As part of its recent economic development efforts, the Franklin Town Council approved a Memorandum of Understanding and a $60,000 allocation to put toward rejoining the N.C. Main Street program.
The agreement is with the new nonprofit Main Street Franklin, Inc. “for the purpose of establishing a cooperative partnership to support downtown revitalization, economic development, historic preservation and implementation of the North Carolina Main Street Program framework.” Rob Reale, owner of Kitchen Sink, is the board chair for Main Street Franklin.
In addition to coordinating re-entry into the Main Street program, the nonprofit will be responsible for:
- Continuing development and implementation of the Downtown Economic Development Plan and other downtown planning initiatives;
- Coordinating stakeholder engagement among downtown businesses, property owners, residents, volunteers, civic organizations and community partners;
- Recruiting, organizing and managing volunteers, committees, and community partners;
- Developing and implementing promotional activities, events, place-making projects, marketing campaigns, business support initiatives, and economic development programs benefitting the downtown district;
- Seeking grants, sponsorships, donations and other funding.
The MOU states the town will consider an annual appropriation but does not set a specific amount. Main Street Franklin will be required to submit an annual work plan, proposed services and funding request along with a report showing accomplishments and outcomes. Local governments can provide funding for nonprofit organizations that provide a service the town would otherwise be tasked with providing.
The MOU was unanimously approved at the July 6 council meeting. The $60,000 was included in the 2026-27 budget that went into effect July 1.
Attendance policy resolution
The Town Council approved a resolution to establish an attendance policy for appointed boards, authorities, commissions and committees. While some board appointments are volunteer-based, other board members received stipends.
“I think it’s important that if you’re going to serve on a board that you meet the minimum of at least an attendance requirement, that you show up and that’s especially true if we’re spending taxpayer dollars to pay you to serve on the board,” said Mayor Stacy Guffey.
The resolution states missing 75% of the regular meetings in a calendar year or three consecutive meetings “shall be considered grounds for recommending removal of the member.” Extenuating circumstances will be considered. The policy allows for remote participation for no more than two meetings. Voting will be allowed with remote participation. Proxy voting is not allowed.
Repayment of demolition costs
The Town Council discussed options for repayment of fees it is due after demolishing the Mashburn/Duncan house on East Main Street. The town demolished the house due to noncompliance. Beginning in April 2024, the owners, the Duncans, were to repay the town $16,000 for the cost of the demolition within 12 months or when the property sold. No payment was received, and the property is still for sale.
In June 2025 the family requested a one-year extension, which was approved by a 4-1 vote with Council member Rita Salain casting the nay vote. Under that agreement, the family paid the 6% interest due through June 5, 2025. Under the extension the interest rate was 8%. As of last week’s council meeting, no payment was received.
Town Manager Amie Owens met with John Duncan on June 24, 2026, and reported the three property owners offered to make payment of the 8% interest owed and $6,000 with an additional 12-month extension on the remaining $10,000.
“If we said ‘no’ and started getting aggressive, we’d burn that money up quicker than waiting on it,” Council member Joe Collins said.
“It’s obvious that we’re not going to get paid until it gets sold,” Vice Mayor Mike Lewis said.
The council agreed to accept the $6,000 plus the 8% interest due with 10% interest charged on the remaining amount.
Other business
In other business, the Town Council:
• Approved a grant for the Franklin Machine Company to paint the façade of the building on Depot Street and install new signs. The façade grant requires a 50/50 match up to $5,000 and the sign grant is $500 maximum. The total cost of the project is $18,419.71. The town will reimburse the company $5,500 as part of its Economic Development Incentive Grant program.
“I’m glad to see that people are starting to get word about this,” Lewis said.
Businesses wanting information about the grant program can contact the town’s finance office at 828-524-2516.
• Approved waiving the $49,700 water connection fee for Southwestern Community College’s new fire training facility at the Macon County Industrial Park. SCC had also requested that the town waive the usage fees, which had been done in the past. However, council members wanted to relook at that and consider metering the usage since departments from outside Macon County use the facility.
“Just the fact that we are the producers of the water by chance, I don’t think it’s on us to just give that away,” Council member Joe Collins said. “I don’t mind a meter fee, and I think that if we had a meter fee, you all should progressively go and get the county to help cover that.”
Lewis agreed, saying, “We’re using taxpayers and the old people that fund that water system. I didn’t realize that we’d been giving it away.”
• Approved the reappointment of Sabrina Scruggs as the town’s tax collector.
• Set a public hearing for a conditional zoning request for property at 85 Maple Street. The owners want to build townhomes on the 1.10-acre site. The Town Planning Board has reviewed the request and recommended the request be approved. The public hearing will be held Aug. 3 during the Town Council meeting.
The next Franklin Town Council meeting will be Monday, Aug. 3, at 6 p.m. in the board room on the lower level of Town Hall.