NEWSLETTER
June, 2004
FRANKLIN COMMUNITY COUNCIL, INC.
While appearances can be deceiving everyone should be aware that the rebuilding
process for our community is carefully being planned. Legal
red tape and tons of paperwork have been involved in getting many of the
projects just to a starting point. Visible signs of this hard,
dedicated work should become evident in the near future.
It’s hard to imagine the amount of planning it takes for each of these projects.
It’s not a matter of saying “let’s do it”. There are days and
days of preparation in setting up one project or event.
Even the smallest of details requires much planning and is well thought out
and taken care of by the volunteers. As always, anyone wanting
to volunteer their time and effort for any of the projects is more than welcome.
The community has pitched in and shared their time and talents from those
capable of using a backhoe and chainsaw to the ladies preparing the donated
meals and anything in-between.
If you would like to help or be a part of any planning please plan to attend
any of the following meetings. If that is not possible always feel
free to include a note with your water bill or call any of the following
people. Also any questions, suggestions or concerns can be directed
the same way.
Franklin Community Council meets the first Sunday of every month at 7 pm
at Ashbacher’s Construction Building.
The Advisory Committee meets the 3rd Thursday of each month at Ashbacher’s
Construction building.
The Water District meets every 2nd Sunday of the month at 7:00 PM. Ashbacher
Const. building.
Call: Craig Stokes at 620-347-8519, Henry Ashbacher 620-347-4070, Joe
Cukjati 620-347-4311 or Phyllis Bitner 620-347-8387
Civic Center: Paperwork is finally reaching it’s final stages. Once
again it’s “Hurry up and wait”. We are hopeful the paperwork
will all be signed and a final design can be decided upon which can then
be taken to the zoning commission.
Community Park: The Boy Scouts are putting together a plan for
a walking park at the site of the old community hall. They
plan to do some landscaping, install park benches and work on the surface
area for walking. The playground area for the children is under
consideration to be placed at the new hall site although no final plans are
in place.
Post Office: Still no word on a final decision from the post office.
We are putting together the paperwork that has been requested by the post
office and hope to have an answer from them in the near future.
Storm Siren: Paperwork is being completed on the application
for a grant. While there has been money donated toward this project
the board felt that if a grant was available that would pay for the entire
project we could make good use of the donated money in another way.
Welcome Sign: Still waiting on a deed from the state. Once
that is taken care of plans are already in place to install a “Welcome to
Franklin” sign.
Fundraising: A second group of letters were sent to area businesses
and individuals seeking donations toward the projects being worked on.
Several local people have been kind in sending donations. We would
ask that you check out the list on the website and be certain to shop with
the businesses and mention you are grateful for their donation.
Website/History: The website has been very active again this
month. There have been almost 6,000 visitors to the website.
Many new photos and stories have been added with more to be added soon.
Some new information from the early 1900s has been located and will be on
the site soon. Any items of historical significance or
pictures can be donated for future use in the Heritage Room of the new community
hall. Items can be donated to Phyllis at 620-347-8387 and she
will archivally store them and maintain them until there is a room in Franklin
for their display.
Water District Update: The water district has been very busy working on the
infrastructure improvement project. The water district received a grant for
$398.000. The water district will be responsible for $48.500 of the grant.
The project includes a standpipe that will be 134 ft. in height and 14 ft.
in diameter. It will hold 152,670 gallons of water. It will be a back up
water supply if the system should go down during a storm or like during the
ice storm we had. It will be located on Second and Prospect Street. Henry
Ashbacher and Craig Stokes went to De Balk Ill. to look at how standpipes
are manufactured. The standpipe will be glass fused to steel tank and maintenance
free (no painting). Glass coatings do not require periodic repainting and
most graffiti can be removed in matter of minutes. The unique design and
bolt assembly of the tank can be pre-engineered to allow for capacity expansion
in the future. The cost of the standpipe is $214,000. The district is in
the process with final design and the project will go out for bids. Construction
will begin at the south end of the district with larger line replacement.
Bank balance as of May 31, 2004 $20,986.10 First State Bank
Bank balance as of May 31, 2004 $14,669.00 Community National Bank
Note: Anyone wanting information on any of the Community Boards or Water
District Board please submit a written letter of request for the information
to the Franklin Community Council, Inc. P.O. Box 43 Franklin Ks. 66735-0043
or RWD #7, P.O. Box 44, Franklin Ks. 66735-0044.
Notice: All water payments must be mailed to RWD #7, P.O. BOX 44, Franklin
Ks. 66735-0044. Payments will not be accepted at any Water Board members
house in the future. If payment is not mailed your water bill will be considered
as non-payment and delinquent charges and reconnection charges will apply.
No exceptions !!