Township Council — January 3, 2026 (Reorganization)

What was decided

The reorganization began at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday. All nine members were present, Mr. Anbarasan by Zoom. Every recorded vote was 9-0: ayes Anbarasan, Francois, Kharazi, Kramer, Onyejiaka, Potosnak, Uddin, Vassanella and Wright; no nays; none absent.

• Oaths of office. Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill swore in Ed Potosnak (Ward 1), Shepa Uddin (Ward 2), Charles Onyejiaka (Ward 3), Carl Wright (Ward 4) and James Vassanella (Ward 5).
• Deputy Mayor. Ms. Uddin nominated Alex Kharazi for a one-year term ending December 31, 2026; there were no other nominations, and the nomination carried by acclamation.
• Appointments, each one-year to December 31, 2026 unless noted, and each 9-0:
  • Township Attorney Louis N. Rainone (nominated by Mr. Kharazi);
  • tax appeal counsel Michael Burns (Mayor Kramer);
  • auditor Robert W. Swisher (Mr. Vassanella);
  • engineer Robert Russo (Mr. Anbarasan);
  • Municipal Court Judge Steven H. Fleischer, three years to December 31, 2028 (Ms. Francois);
  • prosecutor Mohamed S. Jalloh (Mr. Onyejiaka), associate prosecutor Norman W. Albert and alternate prosecutor Ryan V. Albert (Mr. Potosnak), and public defender Dennis A. Auciello (Mr. Wright).
• Boards and committees: Res. #26-001 to #26-004, the standing committees, Council liaisons and board appointments (mover Francois, second Uddin).
• Consent agenda (Res. #26-005 to #26-035; mover Uddin, second Francois). It included:
  • #26-010, the 2026 temporary budget: current fund appropriations of $27,526,635.02 and water utility appropriations of $9,674,458.95;
  • #26-008, the 2026 interest rate on delinquent taxes and assessments, and #26-005 to #26-007, depositories and the cash management plan;
  • professional contracts: Township Attorney, Rainone Coughlin Minchello, not to exceed $605,000.00 (#26-026); tax appeal counsel, not to exceed $235,000.00 (#26-027); auditor, Suplee, Clooney & Company, not to exceed $51,000.00 (#26-028); engineer, Center State Engineering, not to exceed $535,000.00 (#26-029); prosecutors and public defender (#26-030 to #26-033); financial consultant Andrew Hodulik, PFK O’Connor Davies LLP, not to exceed $452,500.00 (#26-034);
  • #26-035, amending the agreement with Heyer Gruel & Associates PA, “Professional Planner for 4th Round Affordable Housing Challenges”, not to exceed $30,000.00, to include CY2026. See Fourth Round housing;
  • #26-024, year 4 of Kenyon Planning LLC’s consulting for the Township’s land preservation program, not to exceed $101,920.00, and #26-025, Kenyon Planning sustainability consulting, not to exceed $15,000.00;
  • #26-021, reappointing Mark Healey, Director of Land Use, as Municipal Housing Liaison.
• Approved warrants of $23,200,514.71 for December 31, 2025.

Remarks

• Mr. Potosnak said he hoped the 250th anniversary could unite people across political divisions.
• Ms. Uddin listed her priorities as safe neighborhoods, opposing warehouse expansion, supporting responsible development, stabilizing taxes and protecting open space, and planned workshops for seniors on fraud prevention.
• Mr. Onyejiaka promised to continue his duties with renewed dedication.
• Mr. Wright thanked the residents of his ward.
• Mr. Vassanella outlined the term ahead: road safety projects on Hamilton Street, a new affordable housing plan, construction of Catalpa Park, and infrastructure and environmental projects.
• Deputy Mayor Kharazi pledged balanced decisions on public safety, fiscal responsibility, business growth, unity and health equity.

Public Discussion

Speakers offered congratulations: Shanel Robinson for the Somerset County Board of County Commissioners; Ron Jordan and Deanna Luchs; former Mayor Upendra Chivukula; Dr. Ombala, a former Planning Board member; Doc Cunningham; and Assemblywoman Shama Haider (District 37), who praised the Franklin Food Bank. Alex Clark, Hamilton Street, announced two presentations on ranked-choice voting in January.

Records

• Minutes (approved February 10, 2026) · Agenda · Packet
• Video on Granicus (1:15). Granicus publishes no captions for Franklin meetings; this page follows the Clerk’s minutes.