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Council approves $160.5M school bond, $6.3M stormwater bond, salary ordinance and other measures
Summary
At its July 20 meeting the Marlborough City Council approved a $160,544,091 bond for a K–5 school project, a $6.3 million stormwater bond, a salary ordinance change, multiple grants and transfers, reappointments, and a modification to Target’s special permit; the council later entered executive session on real‑property negotiations.
The Marlborough City Council on July 20 approved a slate of votes that included a $160,544,091 bond for the proposed Richer K–5 elementary school project and a $6.3 million stormwater bond to fund drainage improvements related to the project.
During reports of committees, the finance committee recommended approval of both bond measures and asked the council to suspend rules for immediate action. The council carried the suspension motions and then approved the school bond by roll call: the clerk recorded 10 yes votes, 1 absent. The council then approved the stormwater bond by roll call, also with 10 yes and 1 absent.
Council also approved a multi‑part salary ordinance amendment (Chapter 1.25) affecting roles including the city collector/assistant finance director and recreation positions; the council suspended the first reading and approved passage the same evening with unanimous votes recorded.
Other actions during the meeting included:
- Grant acceptances for FY2027 for the Police Department from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security: a State 911 training grant of $2,201,964; a State 911 training grant of $66,429.14; and a State 911 emergency medical dispatch grant of $38,145.55. The clerk read the amounts and the council approved acceptance of all three grants (vote 10–0).
- A transfer of $173,494 from the undesignated stabilization account to a Public Safety Capital Police Equipment account to purchase two police vehicles (vote 10–0).
- Reappointments and appointments: the council approved reappointment of David B. to the Licensing Board (six‑year term through 06/07/2032) and confirmed the appointment of Aaron Ragusa Keaton as city collector / assistant finance director with an additional week of vacation; the council also approved Lynn Faust as an alternate to the Zoning Board of Appeals (all 10–0 votes where recorded).
- A modification to Target’s special permit at 423 Donald J. Lynch Boulevard to increase permitted wall signage from three to four signs; the council approved the change on roll call, 9 in favor, 1 opposed, 1 absent. The clerk read the amended condition language that specifies the four signs (two over store entrances, a pharmacy sign, and a drive‑up sign) and directed the applicant to record the special permit in the Middlesex South Registry of Deeds after the appeal period lapses.
Before adjourning for executive session, the clerk read an order under MGL ch. 30A §21(a)(6) to consider purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property and the council voted to meet in executive session and not reconvene in public session.
Why it matters: The school and stormwater bonds are the largest fiscal items at the meeting and, if implemented as approved, will fund construction of a new K–5 school and the related stormwater work needed to support the project. The salary ordinance affects multiple municipal positions and expedites recruitment and classification changes.
