Marlborough Council OKs Land Purchase For New Fire Station

MARLBOROUGH, MA — Marlborough has taken a major step toward a possible new fire station on the west side of the city.

On Monday night, the City Council approved a $440,000 budget transfer to buy a parcel at 481 Elm St., which is just north of an I-495 ramp and the commercial district around Apex Entertainment.

Marlborough has been eyeing a new west side fire station for years due to new development west of I-495, and in 2018 set up a committee to search for a location. Vigeant highlighted the new station as a priority after he won a fifth term last fall.

But the Council's approval of the purchase doesn't mean the station is a done deal.

"I just wanted to underscore the purchase of this site is only a possibility of a fire station, but not a guarantee of any means," At-Large Councilor Samantha Perlman said before voting for the purchase.

At-Large Councilor Mark Oram highlighted that the parcel could be resold if the fire station plan doesn't work out.

Two Councilors — Ward 4 Councilor Robert Tunnera and At-Large Councilor Kathleen Robey — voted no on the transfer. The property contains a home, which would be split from the main parcel and resold, according to a memo sent to City Council. Robey objected to the placement of another driveway near an already busy intersection.

Tunnera objected due to concerns about how a fire station would affect the neighborhood. He said that the fire station had a "snowball's chance" of getting built.

"Picture a fire station next to your house, how would you vote?" he said.