Former mayor Jo Brown wanted to set the record straight.

In Franklin’s city charter, only elected council members have the power to authorize spending taxpayer dollars.

Members of the public who may blame city manager Judie Milner for city spending or taxes is off-base, Brown Monday night at the council’s first meeting since Milner resigned.

“Social media will likely take this information and distort it,” said Brown. “It’s the council, through its fiscal power and responsibility, that has approved all the spending from taxpayer dollars for the revitalization of Franklin.”

Limited public comment at the meeting reflected praise for Milner’s longstanding tenure in New Hampshire’s smallest city.

Brown, who served one-term as mayor from 2021 to 2023, applauded Milner for her efforts to help the city secure grants to offset the tax burden of development projects downtown.

Addressing the mayor and council, Linda Holstein Stronge, a Franklin resident, read a letter from Leanne Hamilton, who could not attend, publicly thanking Milner for her service.

“I’m amazed that she was able to sit through many meetings where, after being disrespected by the public, she was professional as difficult as it must have been,” Hamilton wrote. “I appreciated that she carried on with all the negativity that she was presented with as she was doing her job.”

Strong agreed to read Hamilton’s letter because she shared a similar sentiment – the abrupt resignation of Milner last Thursday was something Mayor Desiree McLaughlin wanted.

“It has appeared that the mayor has worked to force the city manager out since the election and now it’s on you, whatever happens,” said Strong, addressing McLaughlin.

Although the conditions of Milner’s departure have not been made public yet, Strong suggested that the city may now be responsible for a payout.

Milner announced her resignation at a meeting with city department heads last week, according to McLaughlin. The mayor was not in attendance at the meeting and said she can not speak publicly about the matter.

“I understand that people are looking for details and while I’m a very vocal supporter of transparency, I am also not always permitted to give details about other individuals who are protected by law,” said McLaughlin.

During Milner’s time in Franklin, the introduction of new businesses and non-profits, like Mill City Park, were both celebrated and contested.

While some in the city viewed the new white water recreational park and trail network as a way to attract much-needed tourism and revenue to downtown, others argued that taxpayers shouldn’t be forced to invest in the project.

Before she became mayor, McLaughlin was a vocal critic of the project – bringing petitions with hundreds of signatures in opposition to city initiatives, like a $20 million bond that would have included financial support for the white water park.

In 2023, McLaughlin ran her mayoral campaign on the premise that city leadership was disconnected from the needs of everyday residents.

On Sunday, Milner posted a farewell note to residents on the city’s website, celebrating “Franklin’s rebirth” during her 16-year-tenure and noting it was her time to “embark on a new adventure.”

While Brown indicated that Milner will likely move on “to a community that repeatedly recruited her,” she hasn’t indicated what her future plans include. In the wake of her resignation announcement, Milner declined interview requests on Friday as she packed up her office in Franklin city hall.

“I plan to stay connected and engaged in other capacities,” Milner wrote in her farewell letter. “Keep up the incredible work—I look forward to seeing Franklin continue to flourish.”

Acting city manager Scott Clarenbach, a longtime Franklin resident who has worn many hats in city leadership – from fire chief to city councilor to interim-mayor – was sworn in at the start of the council meeting Monday. A search is underway for Milner’s permanent replacement.

To Brown, Milner’s departure closes the door on a professional chapter of demonstrated success in the city. It also marks the end of continued backlash that became increasingly personal in recent weeks.

“What does she leave behind? A record of incredible growth and revitalization for New Hampshire’s smallest city. That will be her legacy,” said Brown. “And what else does she leave behind? A lot of negative noise full of sound and fury that in the end signified nothing.”