City Council and Mayor

CITY COUNCIL FY2027 BUDGET WORKSHOP Monday, July 13, 2026 – 6:00 p.m. Franklin Public Library ATTENDANCE Present: Councilor Susan Hallett-Cook, Councilor Al Warner, Councilor Ben Forge, Councilor Ed Prive, Mayor Glenn Morrill, Councilor Tim Johnston, Councilor Justine Hoppe, Councilor Tom Boyce, Councilor Delaney Carrier, and Councilor Sam Jacobson (participating remotely). Absent: None. Others Present: City Manager Mitch Kloewer, Finance Director Pessy Cote, and members of the public. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Morrill called the City Council Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Workshop to order at 6:01 p.m. Mayor Morrill asked the Council whether to allow Councilor Jacobson to participate in the meeting remotely via Zoom. Motion: Councilor Carrier moved: "I move to allow Councilor Jacobson to participate in this meeting via Zoom." Seconded by Councilor Forge. Discussion: City Manager Kloewer requested a sound check with Councilor Jacobson to confirm audio quality in both directions; the check was performed and the Council confirmed it could hear Councilor Jacobson. City Manager Kloewer mentioned that per the statute, Councilor Jacobson needed to say why he couldn’t participate in person. Councilor Jacobson said he was traveling for work. Councilor Warner asked whether anyone was in the room with Councilor Jacobson; Councilor Jacobson confirmed he was alone. Vote: Roll call vote. Councilor Vote Johnston Yea Boyce Yea Prive Yea Carrier Yea Hallett-Cook Yea 1 Councilor Vote Warner Yea Forge Yea Jacobson Yea Hoppe Yea Motion Result: Motion carried, 9–0. Councilor Jacobson was permitted to participate remotely for the remainder of the meeting. SALUTE TO FLAG Led by Councilor Boyce. Citizen Letter — Code of Conduct and Conflict of Interest Prior to beginning the budget workshop, Mayor Morrill stated that he had received a letter, which he read into the record, citing City Code Chapter 308: Code of Conduct for Elected Officials and Appointed Board Members, Section 308-5: Conflict of Interest, and City Code Chapter 347-25:Conflict of Interest. Councilor Warner asked the Mayor to reread the portion of the letter defining "interest," which the Mayor did. Councilor Warner asked whether the letter had been submitted anonymously; the Mayor confirmed that it had. A copy of the letter is included at the end of the minutes. Councilor Warner proposed that the Council address, in turn, the conflict-of-interest allegations that had been raised publicly against five Councilors. City Manager Kloewer advised, and reiterated before each of the following votes, that any such vote by the Council is non-binding and that the Council cannot compel a Councilor to recuse themselves; a recusal is a personal decision by the individual Councilor. Conflict-of-Interest Review Councilor Hoppe Councilor Hoppe left the table; Councilor Johnston confirmed this reflected her recusing herself from the discussion and vote. Motion: Councilor Warner moved: "I move that the council vote on whether the circumstances surrounding Councilor Hoppe's involvement with the city council are a conflict of interest in the performance of her duties." Seconded by Councilor Johnston. Discussion: Councilor Johnston noted that Councilor Hoppe's mother, Ruth MaGina, serves on the School Board and that Councilor Hoppe has two children who receive special education services; he cited City Code 308-5(B) as a potential basis for a 2 conflict. Councilor Jacobson stated the family connection was a concern but not, in his view, disqualifying. Councilor Hallett-Cook argued that one school board member's individual interest does not constitute a conflict for a family member serving on the Council. Councilor Warner and Councilor Carrier both emphasized that City Charter Chapter 53 defines conflict of interest in financial terms, and that proximity to a decision- maker without personal financial benefit does not, in their view, constitute a conflict. City Manager Kloewer read the applicable code sections into the record at the Council's request and confirmed that any vote taken would be non-binding. Vote: Roll call vote. Councilor Vote Johnston Nay Boyce Nay Prive Nay Carrier Nay Hallett-Cook Nay Warner Nay Forge Nay Jacobson Nay Hoppe Recused Motion Result: Motion failed, 8 nays, 1 recused. The Council found no conflict of interest; Councilor Hoppe rejoined the table. Councilor Jacobson Motion: Councilor Warner moved: "I move to vote on whether the council considers the circumstances surrounding Councilor Jacobson are or constitute a conflict of interest." Seconded by Councilor Johnston. Discussion: Councilor Carrier stated that none of the relationship categories described in the letter, marriage, familial relationship, or divorce, applied to Councilor Jacobson. Councilor Johnston stated that, in his reading of the definition of "interest" in the letter, a domestic living arrangement could apply, referencing Councilor Jacobson's relationship with the School Board Chair. Councilor Carrier noted the letter's definition turns on financial interest. Councilor Johnston maintained that the matter is inherently financial because it concerns the school budget. City Manager Kloewer noted that the code also references "the perception of a conflict." Councilor Forge asked whether "perception of 3 a conflict" is defined and stated the Council should vote with integrity on a situational basis. Vote: Roll call vote. Councilor Vote Johnston Yea Boyce Yea Prive Nay Carrier Nay Hallett-Cook Nay Warner Nay Forge Nay Hoppe Nay Jacobson Nay Motion Result: Motion failed, 7 nays, 2 yeas. City Manager Kloewer confirmed the vote was non-binding. The majority Council voted no conflict of interest for Councilor Jacobson, who, having not recused himself, was entitled to participate in the vote. Councilor Prive Motion: Councilor Warner moved to vote on whether Councilor Prive has a conflict of interest arising from his part-time employment within the school system. Seconded by Councilor Boyce. Discussion: Councilor Prive stated, for the record, that he had been asked repeatedly to transport a special-needs student and had concluded this constituted a conflict of interest; he announced he was resigning from that part-time position. In light of his resignation, Councilor Warner withdrew the motion and Councilor Boyce withdrew the second. Motion Result: Motion withdrawn; no vote taken. Councilor Forge Motion: Councilor Warner moved that the Council review the circumstances surrounding Councilor Forge, whose wife was reported to be employed in a position connected to SAU 18, and determine whether it constitutes a conflict of interest. Seconded by Councilor Johnston. 4 Discussion: Councilor Forge stated he would not recuse himself, and explained that his wife works as a mental health clinician employed by Health First, not by the City or the school district, serving students in the schools. In response to a question from Councilor Johnston, Councilor Forge confirmed his wife is not the cheerleading coach; in response to a question from Councilor Hoppe, he confirmed that role is held by his sister, noting several members of the Forge family are active in the community. Vote: Roll call vote. Councilor Vote Johnston Yea Boyce Nay Prive Nay Carrier Nay Hallett-Cook Nay Warner Nay Forge Nay Jacobson Nay Hoppe Nay Motion Result: Motion failed, 8 nays, 1 yea. The majority Council voted no conflict of interest for Councilor Forge. Councilor Hallett-Cook Motion: Councilor Warner moved that the Council consider and vote on whether there is a conflict of interest with respect to Councilor Hallett-Cook, given her part-time employment with the school system as a one-on-one paraprofessional to a student. Seconded by Councilor Hoppe. Discussion: Councilor Hallett-Cook confirmed she serves as a one-on-one paraprofessional to a student at the high school and stated she would recuse herself from this vote. In response to a question from Councilor Carrier, she confirmed the position is federally mandated under the student's IEP and would be funded regardless of the Council's budget action. City Manager Kloewer clarified that her recusal applied to this vote only, not to further budget discussion. Vote: Roll call vote. 5 Councilor Vote Johnston Yea Boyce Nay Prive Nay Carrier Nay Warner Nay Forge Nay Jacobson Nay Hoppe Nay Hallett-Cook Recused Motion Result: Motion failed, 7 nays, 1 recused. The majority Council voted no conflict of interest for Councilor Hallett-Cook; Councilor Hallett-Cook rejoined the table. Councilor Johnston Motion: Councilor Jacobson moved that the Council consider Councilor Johnston's circumstances, given that his son is employed by the Fire Department, and vote on whether it constitutes a conflict of interest. Seconded by Councilor Forge. Discussion: Councilor Johnston confirmed his son works for the Fire Department and stated he would recuse himself from votes concerning raises for specific individuals, but not from votes concerning the department or City budget as a whole. Vote: Roll call vote. Councilor Vote Hoppe Nay Jacobson Nay Forge Nay Carrier Nay Hallett-Cook Nay Warner Nay Johnston Nay 6 Councilor Vote Boyce Nay Prive Nay Motion Result: Motion failed, 9 nays. The Council found no conflict of interest for Councilor Johnston. Councilor Hallett-Cook noted for the record that she had previously declined appointment to the City-School Liaison Committee, having recognized it as a potential conflict of interest at the time it was proposed. FY27 BUDGET WORKSHOP Combined Budget Review Appropriate Local Property Tax Revenue to SAU 18 Traditional Split Motion: Councilor Johnston moved: "I move that the City Council of the City of Franklin appropriate $5,868,026 of local property tax revenue to SAU 18 for fiscal year 2026– 27." Seconded by Councilor Prive. Discussion: Councilor Carrier asked that the figure be presented in the context of the school's overall revenue allocation. Councilor Johnston explained the amount reflects the traditional city/school tax split and stated the school's total revenue under that split would be approximately $19.3 million, per figures provided by the Finance Director. Councilor Warner raised concerns about mitigating legal risk and the long-term sustainability of budget demands, referencing the potential of school board members Mr. Lombardo and Ms. MaGina to fund athletics through fees and booster-club contributions. City Manager Kloewer noted that the ambulance purchase could be treated as a capital expense outside the tax cap under Charter Section 32(B), which could free approximately $60,000 that could be redirected to the school; Councilor Carrier confirmed a separate motion could later address that transfer. Discussion also touched on the SAU's administrative raises and teacher contract, which Councilor Carrier noted the Council had itself previously approved. Vote: Roll call vote. Councilor Vote Hoppe Yea Jacobson Nay Forge Nay Warner Yea 7 Councilor Vote Hallett-Cook Nay Carrier Nay Prive Yea Boyce Yea Johnston Yea Motion Result: Motion carried, 5 yeas, 4 nays.City Council appropriated $5,868,026 of local property tax revenue to SAU 18 for fiscal year 2026–27. Reduce General Legal Line to Fund School Department Motion: Councilor Jacobson moved: "I move we reduce the general legal line, 01-0- 531-40320, from $115,000 to $75,000, moving $40,000 to the school department." Seconded by Councilor Carrier. Discussion: Councilor Jacobson noted the City Manager's stated intention to retain outside legal counsel and argued the savings from having a retainer contract in place could be redirected. In response to questions from Councilor Johnston, City Manager Kloewer confirmed no legal services RFP has been drafted, that the City has spent close to $100,000 on legal costs to date, and that at least six matters are currently before the City's legal counsel, most involving tax deeds and two ongoing junkyard- property actions; he noted separate litigation costs are handled through the City's insurance carrier. Vote: Roll call vote. Councilor Vote Hoppe Yea Jacobson Yea Forge Yea Carrier Yea Hallett-Cook Yea Warner Nay Johnston Nay Boyce Nay 8 Councilor Vote Prive Nay Motion Result: Motion carried, 5 yeas, 4 nays. $40,000 moved from legal services to the school department. Councilor Hoppe suggested, without moving a formal motion, that this money be directed toward preserving the adult education program. Purchase Ambulance Outright Under Charter Section 32(B); Apply Savings to School Motion: Councilor Carrier moved, under Charter Section 32(B), that the Franklin City Council appropriate $466,289 in additional tax revenue, eliminating $466,289 in revenue on page 10 of the budget, line 01-0-000-39900-000, loan proceeds for the new ambulance, to purchase the ambulance outright, and transfer $60,000 (line 66-111- 40980-000, the placeholder for the 10-year ambulance loan payment) to the school district. Councilor Jacobson seconded the motion. Discussion: City Manager Kloewer explained that purchasing the ambulance outright under Charter Section 32(B) would treat it as a capital expense outside the tax cap, at an estimated cost to taxpayers of $0.37 per $1,000 of home value this year, which would be approximately $111 on a $300,000 home, applied entirely to the December tax bill, while saving over $100,000 in interest across a 10-year financing period. Councilor Carrier confirmed the transfer would not commit the Council to future allocations beyond this budget year absent further Council action. Councilors Boyce and Prive asked for a consolidated accounting of the cumulative tax impact of the evening's motions on taxpayers. Vote: Roll call vote. Councilor Vote Boyce Nay Johnston Nay Warner Nay Hallett-Cook Yea Carrier Yea Forge Yea Hoppe Nay 9 Councilor Vote Prive Nay Jacobson Yea Motion Result: Motion failed, 5 nays, 4 yeas. Purchase Ambulance Outright Under Charter Section 32(B); Apply Savings to Eversource Debt Motion: Councilor Boyce moved that the City purchase the ambulance outright and apply the resulting $60,000 in savings toward the City's Eversource settlement debt. Seconded by Councilor Prive. Discussion: At the suggestion of City Manager Kloewer, Councilor Warner offered a friendly amendment to specify that the motion invokes Charter Section 32(B) to raJacobise additional tax funding for the ambulance purchase outside the tax cap, with the resulting $60,000 savings applied to repayment of the fund balance used earlier this year to pay the Eversource settlement; Councilor Boyce accepted the amendment, and it was seconded by Councilor Hallett-Cook. Councilor Carrier noted the motion requires a two-thirds supermajority to pass. Vote: Roll call vote. Councilor Vote Prive Yea Boyce Yea Johnston Yea Warner Yea Carrier Nay Hoppe Yea Jacobson Yea Forge Yea Hallett-Cook Yea 10 Motion Result: Motion carried, 8 yeas, 1 nay, meeting the required supermajority. The ambulance will be purchased outright under Charter Section 32(B), and the resulting savings applied to the Eversource debt. Councilor Salary Donation to School Department Motion: Councilor Hallett-Cook moved that City Council members donate their salaries for the year to the school department. Seconded by Councilor Forge. Discussion: City Manager Kloewer raised a point of order that a specific budget line and dollar amount would need to be identified: line 01-0-301-40130-000, Mayor/City Council Elected Official Wages. Councilor Johnston raised a point of order that the Council cannot compel individual Councilors to donate their salaries. Councilor Warner cautioned that declining full salary could affect indemnification coverage for Councilors in the performance of their duties. City Manager Kloewer further noted the Council cannot dictate the wages of future Councilors and can only encumber funds through the current term. Councilor Hallett-Cook withdrew the motion, stating she would donate her own salary directly, and Councilor Forge withdrew the second. Motion Result: Motion withdrawn; no vote taken. Water Rate Increase and Schedule of Fees Discrepancy Motion: Councilor Warner moved to set the water rate at the current, unincreased rate rather than accept the proposed increase to $8.22 per 100 cubic feet. Seconded by Councilor Boyce. Discussion: Councilor Warner noted that page 16 of the budget reflects a proposed water rate increase to $8.22 per 100 cubic feet, while the draft schedule of fees lists $7.66; the FY26 rate was $7.68. City Manager Kloewer confirmed the schedule of fees is still a draft and that the budget figure controls, and stated the increase reflects the rate required by the enterprise fund to cover water and sewer costs, not a proposal from the City Manager's office. Councilor Boyce separately noted the City Manager had cited both $8.55 and $8.22 as the enterprise-required rate in the course of the discussion; City Manager Kloewer committed to prepare a full report. Councilor Carrier noted that water rate adjustments have historically been discussed by, and voted on by, the Council, with prior review by the Municipal Services Committee, and asked that this process be followed here. Councilor Carrier moved to postpone the vote pending further information; Councilor Johnston raised a point of order that a new motion could not be made while another motion was pending. Councilor Warner then withdrew his motion, and Councilor Boyce withdrew the second. Motion Result: Motion withdrawn; no vote taken. ADJOURNMENT Motion: Councilor Johnston moved: "to adjourn." Seconded by Councilor Boyce. Vote: Roll call vote. 11 Councilor Vote Prive Yea Boyce Yea Johnston Yea Carrier Yea Hallett-Cook Yea Hoppe Yea Jacobson Yea Forge Yea Warner Yea Motion Result: Motion carried, 9–0. The meeting adjourned at 8:08 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Brenda Demers Executive Secretary With AI Assistance 12 13 14