“Boom of Activity” Prompts New Marlborough Fire Station?

Plans for expanded police and fire services to the west side of the city could come before the council within a year after officials requested Mayor Arthur Vigeant look into options for expanding emergency response within the city.

“It will be a year or so out before we start talking about this,” said City Councilor Matt Elder who put the proposition forward along with City Council President Patricia Pope.

What the expanded services will look like has yet to be determined — with ideas including a collaboration with Northborough or a new facility — but that is the purpose of beginning the work now. What has become clear is the services are needed, they said.

Three major complexes will bring in 800 apartment units west of 495 as well as thousands of employees at businesses such as TJX and Quest Diagnostics, said Elder. Because of this, concerns had been raised by both the fire and the police chief on the strain this would place on emergency services.

“We appreciate your candor when you came before the committee and we did hear you,” said Pope who categorized the growth as a “boom of activity.”

The request was supported by the entire council to explore the options for additional coverage.