Township Council — December 9, 2025

What was decided

Mr. Anbarasan (excused by Res. #25-502) and Mr. Potosnak were absent. Unless noted, every vote was 7-0: ayes Francois, Kharazi, Kramer, Onyejiaka, Uddin, Vassanella and Wright; no nays; absent Anbarasan and Potosnak.

• Consent agenda (Res. #25-497 to #25-523; mover Francois, second Uddin). It included:
  • #25-511, “Supporting the New Jersey Immigrant Trust Act (S3672/A4987)”. See immigration ordinance;
  • #25-512, asking the Franklin Township Sewerage Authority to authorize and transfer $100,000.00, not exceeding 5% of its annual operating budget surplus, to the Township for use in its budget;
  • #25-500, cancelling outstanding General Capital, Open Space Trust Fund Capital and Water Utility Capital balances dedicated to completed projects;
  • #25-501, amending the 2026 meeting schedule to hold the budget hearings as remote meetings;
  • #25-505, a five-year memorandum of understanding for FBI use of the police firearms range;
  • #25-506, a Cat 930 front-end loader, not to exceed $229,333.00 with trade-in;
  • #25-507, rescinding #25-493 and re-awarding the Senior Center VCT flooring, not to exceed $71,382.93;
  • #25-509, #25-521, #25-522 and #25-523, inserting into the CY2025 budget a distributor opioid settlement ($66,507.97), the 2025 Recycled Tonnage Grant ($119,274.24), the 2025 Clean Communities Grant ($178,780.13) and the 2025 Community Development Block Grant ($348,012.00);
  • #25-510, a 2026–2030 health services agreement with the Somerset County Health Department;
  • #25-513, 2026 fire district salaries, and #25-515, CY2025 budget transfers.
• Res. #25-518 extended the Central Jersey Housing Resource Center’s contract as consultant administrative agent for affordable housing, year 3, not to exceed $66,000.00. It passed 6-0 (mover Wright, second Francois): ayes Francois, Kharazi, Kramer, Onyejiaka, Uddin and Wright; Mr. Vassanella abstained; Anbarasan and Potosnak absent. The minutes’ motion line reads “Adopt Resolution #26-518”.
• Approved warrants of $2,027,475.43.
• Executive session on attorney-client matters (Res. #25-519; the motion line reads “#26-519”; mover Francois, second Uddin).

Public Discussion

• Dave Robinson of Biltmore Lane, Somerset Run, said delays in adopting a new B-I zoning ordinance would make the reexamination committee’s work useless. He urged the Council to adopt the draft ordinance’s criteria to prevent more warehouses in areas with heavy truck traffic, noting properties that could be developed under the current rules. See warehouses.
• Alex Clark of Hamilton Street, asked the Council to support ranked-choice voting. He noted that the state bill (S1622/A4042) only enables municipalities to adopt it by voter referendum.
• Beverly Lawson of Amwell Road, opposed a potential water runoff fee, calling it a “money grab”. She asked whether Res. #25-511 makes Franklin a sanctuary town, what its financial impact is, and how police would handle ICE warrants.
• Linda Powell of Buffa Drive, supported the Immigrant Trust Act, saying it protects residents and police from federal overreach.

Answers. The minutes record that:

• Mayor Kramer acknowledged the concerns about warehouses but said the Township cannot legally prevent developers from seeking a variance;
• Mayor Kramer, Mr. Kharazi and Ms. Francois support ranked-choice voting; Mr. Vassanella supports it “in spirit” and still has questions;
• Mayor Kramer addressed the stormwater issues raised;
• Manager Vornlocker said the resolution only expresses the Council’s support for pending legislation and does not change local laws. He said the effect on the Police Department is expected to be minimal, as it already operates under “the Attorney General’s Law Enforcement Directive 201806” (the minutes’ wording).

Reports

• Mr. Wright is looking for a residential block for a trial of speed humps; the process needs consensus from all residents on the block and uses police traffic counters first.
• Mr. Vassanella said the Central Jersey Housing Resource Center manages the Township’s affordable housing program, that new affordable units are in the pipeline but will take a few years to build, and that a town hall on the application process is planned for March or April.
• Ms. Francois said the Municipal Alliance Opiate Funds Advisory Subcommittee is seeking two residents in recovery to serve as a member and an alternate.
• Mr. Onyejiaka noted break-ins in the Westminster area.

Records

• Minutes (approved February 10, 2026) · Agenda · Packet
• Video on Granicus (1:01). Granicus publishes no captions for Franklin meetings; this page follows the Clerk’s minutes.