Franklin Ward 3 City Councilor Steve Barton is stepping down from his post, citing health reasons.
Barton, who was serving his second term on the Franklin City Council, resigned at the council’s meeting Dec. 3, mayor Tony Giunta said.
“He had to miss a couple meetings in recent months, and that weighed heavily on him,” Giunta said. “It was not an easy position for him to resign, but he decided he needed to focus on getting better and healing.”
City manager Judie Milner said the city council will appoint someone to serve the remainder of Barton’s term until city elections next October. Those interested in the position will be asked to fill out an appointee profile, citing their qualifications and reasons for applying.
The city council will then vote on who they wish to take over Barton’s position. Giunta said the vote will likely take place in mid-January after a special meeting to interview candidates.
Barton had served on the city council since 2013. He was chairman of Franklin’s highway safety commission and police committee, and was a member of the legislative, city finance and joint finance committees.
In a handout distributed during a candidate forum in October 2016, Barton said he wanted to ensure Franklin is a place his children and others want to raise a family.
Barton also served on the Franklin School Board for 11 years, where his accomplishments included decreasing the dropout rate in the school district from a high of 18 percent to 4 percent and increasing the proficiency level on NECAP scores.
“He has always been a wonderful councilor and an approachable councilor, he studied his materials carefully and he always asked very good questions,” Giunta said. “He was very thoughtful before he cast his votes.”