MassVoter.com← MarlboroughMunicipal votes · 2020–2021 Council
Marlborough City Council
How the Marlborough City Council voted, from the City Clerk's official minutes. 11 councilors: 4 elected at large and one from each of the city’s 7 wards. Elected November 5, 2019; organizational meeting January 6, 2020. Samantha Perlman joined the council at large, Laura J. Wagner in Ward 1 and Sean A. Navin in Ward 6 (Peter J. Juaire, Joseph F. Delano and Edward J. Clancy left). Michael H. Ossing was elected President and Kathleen D. Robey Vice-President for 2020 (January 6, 2020, eleven votes each) and again for 2021 (January 4, 2021, 11-0 roll calls). From March 23, 2020 to mid-2021 councilors could take part remotely under the Governor’s emergency order, and every vote was taken by roll call. Covers 45 meetings, January 6 to December 20, 2021.
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
What does the City Council do? It is the city’s lawmaking body. It passes local laws (ordinances), votes on the yearly budget, and approves borrowing and zoning changes.
The mayor runs the city day to day and proposes the budget.
Sources: Mass. General Laws c. 44 § 32 (city budgets)Your Marlborough ballot: 13 quizzes, about a minute each.
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From the agendas Marlborough posts on its official site. Agendas can change; the posted agenda is the official one.
Councilors
PresidentMichael H. OssingPresident · At-large · at 45 of 45 meetings
Vice PresidentKathleen D. RobeyVice President · At-large · at 45 of 45 meetings
David DoucetteCouncilor · Ward 2 · at 45 of 45 meetingsChristian DumaisCouncilor · Ward 3 (2018-2023) · at 45 of 45 meetings
John J. IrishCouncilor · Ward 5 · at 45 of 45 meetingsDonald R. LandersCouncilor · Ward 7 (2018-2025) · at 45 of 45 meetings
Sean A. NavinCouncilor · At-large (Ward 6, 2020-2023) · at 44 of 45 meetings
Mark A. OramCouncilor · At-large · at 45 of 45 meetingsSamantha PerlmanCouncilor · At-large (2020-2023) · at 45 of 45 meetingsRobert J. TunneraCouncilor · Ward 4 (2018-2021) · at 42 of 45 meetingsLaura J. WagnerCouncilor · Ward 1 (2020-2023) · at 45 of 45 meetings"At X of Y meetings" counts the roll call at the start of each meeting in this record. Councilors who step out are listed on each meeting page.
Meetings
About missing minutes
Loaded: every full City Council meeting with minutes posted, from January 7, 2019 through September 28, 2026 (178 meetings: 166 regular; 10 special, including the organizational meetings of January 2020, 2022, 2024 and 2026; and 2 joint conventions with the School Committee, where only councilors’ votes are shown) and 4,728 votes. The city’s Agenda Center starts in January 2019; we found no 2018 council minutes anywhere on the city’s website, so 2018 is not shown (MassVoter has asked the City Clerk for them). Every meeting held since January 2019 has its minutes posted; meetings after September 28, 2026 are not posted yet. Committee reports that the minutes reprint (with the committee’s own votes) are not counted as council votes; the council’s vote on each report is. How the minutes record votes has changed over time. Through 2019, and again from mid-2021 to mid-2025, most orders read only “APPROVED; adopted.” or “FILE; adopted.” with no count: MassVoter shows the result only and never assumes a vote was unanimous (3,202 votes). Loans, special permits, executive sessions and other roll calls list each councilor by name (“Yea: 9 – Nay: 1 – Absent: 1 Yea: … Nay: Preciado. Absent: Sargent.”), and from March 2020 to June 2021, when councilors could take part remotely, every vote was a roll call by name. Since June 2025 the minutes give a count for nearly every vote (“President Ossing declared the vote of 10 – 0.”): when the count equals the councilors present with no one opposed, each councilor present is shown voting yes; when the minutes name a councilor who recused and the count matches the others, that councilor is left out; a split count with no names (“9 – 1”, “4 in favor – 6 opposed”) shows the count only, with a note (40 votes). Officer elections, in which each councilor names a person, are shown as votes for the person elected when everyone named the same choice. The minutes name who made each motion; most are “seconded by the Chair”, so no seconder is shown. We will ask the City Clerk to confirm any noted vote.
Votes where councilors disagreed
Most council votes are unanimous. These are the ones where at least one councilor voted no or abstained, newest first.
Dec 20Approve: The City Council hereby APPROVES the Acceptance of…Motion: Motion by Councilor Irish, seconded by the Chair to adopt the…Passed · see note
December 20, 2021: Approve: The City Council hereby APPROVES the Acceptance of Federal Coronavirus Relief Fund (CARES Act) in the amount of $3,511,279.00 from the...
Motion by Councilor Irish, seconded by the Chair to adopt the following: ORDERED: The City Council hereby APPROVES the Acceptance of Federal Coronavirus Relief Fund (CARES Act) in the amount of $3,511,279.00 from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that was used to cover all costs associated with the Board of Health, PPE Supplies, Unemployment Claims, HVAC and cleaning of city buildings from March 1, 2020 through October 29, 2021; adopted.
The minutes record the result only (“adopted.”), with no count or names, so MassVoter shows the result only and does not show how each councilor voted.
From the minutes
“Motion by Councilor Irish, seconded by the Chair to adopt the following: ORDERED: The City Council hereby APPROVES the Acceptance of Federal Coronavirus Relief Fund (CARES Act) in the amount of $3,511,279.00 from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that was used to cover all costs associated with the Board of Health, PPE Supplies, Unemployment Claims, HVAC and cleaning of city buildings from March 1, 2020 through October 29, 2021; adopted..” (Motion: Irish)
Dec 20Approve: The City Council hereby APPROVES the Acceptance of…Motion: Motion by Councilor Irish, seconded by the Chair to adopt the…Passed · see note
December 20, 2021: Approve: The City Council hereby APPROVES the Acceptance of Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund package in the amount of $11,835,814.00 through...
Motion by Councilor Irish, seconded by the Chair to adopt the following: ORDERED: The City Council hereby APPROVES the Acceptance of Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund package in the amount of $11,835,814.00 through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA); adopted.
The minutes record the result only (“adopted.”), with no count or names, so MassVoter shows the result only and does not show how each councilor voted.
From the minutes
“Motion by Councilor Irish, seconded by the Chair to adopt the following: ORDERED: The City Council hereby APPROVES the Acceptance of Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund package in the amount of $11,835,814.00 through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA); adopted..” (Motion: Irish)
Dec 20Approve: Grant Acceptance in the amount of $2,000.00 from…Motion: Motion by Councilor Irish, seconded by the Chair to adopt the…Passed · see note
December 20, 2021: Approve: Grant Acceptance in the amount of $2,000.00 from the Cummings Community Giving Program in the name of employees Michael Burnell and Paul...
Motion by Councilor Irish, seconded by the Chair to adopt the following: ORDERED: Under authority of MGL Chapter 44, Section 53A, the City Council hereby APPROVES the Grant Acceptance in the amount of $2,000.00 from the Cummings Community Giving Program in the name of employees Michael Burnell and Paul Bracken of New Horizons awarded to the Police Department to be used for community outreach programs; adopted.
The minutes record the result only (“adopted.”), with no count or names, so MassVoter shows the result only and does not show how each councilor voted.
From the minutes
“Motion by Councilor Irish, seconded by the Chair to adopt the following: ORDERED: Under authority of MGL Chapter 44, Section 53A, the City Council hereby APPROVES the Grant Acceptance in the amount of $2,000.00 from the Cummings Community Giving Program in the name of employees Michael Burnell and Paul Bracken of New Horizons awarded to the Police Department to be used for community outreach programs; adopted..” (Motion: Irish)
Dec 20Approve: Request for Approval of a Flat Wall Sign,…Motion: Motion by Councilor Robey, seconded by the Chair to adopt the…Passed · see note
December 20, 2021: Approve: Request for Approval of a Flat Wall Sign, Bay State Physical Therapy, 771 Boston Post Road East, within the Wayside District
Motion by Councilor Robey, seconded by the Chair to adopt the following: ORDERED: That the Request for Approval of a Flat Wall Sign, Bay State Physical Therapy, 771 Boston Post Road East, within the Wayside District, APPROVED; adopted.
The minutes record the result only (“APPROVED”), with no count or names, so MassVoter shows the result only and does not show how each councilor voted.
From the minutes
“Motion by Councilor Robey, seconded by the Chair to adopt the following: ORDERED: That the Request for Approval of a Flat Wall Sign, Bay State Physical Therapy, 771 Boston Post Road East, within the Wayside District, APPROVED; adopted..” (Motion: Robey)
Dec 20Approve: Application for Site Plan Review from Aubuchon Realty…Motion: Motion by Councilor Robey, seconded by the Chair to adopt the…Passed · see note
December 20, 2021: Approve: Application for Site Plan Review from Aubuchon Realty Company, Inc., related to the proposed expansion and upgrade of the retail plaza...
Motion by Councilor Robey, seconded by the Chair to adopt the following: ORDERED: That the Application for Site Plan Review from Aubuchon Realty Company, Inc., related to the proposed expansion and upgrade of the retail plaza within the Wayside District, at 661 Boston Post Road East, is carried over to the 2022/2023 Legislative Session, APPROVED; adopted.
The minutes record the result only (“APPROVED”), with no count or names, so MassVoter shows the result only and does not show how each councilor voted.
From the minutes
“Motion by Councilor Robey, seconded by the Chair to adopt the following: ORDERED: That the Application for Site Plan Review from Aubuchon Realty Company, Inc., related to the proposed expansion and upgrade of the retail plaza within the Wayside District, at 661 Boston Post Road East, is carried over to the 2022/2023 Legislative Session, APPROVED; adopted..” (Motion: Robey)
Dec 20Approve: Application for Special Permit from J & D…Motion: Motion by Councilor Robey, seconded by the Chair to adopt the…Passed · see note
December 20, 2021: Approve: Application for Special Permit from J & D Landscape Contractors, to construct and operate both a contractor’s yard and landscape...
Motion by Councilor Robey, seconded by the Chair to adopt the following: ORDERED: That the Application for Special Permit from J & D Landscape Contractors, to construct and operate both a contractor’s yard and landscape contractor’s yard at the Airport Industrial Park, 101 Airport Boulevard, Unit 12, is carried over to the 2022/2023 Legislative Session, APPROVED; adopted.
The minutes record the result only (“APPROVED”), with no count or names, so MassVoter shows the result only and does not show how each councilor voted.
From the minutes
“Motion by Councilor Robey, seconded by the Chair to adopt the following: ORDERED: That the Application for Special Permit from J & D Landscape Contractors, to construct and operate both a contractor’s yard and landscape contractor’s yard at the Airport Industrial Park, 101 Airport Boulevard, Unit 12, is carried over to the 2022/2023 Legislative Session, APPROVED; adopted..” (Motion: Robey)
Dec 20Approve with conditions: Petition from Massachusetts Electric and Verizon…Motion: Motion by Councilor Landers, seconded by the Chair to adopt the…Passed · see note
December 20, 2021: Approve with conditions: Petition from Massachusetts Electric and Verizon New England, to install two new Poles P6-51 and P6-5 on Bartlett Street
Motion by Councilor Landers, seconded by the Chair to adopt the following: ORDERED: That the Petition from Massachusetts Electric and Verizon New England, to install two new Poles P6-51 and P6-5 on Bartlett Street, APPROVED WITH THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS; adopted.
The minutes record the result only (“APPROVED”), with no count or names, so MassVoter shows the result only and does not show how each councilor voted.
From the minutes
“Motion by Councilor Landers, seconded by the Chair to adopt the following: ORDERED: That the Petition from Massachusetts Electric and Verizon New England, to install two new Poles P6-51 and P6-5 on Bartlett Street, APPROVED WITH THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS; adopted..” (Motion: Landers)
Dec 20Approve: Mayor and City Auditor submit for City Council…Motion: Motion by Councilor Irish, seconded by the Chair to adopt the…Passed · see note
December 20, 2021: Approve: Mayor and City Auditor submit for City Council approval, the establishment of a new Stabilization Account, titled “West Side Fire Station...
Motion by Councilor Irish, seconded by the Chair to adopt the following: ORDERED: That the Mayor and City Auditor submit for City Council approval, the establishment of a new Stabilization Account, titled “West Side Fire Station Stabilization Account”, and it is further ORDERED, that the Mayor submit a transfer request in the amount of $1,422,500.00 from the Undesignated Fund to the new “West Side Fire Station Stabilization account, APPROVED; adopted.
The minutes record the result only (“APPROVED”), with no count or names, so MassVoter shows the result only and does not show how each councilor voted.
From the minutes
“Motion by Councilor Irish, seconded by the Chair to adopt the following: ORDERED: That the Mayor and City Auditor submit for City Council approval, the establishment of a new Stabilization Account, titled “West Side Fire Station Stabilization Account”, and it is further ORDERED, that the Mayor submit a transfer request in the amount of $1,422,500.00 from the Undesignated Fund to the new “West Side Fire Station Stabilization account, APPROVED; adopted..” (Motion: Irish)
Dec 20Approve: Proposed order to authorize the purchase of 100…Motion: Motion by Councilor Irish, seconded by the Chair to adopt the…Passed · see note
December 20, 2021: Approve: Proposed order to authorize the purchase of 100 Locke Drive for the purpose of building a new Fire Station, is carried over to the...
Motion by Councilor Irish, seconded by the Chair to adopt the following: ORDERED: That the Proposed order to authorize the purchase of 100 Locke Drive for the purpose of building a new Fire Station, is carried over to the 2022/2023 Legislative Session, APPROVED; adopted.
The minutes record the result only (“APPROVED”), with no count or names, so MassVoter shows the result only and does not show how each councilor voted.
From the minutes
“Motion by Councilor Irish, seconded by the Chair to adopt the following: ORDERED: That the Proposed order to authorize the purchase of 100 Locke Drive for the purpose of building a new Fire Station, is carried over to the 2022/2023 Legislative Session, APPROVED; adopted..” (Motion: Irish)
Dec 20Approve: Proposed Amended Transfer Request relative to the acquisition…Motion: Motion by Councilor Irish, seconded by the Chair to adopt the…Passed · see note
December 20, 2021: Approve: Proposed Amended Transfer Request relative to the acquisition of 100 Locke Drive for a new Fire Station clarifying the funding sources...
Motion by Councilor Irish, seconded by the Chair to adopt the following: ORDERED: That the Proposed Amended Transfer Request relative to the acquisition of 100 Locke Drive for a new Fire Station clarifying the funding sources, is carried over to the 2022/2023 Legislative Session, APPROVED; adopted.
The minutes record the result only (“APPROVED”), with no count or names, so MassVoter shows the result only and does not show how each councilor voted.
From the minutes
“Motion by Councilor Irish, seconded by the Chair to adopt the following: ORDERED: That the Proposed Amended Transfer Request relative to the acquisition of 100 Locke Drive for a new Fire Station clarifying the funding sources, is carried over to the 2022/2023 Legislative Session, APPROVED; adopted..” (Motion: Irish)
From the Marlborough City Council’s official minutes, posted by the City Clerk in the city’s Agenda Center (City Council). We check every vote against the councilors present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Councilor photos: Marlborough Patch candidate profiles (photos courtesy of the candidates; cropped by MassVoter). Trey Fuccillo: The Berkeley Beacon (Ashlyn Wang). The city website has no councilor photos. Heather Gould and former councilors show initials.
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