Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Franklin Township public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
6 issues in business jobs
Cannabis dispensary concentration in the Fourth Ward
A resident objected to the new Franklin Roots dispensary near homes, a school and the library. Officials explained it's a legal pre-existing non-conforming use in an R40 zone, that the township has capped dispensaries at 18 (currently 21 active), and that the 2% tax on gross income will bring in about $1.2 million a year.
L'Oreal facility expansion extension at 100 Commerce Drive
L'Oreal USA asked for another year on its approved 149,171-square-foot manufacturing expansion at 100 Commerce Drive while it waits for Delaware Raritan Canal Commission permits. The board was scheduled to act on the request.
Cannabis Business Licensing Fees
Two cannabis business owners objected to the earlier proposed $20,000 annual license fee; the manager rewrote the ordinance with much lower fees ($500 for microbusinesses) and the Council cut cultivator and manufacturer fees further before first reading.
Gas pricing at Easton Avenue Exxon
A resident asked the township to act on premium gas prices roughly 40% above nearby stations. The attorney explained NJ doesn't regulate gas prices outside declared emergencies; the practical answer is market choice.
Liquor License Sale
The township will auction a new plenary retail consumption license by sealed bid, minimum $200,000 — a resident asked whether it was a cannabis license; it is not.
Civil Construction Program Workforce Investment
The township used its last CARES Act funding to train residents in carpentry, electrical, solar and safety skills; graduates saw salary jumps of $35,000-$45,000 and several told council the program changed their lives. Graduates asked the council to keep investing in people, not just infrastructure.