Free cash from fiscal year 2007 announced
By Sarah Freedman Contributing Writer

Marlborough - The Marlborough City Council announced the certifi- cation of the amount of free cash for the fiscal year 2007 in the amount of $5.05 million.

City Councilor Michael Ossing said the certification confirmed the excellent management of funds in the city of Marlborough. He added that he believes the city will "continue sound financial planning."

Ossing moved to accept the communication from Mayor Nancy Stevens regarding the available funds and place it on file. The motion was accepted unanimously.

The council also heard from representatives of NSTAR in a public hearing regarding the company's application to relocate an existing vault in Maple Street with stateof the-art equipment.

According to Joanne O'Leary, the community relations manager for NSTAR, the goal of the project is install new regulators in that location for safety issues.

City Councilor Maura Navin Webster said that she has been communicating closely with Tom Cullen, the city engineer, and suggested the council "consider approving this [application] this evening."

Chair Arthur Vigeant opened the floor for discussion of NSTAR's application. Councilor Scott Schafer asked how long the project would take; the reply was 10 days.

An NSTAR representative on the project said the work would be done by an outside contractor and be done with the safety of the fire station employees and public in mind.

The council decided to consider approval for the application at a future meeting.

In other business, two public hearings were set for Monday Nov. 19. An application by NSTAR to install 250 feet of two-inch plastic main as a system improvement for South Street in Marlborough, an area that would extend from 401 South to 407 South.

The application carried and was referred to the public service committee.

The council also set a hearing for a Mass. Electric petition to install PVC conduit from an existing transformer to an existing secondary manhole.

In addition, Linda Fossile, secretary of Crystal Ridge Realty Trust, submitted a request for the acceptance of four roads: Danjou and Cleversy drives and Miele and Balcom roads. The request was referred to the Planning Board.

Business from subcommittees

The City Council approved motions from its subcommittees.

The finance committee considered a letter dated Oct. 10 from Mayor Stevens requesting that two transfers totaling $15,200 be sent to the Public Facilities Department Overtime account.

The funds result from a contract for clothing that come after the fiscal year 2008 budget submittal. A figure of $8,800 was approved for the Public Facilities Department budget.

The council also approved the creation of a Code Enforcement Team to "formalize and facilitate code enforcement in the City." Stevens requested in an Aug. 20 letter that a clerical position be funded to assist the team in housing code functions.

One of the last items on the agenda was a recommendation from the finance committee that Tricia Richard of the Fire Department receive the maximum salary step appropriate with her experience and length of service.

The item, which would include a step 2 salary adjustment of $46,799 retroactive pay, was referred back to the finance committee for further consideration.