Committee backs rail-trail encroachment license for VMA Electric ramp

MARLBOROUGH — December 1, 2025 — Marlborough committee approves rail-trail encroachment license for already-built Mechanic Street ramp. The Legislative and Legal Affairs Committee voted 3-0 Monday to recommend a license letting VMA Electric keep a deck and ramp that slightly encroaches on city rail trail property behind 269 Mechanic Street. City Engineer Tom DePersio, in a Nov. 10 memo forwarded by Mayor J. Christian Dumas, said the structure serves as a secondary egress for the renovated building and that legal had cleared the documents as to form. Councilor Laura Wagner Roby moved approval but said she was "a little upsetting" that the ramp went up first, calling it a case of "the cart before the horse." Councilor Michael Ossing said the contractor "did a phenomenal job" and hinted the site "may be coming back to this body for future endeavors."