A Marlborough Town Board meeting Sept. 28 that included public hearings, budget discussions and community presentations ended with a tense exchange between resident Adam Broza and town officials over a long-running dispute involving public records.

The meeting opened with a public hearing on the proposed Marlborough Ambulance District.

According to the town’s Map, Plan and Report, the district would encompass the entire town and establish a separate ambulance tax levy rather than continuing to include ambulance costs in the general town tax.

The report estimates a 2027 ambulance-service subsidy of $450,304 and an anticipated tax rate of about 56 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. For a one-family residence with an assessed taxable value of $231,041, the estimated annual ambulance-district tax would be $129.38.

No members of the public spoke during the hearing, according to the meeting transcript, and the board voted to close it.

The board also held a public hearing on MS4 stormwater planning and reporting requirements before moving into its regular workshop meeting.

The tentative 2027 town budget was accepted later in the meeting. The board also approved Resolution 69, beginning the process of considering a local law that would allow Marlborough to exceed the state’s property-tax levy limit for 2027.

The resolution does not itself increase taxes. It calls for a public hearing on the proposed tax-cap override at 7 p.m. Oct. 13 and directs that notice be published and the proposed local law be made available for public inspection.

Supervisor Scott Corcoran said the tentative budget would be posted the following day, giving residents about two weeks to review it and prepare questions before the hearing.

The meeting also included recognition of two interns with Meet Me in Marlborough.

Jackie Rivera and Ava Todisco were recognized for their work promoting local businesses, events, farms and wineries. Rivera discussed interviewing local farmers and winemakers and said the experience gave her a greater appreciation for Marlborough’s agricultural history. Todisco discussed maintaining the organization’s online community calendar.

Town officials also discussed work at the Milton train station, improvements to the Marlborough sewer plant and other municipal projects.

The tone changed during public comment when Broza addressed the board.
Broza said he appreciated some of the positive things happening in Marlborough but then turned his attention to what he described as an ongoing dispute with the town over a public record involving the Building Department.

Broza accused town officials of refusing to provide a record he said belongs to the public and said the town had spent considerable public money fighting its release. He also accused the Building Department of fabricating records and criticized board members for not investigating his complaints.

Those allegations were made by Broza during the public comment period. The meeting materials reviewed for the story did not provide evidence establishing that town employees fabricated records.

Broza compared his dispute with the town to the board’s actions earlier in the evening, when it approved fee waivers for the Marlboro-Milton Lions Club and a Marlboro High School girls volleyball banquet.

“You’ve watched tonight waive ... more fees ... than I asked you to waive when I asked for just a record, a public record, something that belongs to all of us,” Broza said.

Broza said he previously submitted a lengthy report containing citations and records that he believed warranted an investigation.

The exchange continued as the meeting came to a close.

After the board read Resolution 69, including language stating that it would take effect immediately upon adoption, members moved toward adjournment. Broza continued speaking as the board prepared to end the meeting.

“You do not have to be scared to speak up,” Broza said.

As the board conducted its adjournment vote, Broza continued.

“You don’t have to be scared to recognize bullies,” he said.

He then added, “You don’t have to put up with this. It’s your money. These are your rights.”

The board then adjourned the meeting.