 --> 00:03:53.440 County, New Jersey, do hereby proclaim the month of May 2026 as Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Thank you. Is there anyone here that would like to Rohit? 13 00:03:53.440 --> 00:04:14.239 Anyone else that would like to join and take this as well? AAPI. This is a >> we actually had an event in um uh Newark last uh two weeks ago for AAPI. I was invited as a guest speaker for NGIT and 14 00:04:14.239 --> 00:04:30.000 um OCA the organization they give out scholarships for high schoolers. Um so some of our Franklin High School kids um applied to it and um though they weren't selected it was a very large submission of um scholarship uh participants but it 15 00:04:30.000 --> 00:05:10.840 was really good to see that they actually attended it and um I was able to present this to them as well and now I'm presenting it to you. Thank you. The next is uh pride month presentation. >> Could all those who are proud please join me. 16 00:05:12.320 --> 00:05:31.520 So, what you're seeing here before you is the Pride Celebration Committee. Um, and let me read the certificate. Oh, we have new proclamations. Look at that. >> Wow. 17 00:05:31.520 --> 00:05:47.680 Colors. Um, Township of Franklin County of Somerset, State of New Jersey, Mayor and Council Proclamation, Pride Month, June 2026. Whereas the Township of Franklin County of Somerset, State of New Jersey is 18 00:05:47.680 --> 00:06:04.319 vibrant and diverse community built upon the principles of equality, dignity, and respect for all people. hand. Whereas June has been recognized naturally and inter nationally and internationally as 19 00:06:04.319 --> 00:06:21.440 Pride Month, a time to celebrate the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, interex, asexual, and other members of the LGBTQ plus community and to honor the history and ongoing struggle for equality and 20 00:06:21.440 --> 00:06:37.759 civil rights. And whereas the township of Franklin is home to the LGBTQ plus residents, families, students, businesses, business owners, and community members who contribute immensely to the social, cultural, and 21 00:06:37.759 --> 00:06:53.600 economic fabric of our community and who deserve to live openly, safely, and with full dignity. And whereas visibility, inclusion, and education remain essential tools in combining prejudice 22 00:06:53.600 --> 00:07:09.599 in com combating prejudice, supporting the mental health and well-being of LGBTQ plus youth, and fostering a community where every person feels seen, welcome, and celebrated. And whereas the mayor and council of the township of 23 00:07:09.599 --> 00:07:26.880 Franklin stand in solidarity solidarity with the LGBTQ plus residents and with all those who continue to advocate for a more just, equitable, and compassionate society. Now therefore, be it pro 24 00:07:26.880 --> 00:07:42.720 proclaimed that the mayor and council of the township of Franklin, county of Somerset, state of New Jersey, do hereby officially designate June 2026 as Pride Month in the Township of Franklin and call upon all residents, businesses, 25 00:07:42.720 --> 00:08:00.720 schools, and civic organizations to recognize and celebrate the contributions of the LGBTQ plus community members and to stand in solidarity with those who continue to face discrimination and hardship and to reaffirm or share commitment our shared 26 00:08:00.720 --> 00:08:16.479 commitment to a Franklin Township that is welcoming, inclusive, and a place where all may thrive. Uh proclaim this 26th day of May in the year 2026. 27 00:08:16.479 --> 00:08:32.800 Um, so this is to celebrate Pride Month uh and also to announce the Pride uh day at the gazebo or as we like to call it the gay zebo at least on that day. This is the 28 00:08:32.800 --> 00:08:49.480 committee that is working on that. And besides all these fancy words which are all very true, they're just a fun group. And I love meeting with you guys although I had I missed today's but who would like to speak. 29 00:08:59.040 --> 00:09:16.080 >> I am I'm AJ Hoffman. I I've worked in Somerset for longer than I've lived in Franklin. Um I love living here. Um, one day I just checked my email and I had a message from uh, council member Ed was like, "Hey, we're we're going to do a pride celebration." And, uh, now three 30 00:09:16.080 --> 00:09:33.279 years later, um, I still get to work with these incredible, amazing, dedicated, wonderful folks and especially Mayor Kramer. Um, your support is so needed and your words were so beautiful and this community really, you know, like our our t-shirt designer 31 00:09:33.279 --> 00:09:49.880 Frank put it together, love lives here. And I just think that's so wonderful. Thank you. Oh yes. Uh join us June 13th uh at the gazebo um for a fun day. >> 12 to 3. Thank you. 32 00:10:05.120 --> 00:10:34.560 Fortunately, I brought my agenda with me. Next is Dr. Kurazzi, Central Jersey Community Center commendation. >> Good. Okay, good evening everyone. >> You know, you often have heard we've said that Franken Township is the second 33 00:10:34.560 --> 00:10:53.040 most diverse township in New Jersey and with diversity although there may be some challenges but there are a lot of rewards and one of the rewards is that we get to know different cultures get to know their traditions and also the type 34 00:10:53.040 --> 00:11:09.519 of services that they provide to our community. So I am honored to recognize one of such a great group in our township and you see that the representative of them there are here and we're very happy that they could 35 00:11:09.519 --> 00:11:24.640 join Mary who would just please just come join me as well. So this is honoring Central Jersey Community Center. Whereas the Central Jersey Community Center has demonstrated an unwavering 36 00:11:24.640 --> 00:11:40.560 commitment to the residents of Franklin Township and the broader Central Jersey community through sustained programs of cultural enrichment, civic engagement, and humanitarian service. And whereas 37 00:11:40.560 --> 00:11:59.760 CJCC host an annual food and culture festival that draws as many as 4,000 visitors celebrating the diversity and shared h humanity of our community. And whereas CJCC provides meals to those in 38 00:11:59.760 --> 00:12:15.279 need through its Thanksgiving dinner, community program during Ramadan, annual tour drive and other seasonal charitable initiatives that serve vulnerable population throughout the region. And 39 00:12:15.279 --> 00:12:31.279 whereas CJCC fosters mutual understanding and respect through interface dialogue, dialogue breakfasts, and volunteer-driven outreach initiatives that bring together residents of all backgrounds. And 40 00:12:31.279 --> 00:12:47.760 whereas CJCC provides volunteer chapency services to local correctional facilities, extending compa compassion and spiritual support to incarcinated individuals and 41 00:12:47.760 --> 00:13:03.279 affirming the dignity of every person in our community. And whereas through its mission to deepen understanding between American and Turkish cultures, CJCC cultivates integrity, compassion, and 42 00:13:03.279 --> 00:13:19.360 active citizenship, thereby enriching the social and cultural fabric of Franklin Township and Central New Jersey. Now therefore be it resolved that we Philip Kramer, mayor, and Alex Kurasa, deputy mayor of the township of 43 00:13:19.360 --> 00:13:34.560 Franklin, >> I'm sorry. >> I'm looking at their upcoming events on my computer. >> Oh yeah. Okay. uh of Township of Franklin. on behalf of the town township council and all 44 00:13:34.560 --> 00:13:50.720 citizens of the township of Franklin do hereby extend our deepest appreciation and comm commendation to the central Jersey community center for its dedication to promoting cultural understanding educational enrichment 45 00:13:50.720 --> 00:14:19.600 civic engagement and community service throughout central Jersey and wish its leaders, volunteers and members continuous success in the years ahead. Good evening everyone. Welcome tonight. And uh on behalf of the Central Jersey 46 00:14:19.600 --> 00:14:37.360 Community uh center, we would like to sincerely thank you to Franklin Township Council and the Deputy Mayor and for this meaningful commendation and recognition. Uh and this recognition is not only an 47 00:14:37.360 --> 00:14:53.680 an honor for us but also a reflection of uh the dedication of our volunteers, families, sisters, youth and uh community members uh there who works uh tirelessly to 48 00:14:53.680 --> 00:15:10.320 serve with compassion and sincerity and we are grateful to be >> this opportunity. opportunity to be part of uh Franklin part Franklin Township community and we look forward to 49 00:15:10.320 --> 00:15:29.279 continuing to build bridges, encourage dialogue and contribute positively to our shared society. Thank you again for this honor. >> We often brag about our diversity in Franklin. Uh, one of the great things 50 00:15:29.279 --> 00:15:44.480 about it is people can be proud of what they are here. They they can thrive and they can share. Uh, so I don't know how you measure how diverse a town is. How how did we come in second? How do you 51 00:15:44.480 --> 00:16:01.920 measure that? But >> well, but I don't I'm not exactly sure how they do that metric, but I know that we're all very proud of it. We're happy of it with it and want to encourage groups to come out and share with us 52 00:16:01.920 --> 00:16:27.759 their heritage. Thank you. >> And we want to invite you to 67th June. There's a second June 67 there's a second second Turkish uh food festival. It's actually international food festival. Lots of 53 00:16:27.759 --> 00:17:19.039 foods, arts. 67. It's next to the Clarion Hotel uh in Somerset, but it's near Boo. Is anyone here for Tourette's awareness day proclamation. >> Oh, good. 54 00:17:19.039 --> 00:17:33.520 First, I want to start with my apologies. I wrote Come on up. I I wrote our clerk to include this in our agenda and didn't hit send for about two weeks, 55 00:17:33.520 --> 00:18:06.640 so it sat in my draft box. >> You're welcome. So, proclamation. Whereas Tourette's syndrome is an often misunderstood inherited neurologic disorder that is characterized by involuntary physical and vocal ticks and 83% of the time is 56 00:18:06.640 --> 00:18:23.600 accompanied by other mental health disorders such as ADHD, obsessivecompulsive disorder and anxiety. And whereas Tourette syndrome and tick disorders affect one in 162 children throughout every ethnic and 57 00:18:23.600 --> 00:18:39.760 racial group with the onset typically occurring at six or seven years of age through about uh half of these children though about half of these children go undiagnosed. And whereas through some of 58 00:18:39.760 --> 00:18:57.360 these cases are aided by medication, uh there is no standard treatment or known cure for the disorder. And while ticks may fade in adulthood, there is not always this that is not always the case. And whereas 83% of children with 59 00:18:57.360 --> 00:19:13.440 Tourette's syndrome felt that it has negatively impacted their school experience and education and 63% have felt discriminated against. And whereas there is an urgent need for professional education in both the medical and 60 00:19:13.440 --> 00:19:29.360 education fields to adj assist assist children, adults and families living with Tourett syndrome and general awareness broaden the public's knowledge of Tourett syndrome and decrease stigma. And whereas the New Jersey Center of 61 00:19:29.360 --> 00:19:44.400 Tourette's Syndrome and Associated Disorders is actively providing services to families, education, medical professionals, and teachers and supporting research to better understand the signs and treatments of Tourette's 62 00:19:44.400 --> 00:20:01.120 syndrome. And whereas the NJCTS is celebrating more than 20 years of excellence in education, advocacy, and research. Now therefore be it resolved that June 4th, 2026 will be recognized 63 00:20:01.120 --> 00:20:18.799 as Trex Syndrome Awareness Day in the Township of Franklin as a specific day to promote understanding, compassion, and acceptance for all of our fellow citizens who deserve and need our support and to break the stigma that 64 00:20:18.799 --> 00:20:42.640 surrounds Tourett syndrome. I'd like to thank the mayor very much and the council of Franklin Township for uh recognizing June 4th as Tourette's syndrome awareness day in Franklin Township. I my name is Hillilary Kuchchovi. I'm the executive director for the New Jersey Center for Tourette's Syndrome. We are located in Somerville 65 00:20:42.640 --> 00:20:59.679 and we're the statewide agency helping all individuals with Trett syndrome. We invite you to get to know us. We have a great website uh njcts.org or follow us on Facebook to learn more about our programs and hopefully get involved and learn a little bit more about Tread Syndrome. 66 00:20:59.679 --> 00:21:16.559 >> I think what they're doing is very important. I'm I'm a neurologist. I did a pediatric rotation. I got one lecture on Tourette's my entire time in medical school and residency combined. So the this awareness and education is 67 00:21:16.559 --> 00:22:19.760 extremely important. So I thank you for contacting me. >> Sure. See? >> Okay. I feel the need to open by unanimous consent public session. 68 00:22:19.760 --> 00:22:35.039 Without uh objection, we're open for public session. Anyone wishing to speak about anything to do with government may speak now. If you hear about the budget, you can speak about it now. There is however a specific time where we can 69 00:22:35.039 --> 00:22:53.120 speak uh uniquely about the budget. But you can speak about anything to do with government. Please state your name and address. May only come up once. Five minutes of time. No yielding of time. Yep. Just walk right up. 70 00:22:53.120 --> 00:23:08.480 Oops. >> Can you hear me? >> Yes. >> I'm not going to talk about that. But I am going to talk about something that has nothing to do with summer, and it's called snow. Specifically, snow removal for seniors. I've been in email 71 00:23:08.480 --> 00:23:23.840 communication. >> Your name and address. >> Oh, sorry, sorry, sorry. Kathleen Zapatiki, Six Darwin Road. Um, I've been in email communication with the mayor on this topic. Um, I can take you back to our trauma from January and February 72 00:23:23.840 --> 00:23:41.520 with all of our snow. Um, I personally am a homeowner. I live alone and I called and called and called and no one would come remove my snow. Um, I was forced to remove it on my own. I used to have neighbors that did it, but they've 73 00:23:41.520 --> 00:23:57.679 moved, they've died, the kids don't want to do it. And, um, it was hellish. And, um, you know, personally, I ended up with a permanent neck and spine injury. So, this is very close to my heart. However, I've talked to many seniors and 74 00:23:57.679 --> 00:24:14.480 those of us who don't live in condos who have to remove their own snow were really stuck and depending on the kindness of strangers, which there aren't as much kindness as there used to be in the 1970s. So, I am here to 75 00:24:14.480 --> 00:24:31.200 suggest that you consider a snow removal program for seniors 65 plus. This would not be a free program. So, don't worry. The township will not pay for it. Seniors would pay. I was willing to pay 76 00:24:31.200 --> 00:24:46.640 $200, $300 to have somebody remove my snow. I couldn't do it. I just can't do it anymore. And many of us can't. Um, so, but we need the township to um locate 77 00:24:46.640 --> 00:25:02.720 willing contractors to make a commitment to remove our snow. When I called, everyone said, "Oh, we only do commercial." Because commercial is guaranteed, right? If you have a a business, you have to have your snow removed. So, they didn't want to do it 78 00:25:02.720 --> 00:25:17.919 or they were too tired or whatever the excuse was. So, the township would need to find somebody, some people to remove the snow. Seniors would still pay. Okay. Also, we would need the township to sort of facilitate how it would work. How 79 00:25:17.919 --> 00:25:33.760 would seniors know about it? Would we have to sign up in advance? Would there be a hotline? I've done some research online and other communities in New Jersey. Not many do have program um specifically Nutley. I've been in communication with somebody from Nutley 80 00:25:33.760 --> 00:25:51.200 for snow removal. Okay. Um so um just lastly, I just wanted to say this is an important issue for seniors. We have no benefit anymore. We don't have children in school. We haven't had children in school for a long time, but we still pay our taxes. And I think that this would 81 00:25:51.200 --> 00:26:09.640 really benefit the safety of our seniors and being able to stay in our homes instead of moving, you know, to Florida, wherever seniors are moving these days. So, I hope that you'll consider this. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Anyone else wishing to speak? 82 00:26:14.720 --> 00:26:31.440 Good e good evening. Uh Shenik Davis, 227 Blake Avenue. Uh recently, New Brunswick approved the development of a 14story senior living center at 501 Eastn Avenue, where the Parker Center currently sits, Parker Senior Center currently sits. I'm not sure how the 83 00:26:31.440 --> 00:26:46.640 planning process works across municipalities, but can you clarify whether or how this development may affect surrounding communities such as ours? Um, has any traffic impact analysis been conducted regarding potential changes to traffic patterns, congestions along Eastern Avenue and 84 00:26:46.640 --> 00:27:08.559 etc. Um, and other roads used by Somerset residents. >> Thank you. >> Anyone else wishing to speak? >> Good evening. I'm Maryanne Riley and I live at 122 Sylvie Court. Occasionally board of education meetings 85 00:27:08.559 --> 00:27:25.279 and town council meetings are scheduled on the same evening. It happened a couple weeks ago because the municipal taxes and school taxes are paid for out, you know, by the residents. Uh if the meetings are scheduled on the 86 00:27:25.279 --> 00:27:41.360 same day, the public can't be fully informed. They can't be allowed to address the council in person and ask questions while the meeting is going on. And it makes it impossible for taxpayers to be actively involved during a meeting 87 00:27:41.360 --> 00:27:57.520 if scheduled the same time because I think we need to be at both meetings. I respectfully ask this town council to coordinate and I s ladies and gentlemen I don't know if there's someone on the council that coordinates 88 00:27:57.520 --> 00:28:13.600 the scheduling of both meetings. Um if not I would ask that that start immediately. Okay so that the dates are never on the same day and the same time. I also ask, and this is something personal because I've been to the last 89 00:28:13.600 --> 00:28:30.480 four board of education meetings and it's been called out that only three people have attended. >> That's on all of us. That's not on you. >> But three people have attended and yet our taxes have gone up dramatically. And 90 00:28:30.480 --> 00:28:46.559 I know all of you pay taxes. I ask and I don't know if this is possible but I hope it's possible that two members from this council and two members from the board of ed and I will ask them that you attend the meetings. 91 00:28:46.559 --> 00:29:03.360 You've got to just because you pay taxes as well as I do and you know that the taxes are going to go up this year. So that's what I ask and if I can be of service or of help I will do it. But I would hope that two of you would 92 00:29:03.360 --> 00:29:17.760 volunteer to be at the school board meeting. And I'm going to address the school board and ask that two people be here. I think normally Mr. Grippo is here. I've seen him at a couple meetings. He's been very faithful. But I ask that of you. Thank you for your time 93 00:29:17.760 --> 00:29:55.760 and your consideration. Hi uh Jim Johnston at 34 Norwich Place. Um uh I want to thank you for introducing that ordinance at the last meeting on warehouses uh limiting warehouses and banning uh data centers. 94 00:29:55.760 --> 00:30:10.720 Uh I am in complete agreement with you that we need to ban the data centers. I I heard people expressing different opinions about that the warehouse portion of the ordinance. So I I want to withhold comment on that because I haven't decided yet. But but you might 95 00:30:10.720 --> 00:30:26.559 want to divide that divide it up into two different ordinances. one for the warehouse and the other one for the data center. Um yeah, so the data centers are very unpopular. Uh polls have shown that 71% of the American people are against 96 00:30:26.559 --> 00:30:42.080 data centers and um I want I want to tell you what happened about a few months ago or a few months ago in uh right over here in New Brunswick. Um the uh they were proposing a data center in New Brunswick uh on um uh uh Jersey 97 00:30:42.080 --> 00:30:59.679 Avenue which is very close to Franklin. And uh in in New Brunswick, they have a newspaper called uh New Brunswick Today. And the the editor of New Brunswick Today, he found out about that proposed warehouse and he publicized it in his newspaper. And as a result of that 98 00:30:59.679 --> 00:31:16.399 publicity, they got hundreds hundreds of people uh showed up to to protest that warehouse and it was fantastic. They they got they got the whole thing cancelled. It was be it was beautiful and uh so so and and that that was good for us because that that warehouse would 99 00:31:16.399 --> 00:31:33.840 have been right next to Franklin and and it would had had an environmental impact on Franklin. So, you know, I I only wish that we had some people over there from Franklin going over there to help the protest. Um, but uh yeah, so so they they got um in in the United States now 100 00:31:33.840 --> 00:31:49.519 they we have like something like 5,000 data centers and they're building thousands more. Um we we got more data centers in the United States than the all the rest of the world combined. Uh China only has 500 data centers. we have 101 00:31:49.519 --> 00:32:06.240 10 times that number, 5,000. So, uh, yeah. Um, so, and and then I I'm I'm sure you all know what the environmental damage is from them. So, I'm not going to get into that. Um, so, so I'm so I want to thank you again for the ordinance. I I hope that your ordinance 102 00:32:06.240 --> 00:32:22.720 is not simply going to regulate the data centers. I I hope it's going to outright ban them, right? So, yeah, completely ban. Uh, totally totally ban them. We don't we don't want them. Okay. Uh now Oh, I and also I want to I want to 103 00:32:22.720 --> 00:32:39.679 comment on the uh the previous speaker. Um yeah, our school taxes have gone way up. Uh yeah, they they just increased our school taxes by 8%. Uh and and that's in addition to the 10% increase last year. So it means our 104 00:32:39.679 --> 00:32:55.440 school taxes have gone up 18% in two years. Now, um I'm I'm a senior citizen. I'm 72. Uh, also Governor Mikey Cheryl, you've probably heard about this. She she has announced that in her new budget, she she is proposing uh to make 105 00:32:55.440 --> 00:33:11.360 cuts to that stay New Jersey program. Yeah. That's the program that that uh uh gives property tax relief to senior citizens. Now, uh that she is proposing that the the maximum benefit of uh uh $6,500 106 00:33:11.360 --> 00:33:26.720 be reduced to 4,000. Okay? Now, that's going to be a hardship on some senior citizens who are on a fixed income. So, so not not only are our benefits are our our benefits being reduced, the the school taxes are going up through the 107 00:33:26.720 --> 00:33:42.640 roof. All right. Now, um now I I myself did not go to the last school board meeting. Uh but I I I did go to one three years ago to to protest h the the increase in school taxes. And what happened three years ago, uh the the 108 00:33:42.640 --> 00:33:58.399 Franklin School District uh had received an an increase in state aid of $6 million. So you you would think that with all this extra money coming in, they could reduce our school taxes. No, they they instead they increased our school taxes 109 00:33:58.399 --> 00:34:13.200 four and a half four and a half%. So, I I went to the school board meeting three years ago and I I asked them,"Wh are you increasing our school taxes four and a half% in the in the same year that you're receiving an extra $6 million in 110 00:34:13.200 --> 00:34:29.520 aid from the state?" And uh and the uh uh uh John Ravalry, he he gave me a long complicated uh response. And uh I'm not I'm not an expert in school budgets, so but he was he was giving me a long list of things. Oh, we we need we need money 111 00:34:29.520 --> 00:34:52.240 for this. We need money for that. So, okay. So, all right. So, all right. But but but thanks again. Thanks again for the ordinance. All right. Thank you. Anyone else? >> Javon Walker, 15 Street. Um first 112 00:34:52.240 --> 00:35:08.560 question I'd like to ask is, is there a definitive time frame of the ban on data centers? Is it indefinitely? Is it for the next 5 years? Um, if someone from the council can just answer that quick question. The next question is related to cannabis licenses. Um, 113 00:35:08.560 --> 00:35:25.599 I see on the agenda for today that there's a sale of a retail consumption license. And while I'll get more details on that license, then I'm curious on the rules of the cannabis licenses allotted for Franklin Township. Can someone tell me the following? It's like four separate questions. How many rec how 114 00:35:25.599 --> 00:35:42.240 many recreational cannabis licenses are allotted for the township as of today? Is it 23 or is it a different number? >> Have all of the licenses been allotted to businesses? The next question is if any business with the license, if it has liquidated andor dissolved, does the cap 115 00:35:42.240 --> 00:35:57.359 uh of 23 or whatever other number does that reduce? And the last question is outside of the one in today's resolution, are there any open licenses that have not yet been allotted? Um, that's it for my questions. Thank you, 116 00:35:57.359 --> 00:36:22.119 >> council. I'm just going to add that what the gentleman's referring to on the agenda is not a cannabis license and it's an alcohol >> consumption license. Okay. >> No one come up. unanimous consent to close public session. 117 00:36:23.359 --> 00:36:41.920 Public session is closed. Public am I not >> You're not being heard, mayor. You just need to pull a little closer. >> Okay. I just closed the public session and we are now addressing the uh questions. Uh so, snow removal, thank 118 00:36:41.920 --> 00:36:58.160 you for contacting me over the last month or so. Um, I think it's a great idea. I don't know about the organization of such a thing. >> So, I So, you had brought this to my attention, mayor, when when it was first brought to your attention. I did some 119 00:36:58.160 --> 00:37:14.320 research. There's a a small handful of towns in in New Jersey that have had that type of effort organized either by um and and I think maybe in one or two cases the municipality reaching out and 120 00:37:14.320 --> 00:37:28.880 trying to organize volunteers that would do it on a volunteer basis. Um most of them rely on high school students. the the ones that I've seen, Nutley, which the the um resident referenced in her discussion up at the microphone, she 121 00:37:28.880 --> 00:37:44.880 said Notley. Not is is one where the um the town contacts the high school where there are volunteers that are organized by the high school to then communicate directly with the seniors to arrange for 122 00:37:44.880 --> 00:38:00.480 when they go out and how much they pay. You know, there's that seems to be the model that is most common in New Jersey. Hoboken, I think this year, tried to organize it. I don't know that they'd ever got off the ground. It would they they've just started it subsequent to 123 00:38:00.480 --> 00:38:18.880 the snowstorms um that we had. Um I you know, I know that the county has tried at various times during my my tenure um to organize volunteers for things like snow removal, rake leave, raking leaves for seniors. I think it's been with with 124 00:38:18.880 --> 00:38:35.760 very limited success. Um, unfortunately, you you're relying on on people to volunteer their time and and we know what volunteerism is in in this day and age. So, that's one. And as far as the suggestion, and I I would defer to the 125 00:38:35.760 --> 00:38:50.160 township attorney, but I'll tell you what my opinion is. The way it was described as far as engaging contractors, tends to lean me towards a concession contract, which would mean we would have to go out to bid for that. Um, even if 126 00:38:50.160 --> 00:39:07.839 we don't pay, if a contractor is making money as a result of what we do, that's a concession contract. It requires a bid and we would have to do a bid award. And then that's really um you know then they 127 00:39:07.839 --> 00:39:24.079 and I don't know that we would get um a contractor to submit a bid for something as kind of random as any people who want to do it and here's what they would have to pay. The truth is landscapers make their their winter living off of that 128 00:39:24.079 --> 00:39:40.079 type of business. And what you need to do is contract with a landscaper for that service. not at the time of the snowfall, but you know, at the beginning of the winter season. Um, and that that wouldn't be us doing that. That would be 129 00:39:40.079 --> 00:39:57.200 a a a biddable contract. >> Could we compile at least compile a list? >> Well, then we would be involved. And again, no, we can't. We would if you're if you're doing that, you're you're now engaging with a contractor who's going to provide a service for which they're 130 00:39:57.200 --> 00:40:14.160 going to be paid. and we're compiling that list, which is a concession. We're doing that. So, that is a biddable item. Just like, you know, remember back to when we had a veterinarian in a trailer outside of our animal shelter and they 131 00:40:14.160 --> 00:40:31.440 were providing low or no cost veterinary service to people who couldn't afford to go to a vet, spay and neuter in particular. We put that out to bid because someone was making money on the recommendation of the township. That's a 132 00:40:31.440 --> 00:40:47.359 bidable item. >> Mr. Mayor, I I if I may, um, so I live in a community here which we have 82 houses and we have a WhatsApp group for the the 133 00:40:47.359 --> 00:41:05.520 members. So when this snow came before that, we basically uh identified couple of uh contractors that they served our area and we asked everybody whoever wants their houses to be snow I mean uh 134 00:41:05.520 --> 00:41:21.760 snow removed please put your number in there. So we had a list of let's say 40 of the houses that they wanted to help with their snow removal and that particular contractor that uh wanted to do it. They had the list they started 135 00:41:21.760 --> 00:41:38.800 going house after house. So that was a model that we used three times and we were very successful in resolving our problem. So I'm not saying that that model works for everywhere but for us it was very very uh useful and we were able 136 00:41:38.800 --> 00:41:57.920 to manage the snow removal question >> um where we don't >> can I talk to you afterward whenever >> I'll come outside and talk to you. So, mayor, I just had a question for our 137 00:41:57.920 --> 00:42:14.480 attorney based on the subject if our deputy mayor was done. >> I'm done. Thank you. Um, uh, two things, ma'am. Um, >> I'm sorry. Go ahead. >> Yeah, about the snow shoveling. Um, I know I brought up our manager and he 138 00:42:14.480 --> 00:42:30.480 said it should go to our public safety committee. I'm personally, and I think some of us are looking at maybe extending the amount of time when you get a significant snowstorm. I know that doesn't answer your problem. I'm going to get to something with that. The re the red well people have gotten tickets 139 00:42:30.480 --> 00:42:46.400 and we're concerned that it's not an a reasonable amount of time. So, we're looking at that in our next public safety meeting because that's the safety aspect is all in the police department and we confer with them with any ordinance that there could be a safety issue. So, that could 140 00:42:46.400 --> 00:43:01.760 help in certain circumstances. My question is all the I've listened to everything and and it all makes sense. Would our senior citizen advisory committee if it was volunteer-based Lou be able to delve in this and create 141 00:43:01.760 --> 00:43:18.560 a program if it didn't involve like Bob was referring to with contracting and money that they can maybe set up? We have so many volunteers in town. Would they be able to get involved that sanctioned um uh committee? >> I I just want to clarify that she was 142 00:43:18.560 --> 00:43:36.000 not looking for a volunteer. She was just looking for somebody. >> No, I I understand that. But the the difficulty with like our manager wisely explained, we can't really get involved with that. It's very complex. I'm saying if it's volunteer-based, 143 00:43:36.000 --> 00:43:51.200 and I know the county program, it was great. Unfortunately, they don't it's hard to keep it running. But if it's local, would our um committee or commissions be able to get involved in the volunteer organizational aspect? Well, I don't think they could get involved in running a program that's not 144 00:43:51.200 --> 00:44:08.240 sponsored by the township. I mean, there's liability. >> Okay, that's why I'm asking. Okay, so it would have to but an outside volunteer group, >> of course, >> anything from the Kowanas, I don't even know if we have one. I'm just saying to one of these youth organizations, they could get involved, but a government sanctioned committee count uh commission 145 00:44:08.240 --> 00:44:24.560 should not. Correct. Okay. I I didn't know. Just trying to find ways to have some opportunity. What? Can I jump jump in here? >> Yeah, let me jump in here. So, for a concession bid, that's something that we 146 00:44:24.560 --> 00:44:39.040 could look into. >> That there would be nothing stopping us from doing >> Well, there's there's nothing stopping it, but then we would have to control the contract that's now providing services to residents that we're not. And you know, it it it's a slippery 147 00:44:39.040 --> 00:44:54.400 slope as far as when when you enter into a contract with a with a a say a landscape company to provide snow removal services on private properties and then we would have to manage that contract. So any disputes, any any 148 00:44:54.400 --> 00:45:10.240 financial disputes that we're going to have to intervene and I think that it's probably not something that we would want to get involved in. I I think that that you know both count the deputy mayor and councilman Vasinella are kind of going down the right path as to how 149 00:45:10.240 --> 00:45:28.079 this these things happen. Um the the ideal circumstance would be for a a a nonprofit organization to um do what what we're proposing we would do in a concession. enter into a 150 00:45:28.079 --> 00:45:45.280 contract with a contractor to provide services to a senior citizen. Now, you know, we we joke and and about our senior advisory, but those senior clubs are nonprofits. I mean, the the the the Parkside senior 151 00:45:45.280 --> 00:46:00.800 citizens, um those senior clubs are their own 501c3. I mean, they could do that themselves. But I'm the council liaison for the senior citizen uh advisory committee. So I'll bring it up. 152 00:46:00.800 --> 00:46:17.839 >> Yeah. I mean they they they could do it without any difficulty whatsoever. >> But to your point, ma'am, I think the what I'm a single homeowner and I'm a senior citizen. I use my landscaping company to do my snow removal in the 153 00:46:17.839 --> 00:46:33.200 winter. I take care of that ahead of time. So if you have landscaping company, they typically they want to they don't want to do it. Okay. >> The guy retired, >> they want commercial >> because that's usually a good route to go. >> Yeah. So that the the the the 154 00:46:33.200 --> 00:46:50.079 arrangement is that not at the time of the snowstorm, but you need to arrange for snow removal in October and you enter into a contract and you agree that at at you know 1 to 3 in they'll remove at this amount and 3 to six they'll remove. It's kind we enter into the same 155 00:46:50.079 --> 00:47:06.079 type of contracts for our snow removal routes. I mean, we don't we can't handle all of our routes in town with public works employees. So, we contract out 20 snow routes annually and we do that in the beginning of the the you know before 156 00:47:06.079 --> 00:47:23.040 the snow season and they're dedicated to us. I understand the commercial. That's what I'm saying. I get it. A lot of landscapers want to do that route, but I'm sure that if you look, there are some small landscapers out there that do residential. >> Yeah, I couldn't find anyone. 157 00:47:23.040 --> 00:47:39.760 >> So, if anyone's got it, you know, let me know. >> All right. The second person to come up, the young lady back there. I'm sorry, I entirely missed what she >> I didn't miss anything. So there's a there is a 14story building that is 158 00:47:39.760 --> 00:47:56.079 being proposed at the location of the Parker Nursing Home on Eastn Avenue near the township line just before the jug uh just after the jug handle entrance on the lefthand side. That's where Parker Nursing Home is. And what I think the young lady has asked is um was there is 159 00:47:56.079 --> 00:48:13.920 there any input that the township has related to the development of a parcel in an adjoining town? And really the only time that that there's any and and Lou will jump on me on this one. According to the municipal land use law, the the developer is required to make 160 00:48:13.920 --> 00:48:30.079 notification to all those property owners within 200 ft of that property even if it crosses a municipal boundary. Um we're not within 200 ft. So the the the applicant uh in front of the board in New Brunswick was not under any 161 00:48:30.079 --> 00:48:45.440 requirement to notify the township of Franklin of that development plan. I happened to see something about it online. Um you know after the fact that that what what was uh what was being proposed for that parcel. Um, but that's 162 00:48:45.440 --> 00:49:03.040 as and so as far as what the new I I'm going to guess it was probably the zoning board of adjustment that approved the application application. >> Bob, it's not actually approved. It's in >> right or as I'm saying is that's why I'm finishing my thought or who it's going in front of that and that's up to the 163 00:49:03.040 --> 00:49:18.720 New Brunswick zoning board to determine what they'll require of the applicant for uh review. Um, I I can't imagine that they wouldn't require a traffic study, an environmental study, and all the the typical things that those types 164 00:49:18.720 --> 00:49:34.640 those boards uh request, but again, it's the city of New Brunswick. Your questions are probably better directed to the mayor and council of New Brunswick as it relates to that. >> Okay. Um, 165 00:49:34.640 --> 00:49:51.839 school board meeting lining up with the township meeting. So this is actually the first time in I've been doing this for I've been involved for 23 years that that that has happened. Um we do have we have a 166 00:49:51.839 --> 00:50:07.839 liaison to the school board. Uh we have one person who uh attends meetings. I'm not saying every meeting but attend attends meetings. um they do not have anyone 167 00:50:07.839 --> 00:50:24.880 uh and you would have to ask them to do that. Um I I think we we talk about projects and things we share and m the managers on the phone 168 00:50:24.880 --> 00:50:41.359 with the superintendent probably three times a week, >> but we don't discuss our meeting dates. Um, I mean I I I did because you had contacted me, uh, I 169 00:50:41.359 --> 00:50:58.319 did, um, reprimand would be way too strong a word, but I I did bring to the attention of the superintendent that they had done that. Um, and we can try to avoid that in the future. >> Say one thing. First of all, thank you 170 00:50:58.319 --> 00:51:14.480 and yes, I keep calling and I appreciate you listening. Yeah, I'm >> I remember you were trying to say to me that the >> So I unfortunately I we if I do that if I let you talk then everyone gets to talk. 171 00:51:14.480 --> 00:51:29.920 >> So uh I'm I'm sorry but um and I also think it's you you have a very good point. Three people showed up. Um, we're passing a budget here and thank 172 00:51:29.920 --> 00:51:45.520 you all for coming, but not that many people are here. When they receive their bills is when they fill the room. >> Um, >> when when they get that bill in August is when they fill the room. Yeah. >> Yep. Um, 173 00:51:45.520 --> 00:52:00.640 may I make a comment on that? >> Absolutely. >> Yes. So last year last year budget uh um councilwoman Odin and I attended the last last year's budget and we did speak and about the concerns uh with the 174 00:52:00.640 --> 00:52:18.319 senior community. We you know I'm a senior myself uh we all have live in fixed income uh and such a 10% uh increase would be quite burdensome um at the same time we understood they need to do that because of a complex way the 175 00:52:18.319 --> 00:52:33.200 school budget uh the school board financing works with the state uh funding formulas and so forth. So they were forced into doing that but we did u make an effort last year but it it usually too late by the time we go there 176 00:52:33.200 --> 00:52:49.680 and talk uh it's already a done deal this year obviously I couldn't do to May's point uh until this year uh council council member Ed Patassnik was the school board liaison from the council and he would attend some 177 00:52:49.680 --> 00:53:07.280 meetings and when he left the council I have become the liaison for the school board. So I will make it a point to attend uh as many meetings as I could. >> Um Mr. Johnston, warehouses and data 178 00:53:07.280 --> 00:53:22.800 centers. Uh as far as warehouses go, you've I'm not criticizing you. You've come up here and asked said that warehouses should go in certain parts of the town. We're actually doing very 179 00:53:22.800 --> 00:53:38.960 close. Yes. You you said you said um um what's the road off of Davidson? Uh Atrium Drive. >> Atrium Drive. >> You said that that's basically what we're doing is doing that. So now we're doing a little more other things and I I 180 00:53:38.960 --> 00:53:54.800 I would hear your suggestions, but um we we're I'm not saying we're following what you said, but what we we're doing is close to what you said. And ordinances are a little bit like steering a ship. You can't turn it 181 00:53:54.800 --> 00:54:12.319 around on a dime. If we were to separate the two, then we'd be de we'd have to delay both of those things happening. And the this ordinance has to go to us, then to the planning board, then back to us. And I 182 00:54:12.319 --> 00:54:29.599 wouldn't want to stop the thing. That would be a significant change. I wouldn't want to stop everything and start all over again. So, what the ordinance will do is not allow or is make it a um a 183 00:54:29.599 --> 00:54:46.400 they they will not be allowed in Franklin. Um not a permitted use. That's the >> right. It removes the the reference of data center permitted and and or uh conditional use. So therefore, if it's not a permitted or conditional use, it 184 00:54:46.400 --> 00:55:05.520 can't be built without a uh use variance from the zoning board. >> Um I don't have the exact count of um cannabis installations. 23 is about right. Um as far as the other >> I think it's down to 22 now. 185 00:55:05.520 --> 00:55:21.040 >> Right. That Mr. Mr. Mayor, the ordinance says 18, but it grandfathered any that were approved as of November 14th, 2024. So, as those as they go away, the number drops until it gets below 18. >> The interesting thing is go away is open 186 00:55:21.040 --> 00:55:36.079 for interpretation just to some degree because if I hold a license to sell cannabis in Franklin Township and I sell my license to someone else, it really doesn't go away. It's still the same 187 00:55:36.079 --> 00:55:54.640 license. So that it it will be if a business folds and and does not sell to someone else to take their place. >> Um because we do have one that has closed and one that is uh been sold um 188 00:55:54.640 --> 00:56:09.599 already. But the the other part as I referenced earlier is not this is not a cannabis license. The Township of Franklin does not license cannabis facilities. The state of New Jersey does. Um the Township of Franklin's uh 189 00:56:09.599 --> 00:56:26.079 ordinance permits a certain number of retail and then we also permit um warehouse and cultivation licenses and we have a couple of those types facilities as well. Um, there's no number set on those in the ordinance. 190 00:56:26.079 --> 00:56:44.240 And I I think but most importantly, we don't issue licenses for cannabis dispensaries. The state of New Jersey does. Think that gets all the comments. Um, council comments. >> Who's down there? Mr. Oni Chaka, 191 00:56:44.240 --> 00:57:02.400 >> would you like to start us off? >> Okay. May the HRC could not hold their meeting this uh this May due to the memorial uh 192 00:57:02.400 --> 00:57:19.839 day. So it has been shifted it to June 24th and the new pastor Lance of uh St. Matias will do the presentation on that day. Okay. And uh unfortunately I could not 193 00:57:19.839 --> 00:57:37.520 attend the 60th anniversary for St. Matas. No doubt about that. They told me that it was fantastic and the people that including my grandkids that came, they really enjoyed it. So mayor, that's what I have for the night. 194 00:57:37.520 --> 00:57:53.040 >> Thank you, Councilman. Councilman uh Basinella. Yes. And picking right up on there, uh Councilman Anjaka, it was an absolutely wonderful celebration. It truly was. I know uh Rahm and I think Councilman Shependu and Alex I think 195 00:57:53.040 --> 00:58:10.480 Sheep. I'm not Oh, Kimberly. Yeah. Thank you all for coming. I I thought it was really fantastic. I won't go into all the detail, but it was really a community event. Um and it was fun. And I think they're going to do something similar years going forward, just not at 60th anniversary. And I know you guys 196 00:58:10.480 --> 00:58:27.440 were there for a while. Later on today, a superior court judge very well respected in New Jersey. I don't want to mention his name uh was a first graduating class and he came and did a little historical presentation and it kind of was like a little glimpse of 60 70 years of history of Franklin but um 197 00:58:27.440 --> 00:58:44.000 again thank you thank Mias it was wonderful event the main thing of the report out on tonight is um we had a a big public works meeting and of course it will go on our website as it's finalized but we as a committee uh uh agreed on finalizing quite a bit of road 198 00:58:44.000 --> 00:59:00.640 repaving most all of which will be done this year. A little debt will be kicked to the spring. Um, more importantly, at least for me personally, is we are, a matter of fact, we're doing a on a resolution tonight. We're doing a final payment on uh millions of dollars of 199 00:59:00.640 --> 00:59:16.000 redoing of our water system which is completed in the fifth ward and the fourth ward between Hamilton and New Brunswick 27. And we just reviewed at our public works session basically I think what is this the the last phase of 200 00:59:16.000 --> 00:59:31.359 what really is truly building rebuilding the entire uh infrastructure. We do mainly water and then work with our sewer uh when needed but um uh that's also slated. All this will be on because it will cause some confusion a little 201 00:59:31.359 --> 00:59:48.400 you know people will be equipment and a lot going on uh it will be on our website as the actual contracts and and construction dates are scheduled but um I'm very happy as much as the budget was very difficult this year uh we between 202 00:59:48.400 --> 01:00:03.040 uh some of this being underwater department and there being a chunk of money specifically your marked for roads we are going to be doing a lot a a lot of repaving and uh finishing infrastructure work including our water system. I know it's not the most 203 01:00:03.040 --> 01:00:20.319 glamorous subject but believe me um it's kind of stuff that uh silently makes our quality of life good and um uh the last thing you want is water main breaks. That was the main meeting I attended. There was others but that's uh what I'm reporting out on tonight. Mayor 204 01:00:20.319 --> 01:00:39.200 uh thank you. Thank you, Councilwoman Prince. >> On this comment, we had a a great Memorial Day parade yesterday. All of council was there and we had a wonderful ceremony here in the council chambers 205 01:00:39.200 --> 01:00:56.079 and just want to um say thank you to all of those who have served and have gone before us. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. >> Thank you, Councilman Embarrison. >> Uh thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh yeah. Uh I just wanted to add that um in 206 01:00:56.079 --> 01:01:11.119 collaboration with the uh board of education, Zufal Health Clinic and and then the township um the Zufal Clinic opened a health center at the Franklin Middle School on the 13th. Uh it is uh it's 207 01:01:11.119 --> 01:01:25.359 providing as we speak uh healthc care services uh to anybody that cannot afford or just wants to go there including the students. um the local uh residents uh they don't they have a nice 208 01:01:25.359 --> 01:01:42.079 facility um a lot of labs exam rooms and um and I think a small pharmacy uh I think it's going to be there uh it's it's a free service they get money from grants and the township provided funds 209 01:01:42.079 --> 01:01:57.760 from our ARP um grant uh for the construction uh the school board donated the land um so Zuvall is providing all the services. So, it's a great public private uh pro partnership uh right here 210 01:01:57.760 --> 01:02:13.760 in town. It's going to be helpful uh for the citizens uh for years to come. So, we are happy about doing that. Um other than that, I think I just want to touch on the data center uh issue. In an internal meeting, we were discussing 211 01:02:13.760 --> 01:02:29.359 about the data centers and Bob mentioned um about particularly one uh business that was using um several million gallons of water um and I asked him 212 01:02:29.359 --> 01:02:45.280 where does the water dumped into and it so happened it's dumped into the sewer system. Guess what? I also sit on the sewage authority board. I'm the vice chair there and we pay to process uh 213 01:02:45.280 --> 01:03:01.599 the sewer that we send it to Middle Sex County and they meter our sewer. Um and uh these millions of gallons of water is clean and we are getting charged for for that and I had no idea how many such 214 01:03:01.599 --> 01:03:18.000 businesses were there. We do meter sewer for the industrial clients but these uh some of the client one of the client that Bob mentioned in our meeting was not classified as a industrial client as such we do not meter them uh guess who's 215 01:03:18.000 --> 01:03:32.960 paying for their uh uh water processing through the sewer system we are all the rate payers all of us so now I have uh this is set of a um sewage authority issue but we are connected because the 216 01:03:32.960 --> 01:03:49.760 water meter uh some towns bill the sewer fees based on the water meter usage and we don't do that. Um we are two separate authorities. Um but we have access to the water data water usage data from the 217 01:03:49.760 --> 01:04:07.280 township. So uh I'm um working with the sewer uh department authority now uh looking at the water data water usage data of the uh all the businesses um and see whether there are uh out of the 218 01:04:07.280 --> 01:04:24.480 ordinary uses and we have found a few. So we are going to take action on that uh and uh you know normalizing their rates to what it should be uh hopefully that would have some uh impact on sewage rates down the road and we are going to 219 01:04:24.480 --> 01:04:40.079 be watching that on an ongoing basis every quarter as the bills come out and hopefully not let that happen anymore. Uh so that's a good thing. That's a good uh cross collaboration between the authorities for the benefit of the 220 01:04:40.079 --> 01:04:57.200 township. Um other than that uh I think others mentioned the other events that we all attended and uh that's all I got. Mayor, >> thank you Councilwoman Nudin. >> Thank you. Uh just few updates. I wasn't here last two uh meetings. I was in 221 01:04:57.200 --> 01:05:14.160 training and so I have couple things that I want to um address. I started um uh a thing called community ask in war 2. Um I had residents reach out on just collaboration efforts or ideas or questions that they had or you know um 222 01:05:14.160 --> 01:05:30.079 just anything that would help us in war um from just the quality of a life here. And based on those discussions, um, you know, I had a couple meetings, couple pocket meetings with residents and we're working towards, um, some updates and I 223 01:05:30.079 --> 01:05:46.880 know I spoke to right before this meet, uh, right before this meeting, we had a public works meeting and some of the signage in Elmo Road and Hamilton has already been updated. So, thank you to township manager and Carl and his team for getting onto that and making some updates to make sure that um, our road 224 01:05:46.880 --> 01:06:04.240 signs are readable. And with World Cup coming along, um we want to make sure that any visitor that comes here is able to follow the directions and the signs are crystal clear for them um to see. Um that was one of them. Um Western Canal Road, the signage, um our township 225 01:06:04.240 --> 01:06:19.119 manager told me that um that's being worked on and that will be um updated uh once it's ready. And that's between um Schoolhouse Road and and Randall Road. It's the sign that is just to the south 226 01:06:19.119 --> 01:06:34.400 of schoolhouse road on West End Canal. >> And I know I asked you this, but if you can tell me what does that sign going to say? Truck access. >> So So can you talk a little bit more and give me about 30 seconds and then I'll tell you what is it and I kid you not 227 01:06:34.400 --> 01:06:50.000 just okay two seconds. It's actually and and I know the mayor must have also was part of it and again it's these are the feedbacks that we want to make sure folks and residents not just in W 2 but all the wards and the council at large um you know we want to hear from you. So 228 01:06:50.000 --> 01:07:07.119 it's not just this particular meeting and um you're able to access us through our email if you need us our numbers there. So you know all the details is available. you don't have to just be in this particular meeting to um have a public uh comment or public discussion. 229 01:07:07.119 --> 01:07:24.079 >> So now I'm ready. >> Thank you. So the sign that is located just before S uh schoolhouse road coming from Manville heading towards 287 so heading north on Western canal uh will say um all truck traffic 230 01:07:24.079 --> 01:07:41.839 accessing schoolhouse road use road 1.5 miles ahead and I couldn't remember the mileage so I just measured it 1.5 miles >> and that that's all I wanted to know. So that's that's best assaigners that's going to get placed on. Um you know there were other things 231 01:07:41.839 --> 01:07:57.520 >> the other the other ones are all correct throughout the region but that one needed to be corrected. It really was a little bit I don't say misleading but I don't think it was clear enough for most uh truck drivers to understand that they needed to go beyond schoolhouse road. >> Thank you. >> To get on to schoolhouse. 232 01:07:57.520 --> 01:08:14.400 >> Perfect. And then again on on the uh public works meeting, I just want to make sure that everyone understands that as you see things right now it's getting from spring to summer. So you'll see potholes that are out from the snow, the bad storm that we had or any maintenance 233 01:08:14.400 --> 01:08:29.520 tree branches that are falling around. Um you're able to log those online. Um you could take a picture and just log it and our public works team would see that. um it's it's documented so that 234 01:08:29.520 --> 01:08:46.080 they will action on it. Um it's so important because I see sometimes folks don't do that and they just use other sites to post things and we want to make sure that folks are um as you take the picture please ensure that you're um sending it to the right channel so that 235 01:08:46.080 --> 01:09:02.880 we get it. Um McAfee Road is scheduled end of June. Um so if you remember this is the one that um had a lot of folks worried about the kids during school hours. So this is going to be the road is getting worked on towards end of 236 01:09:02.880 --> 01:09:18.880 June. Um and oh and and we our budget if we pass at this time is 3.9 million. Um and then out of that we're looking at breaking it down between all the words. So we'll get more information as we um confirm 237 01:09:18.880 --> 01:09:35.600 today's budgeting on that. Um, one of the other concerns that came up to me was that um, for the folks in TV land that are out there, I think if you have Verizon, you don't have this issue, but if you have Comcast, it the complaints that it's hard to hear us. Um, it is um, 238 01:09:35.600 --> 01:09:50.799 an issue that's ongoing and our IT department is aware of it. Um, there are two options. You're able to hear this meeting and we love the fact that everyone's very engaged and likes to hear the council meetings. So, you're able to um get on YouTube channel on 239 01:09:50.799 --> 01:10:07.280 Franklin Township channel and um see this posted as well as our township website um FTTV has it live streaming. So, those are your alternate options um if you're trying to um figure out why Comcast is not working or it's it's 240 01:10:07.280 --> 01:10:24.239 working. It's just really low. Um and then I just want to say that get out and vote. Early voting started um today and they're waiting for you. I was at the senior center myself earlier today and it's so smooth. You're in and out within, you know, a few minutes. Um, and 241 01:10:24.239 --> 01:10:39.920 I want to thank Frank from earlier today who gave me a nice sign that says Franklin love lives here. So, it's beautiful and I put it out here for us. And lastly, Eid Mubarak to everyone that's going to celebrate it tomorrow. And that's all I had. Mayor, 242 01:10:39.920 --> 01:10:57.199 >> thank you. Councilman Singh. >> Sure. So, I want to make a couple of comments um that both look back as well as look ahead. Before I do, I do want to acknowledge um a couple of great ideas that we got 243 01:10:57.199 --> 01:11:14.560 in the public session. I think we have responded to all of those, but I want to acknowledge the engagement and all the great meaningful ideas that we got today. Um the lady has left but I know there are several people from our community who has managed snow uh snow 244 01:11:14.560 --> 01:11:30.719 snow removal sorry can't speak snow removal for over 26 years including removal of the snow for our seniors and we have a hand you know probably about 10 landscapers who are impanled who do 245 01:11:30.719 --> 01:11:45.760 this consistently on a year um ony-ear basis. So, uh, if she's going to be listening, uh, I'm happy to share those leads, uh, with her. I mean, they've worked for us for about 26 years, and I'm sure they'll be an option that will 246 01:11:45.760 --> 01:12:03.280 work for her as well. Um, since our last council meeting, um, I had the opportunity to attend the Kingston Village Advisory Committee meeting as their council liazison. Um, for those who don't know, uh, this is a 247 01:12:03.280 --> 01:12:16.080 group of individuals who advocate for quality of life, um, in the village of Kingston. In my last meeting, in my last meeting, we reviewed numerous complaints from residents on a portable 248 01:12:16.080 --> 01:12:34.800 toilet that sat at the edge of Kingston Park, >> Kingston Green, >> on Union Street. And I'm happy to report um the issue was addressed by a township manager and the parks and recreation 249 01:12:34.800 --> 01:12:52.239 director who we who I met yesterday at the parade within hours. Um and that toilet is going to get moved this week. So thank you >> for the responsiveness. Also attended the 60th um celebration at St. Pias. Um I won't 250 01:12:52.239 --> 01:13:09.600 go into the details but I just want to say I want to congratulate um St. Pattias again for their journey as well as uh for the milestone. Um, a couple of things as I look ahead. One, 251 01:13:09.600 --> 01:13:28.719 one, I am super excited about the um, infrastructure in the water repairs and the street paving that's going to happen. I want to speak to uh, Ward One residents specifically. There are a number of 252 01:13:28.719 --> 01:13:45.600 roads that are going to get streets that should get paved in the next 12 months or so. and um I'm happy to put those out, but just to give you a sense, it's going to be the copper mine area and the Sterling area including Olen and Stockton and Stewart and others. So, I'm 253 01:13:45.600 --> 01:14:01.360 excited about that. Uh also excited about uh Kotaba Park. We're moving forward with the park. uh we're getting some uh bids on that and the first world residents can uh look forward to a wonderful recreational asset with some 254 01:14:01.360 --> 01:14:18.719 great amenities including cricket fields, pickle ball courts, tennis courts, etc. Um, also, um, as part of my commitment to public safety, I remain committed to a traffic signal and a pedestrian crossing on Route 27, which 255 01:14:18.719 --> 01:14:35.520 residents have been requesting for a very long time. So stay tuned for updates on that. And I also want to continue to be a vocal advocate against the Williams Transco Nissi compressor station which poses frankly genuine 256 01:14:35.520 --> 01:14:51.120 risks of air pollution, methane emissions, safety hazards for our community. And I realize our volunteer teams are representing to the governor this week. So the fight is 257 01:14:51.120 --> 01:15:10.560 not over. Um, I think that is all I had. Mayor, >> thank you, Deputy Mayor Kurazzi. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. And, uh, let me start by u acknowledging our great police department. 258 01:15:10.560 --> 01:15:29.440 Uh, actually they had u some exemplary efforts this weekend. The first was on Saturday when we heard about a missing 75year-old woman. Thanks to Franklin reporter and advocate and um our police 259 01:15:29.440 --> 01:15:45.520 department helped find that person and return to the family. The second one actually you know that we have about 60 plus houses of worship and the safety of house of worship is extremely important. We want to make sure that everybody can 260 01:15:45.520 --> 01:16:03.920 go there and safely do their prayers and go home. So the second uh was the uh there was involved an intruder entering in a house of worship property with his phone in his hand and wandering around 261 01:16:03.920 --> 01:16:20.000 for a while what it looked like he's surveying the property. And this happened on Friday at 5:45 a.m. And I got a call around 6:00 a.m. when the person had left the property. So 262 01:16:20.000 --> 01:16:37.360 what we did, we looked at the uh cameras that they had in their properties and a recording of the cameras and confirmed the person did not belong to the community. And uh then we called the police and other authorities and within 263 01:16:37.360 --> 01:16:53.520 short period of time five members of our police department came looked at the videos and within 3 hours they identified the person. They interviewed him. They went to his house talked to his family 264 01:16:53.520 --> 01:17:08.400 >> and they confirmed that this was a missing case. And apparently the person walks on his foot and he was trying to find a shortcut and not realizing that this house of worship is a private 265 01:17:08.400 --> 01:17:24.719 property and also they had fenced the property. So he went all the way to the end and then he realized that there's no way he can take the shortcut. So but again our hats off to our police department. They did a fantastic job. 266 01:17:24.719 --> 01:17:41.679 put the mind of the community at ease and uh you know really uh amazing job and I know we have mentioned that our police department is one of the best and indeed they are one of the best. Uh the um I got an email this afternoon 267 01:17:41.679 --> 01:17:59.440 from New Jersey Blood Center that there is a blood emergency as regional blood supplies have dropped to less than two day inventory and they asked um you know asked to ask the community members that they can 268 01:17:59.440 --> 01:18:17.120 donate blood please do so. Every donation can save three lives. So if you can, anybody who's hearing me, if you can, please make the donation. Uh Zufall Councilman uh Ambbrasa 269 01:18:17.120 --> 01:18:34.320 mentioned about that people that don't have insurance, they accept also people with insurance. So doesn't matter if you have insurance or you don't have insurance, please go take advantage of the uh their services and uh definitely they'll be happy to welcome you if you 270 01:18:34.320 --> 01:18:50.000 have insurance as well. uh for the snow removal. I spoke to the lady at outside. She's going to contact me and uh councilman Singh I will be more than happy to connect you with her so you can provide that information. But 271 01:18:50.000 --> 01:19:08.239 I also have one that I can mention as well and St. Matias 60th anniversary was an amazing event and I was happy to be there and I spoke on behalf of our council. Congratulate them as well. And lastly, 272 01:19:08.239 --> 01:19:24.080 Adela, as Councilwoman uh Yudin mentioned, is tomorrow and that honors prophet Ibraim which devotion to God is the biggest one of the the the second biggest or the the one of the biggest 273 01:19:24.080 --> 01:19:40.000 celebration by the Muslim community and I congratulate them and uh wish them the best tomorrow. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. >> Thank you. um enjoy the Memorial Day um celebration. 274 01:19:40.000 --> 01:19:55.360 Uh was very gratified about Zou Fall opening. Uh that's a real step forward for the town. And everything else has already been mentioned. It's the honor of going last. Um 275 01:19:55.360 --> 01:20:10.800 Mr. Manager, have you comments? >> Mr. Mayor, I actually have no nothing to report. Everything's been reported by council. Excellent. Um, approval of the minutes. I present the following minutes to the township 276 01:20:10.800 --> 01:20:27.280 council for their approval. The work session regular minutes of March 24th and the work session regular minutes of April 14th. Does anyone Oh, do we have a motion to approve the minutes? >> So moved. >> Seconded. 277 01:20:27.280 --> 01:20:43.360 >> Moved and seconded. Any corrections? Any comments? Any typos? How I miss Dr. Chase. He would always have a correction. Um, seeing none, Madame Clerk. >> Councilman embarrass. 278 01:20:43.360 --> 01:20:59.679 >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Francois, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Karazzi, >> yes. >> Mayor Kramer, >> yes. >> Councilman Oniaka, >> yes. >> Councilman Singh, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Odin, >> yes. >> Councilman Vasinella, >> yes. warrants in the amount of 3 million 279 01:20:59.679 --> 01:21:21.679 30,222,88387 on May 26 are presented to the township council for payment to have a motion on the warrants. >> Second move and seconded. Anyone like to pull a warrant, question a warrant, point out a warrant? 280 01:21:21.679 --> 01:21:37.600 >> Madame clerk is a war. >> Councilman embarrass. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Francois. Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Crosley. >> Mayor Kramer. >> Yes. >> Councilman Ojaka. >> Yes. >> Councilman Singh. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Odin. >> Yes. >> Councilman Vasanella. >> Yes. 281 01:21:37.600 --> 01:21:53.440 >> Right. We're on to the budget. And A is resolution 26- 22 or 220. To read the calendar year 2026 municipal budget by title only is presented to the 282 01:21:53.440 --> 01:22:11.120 township council for adoption. Do we have a motion on this uh item? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Moved and seconded. Any discussion? >> Madame clerk. >> Councilman embarrass. >> Yes. 283 01:22:11.120 --> 01:22:26.719 >> Councilwoman Francois. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Karazzi. >> Yes. >> Mayor Kramer. >> Yes. >> Councilman Oniaka. >> Yes. >> Councilman Singh. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Udine. >> Yes. >> Councilman Vasanella. >> Yes. Councilman Wright, 284 01:22:26.719 --> 01:22:45.480 >> I'm always I'm always nervous at that motion that you guys are going to make me read the whole thing, but it would take hours. So, um, and now we're going to take a momentary break because there's a little confusion about the budget. 285 01:22:50.080 --> 01:23:08.040 I trust. >> So, can some can someone explain? >> I can. >> I'm sorry. >> I I apologize. >> Under the budget, not under consent. Under the budget. >> Are we at the budget? >> We are We are right at that. 286 01:23:08.639 --> 01:23:24.320 >> Turn it off. Is that yours? >> I I don't I do I turned it on and that happened. So, I can only if you're not using your mic, turn it off and please. >> So, Mr. Mayor, I apologize for stepping out of the room and talking to the CFO. Um, when we adopt a budget, we always 287 01:23:24.320 --> 01:23:39.920 ask a series of questions as to whether or not an amendment triggers a new public hearing. So, I just wanted to make sure that the CFO had confirmed with the auditor that the budget amendment that you're doing tonight does not trigger the need for a new public 288 01:23:39.920 --> 01:23:55.600 hearing because if it didn't, Mr. Mr. Mayor, you couldn't do both public hearings tonight. You'd have to wait 3 days to the second public hearing. So, when I'm I know I realize what your agenda says, but my recommendation is that we uh adopt the budget amendment and then hold the public hearing on the 289 01:23:55.600 --> 01:24:11.760 budget as amended. >> Mhm. >> And then adopt. >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> Your the agenda has one extra public hearing on it. It should it should not have that second public hearing. So, it's the public hearing is on the budget 290 01:24:11.760 --> 01:24:28.960 as amended, not the first on the budget without amendment and then the amendment. >> So, here's what we're going to do, mayor. The the first uh item A is the resolution that >> we did that. >> You did that. Good job. >> Thank you. >> I I I knew I could go that far. 291 01:24:28.960 --> 01:24:44.800 >> Yes, you could. I would have stopped you if you couldn't. >> Or you could have had her read the entire budget and bought us on time. >> I did. It's true. But line by line. >> Um I my suggestion, Mr. Mayor, is that you now adopt D, which is the budget 292 01:24:44.800 --> 01:25:03.120 amendment. And just for the public's so we're talking in kind of high level stuff here for the bud public's purpose. All we're doing is recognizing a $166,000 grant that was received. Um and we're going to we're going to account for for that into our budget. There is a 293 01:25:03.120 --> 01:25:19.520 process for us to not do it tonight and we could do it by a separate resolution, but since we're here and we have it, we're going to do it by tonight. So, >> so we're not changing what we're spending. >> Correct. No. >> Right. It's just a budget. There's no no impact. It's a it's a revenue offset by uh >> appropriation. >> It's an appropriation offset by a 294 01:25:19.520 --> 01:25:35.840 revenue. >> Correct. >> Okay. And then once we >> So, so once you amend it, then I would hold the then I would hold the public hearing on the budget as amended. >> So, the entire budget as amended. >> Yes. So that >> so we won't do B. >> No D E 295 01:25:35.840 --> 01:25:51.080 and then >> you won't do >> you won't do C but you'll do the the public hearing so that people who are following along on television the public hearing on the calendar year 2026 municipal budget would be as amended. 296 01:25:51.679 --> 01:26:08.639 >> Lou just curious it came up for uh in the conversation. Is there a dollar amount threshold for that? I understand everything you're saying that when an amendment has to go to >> there there is um there are triggers. It's if if you're going to raise the appropriations in the budget as a total by more than I believe it's hold on a second I'm going to tell you right now 297 01:26:08.639 --> 01:26:24.400 >> it's if you're going to raise a new item of appropriation that exceeds 1% of the total budget or 10% of a given line item. But because this is a budget, the because we're getting an appropriation and and offsetting revenue, it doesn't 298 01:26:24.400 --> 01:26:39.679 count towards the 10% according to our auditor. Uh and he's ultimately the one that has to make that decision. >> Thank you. You're welcome. >> It doesn't the the delta is there is none. It's zero. The delta is zero. And that's the reason why it doesn't trigger a second. >> And just for the record, there's also a 299 01:26:39.679 --> 01:26:55.840 small uh on if you're reading your budget amendment, there was also a small change in the water utility. >> Yes. But it's less than the 10% in that line item because I think it's $45,000 in the more than $2 million salary and wage line item. >> Right. Yes, that's correct. 300 01:26:55.840 --> 01:27:12.639 >> Right. Yes, that's correct. >> All right. So resolution 26-22 uh two 200 resolution 26-221 adoption of the calendar year municipal budget amendment 301 01:27:12.639 --> 01:27:29.679 is presented to township council for adoption. Do we have a motion on the amendment? >> So moved. >> Seconded. >> Moved and seconded. Any discussion? Anyone like the attorney to explain that again? I the second time it would be different. 302 01:27:29.679 --> 01:27:49.520 >> Madame clerk, this is on the amendment. >> Councilman Barrison, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Francois, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Karazzi, >> yes. >> Mayor Kramer, >> yes. >> Councilman Noni Jaka, >> yes. >> Councilman Singh, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Udin, >> yes. >> Councilman Vasanella, 303 01:27:49.520 --> 01:28:03.600 >> yes. >> Councilman Wright, >> yes. So, we could have I'm asking council's advice. We could have the public session now and then we could uh move and second 304 01:28:03.600 --> 01:28:21.120 the budget itself as amended and then I could give my presentation on the budget or I just wonder if I give my presentation on the budget first it might answer some questions that are that are coming up. I think 305 01:28:21.120 --> 01:28:40.480 >> go first. Okay. And we're waiting for the manager. >> Actually, you're waiting for the clerk to give me access to the HM HDMI cable. >> So, 306 01:28:40.480 --> 01:28:58.159 forgive me, Councilwoman Francois. I did a PowerPoint. I couldn't I couldn't help myself. I just couldn't couldn't help. And there's graphs. >> All right. >> Pie charts. >> Um, 307 01:28:58.159 --> 01:29:14.159 >> that's not the first slide, is it? >> Slide one of nine, I believe, begins this the slide presentation. Mayor, it says slide one of nine on my screen. >> You know what? I'm going to move down there because I can't see it well from here because I'm old. >> Yeah, there's a chair right at the end. 308 01:29:14.159 --> 01:29:30.480 You could open it on your computer, too. >> Doesn't have a computer. >> And that would be hard for you to do. >> This microphone works. >> I set it up just for you. >> Thank you. Um Oh, yes. I remember this. 309 01:29:30.480 --> 01:29:46.880 So, um we are we are increasing the budget or the the levy. The levy is the amount of money that we raise in taxes. So we we we come up with what we want need to what we need to spend. We get 310 01:29:46.880 --> 01:30:02.560 all our other revenues together. Uh some of that is from the surplus which we also call the fund balance which is our money in the bank. Some of it state aid, hotel tax, dog licenses, etc., etc. And then the 311 01:30:02.560 --> 01:30:19.679 amount that we can't cover that way unfortunately we we raise in taxes and that's called the levy. And I just wanted to point out what the levy has done over the years as a and compare it to inflation over 312 01:30:19.679 --> 01:30:35.600 the years. And if you can read the chart, um we've had uh increases to the levy of 1.8% 0%.5% 313 01:30:35.600 --> 01:30:50.960 0% 0% 0% 1% 1% then 3 years ago or two years ago 6% last year 2.6% and this year 7%. While that was going on, the uh 314 01:30:50.960 --> 01:31:08.159 inflation was 1.3 2.1 2.4 1.8 1.2 4.78 4.1 3.0 2.6 and 2.6. That's kind of graphed out each year uh with green 315 01:31:08.159 --> 01:31:23.440 being the uh rate of inflation and blue being the amount that we increase taxes. And until these last three years, um, blue is always well under green. And last year it was about the same as 316 01:31:23.440 --> 01:31:40.480 green. In in total over that time, which is 11 years, unfortunately, so we can't just divide by 10. Um but over 11 years inflation has been 40% 39.3% 317 01:31:40.480 --> 01:32:02.800 and the levy itself has gone up 21.4%. So we're roughly half of inflation. Next slide. So I this is shows the same graph except for the last two uh bars at the end. 318 01:32:02.800 --> 01:32:20.320 That's the total accumulative uh inflation over that time. So it just graphically shows we're at roughly half of inflation. Um so this is so the levy is now the amount 319 01:32:20.320 --> 01:32:38.800 we could charge in tax is now 41.7 million. So 10% of 1% is roughly 400,000. And I presented this last time, but these are the major increases we had. Liability insurance, recycling and trash, snow, 320 01:32:38.800 --> 01:32:53.840 utilities, street lights and fuel, uh decreased state aid, which is it's not a increased expense. It's decreased revenue. uh healthc care 321 01:32:53.840 --> 01:33:09.920 um salaries and revenue for uncollected taxes. Um the sal the health care and salaries amounted to $2 million together. This all comes out to about 9.1% 322 01:33:09.920 --> 01:33:26.320 of the municipal tax. And those are things that basically we couldn't get around. People have suggested to me, well, just fight harder with the unions. You're the guy who fights with the unions. 323 01:33:26.320 --> 01:33:44.480 >> I am. I I certainly negotiate I negotiated with one of them today. Um I I think that while there there are uh and I had this discussion with the members of that the the leadership of that union today. Um 324 01:33:44.480 --> 01:33:59.760 the the benefits of public sector employment 30 or 40 years ago were that you had a a good strong pension system. You were 325 01:33:59.760 --> 01:34:15.440 able to retire at a younger age and you received good um health care benefits at no cost. Um, since that time, over the last 30 or 40 years, uh, in particular, beginning right around 2010, much of 326 01:34:15.440 --> 01:34:32.639 that has changed. Most of our new employees work till they're 65, like everyone else, until they re reach social security age. Um, they pay a considerable portion uh for their health insurance benefits. So, they don't retire young and they don't retire with 327 01:34:32.639 --> 01:34:49.520 um guaranteed health care benefits. In fact, our new employees don't receive healthcare benefits in retirement like um employees of the past. Um so that you know that was the reason why you worked for a a lower wage. Now we have to pay 328 01:34:49.520 --> 01:35:05.440 competitive wages to get qualified employees and that means that we have to give uh you know increases to our labor force because that's what we are. Um, a municipal government is a service 329 01:35:05.440 --> 01:35:22.719 industry. We don't manufacture a product. Um, we can't create new ways of of increasing our productivity for our product that we we make because we don't make a product, we provide a service. Um 330 01:35:22.719 --> 01:35:38.400 and if you lower the the salary line that means you decrease the workforce then in in most instances you decrease the services provided which is one of the things that 331 01:35:38.400 --> 01:35:54.239 we are trying not to do. We're trying to increase the services provided >> and I know in fact of one person at least that is leaving because they can get a better salary somewhere else. Well, that happens probably I'm going to say about a dozen times a year. Well, 332 01:35:54.239 --> 01:36:09.679 and and I see people shrugging their shoulders. The truth of the matter is if you want quality service, you have to have quality employees, which means you have to pay for those quality employees. And we have to pay a competitive wage. And the mayor detailed that there were 333 01:36:09.679 --> 01:36:27.199 increases uh that doubled the amount that our budget levy increased over the last 11 years. Well, that's because our increases for the number one cost in our town, our salary line, has not increased to keep 334 01:36:27.199 --> 01:36:44.040 up with um the rate of inflation. The the the rate of inflation has outpaced um salary increases for our our workforce. >> And you can only do that for so long. >> Exactly. >> Okay, next slide. 335 01:36:46.719 --> 01:37:04.639 Um, we took to try to cover this uh deficit, we took uh some things away. Uh, some legal fees in the construction area, uh, accumulated leave time, general ledger, 336 01:37:04.639 --> 01:37:21.679 uh, general legal, sorry, Mr. Renown. Um, salary adjustments. Um we we cut that thin and anticipating that we wouldn't be giving raises during the year and uh we didn't put more much more 337 01:37:21.679 --> 01:37:37.920 into our tax reserve uh fund our fund for tax appeals. Um we also eliminated a few positions not positions that anyone was in but positions that were not filled. Again, 338 01:37:37.920 --> 01:37:55.040 we don't want to cut services and I don't want to leave our employees thinking they're next on the chopping block. There was no realistic discussion about layoffs. Um, so we had a number of those adding up to 339 01:37:55.040 --> 01:38:13.239 uh $500,000 and um the social security uh left another $166,000 that we don't have to pay because we eliminated those positions. So we didn't budget for those. 340 01:38:14.320 --> 01:38:29.840 Um there were things that if you listen to the budget hearings, there were things that were requested um that after the budget hearings be um before finalizing the budget we took 341 01:38:29.840 --> 01:38:47.600 out. Uh some of them we took out before it even got to the budget hearing. A large solar array, storm water utility mapping. Um, the thing is those are high ticket items, but because we bond for things, it's really only cost us 5% in 342 01:38:47.600 --> 01:39:05.679 the uh initial year. Um, so we take 5% off our budget for those items. Did you have something to say? No, I was going to say it it it takes off 5% in the in the year of the budget where the appropriation is is made, but obviously 343 01:39:05.679 --> 01:39:22.480 then there's the the cost of debt service down the road. That's all. >> And then after the budget hearings, um we took off another 96. It's more than 94. >> It's 9 96,000 of the 5% of the total is 344 01:39:22.480 --> 01:39:40.639 96,000. >> Right. Uh go ahead. Next slide. So, uh, cannabis. I got an email from someone saying, "You had you got $600,000 from cannabis. Why are my taxes 345 01:39:40.639 --> 01:39:56.960 going up?" Um, I just wanted to explain that. So, we we got 600,000 for last year. However, uh, 200 or 150,000 of it was collected this year. So that goes in this year's 346 01:39:56.960 --> 01:40:14.560 revenue. But even that 450,000 is 1% of the taxes. Little over 1% of the taxes. So your taxes would be 1% higher or we would have to increased it by 1% more from the cannabis. But that 347 01:40:14.560 --> 01:40:31.440 doesn't wipe out the t the municipal tax. It's just not enough. >> No. And then there's things that go up and down mayor as well. the the cannabis tax might be at 450,000 but the hotel room tax went down by that much so it's a wash so it really is not a gain I mean 348 01:40:31.440 --> 01:40:48.639 if you you know when you have losses of revenue based on the the changing uh way that people do business and we have many hotels that generate a room tax for each room rented as rentals go down and occupancies go down in the hotels that 349 01:40:48.639 --> 01:41:04.719 revenue goes down as well and uh So, you know, the cannabis tax going up is basically just filling the void made by loss of revenue from hotel tax. >> Um, open space. That's just to remind me 350 01:41:04.719 --> 01:41:18.480 that in the good times, the township would pay some open space expenses for maintenance. Um there's a involved formula about what we charge and we've 351 01:41:18.480 --> 01:41:36.639 now charging the open space fund uh benefits for the employees that are spending their time doing open space. in the in the times when we could do 0% uh tax increase or 0% levy increase, we 352 01:41:36.639 --> 01:41:52.800 had enough money that we could leave that money in open space so that we could buy more open space, buy more vacant land. Um, as times get tighter, then we can't be as generous with the uh 353 01:41:52.800 --> 01:42:09.119 with the township's money and open space. Um, and then I had read online, um, my wife pointed out to me that people were complaining, if you've got, if you have to raise taxes, why are you building Katalpa Park? Katalpa Park is 354 01:42:09.119 --> 01:42:26.239 being paid for out of open space money. Building Katalpa Park will not change the tax because the open space tax is a set amount of tax. So, and a lot of people on this Facebook page come to 355 01:42:26.239 --> 01:42:44.480 these meetings and they knew that and none of them piped up and said, "No, that's not quite true." So, I thought I should mention it >> next. Um, oh, so this is u looking at the average 356 01:42:44.480 --> 01:43:02.159 home. The average home price I can't read it from here. 555,485 and 25 and 572,541 and 26. >> So it went up >> went up 10,000 I'm sorry it went up 357 01:43:02.159 --> 01:43:19.280 $17,56 >> which is 3.1%. >> The general um the total valuation of the town that's all the properties in town went up 4%. So the fact that that what that's 358 01:43:19.280 --> 01:43:34.639 telling us is the non-residential properties went up more than the residential properties. What the people think that we increase assessments to get more money. It doesn't work that 359 01:43:34.639 --> 01:43:52.560 way. The assessment decides what piece of the pie you pay. If you have a bigger assessment, you you'll pay more tax, but we don't get more money for it. We set how much money we want or need. And the 360 01:43:52.560 --> 01:44:06.159 your assessment tells you what piece of that pie, what percentage of that uh revenue we want, you will pay. Um so the fact that the average home went up less 361 01:44:06.159 --> 01:44:23.600 than the general um value of the town uh means that assessments were good this year for most people. It helped most people. Um this per this place paid a property tax of 362 01:44:23.600 --> 01:44:46.560 >> uh 10 last year $9,71543 and then this year's would be $10,32864 for a difference of $61321. The bottom table shows for each taxing entity, school district, county, local, the municipal open space, municipal 363 01:44:46.560 --> 01:45:01.679 library, county open space, and fire districts, what their rates are. And you can compare rates done within the same year to the same area to figure out what percentage they are of your tax. The 364 01:45:01.679 --> 01:45:19.679 school district tax is 61.9% 62%. The local municipal tax is 13.3%. So of that 10,000 some odd dollars that this average home is paying, only third 365 01:45:19.679 --> 01:45:37.520 I shouldn't say only, but $1,300 goes to the town. So when people say I don't get much for what I'm I'm paying for, um the what the things they see, the things they're looking at is really only 366 01:45:37.520 --> 01:45:56.320 13% or in this case roughly $1,300. Um I have said it many times, I'll say it again. Paying for our schools through property tax is a stupid way to tax. It should be an income tax. so that people like me 367 01:45:56.320 --> 01:46:14.000 who have a little bit more money can should pay more. But uh this 400year-old method of taxing is the way we're stuck with. Um the total amount they're paying, this person is paying for uh 368 01:46:14.000 --> 01:46:36.159 schools is 6300 $6,400 and the amount that they're paying to the town is $1374. Go ahead. So if you read the Franklin Reporter, you you'll recognize this. It's a I'm 369 01:46:36.159 --> 01:46:52.880 quoting me. Um uh yet with that limited municipal share, the township amongst other things paves, plows and repairs roads, maintains park and fields, cut roads, cuts roadside grass for visibility and 370 01:46:52.880 --> 01:47:08.480 safety, supports recreation programs and youth services, provides construction and zoning oversight, conducts restaurant inspections, manages recycling, and maintains what I believe is the finest police department in New 371 01:47:08.480 --> 01:47:26.400 Jersey. And I I put that in because people say you should cut cut council should have cut the budget by 10%. Just find a way to cut by 10% to um save us money even though the 372 01:47:26.400 --> 01:47:44.800 schools are going up. 10% would have made you would have not raised 74 by $74. we would have raised it by $7.40 less. You're not It's not saving much money. And if we cut out all of the town 373 01:47:44.800 --> 01:48:01.199 money, all of the money going to the township, that would lower your taxes by 13%. And these are the things amongst others you would lose. I mean, think something like zoning oversight. Without the town, someone could build a gas station right 374 01:48:01.199 --> 01:48:17.440 next to your house. Um, so, uh, I think I think we provide good services for the amount that we collect in taxes. Unfortunately, and I I understand it, I I was when I was 375 01:48:17.440 --> 01:48:31.840 sitting out there and coming to meetings, I had the same thing in mind. I'm getting my taxes. They're going up. They're going up. And I blamed it all on people in this room because they're the ones who send me a tax bill. and this is 376 01:48:31.840 --> 01:48:49.840 the place I come to to pay my taxes. So I the there it's natural for people to blame council for the total increase, but most of the increase over $400 this year is coming from the school board. 377 01:48:49.840 --> 01:49:07.280 $74 is coming for us and that's for the average home. Yours will obviously vary and that's my present. Oh. of other towns. Um so if you look at this um chart, I'm not 378 01:49:07.280 --> 01:49:24.400 going to read them all off. We're at 7%. The highest is Raritin increasing at 12.4%. The lowest is Piscatway increasing at 2.2%. The average increase is 6.92%. 379 01:49:24.400 --> 01:49:56.000 We increase 7%. So, I'm not saying we're the best in in the uh state, but we're certainly in the ballpark. Um, that's my presentation. Councilwoman France was upset there 380 01:49:56.000 --> 01:50:12.080 wasn't another graph. >> No, we were talking about you should send that to us. >> Was such a wonderful presentation. >> I will I will email it to all of you right now. >> And you >> and and the clerk please so that 381 01:50:12.080 --> 01:50:27.760 requested they can have it. and >> um >> and you I'll leave. >> So where are we? We have motion to introduce >> as a budget public hearing >> public hearing >> on the budget as amended. >> So with the I ask for unanimous consent to open the p the hearing to the public 382 01:50:27.760 --> 01:50:45.800 on the budget. Uh without objection we are open to the public on the budget only. Um anyone wishing to speak five minutes. Same rules as before. Yes sir. 383 01:50:47.360 --> 01:51:03.280 >> I'm Januk Jadea living at four gold star drive in same neighborhood as Mr. Singh. Um thank you very much uh Mr. Mayor for wonderful presentation. I learned a lot. This is the first time 384 01:51:03.280 --> 01:51:19.360 I have seen it. My question is is there any public announcement where people are aware of today's meeting so that we could have much more broader 385 01:51:19.360 --> 01:51:36.000 presentation from people. I accidentally came to know about this meeting today honestly otherwise I would have not been even here. So that is my question number one and my question number my second comment is I know you all are working hard and it is none of your intention to 386 01:51:36.000 --> 01:51:51.679 increase the budget but it would be nice to involve the public presentation even in the school board meeting these types of meeting so that people can participate and exchange views. Thank you. >> I'm sorry are you suggesting that we 387 01:51:51.679 --> 01:52:08.639 present this at the schoolboard meeting? No, no, no. I am what I'm requesting is that >> is there should be an awareness for people to know when this meeting such meetings are including the school board meetings if they are allowed to 388 01:52:08.639 --> 01:52:23.280 participate. I I'm not sure. >> So we and I'm going to allow people to answer directly rather than we answer all at the end for this. Um, we advertise in the paper, we advertise in 389 01:52:23.280 --> 01:52:41.080 the online journals now. Uh, we post, we have it on our website. We would love for more people to come. Um, you're you're right. I mean, look, look, we're passing a budget. Look at how many people are in the room. >> Certainly. Yes. Um, 390 01:52:41.199 --> 01:52:56.560 M >> I I just have I'd like So, sir, what what I would encourage any every single person who lives in this town who has access to a computer, which is I think at last estimate according to the census 391 01:52:56.560 --> 01:53:14.080 about 97% of our population has access to a computer to sign up for all of the different types of notifications that you can receive from us. And the reason I say that is I I get emails because I'm I obviously in my position I'm signed up for all of our notifications. I get the 392 01:53:14.080 --> 01:53:31.599 emails notifying me of every public meeting. The agendas for those meetings are published and when they're published on the website, I receive an email that the that the uh agenda has been published. 393 01:53:31.599 --> 01:53:46.560 um our social media platforms announce in advance all of our public meetings. Uh so not just the the township council meetings, but the planning board meetings, the zoning board meetings, the open space advisory committee meetings, the environmental commission meetings, 394 01:53:46.560 --> 01:54:02.880 all of them. and and if you go to our website, it's relatively easy to go to the notifications and sign up to receive those emails to receive the NIXLE community notifications and emergency notifications. We don't announce 395 01:54:02.880 --> 01:54:20.800 meetings generally by Nixl, but we do do them by email notifications that is generated by the website. And and you know, as the mayor said, in addition to that, we comply with the what the New Jersey state law says that we have to do 396 01:54:20.800 --> 01:54:36.239 as far as notifications are concerned, the public notices and and uh that are are posted to the local official newspapers of the town, but also there are two online 397 01:54:36.239 --> 01:54:53.520 um news outlets that serve Franklin Township. One's here, the Franklin reporter and advocate and the other is Tap into Franklin. Both of them post articles in advance of uh of meetings like this. Um and and the information 398 01:54:53.520 --> 01:55:08.880 related to those budget meetings is available from those news outlets as well. But you know, we we the mayor talks about it. I mean, and we kind of sometimes chuckle privately to ourselves. you know, we can't bonk people over the head and drag them in to 399 01:55:08.880 --> 01:55:25.599 the meeting to make them come here. Um, you know, there I think 267 seats and along with standing room only in this room. Um, and and you see the attendance and and we moved our budget hearings to to remote uh Zoom meetings where we can 400 01:55:25.599 --> 01:55:42.560 get as many people as want to attend those budget meetings, you know, because the budget hearings in advance of the budget introduction. And I think we have I don't know probably five or six routine regular attendees. I mean if that that are on a Zoom 401 01:55:42.560 --> 01:55:58.880 meeting as easy I mean you can do it from your living room in your pajamas. Um and we still get five or six attendees. I I don't know what it is. I I mean you know but that's that's how you find out about these meetings all of those ways. >> Well thanks thanks for that. I will sign 402 01:55:58.880 --> 01:56:14.800 up for myself today. I just hope that people are aware that they can sign up like you know and they can receive the email notification. I just hope they are aware. >> Mayor, can I ask our manager please? >> Otherwise, let them pay more taxes. Go >> ahead. >> I'm sorry. Related to everything you 403 01:56:14.800 --> 01:56:30.639 said is great, Bob. And I I think it we probably should have said what you were saying months ago. >> I say I say what I just said multiple times throughout the year. Councilman, check the check the uh minutes of Bob. >> It was a compliment. >> No, I know. I'm saying I not months ago. I say it often. 404 01:56:30.639 --> 01:56:47.360 >> Okay. Well, it was very elegant tonight. My question is this seriously, is it possible or can we do it in a practical manner with our it? I mean, do we do it or can we do it where people, I'll be blunt, have no interest in what the heck 405 01:56:47.360 --> 01:57:04.719 we're doing or what's going on in our town except money and taxes. Can we have a nixel whatever type of email blast that only in or only informs people >> of any and every meeting 406 01:57:04.719 --> 01:57:20.800 >> even other entities taxing entities or at least ours I just said we do it you have to sign up and I mayor I just let me interrupt there councilman >> interrupt me >> I am telling you that we have over the course of my tenure as the township 407 01:57:20.800 --> 01:57:37.440 manager done over and over and over again. Notifications in every type of format, including written format in the newsletter, begging people to sign up for notifications. I Franklin Day, that's my whole table is how to sign up 408 01:57:37.440 --> 01:57:53.040 for notifications from the town. So, can we do it? We have done it over and over and over again. You're asking for something that we already do. I can't make people do it. And this is a this is not just Franklin Township. I have 409 01:57:53.040 --> 01:58:09.760 talked to my peers in other towns. They have the same issue. It it's the lack of attendance at official uh functions of council and the planning board and zoning board. Unless it's something that directly affects you, you don't come. 410 01:58:09.760 --> 01:58:25.840 And you know what? Taxes affect everyone. >> All right. I'm g I'm gabling this discussion because it's not about the budget and we're in the public hearing. So, anyone else want to speak? >> We promise not to beat you up. 411 01:58:25.840 --> 01:58:45.840 >> Please, >> welcome it. >> I didn't say we wouldn't berate. We just won't beat you up. >> Yes, please. Sir, >> Rohit Gupta, same in neighborhood as for winding way. Only comment I have is how much control you guys have on the school 412 01:58:45.840 --> 01:59:02.800 board. I mean I hear that this is 7% and 66% and what the numbers are for but school board right I just hear zero right so I mean there has to something has to be done in the school board they have pretty much a free will >> right they can come up with numbers they 413 01:59:02.800 --> 01:59:18.800 can come up with their needs right and clearly we can say we can't deduct our people we need those people to serve and to provide services right with the school board whenever they have okay I want to increase this I increase that and our bill keeps going up Right. And that's and the school is where school is 414 01:59:18.800 --> 01:59:34.320 still not where it should be. Our education is still not there where it should be. >> So, >> but our bill is skyhigh. >> Um, first of all, the school board has made tremendous strides in the last 10 years and I I credit John Rali who 415 01:59:34.320 --> 01:59:51.360 unfortunately is retiring this year for that. Um, I also, full disclosure, I'm friendly with probably more than half of the school board. I was friends with the past president, right? I mean, I'll have talk with her, too. I'm very close friends with her, in fact. Right. But 416 01:59:51.360 --> 02:00:06.320 that doesn't mean that the taxes have to go through the skies, right? >> So, but what they're faced with now is at least last year it was the rule. I'm not sure it was the rule this year. They were told this is the amount you should be spending on a student. You are not 417 02:00:06.320 --> 02:00:22.320 spending that much. we will allow you now to increase by I think they allowed 14% and they did 10.7%. And they did it under the gun of if you don't increase your taxes by this amount 418 02:00:22.320 --> 02:00:39.760 we will take away school aid so they would then be that much more in the def in a deficit and not be able to supply their services that they want to supply. I think it was a very difficult decision for them. But >> it was mandated by the state or that or 419 02:00:39.760 --> 02:00:56.560 we missed over the years that we didn't spend that much amount of money for students. >> No, that was that was the state mandate. >> The state told them we won't give you state aid unless you raise it by a certain amount. Um I I think it goes back to 420 02:00:56.560 --> 02:01:14.000 uh and some of them are my friends too, the legislature they and it need unfortunately it needs an an amendment to the New Jersey Constitution. We need to change how we pay for our schools. It should be a income tax so people like me that can 421 02:01:14.000 --> 02:01:31.920 afford it pay more and people like and like I won't point out anyone >> that other people who can't afford it pay less. Go ahead sir. >> No I get that point and it's makes sense too right but that being said we still have to put some kind of controls on that right and then if we can figure 422 02:01:31.920 --> 02:01:47.599 something out here with all this brains sitting in front of us right and uh we got to do something about that. I mean taxes are going through the roof of school park. >> Yep. >> So it's and I mean the point where you want to make a decision want to live here or not, right? If it's affordable 423 02:01:47.599 --> 02:02:02.159 to live in Franklin because Franklin Township is doing well, but the school board is kicking us out. I that's a shame. >> It is beautiful community. >> So but that that's a decision that needs to be made. So >> and we we heard tonight that they might 424 02:02:02.159 --> 02:02:27.520 be decreasing the state New Jersey. >> So something you think about, Phil. Yes, sir. >> You can come up again. You >> Yes. Someone someone on council. >> Now we are in the I just don't want the public hearing to get confused. 425 02:02:27.520 --> 02:02:42.880 >> Okay. >> Councilman, we're in the public. >> You're okay. >> You're fine. >> No. Yeah. Yeah. >> If you want to talk about the budget, you can talk about the budget. >> Yes. We're talking about up here, not you. You're good. >> Thank No, thank you. Um, I just want to 426 02:02:42.880 --> 02:02:59.119 say, you know, I understand the increase in your budget here. In my opinion, yes, salaries salaries go up every year and the fact that you don't want to cut anyone, that's great. But I just want to say for anyone here that is questioning 427 02:02:59.119 --> 02:03:16.480 the school budget, there's a meeting this Thursday on the 28th. Be there. Don't I mean this is great to be here but I also invite you sir need to be there and I'm going to be there and then you can direct your questions because 428 02:03:16.480 --> 02:03:33.119 they do have um this type of um question and answer where you can direct that. So it's this Thursday the 28th. So thank you. >> Thank you. >> It's at the board of ed on route 27 the old consulatada mission. >> Correct. >> Okay. >> Thank you. 429 02:03:33.119 --> 02:03:52.000 >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Do anyone else wishing to speak about the budget? Seeing no one, I ask for unanimous consent to close to the public. Without objection, we're closed to the 430 02:03:52.000 --> 02:04:06.320 public. Do we have a motion on the budget? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Moved and seconded. Anyone on council want to discuss the budget now? Do you have a question? Who? Oh yeah, go ahead. 431 02:04:06.320 --> 02:04:24.639 So um there are several um first world residents here. A couple of things. one I've been in the council for I want to say 3 months right at that time I've had the privilege of serving on the 432 02:04:24.639 --> 02:04:41.520 financial oversight committee mayor and council and in that process there's been obviously learning but also contributing to the township's finances and budget and uh 433 02:04:41.520 --> 02:04:58.400 I can confidently say our township's extended team Right? That includes our manager and our department heads. Um they've completed what I call as due diligence to come up with this budget. I 434 02:04:58.400 --> 02:05:14.239 cannot speak to budgets from prior years. I wasn't around. But I will say it wasn't easy to construct this year's budget. Um someone acknowledged costs are up across the 435 02:05:14.239 --> 02:05:28.719 board. personnel, benefits, insurance, infrastructure. Those costs have increased across the board. But I'm pleased to say I'm 436 02:05:28.719 --> 02:05:46.400 pleased to say we got here without compromising on public safety. We got here without compromising essential services that our residents care about. and without 437 02:05:46.400 --> 02:06:04.639 laying off a single employee. And that reflects to me a disciplined, responsible approach by all people who are here on the council, people who served on the 438 02:06:04.639 --> 02:06:20.719 financial um oversight committee, all people involved with the budget. Finally, you know, I'm glad there are several residents in the first ward who showed up today. 439 02:06:20.719 --> 02:06:36.800 Keep us honest. Keep us honest as we go through this process. As you can tell, we're juggling multiple priorities. And those priorities span across public safety. They span across services. They span 440 02:06:36.800 --> 02:06:52.320 across taxes. and they span across township's future financial health. We can take some short-term decisions that are going to come back and bite us and haunt us tomorrow and we want to be 441 02:06:52.320 --> 02:07:07.679 responsible and disciplined about it. So we appreciate your support as we balance these priorities and my ask would be stay engaged, be present and I know 442 02:07:07.679 --> 02:07:24.320 uh Januk you missed the message that I said because you're not in that group and I am kicking myself for not having sent that email that I generally and typically do. Um but thank you for pointing that out. Appreciate it. Any 443 02:07:24.320 --> 02:07:45.840 other council member have comment? Good for you. Madame clerk. >> Councilman embarrass. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Francois. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Kurazzi. >> Yes. >> Mayor Kramer. >> Yes. >> Councilman Jaka. >> Yes. >> Councilman Singh. 444 02:07:45.840 --> 02:08:02.079 >> Yes. >> Councilman Councilwoman Nudin. >> Yes. >> Councilman Vasinella. >> Yes. >> Councilman Wright. >> Yes. I think we're to item number 14. Is that right? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Public hearing and adoption of 445 02:08:02.079 --> 02:08:18.079 ordinances on second reading. We have none. Number 15, ordinances on introduction and first reading. Ordinance 458-26. An ordinance amending the municipal code of the township of Franklin County of Somerset, state of New Jersey, more 446 02:08:18.079 --> 02:08:34.880 particularly chapter 226, vehicles and traffic section 226-13, parking prohibited at times on certain streets, particularly Pine Grove Avenue. The following ordinance is is presented to township council for adoption on 447 02:08:34.880 --> 02:08:52.079 first reading posting publication in accordance with the law and public hearing and final adoption at a meeting of the township council to be held on Tuesday, June 9th, 2026 at 700 p.m. in the council chambers. 448 02:08:52.079 --> 02:09:08.800 >> Do we have a motion to introduce? >> So moved second. >> Moved and seconded. Um, this is the area around the uh East Franklin. >> Yeah, it's it's the section between the firehouse and Highland Avenue that was at the request of the fire company to 449 02:09:08.800 --> 02:09:24.639 get make more room for the fire trucks leaving and heading towards Highland Avenue. >> That's probably a good idea. >> Probably. >> Any other discussion, >> Madame Clerk? >> Councilman Barrison, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Francois, >> yes. 450 02:09:24.639 --> 02:09:40.079 >> Deputy Mayor Karazzi, >> yes. >> Mayor Kramer, >> yes. Councilman Oniaka. >> Yes. >> Councilman Singh. >> Councilwoman Nudin. >> Yes. >> Councilman Vasinella. >> Yes. >> Councilman Wright. >> Yes. 451 02:09:40.079 --> 02:09:57.360 >> Uh consent agenda. Items A through N is listed consent agenda. Portion of this meeting are presented to the township council for adoption. Do we have a motion? >> I I just have one question to >> Wait. We We have a mo we have a mo one second. We have a motion. Do we have 452 02:09:57.360 --> 02:10:12.719 second? >> Seconded >> now discussion. >> Okay, that's the retail sale. >> Which flat? >> This is N. >> Turn on your mic. >> N I'm sorry. >> Emmer N. Nancy Nancy. So, is that a new 453 02:10:12.719 --> 02:10:28.079 license we got, Bob? Or is it? >> It is. I I've been informed that our clerk has been informed of a person of interest in a uh a retail license, a consumption license. So, we have several 454 02:10:28.079 --> 02:10:43.360 that are available based on the last census that we have not offered for sale. So, this will be by sealed bid auction for a new license. >> Good. Thank you. >> Yes, >> Mr. Mayor. >> Yes, sir. Everybody got up here and 455 02:10:43.360 --> 02:11:00.239 walked out as soon as they we adopted the budget. But they forgot to realize we have a consent agenda and we're going to take some money and throw it out the people. But yet nobody stayed to discuss where the money was going. And when I 456 02:11:00.239 --> 02:11:19.920 first came on council, I begged people to stay. You give a proclamation, you need to lock the door and keep them in here. I think there's >> wise men. >> I think there's fire coats against that. >> Um, anyone else? 457 02:11:19.920 --> 02:11:36.000 >> Madame Clerk. >> Councilman embarrass. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Francois. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Karazzi. >> Yes. >> Mayor Kramer. >> Yes. >> Councilman Jaka. >> Yes. >> Councilman Singh. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Udine. >> Yes. >> Councilman Vasanella. 458 02:11:36.000 --> 02:11:51.800 >> Yes. >> Councilman Wright. >> Yes. Uh there are no resolutions to be voted on separately. Old business. Um >> that's a good idea. >> Anyone any nominations for boards, committees, and commissions? 459 02:11:52.159 --> 02:12:10.800 >> So I have one for Peter Marsh on um the zoning board. We have open uh alternate position. Uh I guess number three >> four >> board of adjustment 460 02:12:10.800 --> 02:12:27.360 um the one that expires at the end of this year. >> Okay. >> Um are there any other and and just to Mr. March March um is a has a PhD in 461 02:12:27.360 --> 02:12:42.880 mathematics. He's lived in town for 12 years and he was the executive dean at Rutgers for arts and sciences. So that means all the deans in arts and sci in the arts and sciences reported to him. Uh so I think 462 02:12:42.880 --> 02:13:00.320 he'll qualify well for the zoning board. And are there any other nominations for that position? >> Could I just ask one small question? >> Sure. >> Do we screen for zoning board and planning board? So, no, we did not. 463 02:13:00.320 --> 02:13:16.079 >> Okay, go for it. >> Okay. Um, any other nominations for that position? Any other nominations for any other positions? >> Uh, we can do it by acclamation. All in favor say I. 464 02:13:16.079 --> 02:13:36.079 >> I. Oppose say nay. Motion is carried. Congratulations, Mr. March. And turning the page. Executive session resolution 26-238 at the authorized executive session 465 02:13:36.079 --> 02:13:51.920 potential acquisition of open space uh 287 Cedar Grove Lane and uh contact negotiate contract negotiations with the YMCA is presented to the township council for adoption. Do I have a 466 02:13:51.920 --> 02:14:07.679 motion? >> Second. >> Moved and seconded. Um, Madame Clerk, >> Councilman Harrison, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Francois, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Karazzi, >> yes. >> Mayor Kramer, >> yes. 467 02:14:07.679 --> 02:14:24.000 >> Councilman Oni Jaka, >> yes. >> Councilman Singh, >> Councilwoman Udine, >> Councilman Vasanella, >> yes. >> Councilman Wright, >> all right, so we're now going to go into executive session. There'll be no official actions after executive session except to come out of executive session 468 02:14:24.000 --> 02:14:33.079 and to journ the meeting. So this will end our taping. Be well, Franklin.