City Council Gardner MA

City Council Addresses Critical Legislative, Administrative, and Infrastructure Matters

Complete Agenda and packet, CLICK HERE. Listen to the entire meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY.

Public hearings were held to advance two related National Grid utility projects, installing underground conduits and transformers as part of the broader Rear Main Street revitalization project to upgrade downtown electrical service. A highly debated ordinance regarding the winter parking ban procedures was moved forward, aiming to mandate overnight parking restrictions in January and February to assist the **Police Department and DPW with snow removal. The Council also focused on personnel matters, approving the long-anticipated modernization of the non-union salary system to enhance employee retention, following a debate about crediting employee experience. Financial items, including appropriating free cash for stabilization and landfill maintenance, were also adopted. Finally, the Council formally closed an open meeting law complaint by adopting the Attorney General’s finding of no violations by the City Council.

Council on Aging Reviews Community Impact plus Financial and Operational Health

The Gardner Council on Aging met on December 1, 2025. Listen to the meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY.

The December 1, 2025, Gardner Council on Aging Board Meeting, detailed both the administrative status of the Senior Center and its ongoing financial challenges. A primary concern centered on the Repairs and Maintenance fund, which is projected to be thousands of dollars over budget due to essential, urgent issues, including fire escape repairs and the replacement of a rusted main water line, requiring a formal request for a budget amendment from the city. Operational updates confirmed the Senior Center is planning its move to the new facility in late spring or early summer, which will require services to close for a two-week transition period. The Director’s Report showcased impressive community engagement in the last fiscal year, citing that 751 volunteers contributed over 23,000 hours, and the highly successful Thanksgiving drive-thru meal served more than 350 people. Finally, the board reviewed the holiday closing schedule, noted upcoming programming, and addressed resident questions regarding policies for snow-related closures and pharmaceutical disposal.

Gardner CAC, MVOC, and Pool Pavilion Project to Benefit from Reallocated CDBG Funds

At its November meeting, the Gardner Community Development Block Grant Steering Committee met regarding the transfer of $158k in unused funds from completed demolition and improvement projects to the Gardner Community Action Committee and the Massachusetts Veterans Outreach Center. The money will directly address the unprecedented demand for services such as heating assistance, food pantry supplies, and veteran reintegration activities.

Subsequently, the committee approved moving up to $791,342.51 from the canceled School Street School demolition project—made obsolete by the property’s sale—to fund the new Greenwood Pool Pavilion project. Finally, the committee outlined a detailed and transparent schedule for the FY2026 CDBG application process, which includes providing mandatory application training and scheduling multiple public hearings for proposal review before the March deadline.

Gardner Magazine has all the Parking Ban related documents here from the City Council packet, CLICK HERE. If you’d like to look at the full packet, CLICK HERE. The graphic above is intended to illustrate the issue. The Chair Man and the Chair Lady also discuss the issue in a “Deep Dive”

Rethinking Gardner’s Winter Parking Ban – What the City Council Will Consider.

Gardner Magazine is highlighting one issue which will be considered by the Gardner City Council at its Monday, December 1, 2025 meeting. See Parking Ban portion of packet, CLICK HERE. Listen to a Deep Dive analysis of the provided material on any device, CLICK PLAY.

The matter has been under review after first being brought up at a previous City Council meeting. Detailed in the pdf is the intensive review and proposed amendments to the City of Gardner’s municipal winter parking regulations and enforcement procedures. An analysis by the Traffic Commission compares data from the old and new towing procedures, highlighting that the implementation of the new procedure in 2019 led to a massive increase in towed vehicles, subsequently redirecting public safety resources and causing delays in snow removal efforts. The commission strongly recommends adopting a hybrid parking ban model that features both a set seasonal restriction and a storm-specific notice ban to increase efficiency while minimizing the burden on citizens. Corresponding documents include an email from City Solicitor Vincent Pusiteri discussing issues with the clarity of the proposed amendment and the draft ordinance itself, which details the new system and establishes the legal definitions for the “Winter Parking Ban” and the “Noticed Parking Ban”. The draft ordinance further outlines areas exempt from the all-night parking rule and specifies a schedule of fines and penalties for various vehicular violations.

Planning Board Holds 2 Minute Meeting and Gets the Job Done

The Gardner Planning Board held a 2 minute meeting on November 25, 2025. Listen to the exciting meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY.

The meeting focused on reviewing a proposed change to the city’s zoning ordinances concerning Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). The core purpose of the proposed amendment to Chapter 675 was to modify the occupancy requirements for these units. Specifically, the board discussed replacing restrictive language with “shall” to make who occupies the ADU completely general, meaning units can be rented or used by anyone without further city concern. Crucially, the amendment maintains the rule that ADUs cannot be sold separately from the primary residence. After brief discussion, the board quickly approved the amendment as presented and referred the positive recommendation back to the City Council for final review. The 2 minute meeting was concluded.

Financial Orders, Municipal Discussions, and Complex Legal Considerations Focus of Finance Committee Meeting

The Gardner Finance Committee met on November 25, 2025. 197 page packet, CLICK HERE. Listen to the entire meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY.

Key orders recommended for approval by the full City Council included the appropriation of $95,000 from free cash for the landfill closure account (increase necessary due to rising costs beyond initial projections), the transfer of $15,000 within the Law Department budget to hire outside counsel for specialized personnel issues, transferring funds for health department expenditures , appropriating $100,975 to the City stabilization account, and allocating another $100,00 for landfill pump repair. The complex legal matter was discussed with the Mayor and the City Solicitor: it involved the existing, revocable special permit for nearby residential parking at 13-17 West Lynde Street and various implications.

A number of updates highlight Gardner Public Service Committee Meeting

The Gardner Public Service Committee met on November 25, 2025. Listen to the entire meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY.

The Committee heard from City Engineer Rob Oliva, Conservation Agent Justin Enright, and DPW Director Dane Arnold. Key discussions revolve around infrastructure projects, such as the completion of a larger salt shed, multiple paving updates, and significant grants received for the wastewater treatment facility and a James Street pump station upgrade. The meeting also covers grant-funded projects like the Route 140 pedestrian bridge design and the Vision Zero plan to improve street safety, alongside updates on local dam inspections, the status of the Mill Street Bridge closure, and GIS mapping efforts.

Auditor Search Committee meets following John Richard’s Resignation

As John Richard resigned from the position as City Auditor for the City of Gardner, a special search committee was formed. Listen to their first meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY.

The Special Search Committee meeting for the Gardner City Auditor was held on November 24, 2025, following the auditor’s resignation. Discussion focused on the thorough review and revision of the existing City Auditor job description to ensure it accurately reflects the position’s critical role, including emphasizing the auditor’s financial oversight and reporting to the City Council. Committee members discuss specific wording changes, such as modifying language related to working with the mayor on the budget and clarifying the auditor’s duties regarding the city’s health insurance trust fund and professional development. The committee addresses the logistics for recruitment, including posting the revised job description and handling candidate applications, and discusses engaging an interim auditor to bridge the gap until a permanent successor is found.

Environmental Challenges and Modernization Topics at Conservation Commission

Listen to the entire meeting of November 24, 2025 on any device, CLICK PLAY.

Discussions revolved around several environmental and administrative issues. Key points include a citizen’s request to keep an enforcement order open and continue monitoring the Gardner Sludge Landfill, citing concerns about*compliance, outdated plans, and erosion risk. The committee also addressed an emergency certification to breach a new **beaver dam near Mahoney Brook to protect infrastructure and prevent flooding. Additionally, the meeting covered concerns regarding inconsistent and untimely inspection reports for the landfill, the continuation of various project requests, updates on the Nature Trail and Kendall Pond treatments, and the agent’s progress in digitizing and organizing department records and updating GIS data layers for better conservation management.

Gardner Board of Health Addresses Various Municipal and Departmental Concerns

At the Gardner Board of Health meeting of November 24, 2025, the 5 members discussed various immediate concerns. Listen to the entire meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY.

Key discussions include a detailed report on the Health Department’s operational status, including ongoing staff vacancies for the director, administrative coordinator, and transfer station supervisor. A major focus is placed on difficulties related to the landfill and transfer station, specifically delays and funding, confusion surrounding the LHA pump replacement and groundwater mining project, as well as the unfunded erosion repair project for the landfill cap. Additionally, the board reviews updates on local food establishment inspections and public health matters like an active bed bug infestation, the condemnation of a fire-damaged building, and planning for **emergency preparedness initiatives, including the potential relocation of the emergency dispensing site.