Watch the meeting on our Mayor’s Update page, or listen to it right here on any device. CLICK Play.
City Council Agenda and packet for December 5, 2022, CLICK HERE.
Gardner MA Mayor Michael Nicholson on Lower Tax Rate in Weekly Update
Due to the way State Law is written, the 1st and 2nd quarter tax bills were sent out, knowing that a portion of those bills would in essence prepay 3rd and 4th quarter tax bills. With the tax rate falling to $16.16, the only remaining issue is whether Gardner stays with a single rate where residential, business, and industrial properties receive the same tax rate. Mayor Nicholson in this week’s update stated he was in favor of continuing the practice, stating, “I do believe that a single rate is what’s best for the city,especially as we’re seeing all the growth that we’re seeing in the downtown and across the city to get more businesses in.”
Other Matters
The Mayor once again congratulated Gardner’s Eagle Scouts, congratulated Detective Eugene Kalamaga on his retirement after 25 years with the Gardner Police Department, described a few Holiday events, FREE tax services for Seniors, and thanked various groups and organizations for helping out citizens in the City in various ways.
Tree Lighting
Info in after the update was recorded: The Tree Lighting Ceremony has been rescheduled to Sunday December 4, 2022 at Monument Park. According to City Hall: “The event will start at 5pm. Performances by the GMS chorus, GHS Band, and horse-drawn carriage rides will be offered. Holy Family Academy will be providing refreshments at the event. It is still up in the air whether Chair City Church will be doing hot chocolate and meet Santa directly after the event. Glow sticks will be dispersed. “
Gardner MA Taxes Explained
Gardner Magazine published an article on the Property Taxes in July 2022 with a complete primer on Prop 2 1/2. It’ll get you up to speed on what the lower tax rate means now. For the article, CLICK HERE.
Public Hearing on Tax Rate
The Gardner City Council will hold a Public Hearing on whether or not to go with a single rate on Monday December 5, 2022 during a Public Hearing at 7pm. Regular Meeting is at 7:30pm. Mayor Nicholson stated his position, “We’ve recently been approved for vacant storefront revitalization programs .Thirteen buildings have been purchased in the downtown .There’s a lot of work that’s being done. So we want to make sure we’re not doing anything to deter a new business from coming into Gardner, but rather compliment and give those businesses a reason to come to Gardner. So my administration is going to be testifying in favor of a single tax rate at that public hearing.” Note that even if a higher or lower tax rate is selected for business and industry, there would be only a small difference in residential tax bills due to the much larger total value of all residential properties in the City compared to business/industrial property. Section on Taxes from the 12-5-22 City Council packet, click here.
FREE PARKING
Mayor Nicholson reminded that the entire month of December is Small Business Month in Gardner with FREE PARKING, stating, “The parking meters are all a hundred percent waived for the month of December, and we’re really encouraging people to get out and support our local businesses, not just the twenty seven who have opened or expanded in Gardner this year alone, but really all the small businesses that we have here while you’re doing your Christmas shopping or you’re just shopping for anything this season