Marlborough council rejects Valley Street rezoning, raises trash fees

MARLBOROUGH — September 21, 2020 — Marlborough rejects Valley Street rezoning, overhauls 1996 solid waste fees. The City Council voted 7-4 Monday to approve rezoning of a Valley Street parcel for a small multifamily project, falling one vote short of the eight needed after late communications from Building Commissioner Steve Cook flagged that the zoning could allow up to 37 units rather than the applicant's stated eight. Councilor Kathleen D. Robey, who had backed the change in committee, switched to no, calling the applicant's written assurance "not a guarantee." Council President Michael H. Ossing told the chamber that "tomorrow is day 90" of the statutory window, foreclosing a postponement. Earlier, councilors unanimously adopted the first update to Chapter 540 solid waste fees since 1996, with a Navin-led 10-1 amendment preserving a six-pay-item drop-off allowance for seniors and disabled American veterans. The municipal aggregation program has saved residents more than $1.6 million since November 2019, Councilor Tenera reported.