Marlborough Finance Committee approves $917,528 in mid-year transfers

MARLBOROUGH — March 16, 2026 — Marlborough Finance Committee approves $917,528 in mid-year transfers and advances public safety pay hikes. The committee voted 5-0 on March 16 to move $791,600 to the Department of Public Works for electricity, a new rubbish contract and collective bargaining adjustments, plus $125,000 to the Fire Department for retirement-related buybacks. DPW Commissioner Sean Scott reported 19 of 119 positions vacant, telling councilors, "You give me a budget and I make it work." On a 4-1 vote, councilors advanced an ordinance setting the assistant fire chief salary at $165,000 effective July 1, 2026, aligning it with the deputy police chief. WMCT-TV Executive Director Ryan Maliar's $565,811 PEG-funded budget — a year-over-year reduction — also passed unanimously. Councilor Samuel Vidal withdrew a resolution capping the average residential tax increase at $250 after President Michael Ossing called it premature.