Council sends $5.1 million fire station land deal to Finance Committee

MARLBOROUGH — September 27, 2021 — Marlborough Council refers $5.1 million 100 Lock Drive fire-station purchase to Finance amid eminent domain showdown. The 9-1 referral followed the clerk reading a letter from attorney James D. Masterman, representing record owner Irula LLC, calling it "irresponsible to vote to authorize expenditure of $5 million in taxpayer money without the benefit of appraisal" and warning the property "will not be sold to the City for $5 million." Council President Michael H. Ossing said the $5,092,666.66 figure reflects the statutory cap of the last three assessed values times 1.25 percent. Ward 2 Councilor David Doucette said he had understood the city was pursuing only a subdivision of the parcel, where the existing business has operated "for well over 30 years." The council also accepted a $250,000 Marlborough Public Library Foundation gift, approved an $8,312.50 TNC-surcharge transfer for police traffic enforcement equipment, and passed ordinances setting police chief and fire chief maximum pay at $200,000 effective July 1, 2021.