Marlborough council moves $3 million in free cash to OPEB and stabilization reserves

MARLBOROUGH — October 18, 2021 — Marlborough council moves $3 million in certified free cash to OPEB and stabilization reserves. Ward 5 Councilor John J. Irish, who chairs the Finance Committee, walked the council through the mayor's certification of roughly $15.27 million in free cash and twin $1,500,270 transfers to the OPEB trust and undesignated stabilization, both approved 11-0. "Most communities strive to get 3 to 5 percent of the annual budget for free cash," Irish said, calling the figure proof of "strength for the financial side of the city." The council also accepted a $56,250 state climate resiliency grant and a $34,995 traffic enforcement grant for the police department, and passed a zoning amendment adding hobby vehicle storage to the Limited Industrial district with City Solicitor Jason Grossfield's "no manufacturing" clarification. The new ward and precinct map required by the 2020 census passed 11-0 and takes effect after the Nov. 2 municipal election.