Accidental Anthrax, Natural Gas Leaks, Top Schools List: Marlborough's 2015 Year in Review

MARLBOROUGH, MA - In August, an organization called the Home Energy Efficiency Team released a map revealing thousands of natural gas leaks across the state. In Marlborough, the study revealed 91 unprepared leaks. Did you think there were that many? Is that not considered many? Were you surprised?

The post was among the top stories that had Marlborough residents talking this year on Patch.

Court cases, deaths, restaurants opening and closing, survey rankings and more. In Marlborough this year, readers clicked on stories about local hospital rankings, election results, sex offender registrations and a mom whose daughter died in foster care.

What Marlborough stories resonated with you this past year? Leave your comments in our comments section below.

Here are the top 10 stories for 2015 on Marlborough Patch:

1. Police Alert Residents to New Level III Sex Offender Registered in Marlborough: Police are obligated to to notify organizations of the presence of a high-risk sex offender in the community. There are four Level II and nine Level III sex offenders currently living in or working in Marlborough, according to the Sex Offender Registry Board.
2. Marlborough Hospital Ranked 3 Stars By Patients: Marlborough Hospital was ranked on the latest Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Hospital Compare list. When it comes to patient care, a majority of Massachusetts hospitals rank at least average or better.The latest Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services-Hospital Compare list was compiled after researchers looked at data for nearly 5,000 hospitals across the country. The results of surveys from patients were also used to rank the centers in regard to in-patient care.
3. Marlborough re-elected Arthur Vigeant as its mayor, Mark A. Oram as a councilor-at-large and Peggy Margaret Ayres for Assabet Valley School Committee. Vigeant received 2,818 votes to challenger Edward L. Bigelow’s 1,451.
4. Map Reveals 91 Natural Gas Leaks in Marlborough:
   VIEW map: Dozens of potentially damaging natural gas leaks have been pinpointed across Marlborough. According to a map based on a study done by the Home Efficiency Energy Team. Marlborough has 91 unrepaired leaks, the oldest from 2011.
5. Mom of Toddler Who Died in Foster Care Dies of Suspected Drug Overdose: Jessica Conway, of Marlborough, was found unresponsive in a Worcester apartment Wednesday. A Marlborough woman whose young daughter famously died in foster care last month died of a drug overdose Wednesday, police announced.
6. ‘Active Search for Hispanic Male’ After Shots Fired in Marlborough: Shell casings were found on a property on Grant Street. Police actively searched for Hispanic male driving a dark vehicle.
7. Marlborough Makes Top Massachusetts Schools List: Marlborough fared well in a survey that ranked schools across the country according to academics, teachers, culture, and facilities. Eighty-three percent of Marlborough students scored proficient in math and reading, according to Niche, which compiles school rankings.Marlborough was ranked No. 61 in the state. It has an enrollment of about 1,073.
8. Beware: Sophisticated Scam Got a Number of Marlborough Residents
   The scammer calls and threatens jail time if you don’t pay taxes, immediately, with pre-paid debit card or wire transfer.
9. Pentagon Accidentally Sends Anthrax to Marlborough Lab: A small amount of anthrax was accidentally shipped by the Department of Defense to labs around the country, including Marlborough.A shipment of active anthrax was accidentally shipped to a laboratory in Marlborough from the Department of Defense.
10. SEX OFFENDER MAP: Marlborough’s High-Level Sex Offenders: Marlborough has eight Level 3 sex offenders living or working in town.