By Ammie Ruddle
Two items were discussed at the latest town hall meeting. Both items had to do with improving the town.
Frank Wehrle, town manager, discussed new business. Wehrle started the discussion when he said, “We are well past time to start spending the funds that we received from the federal government.”
The funds which Wehrle was referring to, are the American Rescue Plan Act funds the city received from the Federal government in 2021. Funds from this act are used to help local governments recover from effects of the COVID pandemic. Wehrle suggested the funds be categorized as lost revenue.
He first discussed sending a total of $40 thousand to the Pendleton County Board of Parks to use in place of the loss of revenue the parks experienced during the height of COVID.
Wehrle also suggested purchasing maintenance equipment, such as a van and a mini excavator. These items will be used to assist in work needed around the town.
The motion to move forward with using the ARPA funding as lost revenue was made and unanimously approved.
Mayor Bob Horan called for the next item on the agenda.
That item was the paving of Redbud Street in Franklin. This cost of $10,500 was paid by the town. Members of the council discussed moving forward with other streets within the town that need some work, including Cherry Street.
Horan and Wehrle discussed cost-saving options to complete road work, such as looking into grants and assistance with the West Virginia Department of Highways.
Horan asked that the last meeting’s minutes be approved. They were unanimously approved, as was the financial report.
Before calling the meeting to a close to the public, Horan asked if there were any public comments or discussions. Elizabeth Scott, assistant business manager, mentioned a recent fundraiser for the Pendleton County Middle/High School cheerleaders was successful. She stated to council members that, with her help, the cheerleaders were able to raise $4,000.
The next Franklin town meeting will take place at 6 p.m. Oct 11 at the town hall.
