Water Customers Beware
November 14, 2011

City water customers should beware of a new scam targeting home owners.  The office of the Mayor and City Manager has received several concerns from customers. 

A company using the name “HomeServe” with a Louisville, Kentucky address is sending letters to homeowners.  The letters state that their records indicate the home is not covered by Water Service Line Coverage from HomeServe.  The letter offers coverage to maintain and repair the water service line that brings fresh water to your property. 

The letter being sent out refers to the water service line that brings fresh water to your property.  For all city water customers, the city is responsible for maintaining and repairing the line to the water meter.  From the water meter to the house and inside the house is the responsibility of the property owner. 

The Better Business Bureau of Central and Eastern Kentucky and the Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway are cautioning consumers of the mail solicitation from HomeServe.  The Better Business Bureau reports that, “The mailer suggests that the recipient is required to pay an additional fee for the maintenance and repair of their water line.  It instructs the consumer to return a form with their credit card information or to return a check, which will automatically charge the consumer’s account for future payments.”

Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway said, “By filling out these forms, consumers will be incurring charges that are not required by their local utilities.”   Conway suggests that customers contact their water company if they have questions about the merits of any warranty service.

City Manager Kenton Powell said, “We want to protect the residents of Franklin and let them know about companies that are soliciting for services that are not necessary or needed.”

Water customers that have a question or concern about the solicitation should contact City Hall at 586-4497 or the Franklin Police Department at 586-7167. 

2011 CITY PROPERTY TAXES
October, 2011

Approximately 4,580 City property tax bills were released to Franklin property owners on Friday, October 21. The last day to pay the 2011 bills at face value is Wednesday, November 30, 2011.  Accounts will incur an initial 10% penalty after that date. Bills are sent directly to the property owner and the City DOES NOT send duplicate bills to mortgage or escrow companies. 

Payments to the City of Franklin can be made:

To insure proper credit, payment should reference the Property ID, a five digit number located in the upper right corner of the bill. Receipts for night deposit or mail payments will only be returned if a self-addressed, stamped envelope is enclosed.  If you own property in the City and did not receive your bill as expected, you may contact City Hall at (270)586-4497 during business hours, Monday thru Friday, 8 am - 4:30 pm.

Revenue from City property taxes is deposited into the City General Fund.

City Encourages Locating Water Meters
October 14, 2011

Every year a quarter million American families have one or more rooms in their houses flooded and their lives disrupted each winter because of pipes that freeze and break, according to State Farm Fire and Casualty Co.
With the winter season approaching, now is the time to prepare your home for freezing conditions.  The City of Franklin would like to encourage property owners to locate their water meters and water shut off valves before winter weather sets in. 

During the summer, vegetation can grow over the water meter boxes making them difficult to locate.  In the fall, leaves cover the boxes making the box difficult to find.  Now is the time to remove overgrown vegetation and leaves from the area of the meter so it can be easily located and accessed in an emergency. 

Knowing the location of the water valves in your home is critical.  In a matter of minutes, water can devastate your home.  It’s important to be prepared and know what to do in an emergency. The average plumbing in a house can see a flow range from 15 to 25 gallons a minute, so time is precious.  Study your home’s water system before an emergency happens so you don't waste time while your carpets are getting soaked.

During your study make sure you've identified the main valve or commonly referred to as the “house valve” (usually located in the crawl space where the water comes into the house) and then visually trace the course of the water supply pipes around your house looking for other shut-off valves. You may want to label the valves as you identify what they control.  Particularly important are the valves that control the water flow to outside facets, you'll want to turn off these exposed fixtures during the winter.

In the event of a pipe bursting, shut off the nearest upstream water valve. If you can't find a valve close to the leak, shut off the main water valve. If a pipe freezes, turn the water off and carefully try to thaw the pipe before it bursts.  If water starts leaking from a pipe after it gets warmer, the pipe has burst from the pressure of expanding ice. You'll need to shut off the water to the broken pipe as quickly as possible to minimize water damage. 

Acting Water Distribution Superintendent Gerard Averill said, “Water is the most powerful element on earth, it gives life to civilization.  However, water can also be damaging and destructive.  Inside your home, it is important that you know how the water flows and how to control it.”

If you have questions about your water distribution system or if you have an emergency situation and need to have the water to your home shut off at the meter, you can contact the City Water Distribution Department during normal business hours of Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm at 586-4497.  If you have an emergency situation after hours, call central dispatch at 586-8824.

Neighborhood Walk Monday Night Was A Success
October 10, 2011

About 20 people took part in the City of Franklin Neighborhood Walk Monday night.  The Mayor, City Manager, Commissioners, several city staff members, and residents met in the parking area of the Eastside Missionary Baptist Church for a welcome from City Manager Kenton Powell. 

Participants stopped in front of the Electric Plant Board’s substation on East Street for an explanation from EPB Manager Bill Borders.  Borders explained about power distribution and maintenance.  He also said EPB has hired an engineer consultant to do a distribution study.  The study will determine if it would be feasible to build another substation to serve city customers and for redundancy.  EPB currently has one substation that provides service to the city and provides power to WRECC. 

The walk continued into Greenlawn Cemetery where Cemetery Sexton Derick Minnicks explained the Veterans section, which currently has 108 grave sites designated for veterans.  There is no charge for a grave in the section.   Minnicks also explained the process for purchasing a grave, opening and closing a grave for a funeral, and the flower policy.  He said anyone wishing to purchase a grave or with questions about the cemetery can contact him at (270) 776-0893.

Delk Services currently maintains the cemetery.  They mow and keep the cemetery maintained and open and close the gates daily.  Danny Delk and Jackie Delk were a part of the discussion at the cemetery.  Danny Delk discussed the policy for flowers that have blown off rocks.  He suggested that family members put the name on the flower so it could be placed back in the correct area.  If no name is found, the flowers are placed in an area at the cemetery maintenance facility.  Delk also talked about the tree program and how trees are planted each year in the cemetery.    

The walk continued on Scotland Avenue, Maple Street, East Washington Street and East Street.  Participants meet in the Eastside Missionary Baptist Church parking area for a brief question and answer session.  Comments were made about improvements that residents would like to see take place in the area.  

City Manager Kenton Powell said, “The walks this year have been successful.  We are appreciative of community members that have taken part in the walks and for city staff members that have shared information.  We are excited about continuing the Neighborhood Walks in the spring.” 

For more information about the walks, contact the Office of the City Manager at 586-4497.

City Tax Bills
September 30, 2011

City tax bills are being prepared.  City Finance Director Cendy Dodd said, “The City Finance Department is working to print and prepare the bills to be mailed.  If everything goes as planned, the real estate and personal property tax bills will be mailed no later than October 15th.”  

The tax bills can be paid at face value until November 15th.  After November 15th, a 10% penalty will be assessed.  Property Tax rates for 2011 are $0.117 per $100 of assessed value for both real and personal property.  This year’s rate is down slightly, the 2010 was $0.118 per $100 of assessed value.  The City Commission heard first reading of an ordinance on September 26th that sets the rate.  Dodd said, “the reason for the lower rate this year is due to the Commission approving the compensating rate.  The compensating rate is the rate that will generate the same revenues as the previous year and since total property values increased slightly, the actual rate decreased.”

The City of Franklin property tax bill payments can be mailed to PO Box 2805 Franklin KY 42135 or paid in person at City Hall.  City Hall is located at 117 West Cedar St. and is open from 8:00am to 4:30pm Monday through Friday.  If you have questions concerning your City tax bill, you can call City Hall at 586-4497. 

Illegal Connections
September 23, 2011

The City is working to reduce the amount of rainwater and excess water being processed at the Wastewater Treatment Plant.  Each time it rains, there are large amounts of rainwater entering our sewer system.  Once in the system, it must be treated at the Wastewater Treatment Plant.

The City is working to identify areas where illegal connections are made into the sewer system.  Illegal connections allow large amounts of water into the collection system.  This water causes problems during heavy rainfalls.  These problems include overflowing sewage and sewage backups into homes and businesses connected to the wastewater system.  Water entering illegal connections has to be treated at the Wastewater Treatment Plant.  Treating this excess water is very expensive which results in larger wastewater bills for customers.

Illegal connections are connections to the wastewater system that are not authorized.  The City’s program is concentrating on roof gutters, yard drains and area drains.  The most common illegal connection is roof gutter downspouts connected to the sewer system.  Other illegal connections include yard drains, sump pumps and defective building sewer lines.  These items should not be connected to the wastewater system and must be removed.  

Over the next year, the City will inspect all properties connected to the wastewater system by visual inspection, smoke testing and/or dye testing.  This testing will show where illegal connections are.  If an illegal connection is discovered, the property owner will be notified in writing to correct the problem.  If the problem is not corrected within a given amount of days, a fine will be charged for each month and partial month that passes until the problem is corrected.  

If you suspect you have an illegal connection, contact Clif Beecher, Distribution/Collections Superintendent at 586-9522.  They will be glad to do an inspection and work with you negotiate a compliance to avoid fines and disconnects.

By reducing the amount of rainwater entering our sewer system, it will save the costs associated with the treatment of the water which is a savings to our community!

Chief Holder Featured In Magazine
September 16, 2011

Franklin Police Chief Todd Holder was featured in the summer edition of Kentucky Law Enforcement magazine. The Law Enforcement magazine is widely read and respected among law enforcement agencies across the state of Kentucky.
The article featured three topics: the Kentucky 100 Containment Team, the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington D.C., and working for and retiring from the Kentucky State Police, before becoming the Franklin Police Chief.
The story explained Holder’s efforts to create the Kentucky 100 Containment Team. The Kentucky 100 Team, currently is the infancy stage and comes from Kentucky Highway 100 that connects the six principle agencies that are participating. Those agencies are the Russellville Police, Logan County Sheriff's Office, Franklin Police, Simpson County Sheriff's Office, Scottsville Police and Allen County Sheriff's Office. The Containment Team brings the six agencies together to train, prepare for and assist each other during incidents where one agency encounters a situation that utilizes all their officers. The team will allow officers from other agencies to respond to those critical situations so that normal operations are not put on hold. The Containment Team is specifically being developed to respond to barricaded subjects, hostage situations, civil disturbances and active shooters in schools and the workplace.

The second issue Chief Holder addressed in the article was the invitation Franklin Police received this year from the National Police Officer Memorial in Washington, D.C. The Franklin Police Honor Guard stood guard over the Memorial while services of remembrance were conducted. In the magazine article, Holder commented about how so many brothers and sisters wearing the badge have given so much for others. The Memorial service will be etched on the hearts of every person attending, it was tough watching the loved ones of fallen officers weep at the Memorial for their loss. 

The story also asked Chief Holder how working for the Kentucky State Police helps in his current position. Holder said, “Every good thing that I have, everything good that I am, can be directly traced back to my career as a Kentucky State Trooper.” He also said, “I find myself as Chief, relating difficult situations that I encounter on a day-to-day basis back to the past decisions of my State Police Post Commanders decisions, remembering how they dealt with situations and the impact of their decisions on the Agency.”

Holder said, “It’s an honor to be featured in the Magazine.  Kentucky Law Enforcement Magazine is a quarterly edition, so only four Chiefs are featured each year, and to be nominated in only my second year in this position is humbling.”  This means that the advances and the accomplishments that Franklin Police and the City of Franklin are making toward a more modern, professional police agency is being recognized throughout the Commonwealth.
Chief Holder was nominated by Mark Cool of the Department of Criminal Justice Training in Richmond, Kentucky.  Mark Cool is the training compliance officer for the Police Academy in Richmond.

State Fair
September 2, 2011

A 1967 Convertible Ford Mustang drew the attention of thousands of fairgoers at this year’s Kentucky State Fair.  The Mustang, owned by Jackie and Sara Ausbrooks of Franklin, was the highlight of the Simpson County booth in the Pride of the Counties display area. 

The car was used as a discussion topic by 36 volunteers that represented Simpson County to work the booth.  Volunteers shared with fairgoers information about our community as well as local events and attractions. 

Fifty counties were represented in the Pride of the Counties area this year.  The Simpson County displayed is coordinated by the City of Franklin and the Franklin-Simpson Chamber of Commerce. 

City of Franklin Community Development Director Tammie Carey said, “Being represented at the State Fair is a great way to meet people and share with them what makes Simpson County such a great place.”   Chamber Director Steve Thurmond said, ”At this year’s fair, with the ‘67 mustang as the centerpiece, was so appropriate with so many events and historic locations to cruise in to for a visit.  Our purpose is to entice visitors to come to our community and the interest shown in the display would indicate our doors should be open and our welcome mat should be out.”  

Carey and Thurmond expressed their gratitude to the following volunteers:  Mark and Cheryl Brady, Bill Borders, Ashlyn Carey, Owen Carey, Judy Chandler, Ronnie and Joan Clark, Jeff and Robbie Cothern, John Craddock, Debbie Deweese, Cendy Dodd, Terra Dodd, Mary Beth Farley, Wayne and Tammy Goodrum, Darla Knight, Lydia Latham, Donzella Lee, Jane Owens, Betty Parker, John and Julie Swack, Brenda Thurmond, Hal and Nina Toomey, Rita Vaughn, Pam Vance, Gerald Wallhart, Daisy West, Damian and Amy Wirth, and Pam Womack. 

They also would like to thank The Roxy for the use of the diner table and chairs which fit the theme of the booth and to Kenny Perry’s Country Creek Golf Course for the donation of items used in a give-a-way.  Carey added, “The support of the community for this event is great and we appreciate everyone’s help to showcase Simpson County.”

Plans for the display at the 2012 Kentucky State Fair are already underway.  Anyone interested in volunteering to work the booth for the 2012 Fair can contact Tammie Carey at City Hall at 586-4497 or Steve Thurmond at the Chamber of Commerce at 586-7609. 

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