The Town of Franklinton Board of Aldermen held its regular meeting on Tuesday, October 11. The first item of business was to address a request by Jacob's Ladder to close Liberty Street to traffic during the hours of 6:45 am to 5:30 pm Monday through Friday. The busy day-care center cited the safety of children present and providing a more secure area for parents to drop off and pick up their children. Mayor Greg Route proposed that instead of closing the street completely, speed bumps will be installed, and a clearly visible crosswalk painted to the parking lot across the street. This was approved by the board.
Fair City Truckstop's liquor license renewal was approved by the board. This led to a discussion of recent businesses in town who were cited for selling alcohol to minors. Town attorney James Knight explained that the town has an ordinance that states that any business caught selling alcohol to minors will be assessed a $300 fine on the first offense, a $600 fine and 30-day license pull on the second offense, and a $900 fine and permanent pull of license on the third offense. Mayor Route emphasized that selling alcohol to minors is not something he nor the aldermen take lightly and is not acceptable in Franklinton.
Public Works Superintendent Reginald McMasters reported that his department has been busy in the past weeks preparing the streets for the fair as well as normal operations including water and gas services. Mayor Route asked Mr. McMasters to explain Backflow Prevention. He replied, "When you get water and it passes through the meter, it no longer belongs to the Town of Franklinton - we do not want it back!" Essentially, when water is cut off, a suction is created resulting in a "backflow."
, businesses must have a backflow prevention system to be sure that contaminated water is not pulled back into the town's water supply. Residents are not required to have such a system in place in their homes, but businesses are.
Police Chief Justin Brown informed the board that the town, assisted by the police department, recently hosted the Bowling Green and Franklinton High School homecoming parades and both events were conducted with no major problems. This was good rehearsal for the upcoming Washington Parish Fair Parade. The parade route will close to traffic at approximately 9:30 am on Wednesday October 19. Brown also explained that after complaints by local and national animal rights groups, there will be a strict inspection of horses in the parade to be sure none are being treated cruelly.
Halloween Trick or Treat hours are set for Monday, October 31 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Chief Brown emphasized that there will be a show of force by the police department to combat speeding in areas where there are children and parents trick or treating, and tickets will be issued to anyone violating traffic laws. Additionally, the Town Planning and Social Committee is holding a Trunk or Treat at the Town Hall on Saturday, October 29 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
Chief Brown also explained to the board that there is a box located in the parking lot of the police department similar to a mailbox. This is provided by ADAPT and is for pill disposal. One can drop expired medicine in the box, and it will be properly disposed of. No needles are accepted, but illegal drugs can also be discarded in the box for disposal. It is an anonymous program, and the purpose is to increase the options for proper medicine disposal.
Washington Parish School Superintendent Frances Varnado gave the board an update on the school system. She noted that an official count of students is taken on October 1 and February 1 to determine the school system's funding from the Minimum Foundation Program. On October 1, the school system had 4,846 total students in pre-K through 12th grade. She stated that every school in the district is getting an updated fire alarm system and described the various safety measures and procedures being put in place with the assistance of Chief Brown in the event of an intruder on any of the system's campuses. Mrs. Varnado also explained that the system needs substitute teachers and especially substitute bus drivers. The school board is offering a free 30-hour state-mandated course to assist those interested in driving a bus obtain their CDL.
Mayor Route ended the meeting by offering kudos to the public works department for all its work getting ready for the fair because, "we want Franklinton to shine." He also thanked those involved in creating the fall display at the Town Hall and reminded everyone that the town offices will be closed during the fair.
