A confirmation vote will be held at the scheduled Gardner City Council meeting of January 3, 2023.
Gardner MA City Council may confirm Charter Committee
On a 7 to 4 vote, the Gardner MA City Council approved the measure to create a Special Act Charter Drafting Committee for the purpose of meeting and then recommending changes to the City Charter of 1923. CLICK HERE. At its January 3, 2023 meeting, it may vote to confirm the members of that committee.
Council President Kazinskas has chosen to appoint the Vice Chair of the School Committee Attorney Jennifer Zlotnik Pelavin and former Mayor Alan L. Agnelli. Mayor Nicholson has chosen to appoint former City Councillor Neil Janssens, Heywood Hospital Vice President Tina Griffin, and retired Attorney Robert Rice. If confirmed, their terms would expire upon submission of their recommendations to the City Council.
Proponents of establishing this committee argued that housekeeping changes should be made to a 100 year old document. Opponents expressed concerns that there are no limits as to what changes could be recommended. However, no changes would be effective until and unless approved by the City Council, the Mayor, and the voters of Gardner.