The Franklinton Board of Aldermen and Mayor Greg Route met for a regular meeting on July 23. The minutes from the July 9 meeting was approved, and the Board began work on New Business.
Deeneaus D. Polk spoke about the Louisiana Readiness Community Project. As an Economic Recovery Core Fellow, Mr. Polk explained what his role will be moving forward. He will be working with local municipalities in Washington and St. Helena parishes to help connect with federal resources with local needs. The goal is to bring community participants and leaders together to determine what local needs are to attract and be ready for economic development. He stated, "I want to work hard for you to take this community where you want it to go." This service will be at no cost to the Town of Franklinton.
There was then a discussion about the U.S. Department of Justice Consent judgement regarding fair housing. Mayor Route stated at the onset that the judgment was not under his administration but occurred during a past mayor's leadership. However, the judgement concerning fair housing will be in effect until 2029, so future mayors will have to deal with it.
"We are in a pickle," Mayor Route stated. He reiterated that "No one wants the Department of Justice on them." There is a list of things the town must do and training in fair housing that must be conducted. At the August 27 regular meeting there will be an open forum on what fair housing is as seen by citizens.
Alderman TJ Butler added that he was a part of the previous mayor's administration, and nobody had training. They were told a housing project was in development for senior citizens and they voted for it. Then the federal government got involved and “here we are today.“
Alderwoman Patrice Crain added that it was a zoning issue and was stopped when the former mayor shut it down. The developer then sued the Town and was awarded $230,000 with $25,000 coming from the Town and insurance covering the remaining amount.
Alderman Darwin Sharp also added that Franklinton is not the only town faced with a situation such as this.
The Mayor thanked town attorney James Knight for his work and ended the discussion with, "We will be straight on this, and we are going in the right direction."
In Departmental reports Fire Chief Brandon LaSalle detailed the fire department calls as well as reporting that the new engine on the tanker truckhas been delayed. The engine is brand new while the truck is older and additional parts had to be purchased to "retrofit" the engine into the truck. It should be ready within a week.
He also reported that there are seven dogs currently in the animal shelter. When asked how things were going in animal control, LaSalle replied, "A nightmare; there are more cats than people in Franklinton."
The animal shelter does not accept felines. He also explained that Franklinton, particularly the fire station, seems to be a "popular" place to dump dogs. However, some of these are chipped and once the owner is identified, the dogs are returned. He also noted that many of the dumped, chipped dogs are from St. Tammany Parish. The parish animal shelter is working with the Town to get some of these dogs adopted, but it is currently full.
The animal control office has new challenges every day.
Public Works Superintendent Reginald McMasters gave a monthly report on water, gas, and sewage activities. Additionally, Town workers have installed culverts, mowed for 8 hours at the airport, edged sidewalks, picked up 130 piles of limbs and 79 bags of trash and flushed out 175 fire hydrants in June. He then explained the recent "boil water" advisory. During a sanitary survey, a drone was flown over the wells and an open spot was noted at the Chess Jones site. This well is not currently on-line. The town has 90 days to repair the open vent on the water tower. Mr. McMasters was able to call on a colleague who "dropped everything," came from the Gulf Coast, and made a temporary repair. However, a permanent repair must be made as well as the tower undergoing a complete washdown and inspection. He had three cost proposals for this service and asked the Board to decide as soon as possible who to hire. Looking over the proposals, several pieces of information were missing or were unclear. Therefore, the town, with Mr. McMaster's assistance, will get all the information and a decision will be made at a special meeting on Monday, July 29 at 1:00 pm.
Town Clerk Ellen Waskom gave the financial report for June. There was an income of $395,000 with $326,000 in expenses. This left a net income of $49,000. Sales taxes received for the month were $290,492.97. Year to date the town has received $2,262,967.46 which is up $142,000 for the same period in 2023.
