Township Council

Four candidates for Township Council ward seats have been endorsed by the Franklin Township Republican Municipal Committee. The candidates are Ward 1: Chris Lezny, Ward 2: Jan Brant, Ward 3: Sophia Georges, and Ward 4: Benjamin Guy III. The Committee is not fielding a candidate for Ward 5. “These four candidates represent the best of Franklin Township — experienced professionals, …

Township officials have a rough idea of how much money they would ideally need to keep Franklin running in 2025 – more than $72.4 million – and now they have to work out how that amount will be raised, or if it will be reduced. The Township Council wrapped up the second of two virtual budget hearings on March 18, …

FRANKLIN CONTINGENT – Sudhir Shah, Mahesh Muchhala, Deputy Mayor Shepa Uddin, state Assemblyman Joe Danielsen,Mayor Phil Kramer, Jan Brant, Eleanor Ogin, and Roz Sherman (left to right) after the Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee hearing on warehouse proliferation in the state. A contingent of Franklin residents – including Township officials – converged in Trenton on March 20 to offer …

TALKING CHICKENS – Township Councilmember Ed Potosnak discusses the proposed residential-area chicken regulations at the March 11 Council meeting. An ordinance governing the keeping of chickens in residential areas was introduced at the March 11 Township Council meeting. Councilmember Ed Potosnak (D-Ward 2), who introduced the ordinance, said chickens can serve several purposes, including being “great entertainment.” “But in addition, …

SIGN CONTROVERSY – This sign in the front yard of a DeMott Lane home has sparked a response from Mayor Phil Kramer, Councilmember Ed Potosnak and state Assemblyman Joe Danielsen. A DeMott Lane resident is once again causing controversy with a sign placed on his front yard. The sign pictures a small boy under the large text: “Boys have a …

VIRTUAL HEARING – The Township Council held its first virtual budget hearing for the 2025 spending pan on March 10. The first of two municipal budget hearings was held virtually March 10 by the Township Council. During the hearings, the Township’s various department heads appear to present their proposed 2025 budgets. Council members are given the chance to question the …

NEW FTPD OFFICERS – Capt. Brandon Domotor and Captain Vincent Wilson, left to right, are ceremonially sworn into their new positions while Public Safety Director Quovella Maeweather holds the Bible at the February 25 Township Council meeting. Seven Franklin Township Police patrol officers were ceremonially sworn in and eight FTPD senior officers were promoted at the February 25 Township Council …

CDBG INFORMATION – Deborah Mitchell, the Township’s CDBG Program Administrator, talks about this year’s program at the Township Council’s February 25 meeting. Uncertainty in the federal government over what programs, if any, will be funded has begun to seep into official Franklin Township. Between the aggressive cost-cutting efforts of the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency and wrangling in Congress …

Township Estimate Is 91 Units Smaller Than The State’s Non-Binding Recommendation EXPLAINING THE NEW SYSTEM – Township Manager Robert Vornlocker explains the new state affordable housing program during the January 28 Township Council meeting. The Township should accommodate 623 new affordable housing units in the next 10 years, according to a resolution approved by the Township Council at its January …

It doesn’t look like retail cannabis businesses in the township will have the chance to expand their business to include “cannabis consumption areas.” There is no interest on the part of the Township Council to make the needed code changes to allow for the smoking parlors, Mayor Phil Kramer said on December 18. And Vince Dominach, the Township’s Economic Development …