By Joan F. Simoneau, Community Reporter
Marlborough – Two political newcomers and a veteran politician are actively campaigning, and going door-to-door discussing issues with Marlborough residents, hoping to win their votes in the Tuesday, Oct. 4 primary election for mayor. City Council President Arthur Vigeant; Matthew Jones, a local attorney; and Jim Mosso, owner of an online news source, are vying for the office being vacated by Mayor Nancy Stevens, who has served for three terms. The top two will compete in the Tuesday, Nov. 1, municipal election.
Vigeant, 54, is a certified public accountant with an office at 184 Main St. He has served 18 years as a councilor-at-large, several years as chair of the Finance Committee and nine years as council president. He served on the city's Retirement Board before running for City Council. A lifelong resident of Marlborough, he was a product of the local public school system prior to attending Hudson High School. He and wife, Susan, reside on Pleasant Street, and have three children and four grandchildren.
“Through the efforts of the mayor and City Council, Marlborough is a model of financial stability and sound fiscal management,” Vigeant said.
“The city is in a much better financial condition than many of our neighbors, the result of the collaborative efforts of dedicated public servants with decades of relevant experience,” he added.
Vigeant stressed that to maintain the city's current financial footing and meet the challenges to come, the city requires qualified, experienced leadership, which he said he can provide.
“With no relief in sight on the state and federal level, our city must be self-sufficient, and develop to the greatest extent possible, the ability to fend for itself, by continuing current fiscal policies and to innovate and foster desirable commercial development and expansion,” he said.
Jones, 42, lives with his wife and 9-year-old twins on Cedar Hill Street, which is also the location of his local law office. Jones also has an office at Faneuil Hall in Boston, where he focuses on estate planning and family law. He graduated from Tufts University with a bachelor's degree in political science, earned a master's degree in teaching from Simmons College and received a juris doctorate from Northeastern University School of Law. Prior to attending law school, he taught seventh-grade social studies in Needham for six years.
In speaking with city residents, Jones said he has discovered that many are upset about the temporary shutdown of Fire Station 3 on Route 20 and the prospect of other temporary shutdowns.
“Safety and security are foremost in people's minds,” Jones said. “Voters have also raised concerns about outsourcing city jobs and their fear that the response times of private firms taking on those tasks will be much slower,” he said. “People are eager to see new businesses in Marlborough that reflect the community's values. They expect the next mayor will play an active role in bringing new business to the city and revitalizing the local economy.”
A resident of Marlborough for the past 17 years, Mosso, 42, resides at 100 Phelps St. In addition to his online news source, he is a bookkeeper, and has worked with Helping Hands Monkey Helpers for the Disabled for over six years.
“I love knowing that all the trainers put their hearts into seeing a monkey get placed with someone in need. We are also helping vets returning from war,” he said.
He is also a volunteer for the Friends in Service Helping (FISH) program in Marlborough, which provides rides for the elderly.
Mosso stressed the need for bringing new businesses to the area as well as “helping out existing businesses.”
“We also need to make department heads responsible for their own budgets without being micro-managed by the City Council,” he said. “If elected, I am looking to strip down the city's budget and rebuild it to focus on police, fire, schools and other essential services. The city will live within its means without relying on new taxes.”