July 12th's fast paced Franklinton council meeting quickly began, and after the prayer and pledge of allegiance, the council members began discussing their application for the Delta Regional Authority Grant. During the discussion, the mayor explained that the board had previously voted and approved it, but the application had to be modified after its approval, thus bringing it before the aldermen once more. A unanimous vote was passed and the council members agreed on the current application.
After the council concluded the conversation about the grant application, Mayor Gregory Route moved onto the next item on the agenda, a policy on Sexual Harrassment as it relates to town employees. Regarding the policy, town attorney James Knight explained that, "When a complaint is made there are two individuals within the town of Franklinton which it's reported to, obviously the departmental head, but it comes to the mayor or myself. We are the two individuals in the town of Franklinton who have taken the necessary sexual harrassment classes to be appointed those who can take reports. At that time we will engage the police department." Mr. Knight then explained that if an incident was to occur within the Franklinton Police Department, then an outside police department would be contacted to take over the investigation. After the discussion, a vote was made to implement the new policy regarding sexual harrassment within the town's departments.
Once the discussion and vote regarding the new policy was completed, the mayor and council moved to item number three on the agenda. Mayor Route explained that he wished to, "Allow the Police Department to convert their unused leave to their retirement account with MPERS (Municipal Police Employees' Retirement System.)" The mayor then explained that if a town employee wanted their money for any unused leave they have, they can request their pay from the town at any given time.
Mayor Route explained that, "They could really put a burden on the town of Franlinton." In response, it was proposed to the council that the money should be transferred into their retirement account which could save the town from any extra unexpected expenditures.
After the mayor's comments and proposal was made, Mr. Knight suggested the implementation of this policy for all departments in the town of Franklinton. After some discussion, it was clear the council was unsure of all the details regarding the matter. In response, alderwoman Patrice Crain said, "I move that we table this discussion until we investigate it clearly." The Aldermen agreed with the motion, and the vote and its consideration was postponed until the next town council meeting.
Then, departmental reports began. Reginald McMasters in Public Works was the first departmental head to report. During the Public Works report, Mr. McMasters addressed the roadside tree limb cleanup and explained that, "The town is not obligated to clean your yards… it's not fair to the men of the Town of Franklinton to clean your yard up, we give you a free place to dump it. All you gotta do is take it down there and dump all your stuff." Mr. McMasters then explained that this service began as a way to privilege the elderly in town but has been overly abused by the townspeople. Though the town will still continue to assist the elderly citizens of Franklinton, Mr. McMasters reported that there is a free dump site, for wood and rotted vegetation only, located near the end of Boat Ramp Road in Franklinton where all citizens should dispose of their waste.
Once departmental reports were made and public participation took place, the mayor moved on to council discussion. During council discussion, Mayor Route announced that a Back to School Rally was to take place from 4 to 6pm next Friday at Town Hall. At this rally, there will be several vendors in attendance, and the town will also be distributing at-home Covid-19 testing kits to those who may need any. This announcement concluded council discussion and the town council meeting was adjourned.
