Franklin Township Council adopts multiple ordinances on fees, housing and recycling; approves consent agenda

Franklin Township Council voted on March 10 to adopt multiple ordinances on second reading and handled routine business, including consent-agenda approvals and a nomination to the Advisory Board of Health.

During the public hearing and adoption portion of the meeting, the council presented and adopted an ordinance described in the record as "44 96-26" to replace Article 33 (affordable housing development fees) of the land use ordinance to address requirements under the Fair Housing Act and state affordability controls. The council also adopted updates to Chapter 2.84 governing recycling fees and materials (sections cited in the meeting record), an amendment to Chapter 115 on dogs and other animals (Ordinance 4499-26) adjusting licensing fees, and Ordinance 4500-26 amending Chapter 180 fees for weddings and civil unions. Each ordinance was opened for the public hearing as required; no members of the public spoke on the ordinances during the March 10 hearing and motions to adopt carried on roll call.

Council members also moved and approved the consent agenda (items A through I) after confirming at least one consent item carried no taxpayer cost. The council approved a nomination by acclamation to fill an alternate seat on the Advisory Board of Health (Edna Pickner, two-year term).

At the end of the public meeting the council approved a resolution to authorize an executive session under attorney-client privilege regarding pending litigation (Resolution 26-123) and adjourned to executive session.

The transcript records motions, seconds and affirmative roll-call responses for the ordinance adoptions and consent agenda; specific vote tallies in the transcript show unanimous "Yes" responses across roll calls listed on the record.

Votes at a glance - Ordinance "44 96-26" (affordable housing development fees): moved and adopted on second reading; public hearing opened and closed with no speakers. Vote: unanimous "Yes" on roll call in the transcript. - Chapter 2.84 amendments (recycling fees/materials): moved and adopted; council discussion noted a small fee for brush/branch disposal to continue the convenience center service. Vote: unanimous "Yes." - Ordinance 4499-26 (dogs and licensing fees): moved and adopted on second reading. Vote: unanimous "Yes." - Ordinance 4500-26 (weddings and civil unions fees): moved and adopted on second reading. Vote: unanimous "Yes."

Next steps: The council adjourned into the authorized executive session; no additional public actions were taken after the executive session motion was adopted on the record.

(If readers need specific ordinance texts or exact vote tallies, those documents are available through the township clerk's office; the public meeting transcript records affirmative roll-call responses but does not list a numeric tally in a single summary line.)