Baker sworn in for fourth term

Finishing Miller-Sibley, the Liberty Street lights and city sidewalks and curbs are a few of  Doug Baker's goals for the immediate future as he begins his fourth term as Franklin's mayor.

"A lot of people have a lot of good ideas," he said. "It is finding the money to pay for it."

He said the city is seeking grants all the time to fund projects, admitting most of the tax-generated funding goes into the health and safety of the city via police, fire and public works.

Baker said the city is seeking McElhatten Foundation grants to help fix problem sidewalks in the city.

He expects the city to pass an ordinance in the spring allowing sidewalk cafe dining on a more permanent basis. He said the pandemic certainly "opened the door for this to happen" as cities allowed outdoor dining to aid in social distancing and capacity constraints on businesses by the state.

"I think people like it. The activity [on the sidewalks] is attractive to people. A healthy, physically active, socially engaged community is good for people," he said.

Baker's reelection allows him to serve as second vice president in the Pennsylvania Municipal League, where he'll likely become president in a couple years. He said serving in this state level position gives him more opportunities to meet other mayors and learn.

"We share a lot of the same problems," he said pointing out that what works for others can work here. And lot of what Franklin has done gets noticed by others. "We're doing better than a lot of places."

Baker's main goal is to get passed this pandemic. "Unfortunately I don't have the power to do that," he said.

Also sworn in Monday were Sam Lyons, Christian Marshall and James Johnson, who start their four-year terms on council. They join Deputy Mayor Donna Fletcher, council members Ryan Rudegeair and Fred Mays, whose terms end in 2023.