MARLBOROUGH – The long-time owner of an automotive repair shop on Mechanic Street wants to expand his business operations to an adjacent property (13-15 Mechanic Street) that he acquired within the past year.
Professional Automotive’s owner, Rick Marino, has the support of his customers and hopes to gain the same from the City Council.
More than 75 of his clients appeared at the council’s public hearing on Monday, July 24. They crowded the rim of the council chamber, as well as the gallery above.
According to City Councilor Kathleen Robey, when the council rezoned the Marlborough Village District in 2014, “general auto service facilities” became “non-allowed.” Marino’s new property is classified and taxed by the city of Marlborough for Auto Repair and has been for this way more than 20 years. Due to the fact that the property in question was classified for automotive repair prior to the updated zoning, Marino applied for a special permit for a pre-existing, non-conforming use and appeared before the Council.
During the public hearing, Marino noted that he had been trying to purchase the Glass Works site for 25 years and that he has proposed to install a bathroom and three lifts at the former Glass Works; he also plans to add two side garage doors, a new sign, landscaping, new pavement, and other site improvements.
Customers voice support
The customers in attendance at the City Council meeting voiced their support for Marino’s business which has been at Mechanic Street for nearly three decades. The customers called Professional Automotive an asset in Marlborough, saying that the staff members are honest and knowledgeable.
“It almost feels like a reunion,” said Mike Johnson of the crowd who gathered around the council chambers. “[When I go to Professional Automotive] I know I’m getting great service.”
In addition to the in-person support, the city has received more than 440 letters supporting Professional Automotive.
The City Council voted to move the application to the Urban Affairs Committee.
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