To the editor:

My name is Peter Woodcock, and I am a current town of Franklin councilman. My term ends this year, and I am not seeking reelection to another term. I have been reading with interest comments being made by the new line of candidates hoping to fill the two vacated board seats in this election.

I feel the need to clarify a few things that have been discussed in interviews with several candidates in order that the voters receive the correct information when deciding on who they would like to represent them in the coming four-year term.

With regard to the Highway Department, it has been said that the budget compiled for this department is too high and not being put to good use. However, in the four years that I have been on the board we have gotten nothing but positive feedback from residents, stating our roads are in better condition and more well maintained than in the years past before Jacques DeMars became the current highway superintendent. As far as the money budgeted, each year costs for materials and labor rises, but at the same time Mr. DeMars has seen to it that we get the best pricing for everything including new equipment. Keep in mind, no budget passes without unanimous approval of the board.

Another candidate commented on two specific roads being neglected. He specifies Franklin Falls Road and the Gabriels-Onchiota road. Mr. DeMars has seen to it that roads in disrepair are fixed according to priority. The Franklin Falls Road is a county road and falls into both Franklin and Essex County, which both maintain this road. As for the Gabriels-Onchiota Road, this is also known as County Route 60, which, as the name indicates, is a county road maintained by Franklin County. The obligation of the town of Franklin is a contract with the county to plow and sand the roads. There is already in place an annual listing for paving covering the 68 miles of roads in the town of Franklin. Three years ago, 6 miles of road were paved. Two years ago, it was a little over 3 miles, last year a little over 2 miles, and this year a total of 4.5 miles were completed. The town is responsible for plowing 28 miles of county road in addition to the 68 miles of town roads.

As far at the town of Franklin not being affordable to live in a “rural life” setting, this town board has strived for years and has achieved maintaining the taxes under the 2% tax cap laid down by Gov. Cuomo. You cannot get it any better than that.

I enjoyed my time as town councilman for the town of Franklin and hope that the future board can maintain what we have achieved at the very least in the last four years. When you go to the polls on Nov. 5, please do your research and get the facts straight (the town website contains all the previous board meeting minutes you can reference), and then vote for the candidate that you believe will keep the best interests of the town in their sights. You do not need to vote across party lines to select the right candidate for the position.

Peter Woodcock

Councilman, town of Franklin

Vermontville