Gardner City Council Meets in Both Informal and Formal Sessions on November 18, 2024
Informal Meeting: Regarding Administrative Legislation and Rules of the City Council . Agenda and Packet, CLICK HERE Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.
Formal Meeting: Regarding Various Matters. Agenda and Packet, CLICK HERE. Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.
The City Council approved a request from Mayor Nicholson for a $100,000 appropriation from FREE CASH for 3rd party grant writing. More than $20 million has been awarded with an expenditure of about $75,000.
The item regarding $45,000 for a recount was taken off the agenda as paperwork was not submitted by candidate Bruce Chester. Councilor Hardern stated, “I’m relieved the taxpayers will not have to shoulder this cost. ..I can understand the frustration that comes from campaigning and running for office for 5 years and not winning. However, it’s on all of us who run for office to be responsible with recounts, especially given the cost to the public. Part of what comes from running for office is being prepared to accept how the people vote.”
Councilor Tyros stated, “You know, this election was not determined by a handful of votes but by hundreds of votes and I was very disappointed to see some of the commentary in our community about, you know, there being questions around the integrity of this election.” Councilor Tyros later spoke about the cost to the taxpayers when the 13 Open Meeting Law complaints were filed by Paul DeMeo and not one of the complainants followed up with the AG’s office.
Cost of parking at meters in Gardner will be 50 cents per half hour. According to Mayor Nicholson, enforcement begins in January 2025.