Council discusses clerical position within Building Department
By Nathaniel Weixel Contributing Writer

Marlborough - Mayor Nancy Stevens asked the City Council at its Aug. 20 meeting to allow a transfer of funds for the creation of a clerical position in the Building Department. The clerical position would be part of a "Code Enforcement Team" consisting of Code Enforcement Officer Pam Wilderman, the Police and Fire departments and other city departments.

Stevens said there has long been an informal relationship between Wilderman and the city's Police and Fire departments. She said the enforcement team would increase the lines of communication and make it a formal relationship. The 19-hours-per-week assistant would answer phones and correspondence, as well as help with paperwork. Stevens said this would allow Wilderman greater freedom to be in the field with the Police and Fire departments. The council voted to refer the matter to the Finance Committee.

The City Council also heard an update from Commissioner of Public Works Ronald LaFreniere about the beautification of a stretch of Route 20 across from Lake Williams. LaFreniere said the city is waiting for state funding to turn the property, where the former owner used to park a hot-dog truck, into a greenway.

City Councilor Peter Juaire said the city should do some clean-up of the site, even while waiting for a response from the state.

"We cite people for areas that look like this," Juaire said. "We should be policing our own."

The City Council also set public hearing dates for a number of diff erent issues, including the new sign ordinance.

After discussing the ordinance in length at its Aug. 14 meeting, the Urban Affairs Committee referred the matter back to the City Council (see related article on page 1).

"We have hit an impasse with this, we're bogged down in legalese," City Councilor Patricia Pope said.

She recommended that the City Council set a public hearing date to discuss the issue. The council then voted to hold a public hearing on the sign ordinance at its Monday Sept. 10 meeting.

In addition, a public hearing about a proposed artist loft on Lincoln Street is also scheduled for Sept. 10.

The public hearing for the conversion of the former State Armory building on Lincoln Street into 12 residential condominiums will be held Monday Sept. 24.