Wednesday, May 8, 2013
The $500,000 inspection costs will be distributed among seven communities.
The estimated $500,000 cost of inspections for a $62.4 million renovation to the Assabet Valley Regional Vocational High School will be born by the seven member communities. “The cost will just be assessed to the member communities," said Superintendent-Director Mary Jo Nawrocki of the Assabet Valley School District. Nawrocki declined to comment further on the matter, saying she had not heard anything officially from city of Marlborough officials. She said no cost had been given for the inspection of the project, which is being done in Marlborough. She did not specify the mechanism that would be used to have the member communities pay for the inspections nor whether it would increase the cost of the project. The Marlborough City Council …
The mayor's proposed $133 million 2014 budget means increased taxes, but less than you might think.
A $133 million budget for next year would increase taxes by less than $70 for the average household, according to city officials. “We are probably looking at approximately less than 2 percent increase in property tax," said Mayor Arthur Vigeant of the budget that was proposed to the City Council. That budget represents a 4.89 percent increase over the previous year, but because of increased state funds and anticipated revenues residential taxes will increase by an estimated 1.57 percent. That results in an estimated tax rate from $15 per $1,000 to $15.23 per $1,000. What that means for the average household valued at $302,700 is an increase of $69.12 in taxes to $4,610.12 per year. The retail tax rate would increase from $28.46 per $1,000 …
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
The Marlborough City Council voted to charge roughly $500,000 in inspection services for the renovation project at the Assabet Valley Regional Vocational High School.
An additional $500,000 in fees will need to be accounted for in the $62.4 million Assabet Valley Regional Vocational School renovation following a vote by the City Council Monday night. “The project is not being held up. The project is moving forward," said City Council President Patricia Pope of a short-term agreement regarding inspection services. “If we waive the fees, then the $500,000 in fees is borne by the city of Marlborough.” Municipal inspection fees for public works project are often waived and that is the verbal agreement which was made with Former Mayor Nancy Stevens and the former building inspector, Stephen Reid, said a letter from Superintendent-Director Mary Jo Nawrocki of the Assabet Valley School District. Pope confirmed…
Monday, May 6, 2013
The mayor's proposed budget represents a 4.89% increase over the FY '13 budget.
The proposed $133 million Fiscal Year 2014 budget for the city takes into account increased local aid and continued strong growth figures. "With anticipated local aid and local receipts, the impact to the taxpayer's projects to be less than a 2% increase on the property tax levy," wrote Mayor Arthur Vigeant in a letter to the City Council that will be presented at tonight's meeting. So while the budget will increase by 4.89 percent, increased taxes on residents and local businesses will not reach that level, according to Vigeant. The budget brings with it the continued improvement to the water treatment center and the school systems, he said. This will be the first full year where the city will be paying the bonds on the Easterly and …
The City Council will be discussing millions of dollars tonight at their meeting.
1. Mayor Arthur Vigeant has proposed a $133 million budget for the coming fiscal year. It is available for viewing at the City Clerk's office and the City Council will be voting on it next month. 2. Set for a public hearing tonight in front of the City Council is the storage of 23,500 gallons of combustible liquids. 3. Mayor Vigeant will also be asking for $499,000 to be transfered to fully fund the Marlborough Economic Development Corporation for the next fiscal year. 4. The author of "House of Sand and Fog" spoke in Marlborough recently. A clip of part of his talk is available here. 5. Today is the last day to submit your photo to the wedding contest. We want to see your photos and if you enter a photo here by 5 p.m. tonight you will be …
Monday, April 22, 2013
A moratorium gives city needed time, according to a medical professional.
A moratorium on medical marijuana benefits the city and residents, a Board of Health Appointee, and medical professional, told city officials last week. "It diffuses the fear and that's what needs to be done," Respiratory Therapist James Griffin told the Personnel Committee last week. "[City officials] are taking the necessary steps to do it well." Griffin appeared before the committee after being put up for appointment by Mayor Arthur Vigeant. The licensed respiratory therapist was asked about the moratorium by committee member and City Councilor Robert Seymore, who proposed the moratorium to the council. Seymore said he wanted feedback from a medical professional on a moratorium for medical marijuana. The moratorium would keep marijuana …
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
The city of Marlborough will be joining forces with the town of Sudbury with a joint Veterans Agent.
Marlborough and Sudbury officials have voted to share one Veterans Agent between the two communities. The agreement — which the council voted through on Monday and Sudbury Selectmen voted through on Tuesday — creates a new Marlborough-Sudbury Regional Veterans District. It also makes the Marlborough Veterans Agent the Director of services for the district. Marlborough's current Veterans Agent will remain an employee of the city while Sudbury pays the city $10,000 a year for the services and provides an administration assistant. The agreement will run through June 30, 2014. The city has been providing Sudbury temporary assistance for the last several months, according to the agreement.
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Five Marlborough residents are headed off to the fire academy to return to the city ready to be firemen.
Five firefighter recruits were honored recently by the City Council before they head to the Massachusetts Fire Academy. "I know every one," said City Council President Patricia Pope. "I am sure they are going to make excellent fire fighters.” The Fire Department recruits are: All five individuals are Massachusetts licensed EMT's. They will be entering a 12 week recruit program.
Friday, March 15, 2013
A week in and only three people have pulled papers for 15 city positions.
One week in and three incumbent city officials have pulled papers for their current positions. Mayor Arthur Vigeant was the first person to pull papers as he plans to run for re-election to a second term as mayor. He explains his reasons and hopes for his next term in an interview with Patch today. Two other councilors got their papers shortly after they were available. Ward 3 Councilor Matt Elder has pulled papers to run for his ward. Ward 4 Councilor Robert J. Tunnera has pulled papers to run for his ward. Papers to run for office are available at the City Clerk's Office in City Hall until August 16, 2013 at 5 p.m. They must be returned with the signatures of 50 registered voters by August 20, 2013 at 5 p.m. The positions that are open …
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
City Councilors voted this week to retain review of how the budget is distributed in departments.
The City Council voted against a request by Mayor Arthur Vigeant to present the budget in line item form only earlier this week. “One of the very few things the council has a lot of pull over is the money,” said Councilor Matt Elder before he voted against the request. "It's about seeing what is going on and trying to watch the money as much as possible." The request came from the mayor and would have required only one budget line for each department. The majority of the council voted against the change, with the exception of Councilors Edward Clancy, Donald Landers, Robert Seymore and Michael Ossing. Councilor Joseph Delano said the request would have worked against an ongoing effort to have as much transparency as possible. This is …
Sam Bonacci
11:47 am on Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Arnold, An estimated $2 million in additional revenue to the city will also offset the budget increase. It is not additional state funds alone. more ›