The Franklinton Board of Aldermen and Mayor Darwin Sharp met on Tuesday, September 23. The meeting began with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and the Board voted to approve the minutes for the September 9 Regular Meeting.
Mayor Darwin Sharp once again read the revised LA Statutes 4219, 4212, 4214, and 4217 on how public meetings are to be conducted in the state. He clarified that public comment is acceptable before action is taken on an agenda item and that reasonable rules may be adopted by boards. General public participation not on agenda items must be approved by the Board, and people may be removed from meetings if the situation warrants.
The Board then recognized Rev. Cecealine "Pepe" Tate, who discussed the order of the Council meeting. Tate expressed his dismay yet hopeful prayers concerning an incident that occurred at a recent Town of Franklinton meeting that resulted in him being escorted out of the meeting. Public participation has always been held at the end of meetings, he said, and he asked the Board to please "put things back in order." He further stated, "Together we stand, divided we fall." Tate feels people need an opportunity to share needs and concerns to the Board. He ended his statement with, "Let's do things decently and in order. I will do that. Treat everyone equal."
Next, Mr. Bryant Buttone from the Washington Parish Economic Development Foundation addressed the Mayor and the Board concerning economic development in our area.
Buttone's focus was that in past years, the Town of Franklinton, the Parish Government, and the City of Bogalusa have collectively contributed $50,000 to $60,000 each year to the Foundation. This money has been tied to a land field tax and leftover money from the tax. The Foundation has not had a paid employee for the past several years but there is a new, excited director and the money is now needed for her salary. He stated that the Parish has agreed to contribute, and Bogalusa's agreement is "ongoing."
When asked by Alderman T. J. Butler what the Foundation will do for Franklinton, Buttone responded that it is working on expansion of the industrial complex and is working in partnership with a company to purchase two additional lots from the Town. He also noted the vacancies in the downtown area and the Foundation's willingness to help fill these with tenants through grant ideas and possibly incubation buildings where there is shared office space for a smaller rent. Mayor Sharp responded that the Board would take this matter under consideration and will try to have a proposal at the next meeting.
The Board then intended to vote on a contract with Samsara for GPS and cameras. However, Samsara asked that this not be done until after October 1. The state contract list is being updated, and this may mean additional savings or at the very least a change in the contract amount. The item was tabled.
The Board then voted to advertise for the purchase of a dump truck. Alderman Randy Reed confirmed that this is for an 8-yard, single rear axle truck and will be purchased from next year's budget.
The Board was to vote to introduce an ordinance to change water and sewer charges. Alderwoman Patrice Crain stated, "I have reservations about this." She elaborated that the newest meters have not been installed completely, and older meters are not correct. Some residents are being overcharged, she said, and she feels the Town should not move forward if everything is not in order.
Ms. Crain added that many residents are on fixed incomes, and she wants to see what kind of programs can be offered to assist them. She said, "Increases are necessary to move forward, but we can't move forward until we are in order."
This led to further discussion of leaking fire hydrants and the toll the Fair takes on the town's water and sewage systems when hundreds of campers move into town for a week. Mayor Sharp responded that the water system needs to be updated and the money to do so must come from somewhere. Rates have not increased since 2019, he said. However, the Board voted to table this for further consideration.
The final action was to set Halloween Trick or Treating within the Town limits to Thursday, October 30 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. The event is for children 12 years old and under.
The Mayor also announced the annual bike ride for cancer is to be held on Saturday, October 4 at 2:00 pm at the Mason Hall on T. W. Barker Drive. More information can be obtained from Betty McKay, Pat Harvey, or Sylvia Burkhalter.
