mong various topics at the Sept. 2 Town of Franklin Council meeting was drivers speeding in town. The Franklin Town Council heard from two sources concerned about the issue.
Morgan Stewart of Stewart Communications spoke on behalf of the Downtown Merchants Association. He relayed concerns expressed by business owners about traffic speed on Main Street that they are routinely witnessing.
“The businesses along Main Street are increasingly alarmed about the safety issues concerning an epidemic of speeding. I am here to present you with a petition asking the Town Council to focus and take action on this matter,” he said.
He added that drivers are not heeding the speed limit nor other signage in place to prevent vehicle traffic from traveling too fast. Stewart’s recommendations included speed bumps, raised crosswalks, more signage, and speed cameras.
Stewart also revealed that 25 businesses have signed the petition and all are aware that Main Street is a NCDOT (North Carolina Department of Transportation) entity, so technically neither they, nor Franklin has any jurisdiction. The petition is intended to prompt council members and others to find a workable solution in light of the fact that the route is state controlled.
Vice Mayor Stacy Guffey, in one of three items he delivered during the session, also addressed vehicle speeding issues within and around town. His proposal was to purchase 10 “speed cushions” for various locations that have been consistent problem areas.
Speed cushions normally consist of a series of small speed bumps across the width of a road or street designed to reduce speed of vehicle traffic. They are also constructed to not adversely affect emergency vehicle traffic.
Said Guffey, “Thanks to our police chief and the purchase of some temporary speed bumps, we are able to react fairly quickly to problem spots and put temporary speed bumps in problem areas … we should look for something more robust that we can leave in place for a longer time.”
Mayor Jack Horton asked whether the cushions were permanent or movable and whether a system existed to determine placement.
Town Manager Amie Owens offered, “There are traffic counts that can be used, as well as any incident reports the police department may have received, and also a list of individuals calling in and reporting speeding issues.”
The proposal produced by Owens was presented to the council by Guffey and would cost $10,450.83. A total of 10 rubber speed bump units would comprise the project, with associated parts included. Because a budget amendment is needed, council members voted on the purchase after a rather lengthy discussion. The main point in question was whether the speed cushions could be placed on Main Street. In the end, Guffey and Council Member David Culpepper agreed to re-look at the NCDOT stance on the issue. The council approved the purchase.
Pump station and ABC board
Town of Franklin Finance Director Sarah Bishop presented a resolution to the council for approval of a proposal from Webster Bank, N.A. (National Association). The loan, in the amount of $3.2 million-plus, will support the Clear Well and High Service Pump Station Project.
Bishop stated that the $3.2 million loan would only cover roughly half of the total project, so state and federal-level funds could cover the remainder if received.
Owens explained that an application is in place with the State to receive $2.9 million as part of a hazard mitigation process. The town has also reached out to federal-level representatives for an additional $2 million in assistance for the project.
Owens also requested a motion to approve a capital agreement between the Town of Franklin and the Franklin ABC Board. Historically, the ABC board has provided quarterly funds to the town in accordance with an N.C. General Statute. Since 2024, that quarterly amount has been $25,000.
“Once their audit is approved, and they set aside the requisite amount that is required by the N.C. ABC Commission, they then pay us the remainder,” said Owens.
The capital agreement document outlines a mutual understanding between the two parties in case of unforeseen financial situations that may necessitate communication for capital projects and to request provision of distributions.
Horton added, “We’ve made a lot of improvements in the coordination and cooperation between the ABC Board and the Town Board over the past several years. I think that has resulted in better bookkeeping and additional revenue for the town. We appreciate the ABC Board working with us on all these projects and we want to ensure we remain good partners in this joint effort.”
The motion was approved unanimously.
Proclamation and park naming
The mayor presented a proclamation naming Sept. 17-23 as Constitution Week. The recognition honors the 238th anniversary of the drafting of the United States of America Constitution by the Constitutional Convention. A key portion of the proclamation asks citizens to, “reaffirm the ideals that the Framers of the Constitution had in 1787, by vigilantly protecting the freedoms guaranteed to us through this guardian of our liberties, remembering that lost rights may never be regained.”
Town Human Resources Director Nicole Bradley recognized Public Works Water/Sewer Supervisor Jim Zilbauer for his 25 years of service to the community.
Closing out the evening, Guffey proposed the name Sunnyside Park for what has been referred to as the Whitmire Property, after he learned the area was originally known as Sunnyside Farm.
Council members approved the request, 6-0. The park’s new name will be in place as long as the property remains part of the Town of Franklin.