A solution to a decades-long problem in the Mary Lee Street area may be on the horizon.

Long plagued by rainwater infiltration into sewer lines, the area has been meticulously studied and some problems identified.

Franklin Utilities Director Dainae Prejean told the city council Tuesday that 10 of 19 manholes have been identified with cracks within the walls of the manhole and groundwater intrusion flowing in from the top.

There are also three areas in need of pipe joints and connections, she said.

Those repairs are being contracted out, with a layer that will be inserted into the manhole walls. Better covers that don’t leak will also be installed, Prejean said.

The city will be taking care of the line repairs, she told the council.

In a field behind the subdivision, between Lee Charles Street and the city’s lift station, Prejean said the inflow of water is getting into a manhole in that area. She said the manhole will be replaced.

Inspection of the system in that area is continuing, she said.

Prejean also said a complaint of odor near the AmeriPure Oyster plant on Willow Street is being addressed.

Councilmen have heard from neighboring residents about stench coming from dumped oyster shell piles. They say a large ventilation fan seemed to be blowing the odor right at neighboring houses.

Prejean said the state Department of Environmental Quality has inspected the facility. She said the city is responsible for making sure waste water does not run into city storm drains.

DEQ has identified areas that the company needs to come in compliance with, Prejean said.

“They are a business and bring jobs to the area, and we want to make sure we’re doing due process,” she said.

Also Tuesday, the council:

–Honored Hakim Ruffin for placing three times in the Track and Field Junior Olympics, and Avontre Perro for placing twice in the Track and Field Junior Olympics. Neither athlete was able to attend since they were at football practice.

–Lifted the open alcohol container ordinance, excluding glass containers, for the Franklin Art Walk and Tour du Teche on Oct. 6, and for the Teche Action Clinic Fall Fest on Oct. 19-21.

–Introduced an ordinance amending a bond sale for repairs to city hall and streets in Franklin.

–Approved resolutions for a grant from the state Office of Cultural Development; a cooperative agreement with the state treasury; hiring Miller Engineers and Associates for the repair and overlay of 14 streets in the city and another approving special litigation council, the reason for which was not revealed.

–Phil Bell and Greg Paul were reappointed to the West St. Mary Parish Port Commission for seven-year terms.