Franklin Council considers sewer plant, Tulane demand

Franklin has been presented a “formal written demand” by Tulane Environmental Law Clinic involving the AmeriPure Oyster plant on Willow Street.
The city council met in special session Tuesday, and entered an executive session lasting 40 minutes, after which the agreed to hire special legal counsel Ben Mayeaux of the Lafayette firm NeunerPate.
City legal counsel Russell Cremaldi said the city received a letter from the clinic, who are “assisting a couple of residents who live near AmeriPure. The law center sent a letter to the company…alleging that AmeriPure is discharging some oyster waste improperly and that it’s getting into the flood waters and the drainage system here in the city. They are also complaining that AmeriPure is discharging oyster processing waste directly into our sewer facility, and that the treatment plant here in Franklin is emitting the product that is not in compliance with the state permit.”
Cremaldi said he is not an environmental law expert, and reached out to NeunerPate for consultation and counsel.
The session was called for “strategy” purposes, under state open meetings law guidelines.
Also Tuesday, Reid Miller, Miller Engineers & Associates of Franklin, presented an overview of the city’s sewerage plant and the issues it has.
Reid said he reached out to the son of the original designer of the facility who was able to help supply him with original designs and other assistance.
One problem is settling sludge, rather than moving along to disposal. A “flight mixer”, a 10-foot propeller to help move water, as well as aerators, may solve the problem.
Miller said he estimates $1.2-1.5 million for the project that might be accomplished in phases.
The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality has been involved in updating the plant. Miller said ammonia buildup is the biggest problem, because the plant was originally constructed under existing parameters of treatment, and ammonia was not one of them.
Mayor Raymond Harris Jr. said he has been in contact with parish government, which is a 30 percent partner in the plant’s upkeep and operation, and they are onboard with the renovations.
The council took no action, pending Miller gathering more details.