By Joan F. Simoneau, Community Reporter
Marlborough – At its May 7 meeting, the City Council discussed Mayor Arthur Vigeant's fiscal year (FY) 2013 budget, which he is proposing to be $127 million. That budget is an increase of 2.84 percent over the budget approved for FY 2012 and an anticipated increase of 1.1 percent on the city's tax levy.
It also represents an increase of 2.91 percent in the school operations budget, which Vigeant stated in his communication to the council, “reflects my concerns regarding spending and what I believed was a flawed budget process.”
Vigeant noted that he has directed Superintendent Anthony Pope to be more aggressive with School Department Medicaid reimbursements in order to ensure that the city is receiving its “fair share of available revenue from the federal government.” The mayor also stated that the Police and Fire departments are currently exploring restructuring of their operations, which may require a budgetary transfer later this year.
The City Council has 45 days to approve, reduce or reject any amount recommended in Vigeant's proposed budget, which will be reviewed by the Finance Committee at special hearings starting immediately.
The mayor also alerted councilors of his plan to reorganize the city's financial department and operations. He is presently consulting with Comptroller Tom Abel and expects to complete the process by late summer and will present it to the council at that time.
In other business, the council approved a special permit that will allow the Marlborough Savings Bank on Granger Boulevard to operate its ATM 24 hours a day. Bank President and CEO Richard Bennett and attorney Sem Aykanian have been working since January, when the initial request was made, to address concerns of neighbors regarding noise, lights, trash and snow removal. When the bank first opened at the new location in 2009, hours of use for the drive-through teller service were prohibited between midnight and 5 a.m.
