Franklin Names New City Manager

FRANKLIN — The city has gone through two acting city managers since March, but starting Monday, Sept. 15, Mitchel Kloewer will be in his new role as the top city staffer.

The city council voted 9-0 to approve a contract for Kloewer, who took a moment at the podium to introduce himself. He told the roughly 40 people in the audience at the council workshop Monday night how excited he was to start the new position, which history tells is not of the faint of heart.

“I don’t know how many of you have noticed me lurking in the back rows of the council meetings for a few months, but I’m anxious to get started and get to work,” Kloewer said. “There are great people doing great things here, and I want to help that out.”

Kloewer is a military veteran, with 28 years in the U.S. Navy and four years as a contractor with the U.S. Air Force. While he has lived all over the country, he and his wife recently purchased a home in Salisbury.

“We’re here. I want to get involved.”

City Councilor Glen Feener (Ward 2) said the council worked hard during the hiring process to come to the decision. Councilor Delaney Carrier (Ward 1) agreed, and added Kloewer was a unanimous choice.

“We all came together on this, and it was very enjoyable,” Feener said.

The city manager position was formerly held by Judie Milner, who suddenly resigned her post at the end of February. Scott Clarenbach, a former Franklin fire chief, was appointed as acting manager for the next eight months, until his contract ended and he resigned Sept. 3. Fire Chief Mike Foss took over for the last seven days, and will remain on until Kloewer comes on board.

Kloewer will have his work cut out for him, as members of the public spoke on Monday about a variety of pressing issues. Saying the budget is tight would be an understatement, and Kloewer will be tasked to lead a City Hall hoping to turn things around and make strides to move forward.

In July, the city council approved the 2025-26 budget of $21.66 million, which Clarenbach said was a continuation of previous years with no major changes. However, one significant deviation was the loss of a police detective position.

There were also concerns in the fire department, which is looking to purchase an engine while dealing with an overworked and underpaid workforce. At Monday’s meeting during public comments, firefighter Shawn Green read a letter by Michael Derry, who recently resigned as a firefighter, about how inadequate compensation, staffing and training were the reasons for his departure. He said the lack of funding is not only making it difficult to operate, but putting the community and members of the department at risk.

While there have been some bumps in the road, Franklin has also seen moves for increased economic development. The Franklin Opera House is undergoing renovations needed to reopen, Mill City Park at Franklin Falls continues to expand, and local restaurants and businesses are bringing money into the city.

Kloewer also comes into his position less than a month before the city election on Tuesday, Oct. 7. Lifelong Franklin resident Glen Morrill faces incumbent Mayor Desiree McLaughlin, who had also thrown her hat in the ring for the city manager job.

Three city council seats are up for grabs in the election, as well. Bruce Marshall, who was appointed to an open seat in July, is up against Benjamin Forge in Ward 1. In Ward 2, incumbent Glen Feener takes on Samuel Jacobsen. Ward 3 has three candidates — Bradley Camley, Justine Hoppe and Lillian Machos — vying for a seat left open by Councilor Leigh Webb, who chose not to run for reelection.

Webb said in a phone interview on Tuesday it is up to the voters to decide what kind of leadership will be surrounding Kloewer. He also admitted the transition period will be “interesting” with Kloewer, who is coming into a job with a number of challenges, both budgetary and in gaining the confidence of city residents.

Webb hopes Clarenbach can serve as a wealth of knowledge for Kloewer to tap into for questions or suggestions, but also has full confidence Kloewer’s leadership skills will benefit the city.

“Mitch was chosen, more than anything else, for his leadership qualities,” Webb said. “Also, the fact that he has been in roles that would certainly qualify as administrative. I hope that his skills will transfer nicely into doing a good job as city manager.”