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New Franklin City Council appoints new alderperson, discusses trash contract

Posted 9/15/21

The New Franklin City Council gave unanimous approval to the appointment of Leslie Lyon to represent the city’s second ward, with minimal discussion, at its regular monthly meeting on Monday …

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New Franklin City Council appoints new alderperson, discusses trash contract

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The New Franklin City Council gave unanimous approval to the appointment of Leslie Lyon to represent the city’s second ward, with minimal discussion, at its regular monthly meeting on Monday night. All members of the council, except Marybeth Sokolski, were present. 

Robbie Harvey stepped into the role of mayor last month after former Mayor Newt Arbogast’s resignation became effective. This opened a seat on the council. Lyons will fill that seat, effective immediately. 

On the agenda was a discussion of New Franklin’s current trash contract with Waste Management, Inc., which terminates at the end of this year. Mayor Harvey stated he has had trouble reaching anyone at the company by phone regarding either questions about the proposed contract for the coming years, or complaints from citizens about service problems such as trash not being collected.

He did note that service seems to have improved over the past couple of weeks. “Saturday they had two trucks in town, and the week before that they had two guys in the truck and they were doing a pretty good job,” he said.

The proposed new contract, which would potentially be set for a five-year period rather than three, would include a $7 rate increase, from the current $11.69 monthly rate. The contract also includes an annual four percent rate increase. 

“Let’s go ahead and send out our feelers and see if we can get some more people to bid,” Harvey suggested. 

“I mean even if we’ve got to pay $18.76 with somebody else, then we won’t be dealing with Waste Management.”

The council also discussed possible uses for its American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. According to City Administrator and Clerk Melissa Crowley, the city has received just over $105,000 so far. Uses for the funds are limited.

“It needs to be for water and sewer, or any programs pertaining to COVID,” Crowley explained. “You can use it to have a vaccination day. You can use it to buy supplies like masks (and) gloves.” 

She said certain things are not likely to be approved, such as street improvements or lights, but listed projects other cities have come up with for their ARPA funds. Some of these include grants to businesses that have suffered economic impact due to COVID, or credits to residents utility bills.

Mayor Harvey suggested some of the funds could be used toward the purchase of a new lagoon pump for the city’s sewer. One pump has broken down recently and another will need to be repaired at a cost of $5,700. A new pump will cost approximately $20,000, according to Harvey. 

He added that the city has a couple of new employees who have suggested possible improvements to the pump system, including a new basket and grinder system that would be more effective at handling waste products such as flushable wipes. 

“Start writing down your ideas and talking to people and we’ll see - maybe get some public input,” Harvey told the council. 

“I know they’re all going to say ‘the streets, and a pool,’ but they need to know that … We just can’t run it. We don’t have the money to run the thing,” he said, allowing that the city could get grant money to build a pool, “but the year to year operation, we can’t afford to do it.”

The New Franklin city council meets regularly at 7 p.m. on the second Monday of every month. Meetings are open and the public is invited.

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