The Franklinton Town Council and Mayor most recently met on Tuesday, March 14. After the approval of the February 28, 2023 meeting minutes, the Board moved to new business.
Dr. Robert Newton, faculty member at the Pennington Biomedical Center in Baton Rouge, briefly explained that the Center is dedicated to studying and solving chronic diseases. Looking for more rural areas for research assistance, he announced that he is currently working on a study that targets senior-adult African Americans and dementia.
According to Dr. Newton, African Americans are two times more at risk of being diagnosed with dementia than other groups. The study is located in a large metro area, but it feels the need for more rural input. So the Pennington Center wants to host focus-groups in Franklinton to gather information in hopes of developing an intervention to reduce this statistic.
Those interested who meet the criteria of the focus-group study will be asked to participate in a one-hour discussion and will be compensated $30 per hour for their time. He also asked that participants be 65 years of age or older and of African American heritage. He will then report back to town government on his initial findings. Anyone interested in participating should contact Danielle Murray, Project Coordinator, at 225-763-2853.
In other business, the board accepted the resignation from the Franklinton Police Department of Kevin Todd effective March 31 and the retirement of John Herring from the Police Department as of June 1.
In departmental reports, Fire Department Chief Brandon Lasalle reported that he has received approximately 10 bids for roof repairs at the fire station with only two of those companies having insurance. He asked permission that the Town Council approve hiring Anchor Roofing for the bid price of $2,200 for the repairs. Chief Lasalle also informed everyone that Enon Fire Department will be hosting a blood drive on Saturday, March 25 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm to benefit Mike Sharp. Mr. Sharp, a longtime Washington Parish bus operator and member of the Enon Volunteer Fire Department is currently battling leukemia.
Lasalle also briefly talked about the generator at the fire station that went out immediately after Hurricane Ida passed over Franklinton. Apparently only the emergency panel requires replacing to meet the needs of the department. The current panel is operating at only 25 percent capacity and needs to be at 78-80 percent capacity.
Town Clerk Ellen Waskom gave the November 2022 final budget figures. As of the end of November the General Fund had a balance of $421,000 with expenses of $367,000 with a net income of $54,508.16.
The February 2023 sales tax collected was $227,838 which is up over $1200 from the same period last year.
During public participation Dr. Vincent Johnson briefly mentioned that he had been around town in the past few days and wants to thank the mayor, Board of Aldermen. and Reginald McMasters. He shared that the streets look good and to continue the good work.
Then, Joe Felder, on behalf of the Franklinton Chamber of Commerce, took the podium. He announced that on Saturday, May 6, the Chamber will be hosting a spring-fling event called "Lemonade and Lawn Chairs." This will take place in the parking lot off Cleveland and Jackson Streets in the Pearl Street area. The plans are for music, a car show, craft booths and vendors.
However, the Town of Franklinton currently has a rolling vendor ordinance in place preventing food trucks from selling in the town limits. Mr. Felder asked first for permission to use the town-owned parking lot and then for assistance with the food vendor ordinance.
Mr. Felder further explained that non-food vendors will be charged a $25 fee and entrants in the car show will also be charged $25 to pay for awards. He noted that these are nominal fees and the ultimate goal of the Chamber is to create awareness of what Franklinton has to offer. While there is support for the activity from the Town government, he said, there is an ordinance in place that requires an occupational license as well as the "no rolling food trucks even with an occupational license."
This was discussed for several minutes and Alderman Heath Spears asked if it could be tabled to fully discuss the event and the ordinances. Town Attorney James Knight also noted that to have an occupational license in Franklinton, one must also have proof of $100,000 in liability insurance. When Mr. Felder offered to back away from his original request the board unanimously expressed that they want to see what can be done to assist the Chamber of Commerce, especially in showcasing Franklinton and do so in a timely manner that will allow for advertisement of the event. Therefore, a special meeting has been called for Tuesday, March 21, at 4:00 pm so that the town government can discuss this further and come to a solution. Mr. Knight will also be researching the legalities that apply.
Moving on, Darwin Sharp thanked Marty Roberts at the Franklinton Airport and those who assisted in working on the beacon light and replacing the wind sock. Alderman Sharp reminded the Council that there is a great deal of opportunity and potential for the town at the airport, and it should become an area of attention for them.
Mayor Route reminded those present of the Walk With the Mayor on Saturday, March 25 at 10:00 am in the Washington Parish Fairgrounds. There will also be a huge Easter Egg hunt on Friday, April 7 (Good Friday) at 2:00 pm. There will be over 1,000 eggs hidden with small children going first followed by older children. Quite a few prizes will be awarded, and families can enjoy face-painting, a petting zoo, blown-up jumpers and various contests.
Mayor Route then mentioned that two appraisals of town-owned property have been finalized and are ready for bids. There is 7.44 acres on Highway 16 and a house on Denise Road sitting on .444 acres. According to the mayor the house is a beautiful property as is the land on Hwy 16. The town will be advertising for bids on both properties in the very near future.
Finally, condolences were expressed to Alderman Seth Descant on the death of his grandmother Pearl Descant. Mayor Route described her as a true friend of Franklinton and applauded her service to the Farmer's Market Board as Secretary.
The meeting was then adjourned.
