Special Olympics' move to Marlborough progresses
By Doug Grindle Community Reporter

Marlborough - The application of Massachusetts Special Olympics to move to Marlborough has taken another step forward.

At the April 7 meeting of the Planning Board, members voted to send the application to the city engineer's office for further study and comment.

Planning Board members were briefed by Colleen Collins, PE, a representative of the Special Olympics, on the details of the planned $10-million project.

The site, located on the corner of Forest Street and Martinan- gelo Drive, covers 5.2 acres. It is carved out of a 29-acre lot, with the remainder remaining in the hands of the current owner, Collins said.

"A lot of the rest is actually wetlands," Collins told the board.

The organization plans to build a 25,000-square-foot building, which will house administrative offices and conference rooms. A gymnasium and a small athletic field will also be built, to be used for coaching and instruction. But the center will not be used for Special Olympics events.

"There won't be any Olympics held at the site," Collins said. "It will just be for administration."

The project has already passed the Site Plan Review Committee and the Conservation Commission, Collins said. Officials have said they want to begin construction this year, but the timing depends on fund-raising.

"Right now they are in the midst of planning," Collins said.

The Massachusetts Special Olympics organization, currently based in Danvers, is developing the project itself.

Library Board of Trustees

Also meeting April 7, in the main council chamber a floor below the Planning Board, the Personnel Committee of the City Council considered the nomination of two new members of the Marlborough Public Library Board of Trustees.

Janice Merk and Ray Hale were interviewed by the members of the committee, who were familiar with the candidates through their long association with the city.

The committee voted, 3-0, to approve the two nominees to the posts.

Trustee Chair Susan Laufer said she was pleased by the vote.

She noted the library has seen many changes in recent months, with new furnishings and wireless Internet connectivity, but she noted challenges remain.

"We're trying to make the best use of the limited space we have there," Laufer said. "Space is an ongoing issue."

Ward 6 Councilor Edward Clancy, chair of the Personnel Committee, said he expected to see several improvements to the library soon, and noted the parking lot is likely to be repaved.

"It hopefully will get done his summer," Clancy said.

Later the full City Council voted to install Merk and Hale as trustees.