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IMPORTANT DECISIONS at Gardner MA City Council Meeting of November 20, 2023
The Panel of 11 Local Legislators, otherwise known as the Gardner City Council, met for the first time since the Municipal Election of 2023. In January, Councilor at Large James Boone will be replaced by incoming Councilor at Large Carolyn Kamuda and outgoing Ward 1 Councilor James Walsh will be replaced by new Ward 1 Councilor David Thibault-Munoz.
The agenda for this meeting is 555 pages, more than 1 ream of paper. The electronic transmission alone saves a ton of money every year. Among an extensive list of items, the Council held a tax classification hearing and voted to go with a single tax rate. Mayor Nicholson and Assessor Kumar spoke in favor. There was no opposition.
It voted to approve the borrowing of about $2 million for a future fire truck and use $500k from the stabilization fund for the down payment. The Mayor told them that a request for roof repair funds for the Fire Dept. headquarters roof will be coming soon.
Mayor Nicholson’s proposal for the City of Gardner to accept the tax exemption for Gold Star Families was approved unanimously.
The Charter Changes will be moving on to the next step being approved at this meeting by the City Council. Voters voted YES to a non-binding question at the Municipal Election of November 7th
Councilor Boone’s proposal to hear a proposal from a vendor was rejected on a vote of 7 No and 2 Yes. Councilors were concerned it would be not only a bad precedent, but also improper under procurement procedures.
As is usual for the City Council, the meeting opened and closed with a prayer, in the tradition of the faith-based City of Gardner.