The Franklinton Town Council met for its regular meeting on Tuesday, September 12.
The 2023 Drainage Improvement Project was explained by Civil Engineer Jay Pittman. The project specifically addresses drainage issues on Howard Street and 16th Avenue. Mr. Pittman explained that at a location on Howard Street, the culverts under the street are intact but are not interlocking. Therefore, there is a seepage problem that must be resolved, causing a "dip" in the roadway. At a similar spot located on 16th Avenue, the culvert joints are eroding, and new culverts need to be installed.
Following questions by the council, Mr. Pittman asked that the bid of $198,885 made by Lawson Bene't Construction Company from Hammond, Louisiana, be accepted for the 2023 Drainage Improvement Project. The council voted unanimously to approve the bid.
The council opened a public hearing for Ordinance 1086 which establishes penalties for violations of alcohol ordinances. There were no public comments from the audience so the hearing closed, and the council adopted Ordinance 1086.
In other business, Mayor Greg Route explained that there were several adjudicated properties in the city limits and that a five-year period had expired enabling the town to advertise for purchase bids. Three specific properties were listed, and the council voted to approve this process. Mayor Route further stated that it is imperative to get such properties cleaned up not only for the health and safety of the property neighbors but also for the neighborhoods and the town itself.
Town Clerk Ellen Waskom reported that as of August 20 sales tax collected in the town was $247,367.00 which is up $22,000 over the same period last year.
Mayor Route also recommended that the council approve the hiring of Justin McFarland as a full-time employee of the Franklinton Police Department. Mr. McFarland has already graduated from the police academy and has been working part-time at the PD for some time. Major Mike Tate reported that in the period from August 23 to September 12, 2022, the Franklinton Police Department had responded to 668 calls ranging from general complaints to traffic stops and disturbances. The FPD made 24 arrests during the twenty-day period.
The meeting ended with a comment from Alderwoman Patrice Crain reminding everyone that Sunday, September 18 is Nationwide Back to Church Day. She encouraged everyone to take advantage of this day "so that we can all together as a community [and]as a nation gel together and praise the Lord."
Mayor Route expressed his concerns that the town office and maintenance department are open part-time during the Washington Parish Free Fair and wonders if that is that fiscally the best policy. The mayor and council will discuss this further at the September 27 meeting.
