Minutes – March 9, 2026

The Village of Franklin held its regular board meeting on March 9, 2026, at the Village Hall office (141 Water Street) at 7:02PM.  Present: Mayor VanDeusen, Trustee McLean, Clerk/Treasurer Niebanck, 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 February 2026 board meeting: McLean moved, VanDeusen seconded approval of the February 2026 board meeting minutes.  So passed. 

Treasurer’s Report

Budget Transfer: Detail attached – McLean moved and VanDeusen seconded the budget transfers. So passed.  McLean moved and VanDeusen seconded approval of Treasurer’s Report of February 28, 2026. So passed. 

Correspondence/Clerk’s Report:

Superintendent’s Report: Water leak at post office fixed; Main Street property had meter freeze, water will be turned on for closing; lab costs may change for PFOAS.

Old Business

Tabled Items: Water meter grant; Main Street crosswalk

Restore NY Grant: SEQR on hold for septic solution; recipient working with the DEC; Kevin is in process of exploring right of ways for a commercial septic.

Water Street Repairs: Will begin end of March; Clerk will draft a letter to all residents on that end of Water St.  The fire department would like a fire lane; Mayor moved and McLean seconded making it a fire lane. So passed.  There will be no parking in any paved area and no yard waste dumped in that area. A homeowner has requested repairs beyond scope of project and on private property; they were told that municipalities are not authorized to do that.  Residents can only use municipal owned land if they rent an area (would need to have insurance and open to bid); attorney said it could be treated as a revokable license (he will draft one).  Mayor will forward attorney’s email to board members.

Election: March 18 from 12-9 at 141 Water Street.

Google Phone Number: Dog Control officer needs one; cost is $20 to set up and business $10/month. Water Superintendent could use one too. Clerk will email Bill and Helen to set up.

New Business

250th Proclamation: not released yet; tabled.

Village Picnic:  Celebration event on July 3; will coordinate picnic with this event; groups would bring dish to pass. Dedication is at 1:00 and picnic will follow.

Building Permit:  add Dale’s email and phone to the application; add information on dropping it off at Village Hall.

NYSEG Guideline:  Water Street – guideline from pole to a tree; it’s a communication line. Mayor will try to find out if it is Spectrum or Frontier.

Budget Workshop: scheduled for April 6 starting at 5:30.

NYCOM Conference: Scheduled May 13-15; budgeted for Mayor and one Trustee to attend.

Citizen’s Comments: None

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

Mayor VanDeusen adjourned the meeting at 7:48PM. 

Respectfully submitted,
Paula Niebanck
Clerk/Treasurer