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Improving news 6:50pm 1-24-23: Counts at this hour of customers without power: Gardner – 70, Winchendon -476, Royalston – 340, Phillipston – 145, Hubbardston – 199, Westminster – 1023, Ashby -309.
Gardner MA Mayor Michael Nicholson Directs Proactive Plan to Deal with Current and Future Storm
Complete Press Release in pdf format, Click Here.
Current Storm
Just under 300 properties in Gardner are still without power, so the Mayor has activated an Emergency Overnight Shelter at the Gardner Senior Center for 1/24 to 1/25, with the City providing 25 cots for the purpose. Shelter will be staffed with Community Response Team volunteers and a police officer.
Planning for Wednesday, January 25th
Remaining cots from the 500 provided by FEMA and the National Guard during the 2008 Ice Storm will remain in their storage trailer but be staged in case of need at the Gardner Middle School. The reason is the concern regarding the Wednesday through Thursday storm which could produce 4 to 7 inches of heavy snow and cause additional power outages from tree damage and wire issues. A second shelter will open if needed at the Gardner Middle School – the City has proactively already purchased supplies. Shelters would remain open until power is restored to most areas of the City.
Additional Measures
The City’s Emergency Operations center is ready for activation at the Gardner Police Department and additional information will be provided to the public by numerous communication outlets when needed. An on-street parking ban will be in effect from Wednesday, January 25th at 8pm to Thursday, January 26th at 7:30am.