John Stiic, a resident, urged the council to approve the Piney Hollow Trail Grant, emphasizing the significant expenses already incurred in the approval process. He noted, “We’ve spent tens of thousands of dollars maybe more… just through the approval process already,” and pointed out that the current cost estimate is lower than earlier projections. Margaret Dar from Forest Grove supported Stiic’s position, describing the potential park as “about to be ours” and criticizing any move to deny it as a “complete waste of money.”

Several residents raised financial concerns about the project. One speaker highlighted the long history of the project and noted that “the engineering fees can be charged in full with no cap” if the Green Acres Grant is not secured, potentially leading to a substantial financial burden on the township, possibly exceeding $100,000. This speaker framed the decision as a choice between “a nice accessible park for all ages at a bargain price” and incurring a “huge engineering bill to pay for work you will not be using.”

Some community members questioned the practicality and necessity of the trail. One resident doubted the utility of the trail, expressing skepticism about community engagement, “I don’t believe putting $215,000 into a trail that would not be utilized by Franklin Town residents would be smart spending.” Another speaker suggested that the funds might be better allocated to upgrading local baseball fields, citing their poor condition.

Conversely, advocates for the trail highlighted its potential to enhance community recreation and attract visitors. Ralph Travone remarked on the safety concerns for potential trail users. He urged the council to consider the economic benefits of the park, stating, “People are going to spend their money in our town,” and emphasized the importance of following through on a project that had already seen significant investment in time and resources.

Dve Marshall compared the Piney Hollow Park to Estel Manor Park, noting the successful visitor turnout at the latter. He encouraged the council to recognize the potential for increased revenue from nature-oriented tourism, saying, “This is listed… as a place that people want to go.”

In addition to the trail grant discussions, the council addressed several resolutions and public comments concerning local governance and environmental issues. Resolution R12524 was presented to direct the Council Administrator to complete an application for the SDS RF Hazard discharge site remediation grant, which was unanimously supported. Similarly, Resolution R12624, concerning the release of a performance bond and safety and stabilization bond from Newfield Bank, received unanimous approval after an engineer’s recommendation.

A environmental concern discussed was the flooding and damage near an attention pond by the Verizon plant. A council member expressed frustration over the lack of communication from engineering representatives about the situation impacting local trees and mentioned videos sent to engineers for review. The authority of engineers to recommend the release of bonds was also debated.

Routine matters included the approval of several resolutions, such as R12724 appointing a registrar, R12824 and R12924 authorizing tax exemptions for disabled veterans, and R13024 soliciting bids for HVAC updates at the community center and library. Resolution R13124 requested approval for the creation of a trust related to the removal or replacement of a certain item, which saw minimal opposition. In contrast, Resolution R13224, concerning a contract for professional services related to a trail improvement project, failed to secure a motion.

The council also discussed issues related to the maintenance of facilities, particularly the status of the hockey rink in Malaga Park, which had been allocated an $8,000 grant for deconstruction and reconstruction. Concerns were raised about the unresolved HVAC system at the community center, with previous estimates exceeding $250,000. A recent $50,000 contract to prepare specifications for a new system drew scrutiny, with suggestions to utilize companies offering free energy audits.

The meeting introduced new ordinances, including regulations on road openings, lead-based paint, and open space and farmland preservation trust funds. Public comments featured concerns about the management of taxpayer money and environmental issues, particularly regarding the open space trust fund ordinance. One resident criticized the council for limiting expenditures to $50,000 for land conservation, arguing that it could impede future preservation efforts. Another resident emphasized the worsening flooding due to local development, urging the council to be more proactive in addressing these environmental concerns.