Franklin mayor unsuccessful in veto of Outing Club liquor license

FRANKLIN — Mayor Desiree McLaughlin was unsuccessful in vetoing a nonprofit's liquor license Monday night at the city council's last session before the installation of newly elected representatives. 

The last agenda item before the installation was to consider the renewal of the Franklin Outing Club's liquor license at Veterans Memorial Recreation Area during the council meeting at Elks Lodge 1280 on Monday night. The motion passed with a 6-3 vote, which was then vetoed by the mayor. Councilors then overrode that veto by a two-thirds vote.

The renewal, normally an uncontentious item, was met with criticism after the 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, presented to the council in December, showed statistics about alcohol and substance use in Franklin. According to the survey, 24.4% of students said their first alcoholic drink was before the age of 13. This is compared to 15.8% in the Lakes Region, and 12.2% in New Hampshire. Of respondents, 22.8% had at least one alcoholic drink within 30 days of taking the survey, within 1% percent of regional and statewide results.

The first statistic worries some residents, including the mayor, as the recreational ski area is intended for use by families. When McLaughlin attended an Oktoberfest event there, she was concerned.

“I happened to be sitting, watching the band, when there were children just next to me,” she said. “All I would have to do is put my drink down, go to the bathroom, and anyone could have that.”

Parks and Recreation Director Krystal Alpers and Franklin Outing Club President Tim Morrill spoke to address concerns. Morrill said there is always a member of the board supervising the area, along with volunteers, and Alpers said drinking is allowed in designated areas.

“There is a designated area in the lodge and a fenced in area outside that the alcohol is allowed. That area is submitted to the state with the liquor permit and is approved by the state as well,” Alpers said. “Outside of any of that fenced-in area or the lodge, alcohol is not allowed. And that is what's enforced.”

McLaughlin also emphasized that because the rec area is owned by the city, Franklin becomes liable for any alcohol misuse issues. Morrill said there have been no issues. Vincent Ribas and Valerie Blake, during their last meeting as councilors, advocated for approving the renewal, as Veterans Memorial relies on alcohol sales to keep it afloat, they don’t charge children under 6 to ski, and children ages 6 to 17 pay no more than $20 for lift access, depending on the day.

The council finished other existing business, including unsealing nonpublic meeting minutes and approved a resolution to apply for a Community Development Block Grant for the Franklin Opera House. During public comment, some residents expressed concerns or support of agenda items, while others wished former councilors farewell and new councilors good luck. Christine Dzujna, former city councilor George Dzujna’s wife, read something she heard at book club to recognize her husband, Blake and Ribas.

“If every single person who has liked you in your lifetime were to light up on a map, it would create the most glitteringly beautiful network you could imagine. Throw in the strangers you've been kind to, the people you've made laugh and inspired along the way, and that star bright network, you would be an impressive sight to behold. You're so much more than you think you are. You have done so much more than you realize. You're trailing a bright pathway that you don't even know about. What a thing, what a thing, indeed. Thank you very much, Councilor Blake, Councilor Dzujna, and Councilor Ribas.”

Following the conclusion of the outgoing council's meeting, the 2025 Inaugural Program proceeded with pomp and circumstance. In addition to the swearing in of new city councilors, the meeting starting with the singing of "God Bless America" and the national anthem, a duet by 17-year-old Franklin High School senior Zoe Nagle and music teacher Christine Chiasson.

The Franklin Fire Department Color Guard presented the American and state flags. McLaughlin then presented the Citizen of the Year Award to Kathy Fuller.

“If there was an apocalypse and the world shut down, there were no salaries, no electricity, no currencies, who would you see emerge in a leadership role in Franklin? The answer was so clear to me,” McLaughlin said.

Fuller has been elected to the school board, city council, and currently sits on multiple committees. She is also active in the management of her graduating class, runs book fairs, and helped fundraise for the renovation of the high school gym. She identified, mapped and presented the 13 veteran sites in Franklin. Her family history goes back seven generations in Franklin. Fuller accepted her plaque and said a few words.

“This community has gotten into quite a few controversies in the last year. I say it's time to unite,” she said. “It's time to look for things we can get done and move to make it a better community for the kids and the generations coming beyond us.”

Officer Daniel Ball was also promoted to lieutenant, and David Fencer was hired as patrol sergeant.

Councilors Delaney Carrier, Ward 1, Thomas Boyce, Ward 2, and Al Warner, Ward 3, were sworn in. Three-year-term school board member Michael Lombardo, Ward 3, was sworn in. School board members LeAnne Fifield, Ward 2, and Ruth Magina, Ward 3, with a remaining one-year-term, were sworn in as well. The ceremony ended with a rendition of the "Battle Hymn of the Republic," sung by Nagle and Chiasson.

The newly installed councilors then set public hearings about grants for the Trestle Bridge project and the STOP School Violence Program Grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Justice.

The mayor offered a state of the city address. In it, she addressed how despite everyone’s common goal to better Franklin, no one shares the same idea of progress. But the city will ultimately come out on top.

“Franklin has survived many times over, despite the hyper exaggeration of the slippery slope policies some proclaim would surely destroy our community,” she said.

“But here we are, persevering. I am actually feeling quite positive as we head into this year.”