Franklin fire chief announces retirement as department seeks restored millage to cover shortfalls

Fire Chief Tony Aberbot told the Village of Franklin council on July 13 that he has tendered his retirement and that the fire department is facing a sustained funding shortfall that will require policy action to address.

"This budget year is the second year in a row that Franklin was unable to meet the request of the Fire Department due to the limitations set forth within the two millages," Aberbot said, adding that the department is pursuing language to restore the original charter millage so it can meet capital and reserve obligations. He said his last day in the office will be Aug. 28, 2026.

Aberbot described long-term pressures on the department's finances, including rising equipment costs and changes after the COVID-19 era. He noted that replacing a ladder truck today could cost about $2,000,000 and said the department was unable last year to fund a reserve that covers replacement costs for apparatus.

To guide future planning, Aberbot said a committee made up of representatives from Franklin, Bingham Farms and the Fire Department will convene to develop a five-year plan. He urged "open communication" between the department, council and fire commission during the transition and said he had compiled several pages of documentation and offered time to help ensure continuity.

Aberbot also outlined recent equipment investments and operational changes: the department purchased a new cardiac monitor/defibrillator system and related supplies with a maintenance plan at a cost he described as $60,000, and it has expanded some emergency medical capabilities. The chief said the department is contracting with STAR EMS to obtain Medicare billing status; he estimated the billing could yield roughly $50,000 a year per village once Medicare and private-insurer arrangements are in place, based on an estimated 250—to—300 transports across the service area.

President Goldberg thanked Aberbot for his service and for agreeing to stay through the transition. Council members asked procedural and budgetary questions, including whether the village would run an internal or external search for Aberbot's replacement; Aberbot said that decision rests with the council and that the department had not settled on a path forward yet.

The council did not take formal action at the July 13 meeting to change millage language; Aberbot said the upcoming finance committee meeting will include a deep dive on fire department finances and discussion of any proposal such as a rollback or restoration of prior millage levels.

Next steps: council members requested updated financial reports and said the finance committee would take up a detailed review of fire department funding at an upcoming meeting.