The regular meeting of the Franklinton Mayor and Board of Aldermen was held on May 9. Following the opening prayer by First Baptist Church Senior Adult Pastor Joey Miller and the pledge, the minutes from April 25 were approved. Alderman Heath Spears was absent.
In new business the board voted to accept the resignation of Lenard Holloway II from the Franklinton Police Department and voted to change the employment status of Victoria Fletcher from part-time dispatcher to fulltime. Holloway left the Police Department after being charged in connection with an off-duty alcohol-related accident on April 8. The accident critically injured the other driver.
Franklinton Public Works Superintendent Reginald McMasters gave a departmental report including several items such as water and/or gas hook ups and disconnects and noted that the department is now mowing grass daily.
He also reported that the department spent time spraying the runways at the Franklinton Airport.
The airport operates under federal guidelines and runways must be clear of all grass. The department also installed new street signs marking T. J. Butler Sr. Drive and Rayfus Martin Drive.
Superintendent McMasters was pleased to report that the Bene Street water well is now up and running. It has been a project spanning several years and while there are still some tweaks remaining to be made to the system, the well is finally online. He also reported that the street paving project is coming to an end and added that it is not the town's responsibility to clean yards in Franklinton. If residents have limbs and other debris from yards, they should be brought to the compost pile near the softball complex on Boat Ramp Road.
Finally, McMasters has been approached by a resident of Webb Street asking for the speed limit to be reduced. Apparently, the street has recently been paved with asphalt which has increased the speed of vehicles. This led to the question of whether the speed limit sign can simply be replaced with a lower limit or does the Board have to authorize the change. After some discussion Alderman Seth Descant suggested a traffic study to determine if the current 25 mph limit was too high. Mayor Route also suggested the addition of four-way stop signs being added in some locations as well.
In public comments, Dr. Vincent Johnson commended the Board and Public Works Department. Louisiana has serious water problems in many municipalities resulting in a grade of C and D. However, Franklinton has an A.
Seena Chauvin, former dispatcher for the police department, made a statement that she was terminated but received no official notice. An 11-year employee, she claims to have endured harassment in a hostile work environment and currently has two claims with EEOC. She pointed out that there has been no action by the Board on her situation and is asking for an official letter of termination. At this point town attorney James Knight informed her that because of the open claims with EEOC, the Board nor the Mayor can comment or answer her questions.
Alderman Descant reminded the Board that it is an election year and there will likely be many political signs located throughout town limits. Town officials will need to keep an eye on illegally posted signs. Alderman T. J. Butler complimented the Mayor and Reginald McMasters on the Bene Street water well finally being online.
Mayor Route ended the meeting with announcing a retirement lunch honoring John Herring on June 1 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. Officer Herring is retiring from the Franklinton Police Department after 23 years of service. After a vote for approval, the mayor also announced that there will not be a meeting on June 13 as the Board of Aldermen and he will be attending the district meeting. Mayor Route congratulated FHS Coach Jeff Tageant who is retiring after teaching 36 years and serving as head baseball coach for 35 years. He also reminded everyone of FHS graduation on Thursday, May 11 and wished a Happy Mother's Day to the ladies of Franklinton.
