Parish approves $30K in fire hydrant upgrades

Equipment designed to aid emergency responders in protecting the citizens of Franklin from the dangers posed by fire will be getting an upgrade soon after the St. Mary Parish council passed a measure at their meeting Wednesday.
The Advisory Budget/Finance Committee suggested a motion to allocate $30,000 to replace fire hydrants and valves across the community and the parish council passed the measure unanimously. The council met this week instead of their normally scheduled time of next Wednesday because of the Thanksgiving holiday.
Franklin Fire Department Chief Chuck Bourgeois said the upgrades should increase the department’s capabilities during incidents of fire.
“We have some valves and hydrants that need to be replaced,” Bourgeois said. “This will help us in the future. We will get the adequate flow we need. We know where the problems are and we will get to work on it as soon as possible.”
Bourgeois said the work could begin in the next few months.
Other council business included the introduction of three ordinances. One ordinance amends a previous ordinance that determines the salary of the clerk of the council at $25.45. Another ordinance amends and re-enacts Ordinance No. 2016 that adopted the 2015 Combined Budgets of Revenues and Expenditures for the parish. The third ordinance authorizes the parish president to execute what is known as a “first amendment to lease agreement’ with Cingular Wireless.”
Ordinances that the council adopted included a rezoning measure and granting a specific use permit.
The council also passed a number of resolutions before adjourning.