Franklin, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin

Franklin is a city in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, United States. Franklin is a suburb of Milwaukee with a population of 35,451 as of the 2010 census.

Transportation
Franklin is nine miles (14 km) from downtown Milwaukee and four miles (6 km) from General Mitchell International Airport, close to Interstate 94. Running through the city are U.S. Highway 45, and WIS 36, WIS 100, and WIS 241.

Best place to live in
In July 2007, CNN/Money and Money magazine ranked Franklin the 90th best place to live in the United States.

FDi magazine honored Franklin in their April 2007 issue with awards for "Best Human Resources Runner-up", as well as "Best Infrastructure Top Five" for Micro Cities in the North American region.

Franklin ranked 94th in the 2011 Money Magazine rankings.

Geography
Franklin is located at 42.89917°N, -88.0022°W (42.899166, -88.002204).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 34.7 square miles (89.9 km2), of which, 34.6 square miles (89.7 km2) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.2 km2) of it (0.26%) is water.

The Root River runs south through Franklin, cutting the city in half.

Franklin contains many prized natural features in Milwaukee County:
 * Franklin State Natural Area
 * Root River Parkway
 * untouched wetlands
 * prairies
 * mature woodlands
 * some remaining agriculture in southern 1/3 of city

Demographics
The Department of Administration estimates that the population for the City of Franklin in 2005 was 32,548. Since 2000, the population of Franklin has grown approximately 10 percent. Franklin is one of the fastest growing communities in the state of Wisconsin, and by 2010, Franklin is predicted to have a population close to 40,000. Franklin has an estimated 35% of land still available for development (residential/commercial/office). As of the census of 2000, there were 29,494 people, 10,602 households, and 7,697 families residing in the city. The population density was 851.8 people per square mile (328.8/km2). There were 10,936 housing units at an average density of 315.8 per square mile (121.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 98.78% White, 0.15% African American, 0.036% Native American, 2.10% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.67% from other races, and 0.91% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.64% of the population.

There were 10,602 households out of which 33.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.2% were married couples living together, 6.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.4% were non-families. 22.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58, and the average family size was 3.06.

In the city, the population was spread out with 23.4% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 32.7% from 25 to 44, 25.6% from 45 to 64, and 9.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 109.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 110.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was US$100,315, and the median income for a family was $125,532. Males had a median income of $97,827 versus $83,737 for females. The per capita income for the city was $67,474. About 1.4% of families and 2.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.7% of those under age 18 and 3.9% of those age 65 or over.

History
The city of Franklin was originally one of two towns that were created out of the Town of Kinnickinnic by the Wisconsin Territorial Legislature in 1838. The name “Franklin” was given in homage to one of the Founding Fathers, Benjamin Franklin, and was bestowed on the area in 1838. Franklin was originally a part of the Northwest Territory and was organized into a township in 1841. The township consisted of a thirty-six-mile area that was originally covered with heavy timber, which was mostly hardwoods such as hickory, walnut, and butternut. Most of the town's drainage was delivered by the Root River and there was an abundance of wildlife including bears, deer, and wolves.

By the 1950s, Franklin was known as a “City of homes” for its growing residential areas, which served as a suburb of the city of Milwaukee. In 1956, town officials were alarmed by the possibility that the City of Milwaukee might attempt to annex portions of Franklin. In response, the town was officially incorporated as a fourth-class city on August 15, 1956. Franklin is bounded by the City of Oak Creek to the east, the villages of Greendale and Hales Corners to the north, the county of Racine to the south, and the county of Waukesha to the west. The city of Milwaukee lies adjacent to the Franklin city limits in the northeast.
 * Some of Franklin's Historical Sites and Buildings
 * Franklin, Wisconsin Historical Society

Police
The City of Franklin Police Department, which was formed in January 1964, began its operations out of an old farmhouse located at 5521 W. Ryan Road with a force of six officers under the command of Chief Harold H. Roach, who was the first Franklin Chief of Police from January 1964 to September 1968.

Following the resignation of Chief Harold Roach, Walter Lazowski was appointed as the second Franklin Chief of Police, who commanded the department from October 1968 to October 1971.

Following the resignation of Chief Walter Lazowski, Norman J. Pollman was appointed as the third and longest serving City of Franklin Chief of Police who commanded the department from October 1971 to December 1996. During Chief Pollman's tenure, the department operated from police facilities at the far end of City Hall at 9259 West Loomis Road.

Following the retirement of Chief Norman J. Pollman, Lieutenant Don Hareng was called back out of retirement to serve as Interim Chief of Police from January 1997 until July 1997.

Kenneth W. Bohn was appointed as the forth City of Franklin Chief of Police, who commanded the department from July 1997 to June 2004. During Chief Bohn's tenure, the department operated from police facilities at the far end of City Hall at 9259 West Loomis Road from July 1997 to December 2001, when construction of the Franklin Law Enforcement Center at 9455 West Loomis Road was completed and the department and Municipal Court began operations from the current facilities. The City of Franklin Police Department experienced its largest staffing growth from 39 sworn officers and 11 dispatch/support staff in 1997 to 59 sworn officers and 19.5 dispatchers / support staff in 2004 and most aggressive equipment and facilities development during Chief Bohn's tenure of July 1997 to June 2004.

Following the retirement of Chief Kenneth W. Bohn, Inspector Gaylord Hahn served as Interim Chief of Police from June 2004 until the appointment of Chief Richard P. Oliva in May 2005.

Richard P. Oliva was appointed the fifth City of Franklin Chief of Police, May 2005, and currently commands the department (August 2010), operating out of its current facility located at 9455 W. Loomis Road with a sworn staff of fifty-nine(59) officers and 19.5 dispatchers / support staff, serving a population of 33,500.See More

City of Franklin
Franklin government is very typical of a local Wisconsin municipality. It consists of a Mayor(Executive), Common Council (Legislative), and Municipal Judge. There are many various departments that the city operates for the service and safety of its citizens.

The Common Council is the legislative branch of City government. Its primary purpose is the passage of laws, ordinances and policies, establishment of pay ranges for City employees and official management of the City's financial affairs; its budget, its revenues, and the raising of funds for the operation of the City. The Common Council is composed of the Mayor and 6 members representing the 6 Aldermanic Districts, serving 3-year overlapping terms. One Alderman is elected and serves as Common Council President.

The Mayor is the Chief Executive Officer of the City, responsible for ensuring that all City ordinances and State laws are observed and enforced, and that all City Officers, Boards and Commissions properly discharge their duties. The Mayor is the head of the Police and Fire Departments. The Mayor nominates to Council the appointment of certain City employees, Board and Commission members, and is chairman of the Plan Commission and the Community Development Authority. The Mayor presides at the meetings of the Common Council, voting only in cases relating to tie votes. The Mayor is elected for a 3-year term of office, with the current term expiring April 2011. City Ordinances designate eight cabinet officers, as well as other unclassified positions within City government, that are appointed by the Mayor subject to the confirmation by a majority of all members of the Common Council.
 * City Departments
 * City Services

Elected City Officials
Mayor Municipal Court Aldermanic District 1 Aldermanic District 2 Aldermanic District 3 Aldermanic District 4 Aldermanic District 5 Aldermanic District 6

County
Franklin is in the Southwest corner of Milwaukee County. The Milwaukee County Government consists of a Board of Supervisors and a County Executive. The Board of Supervisors is composed of 19 legislative representatives who are elected to four-year terms on a nonpartisan ballot in the spring of a presidential election year. Each supervisor represents about 50,000 people. The County Executive is elected County wide on a non partisan ballot to a four-year term. They sign laws. make sure the laws are enforeced and runs the various departments of Milwaukee County including the safety and services of its residents. The City of Franklin shares parts of the 9th and 11th Milwaukee County Supervisor districts and are the only two districts that fall within the City. Read more here.

State
Franklin is represented by various state officials. All of the City of Franklin lies in the 28th State Senate District and the 82nd State Assembly District consisting of Franklin's representation in Wisconsin State Government.

Federal
Franklin's represenation in the Federal Government consists of: Senators Herb Kohl(D) and Ron Johnson(R). Wisconsin's First Congressional District is represented by Paul Ryan(R) It is the only congressional district that falls within the City of Franklin.

Public
The majority of Franklin students, grades kindergarten thru 12th grade, attend the Franklin Public School District. The Oak Creek-Franklin School District, primarily of Franklin's eastern neighbor, Oak Creek, is a separate school district from that of the Franklin Public School District and serves residents of the far eastern side of Franklin, along 27th street. In some places it can go as far as a mile and a half mile West into the Franklin City limits. The District also serves all of the City of Oak Creek. The Whitnall School District, which serves primarily the neighboring Village of Hales Corners and parts of the City of Greenfield, serves the City of Franklin residents residing on the city's far Northwest side. Even though some students who reside in the City of Franklin end up going to neighboring school districts, Franklin maintaines a good community bond as most students do attend Franklin Public Schools.

The Franklin Public School District was formed in 1962 as a K - 12 common school district. Franklin has five elementary schools, one middle school and one high school. The Franklin Recreation Department is also operated by the school district. The district is governed by an annual meeting of electors and a seven member school board elected every three years with overlapping terms and election held every year in April. City government exercises no fiscal control over a common school district.

Private
Franklin is home to high quality private schools. Founded in 1858 (as Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary), St. Martin of Tours Parish School is an independent, self-sustaining institution that has been a continual presence in the community since the mid-19th century. It is the longest serving school in Franklin and the only Catholic school in Franklin. The school educates children of all faiths from four-year old kindergarten through 8th grade. Communities in southern Milwaukee, eastern Waukesha, and northern Racine are represented in its enrollment. It embraces personalized learning and an instructional model centering on learners not just curriculum. St. Paul's Lutheran Church and school was founded in 1865 by a group of German Lutherans in the township of Franklin. Through the years, St. Paul's has continued to grow building a new church building, school (serving kindergarten through 8th grade), early child enrichment center, and mission opportunities. The Indian Community School of Milwaukee (located in Franklin, WI) exists to foster quality academic education, cultural and physical well-being of Indian children and youth. Traditional values, culture, language, heritage and spirituality provide the foundation for this development. The Indian Community School develops lifelong community leaders who inspire others throughout the Circle of Life. With excellence and commitment, the school serves urban American Indian students and their families so that each student develops the skills and knowledge to sustain a healthy balance of American Indian culture, academic achievement, and a sense of identity through indigenous teachings and ways of learning.
 * St. Martin of Tours Parish School K4-8
 * St. Pauls Lutheran K4-8
 * Indian Community School of Milwaukee (Franklin, WI) K4-8

Environmental Concerns
Franklin is home to one of the Environmental Protection Agency's Superfund sites. Referred to as the "Fadrowski Drum Disposal Site", or FDDS, the 40 acre site located at 42.92059°N, -87.95286°W 6865 South 27th Street is one of many sites across the United States that contain, or once contained substantial amounts of contamination and hazardous wastes. The FDDS was found to be contaminated with high amounts of lead and chromium. Trace amounts of arsenic and DDT were also found. The site also contains levels of mercury above Wisconsin Enforcement Standards. The site once included a man-made pond with elevated cyanide levels. The exact amount of drums contained on the site, and their contents, is not known. The site was placed on the National Priorities list in 1986, with Remedial Action (RA) completed in 1994. The site was deleted from the National Priorities List in 2003.

Overview of the Fadrowski Drum Disposal Site
For over a decade, beginning in 1970, the Fadrowski Drum Disposal Site was operated by Edward J. Fadrowski as an unlicensed waste site thought to be accepting standard landfill debris. The site illegally accepted an unknown amount of hazardous waste during its time of operation. In 1983, Menard, Inc. purchased land that included the site with the intention of building a Menards store. During excavation for fill to level the grade for the store, several buried drums were uncovered. Some drums ruptured, spilling their unknown (at the time) contents. One drum exploded, prompting a call to the Franklin Fire Department, who in turn notified the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ultimately oversaw the containment of the site. The site remedies include restricting access to the site, restricting use of land at the site, limited excavation of the waste (some drums), removal of hazardous soil, monitoring ground water, monitoring surface water, and installing a landfill cap.

Current Status of the Fadrowski Drum Disposal Site
Presently, the site has been largely remediated via landfill and limited excavation, however "waste material above health-based levels will be left on site" (drums, some with unknown contents, still remain buried to this day). Although Remedial Action was completed in 1994, the site is currently under a monitoring status. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is reviewing the site every five years, the last review was conducted in July 2008. When viewed, the site appears largely as a field with a slightly higher elevation (due to the landfill cap) than the surrounding land. It is surrounded by a barbed wire fence. The site is now encircled by development. It is bordered on the north by an Ashley Furniture HomeStore, which now occupies the building of the original Menard's store when the site was discovered. The Menard's store has relocated across South 27th Street, but Menard, Inc. still owns the land. A tributary that flows into the Root River is a few hundred feet west of the site, and South 27th Street is approximately 250 ft to the east. In 2001, the EPA relaxed deed restrictions on land intended to be a "buffer" around the site. The southern border of the site is now lined with recently-built Goodwill Industries and Gander Mountain retail stores. In September of 2011, a Dental Associates facility opened on the outlot sold by Menard, Inc. along the eastern border (sharing approximately 50 ft of the eastern border) of the site. Single-family homes are just 1000 ft west of the site, and multi-family units are just 600 ft to the south. A Wal-Mart is just 600 ft north of the site. The site itself is prohibited (via Declaration of Restriction #6778720 to Menard's Inc.) from ever being used for potable water, residential development, or any development that would disturb the landfill cap. These restrictions essentially ensure no development will ever take place on the land.

Franklin News

 * Franklin NOW
 * Franklin/ Hales Corners Citizen Newspaper
 * City of Franklin Notices and Press Releases

Local Blogs
(Non-Official Franklin Blogs) Discussions and feelings related to Franklin topics by some of its residents
 * Sprawled Out
 * Wag The Dog

Notable residents

 * Bill Castro, former Milwaukee Brewers pitching coach
 * Ted Musgrave, NASCAR driver

Attractions

 * Milwaukee County Sports Complex
 * Crystal Ridge Ski and Snowboard Area
 * Wehr Nature Center
 * Oakwood Golf Course
 * Tuckaway Country Club
 * Wehr Astronomical Society Observatory