Gardner Magazine Updates City – Mayor Without Update Due to Staffing
Note: Last week’s Mayor’s Update has received 73 views on YouTube and as of yesterday 2,354 listens on Gardner Magazine. However, our offer to record an AUDIO update was not accepted. So we’ll provide one instead. Click Play.
Chair City Update August 19, 2022
Paving Week of August 22nd
Parker Street and Connors Street will be paved on Monday August 22, 2022 beginning at 4am. Parker Street will be paved from Lafayette Square to Main Street. Connors Street will be paved from City Hall Avenue to Parker Street. This is the final coat of pavement needed for these streets as part of the Downtown Infrastructure Improvement Project.
Covid-19 Vaccine Clinic
On Wednesday, August 24th, there will be a Covid 19 Vaccine Clinic from 3pm to 6pm at the Bethany Baptist Church, 72 Ryan Street, Gardner. All doses of the 3 different brands of Vaccine will be available. Ages 5 and over are welcome via walk-in, but registration is encouraged. Please bring vaccine card and health insurance card if you have one.
Weekend Events
On Saturday August 20th, the Elvis Tribute Band, Fellowship of the King will play at Monument Park at the 45th anniversary of the death of Elvis Presley. Concert begins at 5pm. See article
On Sunday August 21st, Gardner Massachusetts churches are joining forces for a Community Worship Sunday starting at 10am at Monument Park, featuring music, message, food, and fun. All are welcome. See article.
On Sunday August 21st, The P.A.C.C. at 171 Kendall Pond Road West in Gardner is holding a Polish Drive-Thru on Sunday August 21, 2022 from 11am to 3pm. See article
On Sunday, August 21st, the Tenth Annual Ride of Your Life takes place at Heywood Hospital, 242 Green Street, Gardner. Riders and passengers pay a registration fee and take a 3 hour ride through North Central Massachusetts with stops at area motorcycle shops. Proceeds benefit suicide prevention efforts in the North Central and North Quabbin regions. See article
Gardner Has a New Police Chief
Lieutenant Eric McAvene is officially Chief McAvene on Monday August 22nd. Having served the past two decades on the Gardner force, he was appointed by Mayor Nicholson and accepted the position. Formal City Council confirmation to follow. See article
Construction in the Chair City
Gardner Elementary: The week of August 22, 2022 will be the 4th extended week of construction at the New Gardner Elementary School. Mayor Nicholson has advised the main goal is to get an occupancy permit for the building so school can start even if the grounds still need some work. Meanwhile, Gardner Public Schools has released its projected School Calendar reflecting the delayed start of school. See article
Candor Realty continues work on 25 Main Street, recently completing some badly needed roof repairs. The company has also stated it is interested in purchasing additional properties in Gardner.
Work also continues at 42 to 52 Parker Street. The walls have gone up this week following Gardner Planning Board approval of their complete plan for the building.
Community Health Connections has made significant progress on their new Health Center building off Route 68 near Walmart.
The Drought
Enforcement with fines and possible water shut-offs for violators of the outdoor water use ban will begin after a Code Red call reminding people of the drought.
Pleasant Street open again
Following meetings with staff, community leaders, and business owners, a decision was made to once again open up Pleasant Street. For just under two months, the street was closed off in order to create a plaza with outdoor seating. The idea had been proposed for years, but never tried. A comment from Mayor Nicholson in our article.
Gardner High Athletics
Gardner High Athletics has announced key dates for the upcoming fall season. There are youth nights, alumni nights, recreation nights, senior nights, and there will be a game on Thanksgiving morning against Quabbin. See article.
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