Franklin makes changes to operations, holiday events

<p>The City of Franklin on Friday announced several steps it is taking to slow the spread of the coronavirus locally, including altering some of its holiday traditions. </p><p>Mayor Steve Barnett called on residents, business owners, workers and visitors to heed warnings from government and health care officials and follow recommended precautions as COVID-19 cases continue to climb.</p><p>Johnson County reported nearly 1,000 new cases last week, and more than 100 newly reported cases were added each day. The county set a new daily record Nov. 13 with 230 cases. On Friday, 147 newly reported cases were added. The local positivity rate continues to hover between 12% and 12.5%. </p><p>City Hall and the Franklin Clerk-Treasurer’s Office will be closed to the public but continue to operate. Notary services are suspended.</p><p>Payments, plans and other documents may be dropped off in a box set up in the foyer at Franklin City Hall. </p><p>City boards and commissions will continue to hold public meetings, but will make a virtual option available. </p><p>Franklin City Court will reduce its capacity to 50%, with only 10 people allowed in the courtroom at a time. Temperatures will be taken at the door and masks are required.</p><p>The Franklin Public Works Department will also be closed to the public. Customers may pay bills online or drop payments in a dropbox to right of the front door at the public works building. </p><p>Franklin Parks and Recreation will rent its facilities for groups of 25 or fewer, with masks required and social distancing strongly encouraged at all events.</p><p>Franklin Fire Department stations are limiting vendors, suspending public education efforts, and completing training at assigned stations without other crews.</p><p>Franklin Police Department offices will remain open, and officers are prepared to assist the Johnson County Health Department with any back-up they may need to enforce the state’s gathering limits and mask mandate. </p><p>Holiday events will also be scaled back. There will be no traditional &quot;flipping of the switch&quot; celebration for the city’s annual Holiday Lighting. However, the courthouse square will still be lit on Dec. 5, and Santa will still be in town that day at The Historic Artcraft Theatre from 3-5 p.m. so families can see him from their cars. </p><p>“I want us to take control of our community,” Barnett said in a video message. “We are all in this together and I want all businesses to remain open. We want you to visit our stores and restaurants. To make that happen we need to follow the (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) guidelines.”</p><p>While he understands nine months of precautions have made many weary of the virus, he said now is not the time to stop taking them.</p><p>“I get it. We are all fatigued with the virus, but we have to do our part to slow the spread,” Barnett said. “This is affecting our schools, our hospitals, our holidays.”</p>