Council accepts $15 million free cash, advances fire fee and salary ordinances

MARLBOROUGH — October 19, 2020 — Marlborough Council accepts $15 million free cash certification and clears three ordinance changes. Mayor Arthur Vigeant's letter, read at the Oct. 19 remote meeting, reported that the Department of Revenue certified $15,047,854 in free cash and pledged transfers of 10 percent each to OPEB and stabilization. Finance Chair John J. Irish called it "a teamwork effort"; Councilor Mark A. Oram cautioned that the July 1 snapshot predates pandemic pressure. The council also accepted a $29,484 MAPC senior-shuttle grant routed through MEDC and a $17,328.50 election grant from the Chicago-based Center for Tech and Civic Life. City Clerk Stephen Kerrigan reported 9,780 vote-by-mail and absentee ballots already processed. Salary ordinances and job descriptions for Director of Veteran Services and paralegal, plus Chapter 328 fire department fees, were each approved through all four readings in one evening, 10-0.