Listen to the entire City Council meeting of February 18, 2025 on any device. CLICK PLAY.
City Council Meeting of Tuesday, February 18th to Have Impact for Years and Decades
The City Council waited about 10 minutes and then voted Councilor Elizabeth Kazinskas to fill in for Council President George Tyros who was absent. Councilor Tassone attended via telephone. Shown in the second row of the graphic are 3 individuals who were confirmed and then sworn in for 3 year appointments: Assessor Christine Kumar, Police Chief Eric McAvene, and Deputy Chief Nicholas Maroni. Other appointments were also confirmed.
The Council voted to have new Director of Community Development and Planning Jason Stevens to brief the council with a 1 month update whereupon Jason Stevens said the following: Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.
Stevens Bombshell Report
Stevens who has been in the role for about 3 weeks went over and explained various problems which he is in the process of discovering, reviewing, and fixing. Good news “First, all money we have received from CDBG has been properly allocated and spent. No money is unaccounted for.” Stevens was highly critical of the previous director even stating that the Mayor and the Council did not get accurate reports. Stevens went over some errors previously made with respect to the Rear Main Street Project. Stevens stated, “I’m fully committed to getting things right and making sure the department runs correctly and effectively. Second, I’m willing to make tough calls for my department to make that that happens...”
The $8 Million Project – After considerable debate, the City Council approved the request from Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson to reappropriate just over $8.1 million left over from the Gardner Elementary School project to go towards other 30 year projects. SEE COMPLETE LIST, CLICK HERE. The vote to approve was 9 to 1 which met the 2/3 vote threshold for approval. Allocation: 60% School Projects, 40% other City Projects.