Franklin officials endorse road tax

Franklin’s mayor and council Tuesday announced support for a proposed St. Mary Parish road maintenance district and the tax rededication that would support it.
The St. Mary Parish Council has placed the proposal on the March 28 ballot for voter approval. Voters will be asked to approve the levy of just under 1 mill that would be dedicated to road improvements. The millage, though, would not be a new tax but would be shifted from the current 1.25 mills currently levied by the library district.
The first bond package would be for $6.5 million that would be shared with the Baldwin, Berwick, Franklin and Patterson governments. Morgan City excluded itself from the district because it operates its own city library.
Also Tuesday, the council heard from Darryl Bennett, a resident of 210 Wall St., regarding noise and odor from the nearby oyster processing plant. Bennett said his family lived in the area before AmeriPure Oyster was established, and while he understood that it provides jobs, he has endured foul odors and daylong noises from the plant.
Legal counsel Russel Cremaldi said he would research city code to determine if there is an ordinance currently in effect that might address Bennett’s concerns.
Lacking that, Cremaldi said Bennett’s other recourse would be to secure an attorney and pursue the matter in court.
In other business:
—The mayor and council passed a unanimous resolution of respect for Sami Riley, director of Chez Hope, who died March 4.
—The council also heard from Thomas Jolivette and Brittney Davis on behalf of CASA, Court Appointed Special Advocates, which now has an office at 212 Willow St., in Franklin. The local CASA region covers St. Martin, St. Mary and Iberia parishes. The group is in need of volunteers in the Franklin area.
—Ordinances were approved both amending and adopting financial and capital outlay budgets for the current and upcoming terms.
—An ordinance was introduced fixing tax rates for the year 2015.
—The city will sponsor an Easter Egg Hunt on April 3 from 9-11 a.m. at Caffery Park.
—The next citywide cleanup is set for April 11, 8 a.m., volunteers to gather at the Stage parking lot.
—Bayou Beaux Art and Dance Summer program registration ends on May 1.
—The council approved the sale of alcohol for Techeland Arts Councils production at the Teche Theater in late April.