The Franklinton Board of Aldermen and Mayor Greg Route met on Tuesday, May 28. The prayer was offered by Elder Esco Burton followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. The minutes from the May 14 meeting were approved and the Board proceeded with new business.
First on the agenda was a public meeting to discuss the 2024 millage rates for properties located within the city limits of the Town of Franklinton. Alderwoman Patrice Crain read the millage document that stated the amounts are General Alimony 7.05 mills; Streets and Drainage 7.04 mills; and Police Department 5.04 mills. Public comment on the rates was allowed and the Mayor reiterated, "Taxes aren't changing; everything remains the same." Alderman Butler added, "This is something we do every year." The public meeting ended, and the Board adopted the resolution to levy the 2024 millage rates.
Next, Jimmy Siebert, Chief Nursing Officer at Riverside Medical Center, addressed the Board about the Medical District System Improvement Project. Mr. Siebert noted that in recent years there have been multiple water outages, and while the staff is pleased that the Town repairs the situation quickly, lingering problems exist afterwards at the hospital, medical offices, and the nursing home across the street. Water outages essentially handicap activities at Riverside Medical Center as it affects surgery, air conditioning, basic patient care, and simple handwashing that is critical in the medical setting.
Having no water is not a simple "flip the switch" back on either. Samples must be taken and sent to the state before activities can return to normal.
Mr. Siebert ended with asking the Board to vote to approve the budget for the new water system. He was assured by Alderman Butler that he doesn't think the Board will vote against the hospital and water. Following Mr. Siebert's presentation, the next agenda item had the Board vote to ratify and award the low bid of $688,150 to Spinks Construction, Inc. for the Medical District System Improvement project.
Mayor Route explained that Spinks Construction is honoring the bid despite rising costs and that Delta Regional provided an additional $155,000 to be sure the project is completed.
The Board then voted to approve renewal alcohol permits for Stop 1, Stop2, and Greenlaw Store. The Board also approved the resignation of Victoria Fletcher from the Police Department as well as the hiring of Norman Tayor as a patrolman (POST Certified) and Donna Olsen, retired state police as a dispatcher.
In perhaps the only seemingly controversial item, the Board, except for Alderman Seth Descant, voted to introduce an ordinance setting the fees for using the car charging stations in downtown. Mr. Descant has questioned the purchase of the chargers as well as the ADA compliance of the location which the Town has seemingly addressed.
In departmental reports, Superintendent Reginald McMasters reported that, among other tasks, workers have installed 105 of the replacement meters, dug out 17 ditches, cut grass across the Town, worked 16 hours at the airport, spent 8 days edging sidewalks and picked up 48 bags of trash along with quite a few limb piles from recent stormy weather. He was also happy to announce that mosquito spraying has started. The Mayor questioned him on a recent "boil water advisory" for Parker Street, and Mr. McMasters explained that a water line broke and such an advisory must be issued when the water goes off. He added that because of the age of the town's infrastructure, no one is guaranteed water 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Jay Pittman from Spangler Engineering LLC was on-hand to give a brief summary of the process to begin work on the medical district water now that the bid has been ratified and approved.
Fire Chief Brandon LaSalle reported recent department responses and added that the tanker truck is in the shop and the replacement motor scheduled to arrive by Friday, May 31.
He also reported on the Town's Animal Control Department. There has been a report of some aggressive dogs in town, but an investigation has revealed that the dogs are being taunted. He reiterated that if a dog is in a yard, leave it alone and keep kids "in check." Animal Control cannot go on private property. He added that the town's shelter is full (a no-kill shelter). Chief LaSalle and Captain Bennie Spears will be attended a conference this summer in Florida (via scholarship) and hopes to learn more about potential donors to upgrade the shelter.
The Fire Department currently oversees animal control in Franklinton. This is because the Fire Department is staffed 24/7 and animal control calls frequently come in on nights and weekends.
Police Chief Justin Brown began his report by asking for prayers for the Ponchatoula Police who found an officer deceased in her patrol car and for WPSO officer John O'Hearn, who is recovering from a collision. He then shared the department answered 742 calls from April 23 to May 27, 2024. There were 65 traffic stops and in the criminal division 20 people were arrested for a total of 32 offenses. The PD also assisted a stranded boater on the Bogue Chitto River.
Town Clerk Ellen Waskom reported that in April the Town had an income of $671,278.33 with expenses of $616,246.38. The result was a net income of $36,364.25. The Town has also collected $356,000 in sales tax which is $66,000 more than the same time last year.
In closing remarks, Alderman Darwin Sharp submitted Steve McCune as his appointee for the Charter Committee. Mayor Route noted the excellent program presented by the Varnado Store Museum for Memorial Day as well as the Balloon Festival scheduled for May 31 and June 1-2 and the upcoming Watermelon Festival in July. The Board and Mayor will be attending the annual district meeting on June 11 so the meeting will be rescheduled for Thursday, June 13 at 6:00 PM.
