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Gardner City Council Holds September 2nd Meeting
The Gardner City Council meeting on September 2nd, 2025, primarily focused on approving various city appointments and advancing an important ordinance regarding non-union employee compensation. Key decisions included confirming appointments to the board of registrars, police officer assignments, and election officers for the upcoming year. The council also discussed updates on the Economic and Community Development Committee’s progress, including the Maki Park renovation and new staffing, and received a detailed report on the Waterford Community Center project outlining progress with tenants and infrastructure improvements. Councilor Brad Heglin reported on his interactions with the various tenants as the City Council liaison to Waterford. Heglin spoke of future improvements to the building and discussions regarding a parking plan.
A significant portion of the meeting, (about 3/4) centered on a debate and vote on an amended proposal for non-union employee salaries, aiming to establish a fair and sustainable compensation structure with step increases and regular reviews, ultimately passing to a first printing after several amendments and extensive discussion.
The non-union salary item was sent to first printing on a split 5-4 vote. Voting Yes: Mack, Kazinskas, Heglin, Dernalowicz and Heath. Voting NO: Brooks, Cormier, Tassone, Thibeault-Munoz