City Council approves funding and plans for infrastructure improvements

Franklin Mayor Eugene Foulcard and the City Council met Tuesday, October 21, at City Hall.
Dr. Kristal Hebert, director of the Arc of St. Mary/Center of Hope, gave an update on the work her organization continues to do in the community. During the public comment period, Dianne Wiltz spoke up to praise Dr. Hebert and her staff for their dedication to their clients and the difference they make in so many lives.
Mayor Foulcard told the Council the city is gearing up for the third round of demolitions to clear out blighted and unsafe properties. “We’re ready to demolish another 26 structures on top of the 65 we’ve already tackled,” he said. “These are buildings beyond repair, but once they’re gone, that land can be given new life by a family or business.”
The mayor also gave an update on several projects Franklin hopes to fund through upcoming state capital outlay requests. Those include water treatment and distribution improvements — something badly needed, given that some of the city’s pipes are over 100 years old — and a number of road repairs throughout town.
“We ask for prayers as we keep fighting the good fight,” Foulcard said, giving a nod to the city’s hard-working water department crews. “We’re starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.”
Franklin Fire Chief Chuck Bourgeois announced that the Franklin Fire Department has achieved its best-ever Property Insurance Association of Louisiana (PIAL) rating.
For the first time in Franklin’s history, the department earned a Class 4 rating — jumping two full points from its previous Class 6 inside city limits and Class 7 outside. That rating not only reflects the department’s hard work, but could also help lower insurance premiums for residents and businesses.
Chief Bourgeois credited years of improvements, including firefighter training, new software, upgraded hydrants, and a $590,000 training tower on Iberia Street. He thanked the mayor, council, city staff, and his department for their dedication. “We’re proud of how far we’ve come,” Bourgeois said, “and we’re already working toward a Class 3 rating next time.”
The council approved several ordinances and resolutions including:
-The sale of $1 million in revenue anticipation notes to support city operations
-A new policy for public participation in council meetings
-Grant applications to the state’s Department of Transportation and Development
-Certification for non-state funding for capital projects
-Permission for all local businesses to renew their 2026 liquor licenses
All items passed unanimously among members present.
Before adjourning, Ed “Tiger” Verdin ran through a full lineup of fall happenings including the City-Wide Clean-Up, Bayou to Main Marketplace, Harvest Moon Festival, Boo on the Bayou, Halloween Trick-or-Treat and Mingle & Jingle later this year.
Mayor Foulcard led a moment of silence for two longtime public servants who recently passed away — former Franklin Police Chief Roulden J. Guillotte and longtime St. Mary Parish Clerk of Court Clifford G. “Cliff” Dressel. The city plans to send formal Resolutions of Respect to their families.