Sepracor Tax Break Raises Questions About Job Numbers at Drugmaker

(MoneyWatch)  The town of Marlborough, Mass, has approved a $3.8 million tax break for Sepracor despite some councillors having questions about whether the company is actually going to deliver the full 250 jobs it promised in return. The company is using the tax break to construct a new building. It is dependent on the creation of the new jobs.

But Cllr Paul Ferro said there are "fundamental" problems with the plan. Sepracor has not answered several of the council's questions about the plan, including the current number of employees at the company. Differences in reported numbers could mean the company may not have to create the full 250 new jobs. Ferro said:

I do not think that's a fair deal. I'm concerned with the cavalier attitude given to this (plan) ... This is a bad (plan) for the city of Marlborough.

The plan came down from the mayor's office as a "done deal," said another councillor. Not everyone is against it. (The measure passed, obviously.) Cllr Joseph Delano said:

I hope we get more businesses like Sepracor ... They have done a lot for the schools, the community. They are willing to do more. I think a lot of good will flow from this.