The erosion control officer for Franklin — the largest town in fast-growing Macon County — has asked aldermen for help.

Josh Ward is employed by Macon County but also is responsible for inspecting projects in the Franklin town limits. Franklin does not have its own erosion control inspector.

Franklin’s erosion control policy — adopted from the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources in 2002 and enforced as of 2003 — states that any earth-moving project that disturbs more than a half acre of dirt must have a plan to prevent sediment from escaping the job site. However, Ward said that size doesn’t always matter.

“It doesn’t necessarily have to be worthy of a plan to be a detriment to the environment,” Ward said.

There are two large subdivisions under construction within the town limits and three additional projects in the town’s extraterritorial jurisdiction. Ward said monitoring these means some of the smaller land-moving operations are slipping through the cracks. Ward said he doesn’t always know about projects.

“You need some help,” said alderman Bob Scott.

“Who helps you?” inquired Mayor Joe Collins.

“I’m... myself,” Ward replied.

Ward said aldermen could do their part by calling him if they spot projects while driving around town.