The Franklin town council on Monday scheduled a single public hearing to discuss its budget and proposals to expand public access to the Little Tennessee Greenway.
The first proposal was with Duke Energy. The company asked to maintain current development regulations and zoning on a property near Siler Road in exchange for new pedestrian access connecting to the Greenway there. The property is just west of the Chick-fil-A and Aldi sites.
During the discussion, council members described the proposal as primarily focused on development regulations and pedestrian connectivity rather than changes to existing zoning.
Duke representative Lisa Leatherman praised Franklin’s Greenway, saying it is “pretty vital to the health and well-being of citizens.”
In another Greenway access request, the council approved a bid for the Cartoogechaye Creek boardwalk project on Allman Drive. Town Manager Amie Owens (pictured top) said additional engineering work was needed because the site is adjacent to wetlands, requiring the walkway to be elevated rather than ground level.
Owens also said a pond on the property will be drained to “mitigate some of the risk (to pedestrians and pets) of having an open pond when that becomes an actual walkway.”
Owens said the state approved the plans in February. Local contractor, Bridge Builders, submitted the lowest responsive bid totaling $207,800. Construction is expected to begin after July 1, following final contract approval.
Another issue for the public hearing will be a rezoning request for 503 Dowdle Mountain Road. The owner seeks to change its designation from Residential R-1 to Commercial C-2.
Finally, the public hearing will include the town’s budget. Town officials will discuss the proposed fiscal year 2026-27 budget during a May 18 work session and then open the discussion to the public.
The budget is available for public review at the Town’s website. Click here to access it.
The public hearing for all four issues will take place June 1 at 6:00 p.m. at Town Hall.
Town employee health insurance changes
In other action, the council approved a resolution allowing the town to join the North Carolina Health Insurance Pool to reduce rising healthcare costs. Owens said the town initially received a 46.4 percent renewal increase from Blue Cross Blue Shield and Franklin’s relatively small municipal employee number of 77 limited its negotiating power. Joining the statewide pool, which includes approximately 17,000 members from municipalities and counties across North Carolina, would reduce the projected increase in half to about 22 percent, noting the larger group size “helps us to be able to negotiate down” costs.
She described the program as a “level-funded” plan which provides more financial stability by spreading risk across a significantly larger group.
Other meeting highlights
Several employees were recognized for their professional certification achievements: Jake Corbin, an equipment operator earned a C Distribution certification; Rusty Cortopassi, a utility maintenance crew leader earned his B Distribution certification; Bill Deal, the public works director, earned his A Surface certification; Ryder Cortopassi, earned his Meter Reader certification; and Justin Norman, a First Sergeant Detective in the Franklin police department earned an FBI LEEDA Trilogy certification.
Officials also highlighted a recent Town-led community litter cleanup drive that drew 48 volunteers. They picked 72 bags of debris.
In other business, the board approved street closures for upcoming events, including the Braveheart 5K, 80s Flashback Weekend and the Come Together Festival.
The next Town of Franklin Council meeting is scheduled for June 1.
