On a very preliminary note, it makes sense for Franklin to look to Southampton County to share its Courtland sewer system with the city.

Franklin’s 50-year-old system is at 70 percent capacity. Only 20 percent of Courtland’s 3-year-old plant is being used, while costing the county $1.5 million annually.

A big customer like Franklin would help.

Building or expanding any type of sewer treatment plant in Franklin would costs millions of dollars — an expense that would be passed onto residents and businesses.

And with Franklin’s plant in a flood zone, the option to expand may not be there.

Franklin City Council and the Southampton Board of Supervisors on Monday agreed to apply for a $40,000 grant to study the concept.

This is a true example of the communities’ attempt to work together, thus saving taxpayers money.

It will be interesting to see how this turns out.