By Stephen Smoot
The Franklin Town Council tackled several issues in its regular meeting held last week.
Before examining its agenda, the council heard from resident Kevin Smith. He expressed disappointment that the town had not responded to his requests for improvement of his road. His residence sits on a gravel and dirt road within town limits.
Smith explained that he struggled to get both mobile homes and even his own vehicles from the road to his driveway without risking significant damage. He also stated that he was dissatisfied with the response to his inquiries. Smith suggested that the town should pursue grant opportunities to repair or pave the road in question.
He said that, at the very least, he would like to see the road graded. Mayor Bob Horan replied that grant searches are ongoing, but that money for infrastructure “is next to nothing.”
Council member Keely Smith asked Smith if he had received much communication from city officials. He had not.
The mayor responded that a breakdown of communication “seems to be a big part of the problem.” He then stated that the town “will try to make something happen in the near future.”
Elizabeth Scott added that she recently attended a grant workshop in Charleston and that what she learned could help her to locate and apply for more funding.
Smith thanked the council for its attention, stated that “if there is anything I can do on my end, I am more than happy to help.” Then he said he would return for the next meeting.
Next, the council discussed the ongoing water project. First, it approved the monthly draw down to pay the bills due on it. Then a representative of Thrasher shared his progress report on the project. He started by saying that the project was 86 percent complete, but finishing the job “may get pushed just a little bit.” The representative noted that “major work is being completed.”
One area of concern lay in a potential leak that loses the town 90 gallons per minute. Thrasher’s representative described how they could identify the source of the leak and what to do to address the problem. He added that he would submit the issue to the infrastructure council for grant consideration, Should the town get turned down, declaring an emergency, he said, would likely help with the approval process.
The council then heard a proposal from Scott. In her role as executive director of the Pendleton County Chamber of Commerce, she described the issue with obtaining a stage for festival and other events.
In the past, Pendleton County organizations rented a portable stage from the Grant County Chamber of Commerce. They rented their stage out to recoup the cost of its original purchase. Recently, they informed the chamber that they would no longer rent out the stage.
Scott proposed that the chamber and the town partner up to acquire and administer their own portable stage. She noted that she had found a stage for sale for approximately $8,700 that would require a trailer for transport that would cost about $6,800.
She proposed a 50/50 split to pay for the cost of the stage and trailer, but also offered to raise money to cover the costs, either through fundraisers or renting the stage.
Frank Wehrle, town administrator, explained that the proceeds would be split 60/40 in favor of the chamber because that organization would shoulder the marketing, billing, and administrative aspects of ownership. “That will all be on the chamber,” he explained. Furthermore, the revenue for the town would go to boost the revenues of the parks and recreation department.
Kristen Dingess, town council member, stated that “if Elizabeth’s fundraisers do as well as normal, it will be paid for soon.”
Additionally, a citizen who came to observe the meeting offered to have his business pay for the trailer and donate it back to the town and chamber. The newspaper will not identify him at this time because he must check to make sure that the purchase and donation would follow business ethics and protocols.
The town council unanimously approved the partnership.
Scott also explained that anyone can rent the stage, provided they have an insurance policy that would cover liability. Renters would also have to sign a legal contract promising to pay for repairs of any damage caused in their possession.
Next, the council opened a discussion on how to spend Franklin’s share of the statewide opioid settlement engineered by West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrissey. The town received $972.94.
Wehrle explained that the fund “must serve a purpose” approved by the state. He also said that the amount of money, while not insignificant, is too little to start any serious new programs. He said, “We have to spend the money by the end of the fiscal year.”
Though several possibilities came up, the council tabled the discussion until more research could take place on how best to use the funds.
Finally, the council passed the annual Fair Housing Resolution that keeps Franklin eligible to participate in bonds and most grants.
