Marlborough 2021 Election: Why Laura Wagner Is Running Again

MARLBOROUGH, MA — Marlborough's 2021 ballot is looking pretty threadbare.

Out of 10 races in 2021 — including for mayor, all City Council seats and School Committee — only three will include local residents challenging incumbents. After Nov. 2, the City Council will look almost exactly the same with just Ward 4 Councilor Robert Tunnera facing a challenger this year.

Marlborough Patch has asked each incumbent to tell us why they're running this year, and what can be done to increase local participation. We're starting with Ward 1 Councilor Laura Wagner, who was the first to respond to the questionnaire. She won her first term in 2019, besting Bhaskar Purimetla by more than 100 votes.

Here's what Wagner had to say about the 2021 election:

Why did you decide to run for another term in 2021?

I thoroughly enjoyed my first term! I’ve enjoyed resolving issues raised by my constituents, especially when it comes to safety concerns. One of my first accomplishments was working with the Traffic Commission and getting a stop sign installed at the corner of Hemingway and Wilson streets. More recently, I voted to deny the special permit for the Walcott Heritage Farm Project. There was significant community engagement on this issue and I was committed to being accessible for my constituents. I’m also especially proud of how city officials have worked together to address the public health needs of our city during the pandemic. It means a lot to me to be a small part of this team.

During the past two years, I’ve been working to understand the intricacies of the municipal code and the role of municipal departments, boards and commissions. I’ve learned a lot and I am even more prepared now to serve our city than when I first ran for office.

(Note: Wagner has also set up a Ward 1 email newsletter, which residents can sign up for here.)

You're running unopposed this year. Does that concern you, and what's one way the city might be able to get more citizens involved in local politics?

I feel torn in my response to this question. On the one hand, I’m grateful to have this opportunity to serve my constituents again. Generally speaking, if constituents are happy with their elected officials, they tend to run unopposed; however, unopposed races don’t motivate people to come out and vote. When people don’t have something to vote for, we risk disengagement from local governance, overall, which is not good for our city.

I encourage people to check out the agendas for City Council meetings, as well as the boards and commissions. Find something that interests you and then follow the item throughout the process. An example could be a proposed housing project or a special permit. I encourage people to understand how much work goes into the decisions we make. A project becomes very interesting when you think about the environmental impact and considerations, or the impact on area businesses or residents and safety concerns. The decisions we make take many perspectives into consideration, which often involve competing needs. I find the process to be fascinating as the various entities work through their assessment process and the issue finally reaches its conclusion.

What's your top priority for the next term?

The past few years have been very challenging and many residents have had to navigate unprecedented challenges. My first priority is public health. The city has done an excellent job making COVID-19 vaccinations available. Getting vaccinated is the most important thing we can do to protect the children and the health of this community. I would like to see our vaccination rate reach over 80%. I’m grateful for the work of our first responders and health care providers, as well. Marlborough Hospital is an asset in our community and I will continue to make sure they have the city’s support. I will also continue to work closely with the business community to make sure they have the support they need.

In addition, there are two major projects underway that I support; 1) the new fire station and 2) the library renovation. I’m sure that all city officials will do what they can to support these important projects, both of which will have a significantly positive impact on our entire community.