By Joan F. Simoneau, Community Reporter
Marlborough – The City Council has asked Mayor Arthur Vigeant to move forward with the proposal to equip local police and firefighters with Narcan, a drug commonly used to help counter the effects of heroin overdoses. At the recommendation of the Human Services Committee, presented at the March 24 meeting, councilors requested the mayor to act immediately to acquire the necessary funding to begin training.
In making a plea to the council at the February 24 meeting, Councilor-at-Large Mark Oram introduced the idea of first responders administering Narcan to those having a drug overdose while waiting for paramedics to arrive at the scene. Oram said that heroin overdoses have increased throughout the area and this action can help prevent many possible deaths.
If approved, the every marked police car and each firefighter's medical bags would be stocked with Narcan.? Councilors suggested that there may be funding available for training and that the mayor's office could act in that direction.
Urging that they move forward Ward 1 City Councilor Joseph Delano said that this may be a long process but approval by the council would demonstrate a willingness to assist the mayor in carrying out the training process and other related matters. Council President Trish Pope urged cooperation in advancing the program but agreed with Delano that it would take time to be implemented.
In other business, councilors approved the reappointment of Lisa Thomas as city clerk for a three-year term and applauded her for her dedication to the position and the city. Also approved for reappointment were Debra McManus, John Usinas, and Richard Towle ?to the city's disabilities commission.
Other appointments made by the mayor and referred to the personnel committee were the following:? Paul Giunta, Theodore Scott, and Ralph Lotfin to the zoning board of appeals; Connie Mish to the youth commission, Elizabeth Evangelous to the board of registrars, and Karin Jost-Paquin to the conservation commission.
