Township Council — September 22, 2026

What was decided

Two versions of the minutes are posted, and they list attendance differently:

• Granicus action notes (the MinutesViewer file): present Anbarasan, Kharazi, Kramer, Uddin, Onyejiaka and Vassanella; absent Francois and Singh. Every vote line in the same notes lists Francois, Singh and Wright absent.
• Full minutes (printed in the October 13, 2026 Council packet for approval): present Mr. Anbarasan, Deputy Mayor Kharazi, Mayor Kramer, Mr. Onyejiaka, Ms. Uddin and Mr. Vassanella; absent Ms. Francois, Mr. Singh and Mr. Wright (“Excused”).

Both versions record the votes below the same way.

• Ord. 4519-26 adopted, 6-0 (mover Anbarasan, second Uddin): ayes Anbarasan, Kharazi, Kramer, Onyejiaka, Uddin and Vassanella; absent Francois, Singh and Wright. It appropriates $1,380,000 from the Open Space Trust Fund for the construction of, improvements to, and equipment for Catalpa Park. No one commented at the hearing. See open space and farmland.
• Ord. 4520-26 introduced, 5-0 (mover Anbarasan, second Kharazi): ayes Anbarasan, Kharazi, Kramer, Onyejiaka and Vassanella; absent Francois, Singh, Uddin and Wright. It adopts a financial agreement under N.J.S.A. 52:27D-329.2(a)(5) and (a)(6) and authorizes a tax exemption and payment in lieu of taxes for the CWP-ASR Somerset I LLC and CWP-ASR Somerset II LLC project. The hearing was set for October 13, 2026. See redevelopment and PILOTs.
• Consent agenda (Res. #26-393 to #26-416; 5-0, mover Kharazi, second Anbarasan, the same five ayes). It included:
  • Res. #26-415, a development agreement and notice of intent to construct affordable deed-restricted rental units with CWP-ASR Somerset I LLC and CWP-ASR Somerset II LLC, the developer of Block 468.01, Lot 15.01, 260 Davidson Avenue (see Fourth Round housing);
  • Canal Road resurfacing, Top Line Construction Corporation, not to exceed $541,329.99 (#26-405);
  • the timber guiderail emergency repair contract with J. Fletcher Creamer & Son, amended to not exceed $455,000.00 (#26-404);
  • land surveying services, various firms, amounts not to exceed $500,000.00 (#26-412);
  • the SFY2026 Community Development Block Grant, $371,090.00, inserted into the budget (#26-414).
• Res. #26-417, paying utility bills for township-owned historic structures leased to the Meadows Foundation, voted separately: 5-0 (mover Kharazi, second Anbarasan).
• Other votes: moving the Council Discussion Item before Public Discussion (mover Uddin, second Anbarasan in the action notes), the September 8 minutes and the warrants each carried 6-0.

There was no executive session.

Public Discussion

The full minutes give each speaker’s point. Two speakers gave no name.

Water main replacement on King Road and Cedar Brook Drive.

• Warren Nevins of King Road, reported plumbing leaks and pressure relief valve discharge after the water main work and asked for an investigation into the township’s liability. His written comments are attached to the minutes (Attachment A).
• Paulette Ritterson of South Dover Avenue, cited high water pressure and water heater problems and asked about the street paving timeline and protruding water meters.
• Heidi Hanson of King Road, reported water tank leaks and tire damage from rocks, and asked for street cleaning.
• Donald Bennett of Cedar Brook Drive, argued that check valves created “closed systems” leading to leaks, and said the township had not communicated these risks.
• Christian Kohler of Cedar Brook Drive, supported check valves for system integrity but said homeowners were not told about the plumbing changes needed.

Flock license-plate cameras. See license-plate cameras.

• Gary Primo of Phillips Court, objected to the use of Flock Raven/Nova technology for mass surveillance.
• Leslie Primo of Phillips Court, argued that surveillance targets minority neighborhoods and asked who is liable for license-plate-reader errors.
• Javahn Walker of Kuhn Street, opposed the surveillance, citing racial-profiling concerns, and called for a public referendum.
• Teresa Cordero of Amethyst Way, argued that mass surveillance removes liberty and called for the contract to be cancelled.
• Frank Sciara, Ward 2, questioned how the contract was represented and expanded, and asked for an audit and termination of the contract. His written comments are attached to the minutes (Attachment B).
• Linda Powell of Buffa Drive, Ward 3, raised possible federal access to the data and privacy.
• Sanjhi Sharma, New Brunswick Road, asked for a public vote to end the contract.

Other topics.

• Elizabeth Radziszewska of Golf View Drive, asked about the Greystone one-lane bridge and about plans to address property taxes.
• Phyllis Beals of Alma Court, gave an update on the Opioid Settlement Funds Advisory Subcommittee.
• Jeff Previtt of Bray Court, offered free “Medicare 101” presentations for seniors.

Answers. The full minutes record:

• Water mains: the Manager accepted responsibility for not including information about possible plumbing impacts on the flyers sent to residents; it had been posted only on the website. He said the Township Attorney is aware of the legal issues, asked residents to use the website contact form for follow-up, and said a street sweeper would be on King Road the next day. The action notes add: “3-6 months after a water main installed - street on list to be paved”.
• Greystone one-lane bridge: the Mayor and Manager described the county-led plan: traffic lights at the Montgomery-side and Canal-side three-way intersections and near the causeway, and a stop sign at Canal and Bunker. The bridge is not being widened or replaced.
• Property taxes: the Mayor said the municipal portion is about 13% of the total bill and that municipal tax growth since he took office is half the rate of inflation.
• Flock: the Mayor said the Council “takes the issue seriously, is reviewing all information provided, and is considering all facts before making further decisions.”

Council comments

• Mr. Vassanella said the Public Safety Committee is awaiting final data and will make recommendations in about four weeks, including a possible traffic light at the intersection of JFK and Winston. He said construction work is messy but necessary, and asked residents with concerns to use the Township portal or contact him or the Manager.
• Ms. Uddin led the portable solar systems presentation earlier in the meeting, with the Environmental Commission, the Franklin High School Green Team and the fire prevention team.

Records

• Minutes (Granicus action notes) · full minutes in the October 13, 2026 packet (pages 22–52, with Attachments A and B) · Agenda · Packet
• Video on Granicus (2:02). Granicus publishes no captions for Franklin meetings; this page follows the Clerk’s minutes.