By Joan F. Simoneau, Community Reporter
Marlborough – Marlborough has been awarded a grant for nearly $195,000 by the commonwealth’s Department of Energy Resources and $4,656 from a private donor for the K-9 unit. The Green Communities Competitive Grant will help fund the installation of an energy management system for City Hall which will enable the Public Facilities Department to control office temperatures when the building is occupied or unoccupied, according to a communication presented by Mayor Arthur Vigeant to councilors at the July 25 meeting.
The balance of the grant will help fund the replacement of the heat pumps located in each office in City Hall. Many of these units were installed when the building was renovated about 30 years ago, according to the mayor.
“Combined, these improvements will help make City Hall more energy efficient and reduce our long-term energy costs,” Vigeant noted. “I want to thank Councilor [David] Doucette for his constant advocacy helping the city continue to assess our options in becoming more efficient, not only to reduce our energy costs long term, but also to become more environmentally friendly. In addition to the grant funds, city funds that were appropriated as part of our capital spending submission earlier this year will be used on this project.”
A second grant for $4,656 was received by the local Police Department from Alexandria Szwarc of the Marlborough Country Club, who conducted a fundraiser for the Police K-9 unit.
“Alexandria has been a passionate supporter of the K-9 program and we are very thankful for her efforts,” said Police Chief Mark F. Leonard in a letter to the mayor. It will be used to offset the cost of future training and equipment needs.
Councilors accepted the grant and gift and expressed their appreciation to Szwarc for her interest and support.