At the April 7 monthly meeting, Vice Mayor Stacy Guffey led the Town Council in the absence of Mayor Jack Horton. In addition to public hearings, council members deliberated a citizen’s request regarding a water leak last winter that proved costly – and served as a hard lesson for residents.
The request was submitted by Alpine Cottages’ resident James Martin regarding the utility account associated with a neighborhood of 10 homes. In his letter, Martin described numerous issues over the years with water service to the community. Last November, a well pump failed, leaving residents without water. After other efforts failed, tapping into the Town of Franklin water system was deemed the best solution.
Among other obstacles encountered, a large leak occurred. By the time it was discovered and fixed, nearly one million gallons of water had been lost, resulting in a $9,000 water bill for Alpine Cottages’ residents. In addition to Martin’s letter, three other residents reached out to the Town for relief, with requests ranging from elimination of the bill to reduction in some form.
Ted Pitcher was one of those residents and attended Monday’s meeting. He relayed to council members some of what transpired involving the leak and transition to city water. After receiving one higher-than-normal bill and realizing water pressure was down, Pitcher discovered some “soggy ground” in a field near his home. After investigating, he located a spot where water was bubbling up out of the ground. He then called Martin, who had the leak repaired.
“He [Martin] has been receiving the bill for us and billing us [the other nine homes] individually for one-tenth of the total bill,” Pitcher relayed to the council. “We’re just asking if there is anything you can do to relieve some of [the bill]. I don’t see where there was any negligence on anybody’s part … any relief you can give, reducing the amount we have to pay or giving us a longer period to pay for it, would be greatly helpful.”
After some legal input by Town Attorney John Henning Jr., Guffey requested Town Manager Amie Owens to advise council members on policy and parameters regarding water leaks.
“For leaks less than $1,000, we give a six-month payment plan. For leaks over $1,000, we give a 12-month payment plan. If an individual or group of people has something larger than that, and wants an extension, it comes back to the council,” offered Owens.
After discussing precedents and history regarding water leaks, the council agreed to extend a payback plan of 24 months for Alpine Cottages. The plan would result in an average of $37-$40 a month per resident, in addition to normal water usage.
Other business
Guffey presented a Line Worker Proclamation at Monday’s meeting to five Franklin-based Duke Energy Linemen. April 18 is designated National Lineman (Lineworker) Appreciation Day as result of a resolution passed by the U.S. Senate in 2013. Regarding the recognition, Guffey expressed the Town’s appreciation.
“Especially during [Hurricane] Helene, we recognized they are super important, working in all kinds of weather and conditions, risking their lives so that you and I have power when we turn on the light switch.”
During the public hearing session, council members approved a request to alter one section of Stewart Street. The request permits traffic flow to enable a partial one-way segment from the Phillips Street intersection to an area encompassing Stewart and East Palmer streets. The change would allow three additional parking spaces behind the clock tower and reduce line-of-sight issues associated with the Rathskeller food truck location.
In an additional hearing, a text amendment directing noise limits for mobile food truck generators was passed. The amendment language reads in part: “… in no case shall a generator emit noise in excess of 60 decibels.” The requirement can be satisfied through noise efficient generators, which according to Town Planner Justin Setser run around $4,000 on average, or by use of sound-absorbing devices.
Lastly, the council agreed unanimously to submit a letter of support on behalf of Macon County for its N.C. Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) grant application. The county submitted a similar letter in support of the Town in 2024 during Franklin’s PARTF grant application. Macon County’s grant request of $500,000, if approved, will be used for improvements to the county recreation park, including “a pedestrian bridge for access to pickleball courts, a permanent stage for outdoor performances, reimagined basketball courts and new restrooms.”
The next regularly scheduled Town Council meeting is Monday, May 5, at 6 p.m.