NEW RESIDENTS

On behalf of the mayor, aldermen, administrators, and staff of the City of Franklin, we welcome you and hope that you will feel at home in Franklin, TN. Click here for information that may be useful in your transition to Franklin.

VISITING FRANKLIN
Downtown Franklin, comprised of a beautiful 15 block historic district, offers visitors a great American main street town and 200 years of rich history. Visitors will find commemorative brick sidewalks, beautiful landscape, and lovely Victorian architecture. Read more...

WATERING WISELY

Last year, Middle Tennessee residents had to endure record-breaking drought conditions.  The summer of 2008 has also seen very little rainfall. Read more...

CITY OF FRANKLIN HOSTING SUSTAINABILITY WORKSHOPS

Interactive Workshops scheduled for September 3rd and 4th

Next month, the City of Franklin is sponsoring a sustainability exercise with the goal of obtaining community input for a Sustainability Needs Assessment Plan. On September 3rd and 4th at Franklin City Hall, Johnson Controls, Inc., a global leader in energy management solutions, will facilitate workshops throughout the day to provide ample opportunity for residents to participate.

In May, Alderman Ken Moore shared his vision with the Board of Mayor and Aldermen of having Franklin become one of the top 25 “green” cities in America. As a result, a Sustainability Task Force has been created to help the City achieve this worthy designation. “Becoming a sustainable community is much more than City facilities being energy efficient,” stated Assistant City Administrator Vernon Gerth. “It’s about creating public awareness through education, about evaluating every decision we make today as individuals, families, and as a community that will ensure Franklin remains a City that’s environmentally sound, economically prosperous, socially equitable and whose quality of life will be revered and enjoyed by future generations.”

Interested residents are invited to participate in an exercise that will identify and prioritize the environmental, economic, and social needs that have the biggest impact on the City of Franklin. The September 3rd sessions are scheduled for 9 AM, 1 PM, and 5:30 PM; September 4th sessions will be at 9 AM and 1 PM. Seating is limited and reservations will be taken on a first-come first served basis. To attend any one of the five 2½-hour sessions, please call or e-mail Kathleen Sauseda at 615-550-6608 or kathleens@franklin-gov.com.

CITY OF FRANKLIN ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR CITIZENS GOVERNMENT ACADEMY

Learn more about City of Franklin government procedures and decisions that directly affect you by becoming a member of the next Citizens Government Academy. The City of Franklin is accepting applications to the academy, which provides insight into local government.  The next session will begin on 8/28/08 at 6 PM, and run for eight (8) consecutive Thursdays.  A Saturday field trip is also planned. Participants will learn about the wide variety of services provided by the City and about key areas such as planning, finance, traffic, and public safety.  Participants will also have the opportunity to tour key facilities, talk with City officials, and gain a new perspective on the inner-workings of their local government. Applications are available by clicking here, or at City Hall. The Citizens Government Academy is free and available to all residents of the City of Franklin over 18 years of age.  Class size is limited.  If interested, please call 615-550-6606 or e-mail moniquem@franklin-gov.com.

NEW SOLID WASTE COLLECTION RATES
Solid Waste is one of the many services provided to the citizens of Franklin. Current service rates do not cover the full cost of providing this service. The General Fund subsidizes residential solid waste service by allocating funds each year to cover the difference between revenue generated and the expense of operating the service. In FY 2009, the subsidy is projected to be $3.2 million. To help offset the true cost for garbage and refuse collection, rates have increased effective 7/1/08. This amount will be reflected on your bill received in August. The new residential rates for once per week curbside service are $9 per month for the first container; $3 per month for each additional container. Commercial solid waste collection rates have also been increased. Please call our Solid Waste Department at 615-794-1516 for new commercial rates.

When preparing your solid waste collection, please remember:

• Only City-provided Containers will be serviced. Privately-owned trash cans will not be emptied.
• All household refuse must be BAGGED and placed INSIDE your container. Household refuse outside of the 90-gallon container will not be picked up.
• Brush and limbs, cut by the homeowner, will be collected if the length of branches is no longer than six (6) feet. Trunks or limbs of trees measuring six (6) inches or more in diameter must be cut into pieces no longer than two (2) feet.
• Cardboard boxes must be broken down and laid flat at curbside, at least three (3) feet from the rollout container.
• Yard waste (including leaves) and grass clippings must be placed in biodegradable paper bags at least three (3) feet from the rollout container.
• Residential bulk service will still be provided at no additional fee. This includes:
  • “White goods” including stoves, refrigerators, freezers and window air conditioners, not installed by a commercial establishment
  • Bulky items, including furniture, small appliances (microwaves, televisions), lawnmowers (with the fluids drained) and mattresses

There are special services available for elderly or disabled residents. For information on these programs, please call 615-794-4572. For questions on the rate increase, please call the Solid Waste Department at 615-794-1516.

SUMMER FAMILY EVENTS AT PINKERTON PARK AND ASPEN GROVE PARK

Families are encouraged to come out to the City’s Parks throughout the summer and enjoy movies, music, and other events that are all free and family-oriented. For detailed information about the concerts and movies, click here or call 615-794-2103.

CHANGES IN YOUR SOLID WASTE COLLECTION

Beginning 6/1/08, our department will begin servicing residential customers as defined in the City of Franklin Municipal Code (Title 17: Refuse & Trash Disposal). A copy of the Code is available, in its entirety, within the "Government" tab of our website. To summarize, the following rules will now be enforced:

• Only City-provided Containers will be serviced. Privately-owned trash cans will not be emptied.
• All household refuse must be BAGGED and placed INSIDE your container. Household refuse outside of the 90-gallon container will not be picked up.
• Grass clippings must be BAGGED in BIODEGRADEABLE PAPER BAGS and placed at least two (2) feet from your rollout container.

Efficiency of our automated and semi-automated daily operations depends on help from you, our customer. If you have any questions, please contact our office at 615-794-1516, between the hours of 7 AM-4 PM (M-F), visit our Solid Waste FAQ page, or you may e-mail your question to solidwaste@franklin-gov.com.