Marlborough council ties Lock Drive fire station purchase to $1.4M mitigation transfer

MARLBOROUGH — April 11, 2022 — Marlborough council ties fire station land deal to $1.4 million mitigation transfer in 8-3 vote. The City Council on April 11 amended Mayor Arthur Vigeant's request to authorize purchase of 100 Lock Drive for up to $5,092,666 by requiring that any acquisition be paired with a transfer of $1,422,500 in developer mitigation funds into a newly created West Side Fire Station Stabilization Account. Council President Michael Ossing, who offered the amendment from the floor, said he would "not compromise my principles" after months of disagreement with the mayor over funds the council designated through a 2019 special permit. Ward 3 Councilor Dumas opposed, urging a $600,000 compromise and warning the fire station "is far greater than losing it over one $1.4 transfer." The amended order passed 9-2. The council also heard an initial briefing from Solicitor Jason Grossfield and MAPC's Mark Racicot on MBTA Communities Act compliance, under which Marlborough must zone for roughly 1,750 multi-family units by December 2024.