Vigeant begins second term as Marlborough's mayor

By Joan F. Simoneau, Community Reporter

Marlborough – Arthur Vigeant was sworn in to his second term as mayor of Marlborough during inaugural ceremonies held Jan. ?6 in the Lt. Charles W. Whitcomb School auditorium. Also sworn into office were members of the City Council and School Committee. City Clerk Lisa M. Thomas presided at the event, which was followed by organizational meetings at City Hall.? Leading the procession of local and state officials were Police Chief Mark F. Leonard and Fire Chief James Fortin.

In remarks emphasizing the successes of the past two years, Vigeant said the new Senior Center is expected to be open “in time for Christmas. ”

Work will also begin in the spring of 2014 on a $3 million renovation of Ward Park, he added, “bringing needed attention and investment to a vital component of our downtown.”

“As 2013 drew to a close, we renewed our commitment to the youth of Marlborough by providing a sustainable revenue source that brings us first class field and facilities for athletics and recreation,” he said. ?”Through the adoption of the local option meals tax, the city now has a sustainable source of revenue that will be earmarked to fund Marlborough's first synthetic turf athletic field. Not only will this enhance the recreational opportunities for our youth, but as a city it will increase the opportunity to host interscholastic events that will bring revenue to our city's hospitality industry and generate more activity for our local merchants.”

Among other accomplishments during his first term, Vigeant cited the arrival of the TJX Companies, the expansion of the Boston Scientific campus into its global headquarters and the arrival of Quest Diagnostics which will bring nearly 3,500 employees to the city.

Vigeant said that the Marlborough Public Schools chartered a new course for success and accountability in 2012 that began under former Interim Superintendent Steve Dlott.

“I am confident that, under the leadership of new Superintendent Richard Langlois, our schools will build on that foundation of innovation and progress,” he said. He also stated that he will appoint two Marlborough students from the class of 2015 as voting members on the city's Youth Commission.

“These appointments are the first in what I hope are several endeavors to give the youth of our city a stronger voice in its direction,” said Vigeant.

City Councilors sworn into office were Joseph Delano, Ward 1; Robert Page, Ward 2; Matt Elder, Ward 3; Rob Tunnera, Ward 4; John Irish, Ward 5; Ed Clancy, Ward 6, Don Landers, Ward 7; and At-large- Councilors Patricia Pope, Kathleen Robie, Michael Ossing and Mark Oram. New School Committee? ?members Denise Ryan and Earl Geary were also sworn into office, along with Michelle Bodin-Hettinger, Katherine Hennessy, Heidi Matthews and Mark Walter.

Musical selections at the inaugural exercises were provided by the Marlborough High School (MHS) Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Gary N. Piazza; and the MHS A cappella Choir, directed by Shannon K. Phyppers.

Vigeant, 54, is a Certified Public Accountant with an office at 184 Main St. He served 18 years as ??Councilor-at-Large, chair of the Finance Committee for several years and Council President for nine years. ?He defeated local Attorney Matt Jones in the 2011 election and was unopposed in the 2013 election. ?Michael Berry of Walpole serves as his executive aide and Patricia “Trish” Bernard of Westborough is his executive assistant.