By Joan F. Simoneau, Community Reporter
Marlborough – Mayor Arthur Vigeant was re-elected to serve a fourth term as leader of the city of Marlborough in the Nov. 7 Biennial Municipal Election, defeating former Fire Chief Edward “Skee” Bigelow, who also challenged him in the 2015 contest. Vigeant served 18 years on the City Council, including nine years as president before being elected mayor.
In a surprise upset, Ward 3 Councilor Matthew Elder, vying for his fifth term, was defeated by J. Christian Dumais, who had also opposed Elder in the 2015 election. Dumais received 391 votes to Elder’s 334. In the Ward 2 race, incumbent David Doucette reclaimed his post, defeating Richard Yurkus who served three terms as an at-large councilor in the 1990s.
The four councilors-at-large – Peter Juaire, Mark Oram, Michael Ossing and Kathleen Robey retained their seats. They were challenged by Maureen Brennan, who ran unsuccessfully in 2015, Adam Crossman and Michael Newton. Incumbent ward councilors Joseph Delano, Robert Tunnera, John Irish, Edward Clancy and Donald Landers were unopposed.
Michelle Bodin-Hettinger, Earl Geary and Denise Ryan were re-elected to their seats on the School Committee, edging out Mark Dexter, who made his first attempt for the office.