Franklin Township Council adopts ordinances on housing rules, property transfers and municipal staffing; introduces bond ordinance

The Franklin Township Council adopted a package of ordinances and approved a slate of resolutions at its meeting, including changes to the township's affordable-housing regulation and development-fee code, several property renunciations and new municipal job classifications.

Council members voted to adopt Ordinance O10-26, which repeals and replaces chapter 138 of the township code related to affordable housing regulations and development fees. The council also adopted O11-26 (an amendment to require nonpublic entities to comply with specified public-notice requirements), O12-26 (authority related to the purchase and reversion of interest in Block 4904, Lot 5 to return property to Franklin Township), O13-26 (renunciation of any potential township interest in Block 2103, Lot 23) and O14-26 (establishing a part-time compost facility attendant position and a full-time program coordinator for the community center, adopting job descriptions by reference).

The ordinances were each moved, seconded and adopted by roll call. The meeting record shows the motions made on the floor and affirmative roll-call responses taken for each ordinance.

By resolution the council also re-adopted a budget item by title and introduced the 2026 Franklin Township budget (Resolution R108). Council members approved routine administrative resolutions, including a special ruling and multiple renewals of alcoholic beverage retail consumption licenses, and a donation resolution to provide custom wooden keepsake boxes to the Clayton Elks with assistance from the Franklin Township Veterans Committee.

Notably, the council approved Resolution R113, authorizing submission of a grant application and execution of a grant contract with the New Jersey Department of Transportation for the resurfacing of Williamstown Road.

The council introduced Ordinance O15-26, a bond-proceeds appropriation ordinance to finance additional capital improvements; the public hearing on O15-26 was set for Aug. 11, 2026. Council members emphasized that O15-26 was introduced only and would not be heard that night.

Votes at a glance

- O10-26 (replace chapter 138; affordable housing/development fees): adopted (motion and affirmative roll-call votes recorded). - O11-26 (amend chapter 253; public-notice compliance under cited state statute): adopted. - O12-26 (purchase/reversion for Block 4904, Lot 5): adopted. - O13-26 (renunciation of interest, Block 2103, Lot 23): adopted. - O14-26 (create compost attendant and program coordinator positions): adopted. - O15-26 (bond-funded capital appropriation): introduced; public hearing set for 08/11/2026. - R107: re-budget by title: approved. - R108: introduction of the 2026 Franklin Township budget: introduced/approved for introduction. - R109–R110 and related: alcohol license renewals and special rulings: approved. - R111: donation of keepsake boxes to Clayton Elks: approved. - R112: emergency temporary resolution: approved. - R113: authorize NJDOT grant application for Williamstown Road resurfacing: approved. - R115–R117: personnel and shared-services resolutions (staff transfers and hires; shared-services agreement with Township of Elk for housing inspections): approved.

What this means now

The adopted ordinances take effect according to the township code and notice requirements; affected ordinances will be posted as required. The introduced bond ordinance O15-26 will return for public comment at the Aug. 11, 2026 hearing before a final vote. The resolution authorizing the NJDOT grant application lets township staff pursue state funding for the Williamstown Road resurfacing project; that application and any required matching funds or contract awards will be processed separately.

Council adjourned after routine committee reports and community updates.