Answer to what happened in August, September, October 2023 – the largest table of data we’ve ever posted on Gardner Magazine.
Objective Data: More achieved in last 3 months since our interview than some Mayors achieve in a year. We took the information straight from our news articles, so if you want to read all the details, just select an archive page from the top of this page.
Before and After 2020 to 2023 – The Interview
Gardner Mayor Nicholson agreed to talk to us about the Before and After from Spring 2020 to Fall 2023 in great detail. Listen to the interview on any device. CLICK PLAY.
We covered everything in every category in this interview. We spoke about what people notice coming in to Gardner and how that came about.
Mayor Nicholson told us of some of the common sense changes he has made to handling various matters and what the results have been. The Mayor has stated that “People are Policy” and he spoke in great detail about the focus in the City of helping to make the lives of people better.
Our interview includes a discussion of positive changes in Gardner education.
Mayor Nicholson explained what has transpired in terms of long-term infrastructure.
The Mayor outlined efforts regarding the environment. Progress with respect to business and industry in the Chair City was discussed.
We went over transparency and learned that some of what Mayor Nicholson does is being adopted by other communities due to Gardner’s strong record in communicating with the public in various ways he outlines.
The Mayor spoke about finances and his efforts on keeping taxes as low as possible. We went into great detail on how the City of Gardner is practicing sound fiscal policy. Listen to the interview on any device. CLICK PLAY.
Before…, …After, – What’s happened since our July 2023 Interview
So what’s happened in 3 short months since our July 2023 interview with Mayor Michael Nicholson during which we spoke of the last 3 years of success? First, listen to the original interview on any device. CLICK PLAY. (Then listen to the November 2, 2023 Before and After Interview where we go over everything.)
The theory we explored is that past performance is a predictor of future behavior, and that if reelected, Mayor Nicholson would continue to excel. So let’s put this to an objective test. In August, September, and October 2023, let’s list out what happened.
| 3 months of August – September – October 2023 |
|---|
| Oct. – Uptown Rotary Project Work begins |
| Oct – Progress on Paving – Promise Kept |
| Oct. – Grants: Funding for Development and for a new Master Plan for the City |
| Oct. – Nicholson’s DPW Director and City Engineer Come up with Dog Park Piping Plan |
| Oct. – Promised Landscaping and Playground at GES showcased |
| Oct. – Facade Work in Downtown Gardner to a number of buildings |
| Oct. Growing Places reaches Licensing Agreement and opens Kitchen at Waterford |
| Oct. Citizen Dialog regarding Policing in the City |
| Oct. Mayor makes effort to recognize 3 important national months in Gardner |
| Oct. Team member Assessor Christine Kumar gets no questions from DOR on values submitted – Job well done |
| Oct. Team member Paul Topolski and Mayor brief City Council on Disaster Response Plans |
| Oct. Lower electric rates on City Plan take effect 11/1 |
| Oct. Higher Reading Scores Announced and Progress on Training Staff for Medical Emergencies |
| Oct. Airport Master Plan Takes Next Steps |
| Oct. Governor Chooses Gardner to Announce Tax Cuts – Nicholson deemed a partner in cutting taxes |
| Oct. – Free cash certified at earliest time in about 4 decades |
| Oct. – Enterprise Funds healthy |
| Sept. – Mayor prominent participant at Oktoberfest |
| Sept. – Bailey Brook Park Amenities Announced |
| Sept. – MART announces selection of Mayor Michael Nicholson for another term as Chair of Advisory Board |
| Sept. – Waterford St. School Active Construction Site |
| Sept. – Team members at Gardner PD have a new drone |
| Sept. – Downtown Festival and Oktoberfest now officially combined event – Festival Committee bringing community together. |
| Sept. – Mayor receives endorsement for Environmental Work |
| Sept. Team Member Lynette Gabrilla appointed by Governor to Veterans Equality Review Board and process started to honor Goldstar families |
| Sept. Mayor honors Hispanics for 3rd year in a row with Mariachi Band |
| Sept. – Mayor waives Yard Sale Permit Fee |
| Sept. – Successful Centennial Parade gets compliments |
| Sept. Gardner shines during storm offering aid to neighboring Leominster |
| Sept. Acclaimed hire Tom Zuppa as Building Commissioner announces progress at Public Safety Committee meeting |
| Sept. Mayor continues with unprecedented transparency with Video and written material regarding charter changes |
| Sept. Education Progress announced – Gardner way ahead on various programs – Great news on grants |
| Sept. Effort to increase dedicated support to infrastructure projects explored re DIF |
| Aug. – Initial Idea of West Street Parking Garage announced |
| Aug. – CDBG Grant Awards Announced ($1.65million) also Helps Homeless and After school programs, funding towards elimination of athletic user fees |
| Aug. – New grocery store, Aldi, gets green light |
| Aug. – Gardner Hosts Open House re updating 100+ year old Electric Transmission lines which run through Gardner. |
| Aug. to Oct – More businesses open, Nicholson’s end of year estimate of 12 already exceeded. |
| Aug. – Nicholson demonstrates commitment to affordable housing with visit of Cabinet Secretary Ed Augustus. |
| Aug. – First window goes in to historic Garbose Building |
| Aug. – $200,000 fiber optic grant announced – huge tech upgrade for City |
| Aug. – Nicholson at National Night Out – highlights in weekly update at location |
| Aug. – Wood’s Plus starts service – states idea born out of conversations with Mayor Nicholson about transportation needs in Gardner. |