Arthur Vigeant

Mayor of Marlborough

Arthur Vigeant, Mayor of Marlborough, has focused on creating jobs and lowering unemployment. Having an educated and skilled workforce is part of solving these economic issues, he said.

“Quinsigamond Community College comes into it, they identify the skills needed in the workforce and cater programs to meet those needs,” he said.

 Mr. Vigeant took courses for about a year at QCC before transferring to the University of Lowell and then finishing his bachelor’s degree at Worcester State University.

“Without question I would recommend it to others, today the programs line you up to transfer to other schools, or people can take courses to gain specific career skills,” he said.

“QCC was perfect for me at the time,” Mr. Vigeant said. “I was working full-time and paying for school. I wanted to continue my education without a full-time commitment, I wasn’t sure yet what I wanted to do.”

Mr. Vigeant was elected Marlborough mayor in 2011 and re-elected for a second term in 2013. He previously served 18 years as a Marlborough City Councilor, and was president of the council for the last nine years. Additionally, he served on the Marlborough Retirement Board for five years and was a former board member and treasurer of the Marlborough Chamber of Commerce.

He is a certified public accountant with an office in Marlborough. He and his wife, Susan, have three children and four grandchildren.

During his first mayoral term, he started work on opening a new senior center and a $3 million renovation of Ward Park. He also worked to bring TJX Companies, the expansion of the Boston Scientific campus into its global headquarters, and the arrival of Quest Diagnostics, which will bring nearly 3,500 employees to the city.

Through the Marlborough Economic Development Corporation, his office has held an annual job fair for two years, with a third one coming this fall. “Last year, 30 companies came with 300 jobs available with a cross-section of job skills needed,” Mr. Vigeant said. “We also hold job readiness workshops prior to the event, working with QCC to help people polish their resumes.”

He also instituted new programs in Marlborough to employ high school and college students and senior citizens. The Public Service Internship Program provided paid internships to 15 college students at the Public Library, the Mayor’s Office, and at the Department of Public Works, among other offices.

The Youth Employment Program was a public-private partnership that was offered through a grant from Middlesex County District Attorney’s Office. This initiative employed 10 high school students and involved the participation of several Marlborough businesses.

The Senior Citizen Property Tax Work-off Program is in its third year. The program provides seniors the opportunity to share their skills in service to the community and receive up to a $1,000 abatement on their property taxes.

 “It is an honor to be named one of the 50 Guardians,” Mr. Vigeant said. “My educators and teachers probably would be surprised by this, but it goes to show perseverance and support from family and friends can push you over the top, to see where I am today.”