Vigeant sworn in for fifth term as mayor
By Vicki Greene, Contributing Writer
Marlborough – A new decade brings new faces and new leaders for several positions in the city. But one face will be very familiar – Arthur Vigeant is starting his fifth term as mayor. On Jan. 6, Vigeant, along with members of City Council as well as School Committee, were officially sworn in at a ceremony held at the 1LT Charles W. Whitcomb School.
In front of the school’s packed auditorium filled with state and local officials, students, family and friends, City Clerk Steven Kerrigan administered the oath of office to the politicians. Three new faces were elected to the City Council: Councilor-at-Large Samantha Perlman, Ward One Councilor Laura Wagner and Ward Six Councilor Sean Navin. They join incumbents David Doucette, J. Christian Dumais, John Irish, Don Landers, Mark Oram, Michael Ossing, Kathleen Robey and Robert Tunnera.
Daniel Caruso is the new member of the School Committee. He joins incumbents Michelle Bodin-Hettinger, Earl Geary, Katherine Hennessy, Heidi Matthews and Denise Ryan. Peggy Margaret Ayres was sworn in as a member of the Assabet Valley Regional Technical School Committee.
In his inaugural address, Vigeant told the crowd, “The city is in the best financial shape in its history.” As for residents he noted, “with the help of our strong commercial tax base we have the lowest real estate taxes in the area and provide more services than any of our neighboring communities.”
Vigeant highlighted the new projects and efforts underway in the city noting construction of the new elementary school, the library renovation project and the $2 million MassWorks state grant for work at Lincoln and Mechanic streets. In addition, he commended the police, fire and department of public works for their efforts.
Following the ceremony, the Council and School Committee headed to City Hall to elect their leaders. The City Council unanimously elected 20-year Councilor Michael Ossing as President and seven-year incumbent Councilor Kathleen Robey as Vice President. Ossing said he will be working on committee assignments this week. Outgoing Council President Ed Clancy and Vice President Joe Delano announced several months ago that they would not seek re-election.
