Marlborough council overrides two mayoral vetoes, funds Richer School study

MARLBOROUGH -- December 28, 2023, Marlborough council overrides two mayoral vetoes and moves $2 million to Richer School study. Meeting in special session Dec. 28, the City Council unanimously approved the $2 million transfer from undesignated funds to advance the Massachusetts School Building Authority feasibility study for Richer Elementary School. Members then overrode Mayor Arthur Vigeant's veto of the Geikus Lane public way acceptance 10-0, with Councilor Peter Oram noting that "there's no money in that bond" to cover surface repairs, and Council President Michael Ossing saying the Planning Board has "proceduralized" holding subdivision bonds until streets are accepted. A second override, on a Chapter 650 zoning amendment revising affordable housing definitions and the downtown village district, carried 9-1, with Councilor Donald Landers the sole no and Councilor Samantha Perlman absent. The council also honored departing Ward 1 Councilor Laura J. Wagner and Ward 3 Councilor and mayor-elect J. Christian Dumas.