By Joan F. Simoneau, Community Reporter
Marlborough – Among the many programs Mayor Arthur Vigeant has initiated since taking over the city's top position Jan. 2 is creating a job fair which will be held this June and a customer service training program for city employees. At the April 9 City Council meeting, Vigeant met with the council to update the members on those initiatives as well as other progress he has made in his first 100 days in office.
The city's first job fair is being planned in partnership with the Marlborough Economic Development Corporation and Quinsigamond Community College.
“This job fair is a bold but necessary step – not only to help our city residents who may be struggling, but also to help the many businesses in our area that are in need of talented individuals to join their workforce,” said Vigeant. “To my knowledge no municipality in the commonwealth of Massachusetts has spearheaded such an effort designed to build a bridge that connects residents to the local economy.”
“Much like the Youth Employment Program, there is an added component to this job fair designed to go the extra mile for our residents,” he said. Quinsigamond Community College will host an employment readiness and resume workshop to assist residents prior to the event, “allowing them to put their best foot forward to prospective employers,” he added.
Nearly 100 city employees are attending customer service sessions, he said, which “is a positive first step that will better equip our employees to provide services to residents in a timely, efficient and courteous manner.”
The mayor cited TJX Companies moving its operations to the city which will not only enhance the vacant Fidelity property on Puritan Way where it will be located, but will also add an estimated 1600 jobs to the city.
Vigeant also reported that two outstanding union contracts have recently been signed. He thanked the leadership of the Firefighters and Department of Public Works unions, “for their reasonable and responsible approach throughout negotiations and for ultimately agreeing to contracts that will allow the city to move forward.”
He also mentioned the Senior Tax Work-Off Program, designed to grant qualifying seniors a reduction on their property taxes in exchange for volunteer services provided to the city.
Vigeant told the council that he has a new appreciation for what makes Marlborough stand out as the “best place in the commonwealth to live, work and raise a family.
“I also have the good fortune of having, as my partners in city government, 11 councilors who care about and love this city as much as I do,” he stated.