Marlborough Council Aims To Avoid Veto Over West Side Fire Station

MARLBOROUGH, MA — Marlborough Mayor Arthur Vigeant and the city council appear to have settled a dispute over how the city will purchase land for a new west side fire station.

In April, Vigeant notified city council he would veto two council orders related to the purchase of 100 Locke Drive. Vigeant said that the council had duplicated his initial order transferring about $5 million for the Lock Drive purchase, which could result in the city transferring $10 million to buy the land.

"I have been clear on the need to move forward without any additional constraints. Even if I were to support the Council's decision, I could not move forward based on the concerns voiced by [City Solicitor Jason Grossfield]," Vigeant's veto letter said.

The veto came before the city council at the April 25 meeting, but the council did not take action on it.

On Monday, Council President Michael Ossing said the council would attempt a "do over" of the whole transfer at the upcoming May 23 meeting. Ossing said Vigeant would resubmit a more clear version of the transfer, which councilors would vote on. That would allow the city to avoid a mayoral veto, a rare and potentially divisive maneuver.

Marlborough has already purchased a piece of land at 481 Elm St. to use for a new fire station. The Locke Drive parcel would enlarge the possible land available for a fire station, offices and a training area. The new fire station has long been a goal of the fire department and Mayor Arthur Vigeant due to growth on the west side, particularly in the Apex Entertainment area.