MARLBOROUGH – Mark A. Vital has been active in the city’s commissions and committees for years.
Come Jan. 1, Vital will assume his first elected position – Ward 1 city councilor.
Born and raised in the city, Vital is currently the community outreach manager and assistant cross country and track coach at the Advanced Math and Science Academy (AMSA). He also administers several Facebook pages, including Everything Positive in Marlborough.
As part of his work at AMSA, Vital oversees the school’s Club Leaders of Today, where students take part in community service projects and learn about job shadowing and internships.
Vital is currently helping with a citywide coat drive; much of the donated clothing has been sent to migrant families currently housed in two of the city’s hotels.
“They’re from Haiti … they don’t have anything for the winter,” he said.
Ward 1 issues
Vital has spent the last several weeks talking with outgoing Ward 1 Councilor Laura Wagner and talking with his new constituents.
Among the top issues – speeding and safety.
“Stow, Concord [roads] … they’re being used as cut-throughs,” he said.
Vital would also like to bring more public transportation to New Horizons and the Village.
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“They would love to go to the senior center, but there are no buses,” he said.
As to the proposed zoning regulations making their way through the city, Vital said he supports a letter, sent by the Marlborough Regional Chamber of Commerce asking for a three-month moratorium on enacting the regulations.
He would like the city to hire a planner “to tell us the impact of the proposed regulations.” He added that funding to pay for the planner is available.
Once he’s on the City Council, Vital would like to form a group of Ward 1 businesses to deal with issues along Route 20; have a pavilion built at Ghiloni Park for family gatherings; and have a pond near his home named after Conservation Director Priscilla Ryder.
“She has been so diligent for the city of Marlborough,” said Vital.
Citywide, the incoming councilor wants to find a way to beef up the staffing within the city’s Human Services Department; establish a women’s shelter; have more cultural activities; and re-introduce a student advisory council to the mayor’s office.
“I want to bring high school students into the equation,” said Vital.
He acknowledged that he’s learning all the ins and outs of serving on the City Council. In addition to Wagner, Vital is getting help from fellow councilors Mark Oram and Michael Ossing.
