Finance Committee approves $626,812 PEG transfer for WMCT-TV

MARLBOROUGH -- March 3, 2025, Marlborough Finance Committee unanimously approves $626,812 PEG transfer to WMCT-TV for FY26. The 5-0 vote backs Mayor J. Christian Dumas's request to fund the station's operating budget, trimmed through payroll savings, and a heavier capital budget to replace aging cameras and audio gear in the City Council chamber and school committee room. Executive Director Ryan Maliar told the committee Marlborough's cable subscriber count has fallen from 13,833 in 2015 to 7,179 in 2023, a 48 percent drop, and pointed to pending state legislation that would route a fee of up to 5 percent on streaming services back into PEG funds. The committee also voted 5-0 to recommend amending the city's municipal aggregation order; City Council President Michael Ossing said the longer-term contract approach has saved residents $32.3 million since 2019, compared with $4.2 million over the prior 12 years.