City summer programs start May 31

Summer activities in the City of Franklin are gearing up.
Chris Barrilleaux, recreation director, told the Franklin City Council Tuesday that the activities begin May 31 and continue to July 15. Both recreation centers will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and offerings include ping-poing, basketball, arts and craft, board games and much more. Wading pools will be open from 1-4 p.m. Monday through Friday at both centers.
Pickleball is being held every Wednesday from 4-6 p.m.; summer baseball for ages 9-12, boys and girls, registration May 25, 26 and 31.
Adult basketball May 31 at City Park Recreation Center, with eight teams signed up and playing Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. There will also be aerobics, at city park, self-defense classes, adult line dancing, and the free summer feeding program provides breakfast 8-9 a.m., lunch 12-1 p.m., for youths 18 and younger.
Children 5-years-old and older must be accompanied by an adult. Check with the recreation department for times and further information on all these programs.
St. Mary Council on Aging Director Beverly Domengeaux told the council that there are 4,355 seniors in the city limits. “We are presently serving about 1,500 of them, for 42,500 units of service. We do have a waiting list, and it’s getting bigger every day.”
Domengeaux said the agency “appreciates all the support you give us.”
COA has been in existence for 47 years, she said, as spokespersons for the seniors. She said seniors are seldom considered in state and federal government. “There are 1 million people over 60 years of age in the State of Louisiana,” Domengeaux said. “We’re a power, but we’re a silent power. The main thing we’re worried about is hunger and isolation. So our two biggest programs is to feed them, whether it’s at one of our three sites, and to keep them from being isolated.”
She suggested calling seniors and letting them know they aren’t alone.
Also Tuesday, city building official Jean Paul Pellerin recommended appointment of an attorney to represent the property at 809 Tenth St. for condemnation hearing proceedings, and the council approved.
Resolutions passed were:
—Authorizing Mayor Raymond Harris Jr. to make a grant application for $50,000 from the state Office of Community Development’s Community Water Enrichment fund and enter into an agreement if approved.
—In support of grant funding for the Bayou Beaux Arts Summer Program.
—In support of grant funding for the Summer Dance Program.
It was also announced that the city’s next First Thursday event, this time themed “Celebrate Shopping in Historic Franklin,” is June 2 in downtown Franklin; the next citywide cleanup is June 11 from 8-9:30 a.m., gathering at the Stage parking lot; and the Bayou Beaux dance registration is June 4 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., $20 per person.
The council also passed renewal of its property tax assessment of 13.82 mills.