Roads, paving and traffic

The Council adopted Ord. 4517-26 (cluster subdivisions) and Ord. 4520-26, the PILOT for the CWP-ASR Somerset I and II affordable-housing project at 260 Davidson Avenue, each 9-0. In Public Discussion residents spoke on the Flock license-plate cameras, the Sentinel data center in South Brunswick and the NESE project, the Davidson Avenue housing site, PILOTs, stormwater and truck traffic. Mr. Singh said he supported a full public review and a new vote on the cameras.

With six members present, the Council adopted the $1,380,000 Catalpa Park open-space ordinance 6-0 and introduced Ord. 4520-26, a PILOT financial agreement for the CWP-ASR Somerset project at 260 Davidson Avenue, 5-0. Five residents raised leaks and water pressure after the King Road and Cedar Brook Drive water main work, and seven spoke on the Flock cameras.

The Council approved a $500,000 settlement with Transco over the federal condemnation of an access easement for Compressor Station 206, on land whose development rights the Township holds, plus $100,000 for a community benefit program, 9-0. It awarded the Catalpa Park construction contract and introduced a $1,380,000 open-space ordinance for the park. Eight of 15 speakers addressed the Flock license-plate cameras.

The Public Safety Director and a Flock Safety representative presented the township's license-plate camera system, and most of the residents who spoke in Public Discussion asked about data retention, audits, cost and civil liberties, several calling for the contract to be cancelled or put to a referendum. The Council adopted the cannabis and short-term rental ordinances, introduced the cluster-subdivision ordinance 4517-26, awarded $1.8 million in resurfacing and a $1,064,962 East Millstone water main, and met in closed session on warehouse and Transco litigation.

The Council adopted the Collins Property open-space ordinances, 9-0, and introduced ordinances to acquire 287 Cedar Grove Lane for open space with $5,460,000 from the Open Space Trust Fund. The consent agenda approved a conservation partnership with the Land Conservancy of New Jersey for the Kerani property ($1,380,000) and a $168,204.10 Route 27 resurfacing contract. A Planning Board alternate nomination was tabled, 7-2.

The Council adopted Ord. 4507-26, the B-I zone ordinance limiting warehouses and removing data centers as a permitted use, 6-3, after a hearing with ten speakers. It introduced Ords. 4509-26 and 4510-26 on the 2026 master plan reexamination and the Collins Property open-space purchase, and approved a cost-share to preserve the Horses and Hay Farm. Residents presented a petition for safety measures on Beekman Road.

The Council adopted the CY2026 municipal budget as amended, 9-0, with $75,455,645.64 in appropriations and $41,722,842.00 to be raised by taxation for municipal purposes. Five residents spoke, among them one thanking the Council for limiting warehouses and banning data centers. The consent agenda carried a $325,000 guiderail repair contract and final change orders on water main and resurfacing work.

The Council introduced Ord. 4507-26, the B-I zone ordinance setting limits on warehouses, 6-0 with three members absent, after six residents spoke on warehouses and truck traffic. It adopted the 2026 general and water-utility bond ordinances, a $293,500 Open Space Trust Fund ordinance and a CAP bank ordinance, and awarded a $2,697,496 water-main replacement contract.

The agenda for the CY2026 municipal budget introduction, with a hearing set for May 26: a CAP bank ordinance (4502-26), the budget self-examination resolution and the introduction resolution, plus the 2026 general and water-utility bond ordinances and a $293,500 open-space ordinance on first reading. No minutes are posted, so no votes are reported here.

With Deputy Mayor Kharazi presiding and seven members present, the Council adopted Ord. 4501-26 vacating part of Executive Drive, which the Manager said will become a private driveway for an approved warehouse, and a temporary budget with an emergency capital appropriation, each 7-0. A resident objected to a new leaf disposal fee, and others raised traffic and crosswalk safety.

After a presentation of the 29-acre Catalpa Park plan, estimated at $9.0–$9.1 million with construction management, the Council authorized bids 8-0. Its consent agenda endorsed the Planning Board's amended Housing Element and Fair Share Plan and a $77,725 stormwater plan shared with Montgomery, and it met in closed session on the Williams Transco litigation.

The Council adopted Ord. 4496-26 on affordable housing development fees and the recycling, dog-licence and wedding-fee ordinances, each 9-0. Members reported on the 2026 road paving list, a planned review of the snow-removal ordinance, and property assessment notices with a May 1 appeal deadline.

The third night on the 258,150 sq ft warehouse proposed at 135 Davidson Avenue and the related church applications. The applicant's architect, traffic engineer and planner testified; the Planning Director noted that the site abuts a residential zone, which the B-I reexamination's draft standards would not allow; objectors' counsel argued the use variance needs an enhanced quality of proof. Carried to May 7, 7-0.

The Council adopted Res. #26-112, barring federal civil immigration enforcement from using Township-owned property without a judicial warrant or order, as amended, 8-0. It adopted the Chapter 81 affordable housing ordinance and the Castleton Park easement, the Hamilton Street SID budget and assessment roll, and a $450,000 snow-plowing contract amendment, and met in closed session on possible open-space purchases.

The Council appointed Shubhendu Singh to the vacant Ward 1 seat, 8-0, then adopted the four inclusionary zoning ordinances for the Fourth Round housing plan and the Franklin Boulevard Redevelopment Plan amendment, each 8-0, after a property owner's lawyer asked for a delay. Ten residents spoke, most on snow and ice removal and on traffic lights.

The Council introduced the CY2026 Hamilton Street Special Improvement District budget and adopted a consent agenda that included road asset management software and the 2026 county recycling pickup agreement. Members reported on the January storm response and a proposal for all-way stop signs at Hamilton and Home Streets. No member of the public spoke.

The Council ratified its settlement with Fair Share Housing Center on the Fourth Round housing plan and introduced four inclusionary zoning ordinances (MFIZ-1, -2, -4 and -5), an amendment to the Franklin Boulevard Redevelopment Plan and a water curb-connection fee ordinance, each 9-0. Three residents asked for help against the NESE project; the Council met in closed session on "Williams Transco".

On a 7-0 consent agenda the Council adopted Res. #25-511 supporting the New Jersey Immigrant Trust Act, asked the Franklin Township Sewerage Authority to transfer $100,000 to the Township budget, and set the 2026 budget hearings as remote meetings. A resident urged quick adoption of a new B-I zoning ordinance to limit warehouses.

With all nine members present, the Council's 9-0 consent agenda included an Axon "ALPR License and Integration" state contract of up to $37,800, the CY2024 audit and its corrective action plan, and two stormwater maintenance agreements. It introduced a Brookline Avenue parking ordinance and a pump-station easement. A resident raised the NESE project's air permit.

The Council designated 606–610 Franklin Boulevard and neighbouring lots (Block 233, Lots 1.01 and 2.01; Block 234, Lots 1, 14.01 and 16) an area in need of redevelopment with condemnation powers, 8-0 with Mr. Wright abstaining. It adopted Ord. 4483-25, which bars the routine use of fossil-fuel on-site generators, 9-0, and sent $10,000 in American Rescue Plan funds to the Franklin Food Bank ahead of an expected SNAP disruption.