Franklin Newsletter
December, 2004
Annual Meeting of Franklin
Community Council: All seats on the council board will be up for
election. The annual meeting will be held Thursday, January 6,
2005 at 7 pm. for the purpose of electing board members and for voting
on a resolution for changes to the by-laws. The board
of directors positions are 3 year positions on a rotation
schedule. There will be 3 directors chosen for 3 year
seats, 2 for 2 year seats and 2 for 1 year seats.
PARK: The park has been officially named Franklin Community
Park. As you have probably noticed the old asphalt
has been removed and dirt work will continue as soon as the weather
breaks. We are also applying for a Pritchett Grant to
continue with work on the park. One of the first items we hope to
complete is the walking path, followed by playground equipment, bocce
court and a shelter. Future plans include volleyball and
basketball.
WELCOME SIGN: Property at 47 & 69: Still waiting on
deed from the state. Sign will be placed shortly after property
is deeded.
POST OFFICE: Letters have been written to find out the
status of replacing the post office in Franklin. We have been notified
that the matter is back at the Kansas City office. Senator
Brownback and Congressman Ryun have written letters and are pushing for
a resolution to this matter.
HERITAGE COMMITTEE: Heritage Committee received a grant for
$3,500 which is to be used specifically for taking oral histories. If
you would be willing to be interviewed please call Phyllis at 347-8387
or 249-9333. In Phase I we are looking for residents who
have been in Franklin for over 30 years or who were born here and lived
here in the early years of the community.
If you are interested in working on this project or serving on the
committee please call 347-8387. We are looking for someone
who would be taking the interviews, audio taping and videotaping them
and transcribing them. All equipment will be
provided. This will be a paid job (while not a highly paid
job it would be a nice little part time job for someone with the
skills).
Paperwork has been filed to place the sidewalk on the State and
National Historic Register. No response yet.
Beginning of Franklin: Does anyone have any information about the
early years of Franklin or know of any stories relating to how the name
“Franklin” came to be?
COMMUNITY HALL: Doug Corners suggested that the bid letting
will be best to take place just after the first of the year.
There will be three weeks of advertising the bid and then a wait of
three weeks before opening the bids. Actual start of construction
seems to be around March 1, 2005. The bid opening
date, time and location will be made public in the near future.
ADVISORY COMMITTEE: This committee is in the planning
stages for a Centennial Celebration in 2007. Be
thinking ahead of planning your family reunions around the date of this
celebration. Many, many activities are being planned. It
should be a very special event. An exact date has not yet been
set.
Plans are being discussed for a community picnic in May, 2005 as well
as a ground breaking ceremony for the community hall.
WATER: Bids will be received for rural water district
infrastructure improvements in late December, 2004. The
bids will be opened and a contractor will be approved to complete the
project. Any questions or if you would like more information please
contact the district manager Henry Ashbacher at (620.347.4070)
Please make any corrections to your contact information for your water
billing. You can include the correct information with your
payment of your water bill. This would include name,
address, phone number and e-mail address. Be certain we
have the correct information on your bill.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Thursday, January 6, 2005 at 7 pm.
Don’t forget this important meeting at Henry Ashbacher’s
building. Plan to attend and bring your ideas and thoughts about
the future of Franklin.