Minutes – August 10, 2026

The Village of Franklin held its regular board meeting on August 10, 2026, at the Village Hall office (141 Water Street) at 7:04PM.  Present: Mayor VanDeusen, Trustee McLean, Trustee Martin, Clerk/Treasurer Niebanck, Deputy Clerk Martin, Superintendent Kingsbury, and guests recorded on the sign-in register. The meeting was streamed and recorded on the video platform Zoom.

Minutes: Minutes of the July 2026 board meeting: McLean moved, Martin seconded approval of the July 2026 board meeting minutes.  So passed. 

Treasurer’s Report

Deputy Clerk notes that there were 8 property owners that he notified who owed penalty on property tax bills. Budget Transfers: GF $26.56 from 7550.4 to 8160.4  – McLean moved and Martin seconded the budget transfers. So passed.  Martin moved and McLean seconded approval of Treasurer’s Report of July 31, 2026. So passed. 

Correspondence/Clerk’s Report: 1) RR Museum thanks the Village for their support of 250^th event. 2) Clerk completed Annual Financial Report and submitted to OSC. 3) State Aid payment of $1356 received. 4) Notified that CDBG grant is closed out.

Superintendent’s Report: Installed new pool sign. Replaced No Parking sign near cemetery. Pool roof is done. Working on cold patching parts of streets. Going to schedule street sweeping for next week.  Farmer’s Market customers are still parking on both sides of the street; they could use our No Parking signs; Mayor will reach out to market manager.

Citizens’ Comments: None

Old Business

RestoreNY Grant: has not been rescinded – it’s still active; working on the septic issue.

Unsafe Building Regulations: Copies of current Unsafe Buildings law distributed to board members; will be compared with Oneonta’s law.

Dog Control Officer: still needed.

Code Regulations: Tabled. Need to repeal current local law and issue new law (public hearing needed).

Clerk and Permit Fees: tabled; need resolution.

NYCOM Recap: September 10 at 5:30 we will have an organizational meeting and dinner (Pizzos sub sandwich).

New Business

Main Street Water Line Grants: Trustee Martin researched EFC grants; application could be submitted next round (TBD); WIIA program – need engineering report; environmental review, etc. Would need to be planned for and they would provide support. They have Q&A sessions that we could join in on. 

Emails: 1) 4H community beatification opportunity; forwarded to Franklin Improvement Society and many members support this project; planters designed and maintained by 4H club. Village Board supports the project as well.  2) Resident is putting together a Fall Festival; vendors and food trucks at RR Museum; makers space near Theater; it will be on October 17; Village could supply certificate of insurance; they would like to put a banner advertising the event across Main Street; permit must be requested by the Village (board gives permission to proceed with permit application process as long as it does not increase insurance costs).

Stone Hall: Group has been talking about what they want to do with Stone Hall; funds for renovations are being donated; School would like to preserve it as well and has been put in touch with different grant programs.

Around Town:

Approval of Bills: McLean moved, and Martin seconded approval to pay bills. So passed.

Mayor VanDeusen adjourned the meeting at 8:17PM. 

Respectfully submitted,
Paula Niebanck
Clerk/Treasurer