Franklin weighs public works board's future

FRANKLIN — Mayor Paul Crowley told the Franklin Borough Council on Tuesday, Feb. 10, it needs to decide whether to disband the Board of Public Works or allow it to operate with less oversight.

Crowley said, in the past, the boards operated with more autonomy and financial control, but a past ordinance has turned oversight to the council.

The Board of Public Works has five members, including a Chairman and Vice Chairman, and two alternates. The board meets on an as-needed basis. All board members serve three-year terms. The two alternate seats are vacant.

"Public works used to be responsible for decisions and financials," Crowley said. "The previous mayor and council removed their authority; every decision they would make would have to go back to the council."

Crowley asked his council whether to reinstate the board's past autonomy or disband it.

"My feeling is keep it the way it is or get rid of it completely." Crowley said.

Not everyone is convinced the extra oversight by the Borough Council is necessary.

"It's up to us as council members to trust our boards," council member Nicholas Giordano said "There are things that can be delegated and should be delegated."

Most members felt that the bored could be beneficial to the Borough in some capacity, however, all agreed that any future plans warrant further discussion.