By Joan F. Simoneau, Community Reporter
Marlborough – The City Council unanimously approved at its Dec. 3 meeting $500,000 to fund costs associated with design and engineering plans for a new Senior Center to be built in a section of Ward Park, off Granger Boulevard.
Ward 3 City Councilor Matt Elder, who? had previously requested a neighborhood meeting in the area to allow his constituents to express any concerns prior to moving forward with the project, said he would not hold up approval of the funding. He added that he is planning to still hold the meeting next week with Mayor Arthur Vigeant in attendance.
“Even though the mayor bypassed me in choosing the site, I will approve the funding. ?I have been talking with constituents and addressing some concerns,” said Elder. “I don's know of any big issues but I would like to have the meeting to allow any questions to be asked.”
Ward 1 City Councilor Joseph Delano said, “We want to make sure any important concerns are addressed, that things are done right and voices are heard.”
Council on Aging (COA) Director Jennifer Claro, James Confrey, the chair of the ?COA Board of Directors, members of the Friends of the Seniors, and more than 35 other residents attended the meeting to listen to the discussion of the new center. Following the meeting, Claro and Confrey said they were pleased that councilors approved the funding and that plans were progressing.
The council approved the new location at its Nov. 26 meeting.