Franklin Mayor Joe Collins signed a proclamation Monday night declaring the week of Oct. 4-11 Mental Illness Awareness Week. Debbie Roberts, president of the local chapter of the National Alliance for Mental Illness, stands at Collins’ left while Alderman Bob Scott is seated at Collins’ far left.

The Town of Franklin is set to proceed with plans to improve area economics and aesthetics. Available to the town is $100,000 in grant funding to implement a plan for economic development.

The funding was awarded by the North Carolina Rural Economic Development Center. Last year, Franklin was selected by the Rural Center as one of 12 towns to participate in a two-year demonstration, the Small Towns Economic Prosperity Demonstration Project.

During the first year of the program, the town utilized $30,000 in grant funding to develop strategies to grow small, locally owned companies and to revitalize the downtown district.

A local committee began by taking photographs in town of things that are liked and things that are not liked. “We had a diverse group,” said Franklin Main Street Coordinator Linda Schlott of the committee.

At this week’s Board of Aldermen meeting, aldermen unanimously approved the strategies outlined by the committee. Paul Combs, Franklin’s Rural Center coach for the project, presented the plan at the meeting.

Included in the NCSTEP plan however is a framework to grow small businesses in Franklin. “As the Main Street Program continues,” said Combs, “economic development will continue ... Macon County is a lot better off than many rural counties throughout North Carolina.”

The committee studied the economy of Franklin and developed lists of assets and limiting factors. Assets of Franklin include the scenery, safety, the climate, the educational system and highway transportation, said Combs. Limiting factors include the lack of warehouse and manufacturing space, the shortage of skilled labor, lack of affordable housing, seasonality, low wages and high land prices.

Combs said that Macon is doing a good job of supporting itself and has four key populations: retirees, second home owners, the local population and tourists. “You don’t have major retail centers,” said Combs of the area, “but you do have a lot of tourists flowing through.”

The group worked to envision the town in the year 2020. Combs said the area should see an increase in retail and service businesses and more art and entertainment venues. He also spoke of improved roads, streetscapes, parking and signage and more mixed-use neighborhoods. The committee listed downtown residential options, planned retiree communities, improved broadband Internet access and increased access to health care services as further goals.

One of the strategies Combs suggested is implementing a new marketing tactic to attract retirees, second home buyers and tourists. “If you’re going to be a resort community, then market yourself as such,” said Combs.

This image was generated in a process undertaken by the Franklin Main Street Program in an effort to beautify town areas and bring economic prosperity to Franklin. Now, the town will begin to implement an improvement plan with $100,000 in grant funding received through the Small Town Economic Prosperity program.

Recommended projects include developing the Little Tennessee River for river activities as well as commercial and residential development. “The river is one of your most important assets,” said Combs. “You can develop it.”

Combs told the board that it may work best to create a task force to begin talking about how these things can happen. “The next step is to get some signs installed. It is an important part of marketing,” he said. A new map of Franklin could highlight short-term itineraries, he added.

The committee also suggests conducting clean-up of unsightly properties in the downtown area and establishing a support program to provide mentoring to new and potential entrepreneurs.

Combs said the funding is just seed money to get a longterm plan started, but the town board must decide how to proceed with the strategies set forth. “It can’t do it all,” he said of the funding, adding that the plan should be continually revised and updated.

The board voted unanimously in favor of the plan. “It seems right on, myself,” said Mayor Joe Collins.

Alderman Sissy Pattillo said the plan contains some good community ideas. “Our town and our name is getting out over the state,” she said.

Over the next few months, the mayor and board of aldermen will work to further develop an implementation plan for the approved strategies.

Presentation on suggested rules of procedure

Assistant Town Manager Mike Decker made a presentation to the board on suggested rules of procedure, adapted from rules outlined by the School of Government at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

“It is just a matter of formalizing,” said Decker. The presentation was prompted by Town Manager Sam Greenwood who said there may be a need for more formal rules or procedures. “It would be nice to have in place for the new board in December,” said Decker, referencing November’s municipal election.

No action was taken however at this time. The board will further evaluate the rules at a meeting called for Monday, Oct. 19 at 5:30 p.m.

The suggested rules include reasons to hold meetings, types of meetings, how items get on the meeting agenda and procedural motions.

Some situations are new to the board. For instance, the Franklin Town Board does not currently adopt the agenda at the beginning of each meeting. According to the procedures, a second is not required for a motion to pass. Also, the rules suggest a board member must be recognized by the mayor before speaking.

“You folks are pretty informal,” said Decker. “You don’t necessarily wait to speak, but it may be more tactful procedurally.”

“You are very civil to each other,” said Board Attorney John Henning Jr. He said that some framework, however, could be beneficial. “We do need rules in that sense,” he said.

The board could institute rules for public session such as time limits or declaring spokespersons. They may also institute voting by written ballot. “There are checks and balances in the rules,” said Decker. “Most is stuff you already know and do.”

Alderman Jerry Evans said he doesn’t see anything wrong with the way things are done now. Greenwood said the rules would add a measure of fairness, especially for any new members who may come on board.

“There are several things we’re going to have to answer,” said Alderman Bob Scott. “My biggest question is who appoints members to boards?”

The suggested rules state that the board must consider committee appointments in open session. “It should be left up to the board,” said Scott. “It puts too much power in the hands of the mayor [otherwise]. We should all act together in open session. No one member should have the right to appoint anyone.”

The issue is of interest to Scott who made a motion last month that all vacancies on town boards or commissions be advertised. “I am trying to get a diversity of people on town committees,” he said.

In other actions

The board appropriated $60,000 in grant funding from the North Carolina Health and Wellness Trust Fund to assist Angel Medical Center with using a vacant building to create Angel Physicians Services. The facility will also create five new jobs.

Collins signed a proclamation declaring this week Mental Illness Awareness Week. Debbie Roberts, president of the local chapter of National Alliance for Mental Illness, said the biggest part of the week is efforts toward education, support and advocacy.

“It is a very treatable illness,” said Roberts. “Let’s talk about it. We need to get rid of the stigma.” She said that one in four people are affected with mental illness. “If three of your friends are okay,” she joked, “you’re the fourth.”

Also at the meeting, Alderman Joyce Handley inquired about the town’s status in creating a floodplain ordinance or in joining the National Flood Insurance Program. The town has opposed flood maps, thereby postponing making a decision on either creating an ordinance or joining the insurance program.

Greenwood said the State Department of Environmental and Natural Resources committee office has not responded to his inquiries. “Our hands are tied,” he said, “until the validity of our protest is seen.”

The next meeting will be Monday, Nov. 2, at 7 p.m.