Marlborough council refers Washville Car Wash permit to Urban Affairs after opposition

MARLBOROUGH — March 10, 2025 — Marlborough councilors punt contested East Main car wash to committee as abutters cry oversaturation. The council on Monday sent Washville Car Wash's special permit application for 223 East Main St. to its Urban Affairs and Housing Committee after roughly two hours of testimony. Attorney Brian Falk and EVP Jim Waterman pitched a 4,200-square-foot automated facility with 15 spaces, 74 percent water reclamation and projected volumes of 30 to 60 cars per hour. Scrub-a-Dub owner Matthew Paisner and Nick Giolusis of the directly abutting wash at 27 Curtis Ave. cited six car washes within two miles and called the project "predatory." In other action, the council voted 10-0 to deny a two-to-three-family conversion at 30 Maple St. on Assistant City Solicitor Jeremy McManus's advice, and 10-0 to approve a drive-through cafe at 420 Maple St. with 17 conditions.