Marlborough councilors back home rule petition rewriting ward vacancy rules

MARLBOROUGH -- February 9, 2026, Marlborough City Council unanimously advances ward-vacancy home rule petition and refers $250 tax-cap resolution to Finance. The 11-0 vote on Monday sends a special-law petition to Beacon Hill that would require a special election for ward councilor vacancies occurring more than 12 months before term's end, and a council vote to fill vacancies in the final year. Ward 1 Councilor Mark A. Vital's resolution asking Mayor J. Christian Dumais to cap the average residential tax increase at $250 was referred to Finance on a 9-2 vote, over objections from At-Large Councilor Kathleen D. Robey, who noted the fiscal 2026 budget grew 9.15 percent to $213.8 million and lifted the average tax bill by roughly $591. Councilors also accepted $24,600 in grants and gifts, including $2,500 to launch a police drone unit that Ward 3 Councilor Robert Preciado called "uneasy news," and amended a 910 Boston Post Road East sign plan 9-2 to allow a 22-foot pylon. The council adjourned at 8:37 p.m. into executive session on the Royal 401 Elm LLC land court case.