During the Franklin Town Council meeting on May 6, the board approved the date and a new vendor for the annual Fireworks over Franklin display. Along with a new vendor, the fireworks will be on a different night this year due to scheduling demands.
The fireworks display will be on Friday, July 5 and the fireworks will be shot from the Whitmire property off Highlands Road. The new vendor is Munneryln Pyrotechnics of Batesburg, South Carolina; the contract is for $15,000.
Town Manager Amie Owens said once the town is established with the new vendor, they can get on the schedule to have the fireworks on July 4 as usual. The previous vendor, Jeff Hale of Hale Artificers, has retired.
“Having worked with the same vendor for multiple years prior allowed us to have the best chance of scheduling for July 4; however, when trying to develop a relationship with a new vendor, we are behind other established clients,” Owens stated in a release on May 10.
Hale said of his retirement, “Like myself, a number of my older operators are simply just aging out, and try as we might, we are facing a real shortage of qualified, licensed personnel to fill the need for the busy July season. In some cases, it can take nearly a year to get new operators through the training, federal clearances, and the licensing process.”
Owens said the town plans to host the traditional Independence Day activities downtown on Thursday, July 4 including the parade, Little Mr. and Miss Firecracker and Patriotic Pet contests, food trucks, free water and free watermelon.
On July 5, there will be food trucks and live music before the fireworks and Main Street will close at 8 p.m. to allow for seating on and viewing from Town Hill. The fireworks will begin at approximately 9:45 p.m. and will be shot from the Whitmire property.
“We know that some will be disappointed that the fireworks are on a different day, and truthfully, we are too; however, the town is working with the new vendor to ensure that in the future, July 4 displays are possible and hope that everyone will be supportive and come to the festivities on both days this year,” said Owens.
The Macon County Board of County Commissioners must also approve the fireworks display and that was on their agenda for the May 14 meeting.
Agenda items approved
Items approved during the May 6 Franklin Town Council meeting include:
• The rezoning of the Franklin High School property. The 31.71 acres (including the former Higdon property on Wayah Street) will now be zoned entirely R-2, which is residential but also allows for schools. Previously the property was zoned a mix of R2 and Neighborhood Mixed Use. County Manager Derek Roland said this would bring consistency to the property as the county moves forward with plans for a new high school.
• The final map for the Franklin Social District, which will be submitted to the state ABC Commission for review.
• Reappointment of Rhonda Tallent to the Franklin ABC Board for a three-year term through May 3, 2027. Tallent was the only applicant for the vacant position.
• The public hearing for proposed text amendments to the Special Use Permitting will be held during the regular Town Council meeting on June 3.
• A change order of $44,792 for the Clyde Street Waterline Improvement Project. The change was related to making the sidewalks in front of East Franklin Elementary School ADA compliant. During his department report, Public Works Director Bill Deal said the Clyde Street Waterline project is about 80% complete.
• A bid of $340,000 from John Burin Construction for the interior construction and finishing of the fire substation. The project is being funded by a $400,000 allocation from the N.C. Regional Economic Development Reserve. “Thanks to Sen. Corbin and Rep. Gillespie,” said Council member Mike Lewis.
Street closures
The council approved the following street closures:
• The left lane of Main Street from Phillips Street to Harrison Avenue from 5-8:30 p.m. on May 18, June 15, July 20, Aug. 17 and Sept. 21 for a cruise-in hosted by WNC Pharoah’s Car Club.
• VanRaalte Street from First Street to Hillside Street on June 1 from 4-9 p.m. for a Tricorn/Lander Tubular company/family picnic. Access to the skatepark will remain open.
• Main Street from 7:30-10 a.m. on Saturday, June 15 for the Braveheart 5K, a fundraiser for the Scottish Tartans Museum.
Upcoming meeting
The Franklin Town Council will hold a budget workshop at 6 p.m. Monday, May 20. The next regular council meeting will be at 6 p.m. Monday, June 3. Meetings are held in the board room on the lower level of Town Hall.
Franklin Town Hall will be closed Monday, May 27 for the Memorial Day holiday.