Council holds hearing about armory plans
By Kate Daly Contributing Writer

Marlborough - Ming Wang's proposal to convert the former state armory into 12 condominiums earned only one voice of opposition during a public hearing at the Marlborough City Council meeting March 24.

Gary Brown, chair of the city's Historical Commission, said the plans do not provide enough information and include features that are not appropriate.

"I was appalled at what I saw," he said, noting that the plans included enlarged windows, removal of the slate roof and other changes that were not acceptable, and failed to give information about other important details, including lighting.

The proposed changes "would destroy the historic character of an asset we would like to see revitalized," Brown said.

His voice was, however, in the minority. Pamela Jarowek, owner of the diner across the street from the armory, supported the request, noting the building had been empty for years.

John Reardon, executive director of Marlborough 2010, also spoke in favor of the plan, which, he said, will add to the revitalization of the French Hill neighborhood.

It was the second public hearing on the proposal in less than a year for Wang's request for a special permit to convert the empty armory building at 358-364 Lincoln St. in Ward 5.

The Sept. 24, 2007, hearing referred the matter to the council's Urban Aff airs Committee, where the matter stalled. At- Large Councilor Patricia Pope, chair of the Urban Aff airs and Housing Committee, said she hoped communication would improve with the developer.

"It's our goal in Urban Aff airs to move this project through," she said.

Raise for police officer approved with dissent

The council also voted to increase the salary of new Marlborough Police Officer Brian Cox from the starting rate of $41,009.37 to the step-three salary of $51,041.72. In discussion at an earlier Finance Committee meeting, Police Chief Mark F. Leonard explained the request for the salary increase was because Cox had already been trained and employed as a police officer by Woburn.

The savings of $25,000 for training and nearly a year's salary while a new officer is in training and overtime costs associated with covering for the new officer would more than compensate for the salary increase, Leonard had told the Finance Committee. In addition, the higher salary was still less than what Cox had been making in Woburn.

Pope opposed the raise by letter both at the Finance Committee and at the City Council meeting. Pope referred to a similar situation for Firefighter Tricia Richards, who moved to the Marlborough Fire Department from Reading, where she had been trained and gained experience. The request for Richards's pay upgrade died in committee at the end of the calendar year.

Ward Three Councilor Scott Schafer also opposed the pay upgrade.

"We need to be somewhat consistent," Schaff er said.

At-Large Councilor Michael Ossing pointed out that the city charter allows the council to decide each such request on its own merits.

"It's a right that we have, and I don't want to see it go away," Ossing said.

Ward 3 Councilor Peter Juaire, who works for the Fire Department, voted for the pay upgrade, but had reservations similar to Pope's in one regard.

"The only thing that bothers me is that we do for one department and not for another," he said.