Town of Franklinton

Minutes

Regular Meeting

January 10, 2023

The Regular Meeting of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen, Town of Franklinton, La. was held at the Municipal Building at 6:30 P.M.

Present: Mayor Gregory Route, Aldermen: Patrice Crain, Darwin Sharp, Heath Spears, Seth Descant and T. J. Butler and Attorney James Knight. Mayor Route called the meeting to order; established a quorum and the Meeting was opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.

Old Business:

1. Approve minutes-December 13, 2022 Regular Meeting – On a motion by Alderman Butler and a second by Alderman Spears the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the December 13, 2022 meeting.

2. Approve minutes-December 15, 2022 Special Meeting – On a motion by Alderman Spears and a second by Alderman Butler the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the December 15, 2022 meeting.

New Business

1. The Mayor and Board will ratify and award the bid to Barriere Construction Co., LLC for the asphalt street improvements (FY 2023) – On a motion by Alderman Sharp and a second by Alderman Descant, the Board unanimously voted to ratify and award the bid to Barriere Construction Co., LLC.

2. The Board will approve an alcohol permit for Greenlaw Store LLC – On a motion by Alderman Butler and a second by Alderman Spears, the unanimously voted to the alcohol permit for Greenlaw Store LLC.

3. The Board will authorize the Mayor to sign an intergovernmental agreement between the Town and Washington Parish Government – On a motion by Alderman Butler and a second by Alderman Crain, the Board unanimously voted to grant this authorization.

4. The Board will introduce an ordinance to change 18th Avenue to T. J. Butler, Sr. Drive – On a motion by Alderman Spears and a second by Alderman Crain the Board unanimously voted to introduce this ordinanace.

5. The Board will introduce an ordinance to change a portion of Williams Street to Rayfus Martin Drive – On a motion by Alderman Crain and a second by Alderman Sharp the Board unanimously voted to introduce this ordinance.

6. The Board will approve the hiring of Justin Dicarlo as fulltime POST officer – On a motion by Alderman Sharp and a second by Alderman Descant, the Board unanimously voted to approve the hiring of Justin Dicarlo.

7. The Mayor will present employee of the month awards – The awards were given to Jordan Brady(Fire Department), Rita Hawthorne(Administrative Department), David Pigott(Public Works Department), and Christopher McElveen(Police Department)

8. The Mayor will address the Board and citizens about past accomplishments and future plans – During the past 2 years the Town has refinanced its bond debt, and renamed Dr, James Stafford Drive. A social and planning committee was formed, and it has organized numerous community activities. Good citizen awards were given to several well deserving people. Improvements have been made at the Farmer’s market and FJHS. There were fireworks on July 4th and a glow bike ride organized by COCO. Numerous improvements have been made on the buildings a city hall, public works and the police department. The town now has a new IT company and several pieces of equipment have been purchased. The bridge on Varnado street was replaced. New trucks were purchased for the fire department and the police department.

The future plans include a drainage project on Howard Street and16th Avenue and a drainage project in the medical district. There are plans to pave more streets and install new lights at city hall. A new 24 hour kiosk will be installed at city hall and new electric car charging stations are planned for two parking lots. The Watermelon Festival in planned for July 7th-9th. The parking lot at the DMV is scheduled to be enlarged and the construction of the playground on Chess Jones Road in the planning phase. The planning and social committee will continue to serve the community. The Bene Street well should be completed in the near future. Two of the streets will be renamed to T. J. Butler. Sr. Drive and Rayfus Martin Drive. The Town will be saving money on the new health insurance plan. The Town will be participating in a state wide clean city contest. The Town will continue to deal with the blighted property in town. The Police Department will receive raises to make their wage competitive with surrounding agencies. The Alderman appointed to each department are as follow: Fire Department- Sharp, Sanitation-Crain and Sharp, Police Department-Crain and Butler, Animal Control – Descant, Code Enforcement – Butler and Mayor, Airport – Sharp and Spears, Public Works, Descant and Spears, Human Resources – Crain and Descant, Economic Development – Spears and Crain. Mayor Route asked each department supervisor to devise a plan to improve each department and to present it within 90 days.

Alderman Sharp asked about the Fire Department boundaries and if there has been another appraisal done on the property the Town has voted to sell. Alderman Descant had no comment. Alderman Butler congratulated those receiving awards. Alderman Crain wished everyone a Happy New Year. Alderman Spears congratulated those receiving awards.

On a motion by Alderman Descant and a second by Alderman Sharp the board unanimously voted to adjourn.

Gregory Route, Mayor

Ellen Waskom, Municipal Clerk

Adv. February 22, 2023.