By Joan F. Simoneau, Contributing Writer
Marlborough – There was enthusiastic applause at the Dec. 19 City Council meeting as Mayor Nancy Stevens, Councilor-at-Large Steven Levy, and Ward 2 Councilor Paul Ferro ended their terms of office and were formally thanked for their dedication and service to the citizens of Marlborough.
Councilor-at-Large Patricia Pope led an informal program at the end of the council meeting, and presented a proclamation to Ferro.
He accepted the kind words from his fellow councilors and spoke briefly.
“I feel with certainty that I am leaving the city in better shape than it was when I became a councilor. I may even come back some day,” he said. Ferro was defeated by Richard Jenkins in the November election.
“The last six years have gone by quickly and I have learned so much,” said Levy, who is also a state representative. “It was an honor serving with the mayor-elect [current council president Arthur Vigeant] and other members of the council.”
Levy said he was looking forward to continue to serve the city as a state representative.
“Attending her last council meeting as mayor, Stevens said she had mixed emotions on leaving office and thanked councilors for their help over the past six years.
“I am very proud of all the amazing things we have accomplished and all the projects we have gotten done,” she said. “I wish the best of luck to all as we move forward.”
Pope presented a “special proclamation” to Vigeant, who, now that he is mayor-elect, will be stepping down from the council after 18 years.
“It's hard to believe that I won's be a councilor after all these years. When I started campaigning for the council in 1993, my son was 3 years old and now he has a child of his own,” said Vigeant. “I have sat with 38 councilors over the years. It has been a great ride and I's not done yet. We will continue to move the city forward.”
Katie Robie, formerly a member of the Marlborough School Committee, and Mark Oram, who formerly served as Ward 6 councilor, will fill the at-large seats vacated by Vigeant and Levy.