Marlborough council certifies $7.5 million in free cash, advances substance use coordinator post

MARLBOROUGH — October 17, 2022 — Marlborough City Council certifies $7.5 million in free cash and advances new substance use coordinator post. The council voted 11-0 on Monday to accept Mayor Arthur Vigeant's certification of $7,507,831 in free cash and to move $750,783.10 each into the OPEB trust and undesignated stabilization fund, on a motion by Finance Chair John J. Irish. Members then voted 10-1 to refer a new Health Department position — Substance Use Prevention Coordinator and Intervention Specialist, on a seven-step scale from $58,000 to $65,317.42 — to the city solicitor for formatting. Councilor Landers cast the lone no vote, objecting to a two-year report-back clause he said could "hinder some good candidates from applying." Councilor Patricia Wagner defended the language as a compromise replacing an earlier sunset proposal. The council also raised the head electrician's maximum salary to $81,283.77 and approved a $180,000 legislative earmark for sprinkler and garage-door repairs.