Mayor nominates Brian Daugherty as Marlborough city comptroller-treasurer; committee approves appointment and salary step

Mayor Jay Christian Dumas submitted a communication asking the Personnel Committee to approve the appointment of Brian Daugherty as Marlborough city comptroller-treasurer for a three-year term beginning March 31, 2025, and to place him at step 7 of the comptroller/treasurer salary schedule with one additional week of vacation.

The nomination drew extended discussion at the February 19 personnel committee meeting. The mayor’s letter described the role and the requested pay/scheduling accommodation and said the appointment is “pursuant to chapter 125, chapter 25.” Committee members and the council president emphasized the comptroller’s role in managing the city budget, capital plans, debt schedule and bond rating. Council President Ossing cited the city’s free cash and OPEB growth under prior policies as reasons the position is critical for upcoming projects including the Richardson School and the West Side Fire Station.

Brian Daugherty, the nominee, spoke to the committee about his municipal finance background. “My name is Brian Daugherty. My major is accounting. I've been in municipal finance since 02/2007,” he said, and described prior roles in Fitchburg and Ashburnham. Daugherty told the committee he prefers working in municipal finance and highlighted past achievements including helping earn and maintain a AAA bond rating and strengthening stabilization accounts and OPEB funding.

Committee members asked about Daugherty’s recent experience and approach to energy and operational challenges. He described practical cost-saving steps taken in prior roles—“a lot of just light switches…thermostats that can work”—and said he favors an open-door style of management. Several councilors said they were glad to see an experienced fiscal leader return to Marlborough.

A motion to approve the appointment as read by the chair was made and seconded. The personnel committee voted in favor; the chair announced, “It's passed. 3 0.” The committee also recommended the mayor’s request to start Daugherty at step 7 of the pay scale and to grant an additional week of vacation as part of the appointment package.

The committee chair said the appointment would be placed on the full council agenda; the nomination becomes effective March 31, 2025, upon council action. The mayor’s communication and the committee record will be forwarded for final council confirmation.