Success of Gardner MA

Waterford Community Center Updates

The Waterford Community Center remains a primary focus of city development, involving multi-layered renovations and energy upgrades.

Solar Roof Project: The city has already purchased solar panels, which are currently stored at Select Energy’s headquarters in Hopkinton, MA.

• Current Status: Construction is awaiting final sign-off from National Grid.
• Timeline: Preliminary estimates suggest construction will begin before the end of 2026.
• Financials: A final document detailing cost-saving breakdowns and the lease signature is expected for the first City Council meeting in October.

Owner’s Project Manager (OPM) Selection: The city is utilizing a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process to hire an OPM to oversee building renovations, specifically focusing on asbestos removal.

• The RFQ Process: Unlike a Request for Proposals (RFP) which prioritizes price, an RFQ evaluates technical qualifications, education, and experience first.
• Review Committee: The Mayor will appoint a three-member committee to review qualifications independently. To ensure an “honest and transparent” process, members will not collaborate during the evaluation phase.
• Budget: Funding for the OPM is allocated from unexpended bond proceeds. The cost is estimated at approximately 7.5% of the total project cost.
• Dates: The RFQ is scheduled to go live on September 2 and close on September 18.

Asbestos Abatement and Renovation: Tighe and Bond is developing specifications for the abatement project, including floor plans and material identification. This process will run concurrently with the OPM solicitation to allow work to begin approximately two weeks after a contract is awarded.

Facility Tenants and Usage

• GTV (Gardner TV): The station is fully operational in its new Waterford studio. The former studio space at Gardner High School has been renovated for the Gardner Academy.
• Growing Places: Building permits for refrigeration condensers and a backup generator have been approved. Construction of the concrete pad is underway, with expected completion by the end of September.
• Disability Commission: Remains a prospective tenant, though no further movement can occur until physical renovations progress.
• Community Use: The soccer fields were successfully used by a local church group, which has expressed interest in returning next year.

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Infrastructure and Downtown Development

Downtown Phase 5 (Willow Street): The city awarded the contract for the Willow Street project to Goodall Construction.

• Scope: Refurbishment of sidewalks and asphalt, and a reorganization of the Willow and Main Street intersection.
• Safety Improvements: Crosswalks will be reconfigured from an angle to a perpendicular orientation to shorten the crossing distance for pedestrians.
• Impact: Willow Street will be closed for 1.5 to 2.5 months. Rerouting will be managed by the Police Department.

Rear Main Project Delays: The Rear Main project is facing delays characterized as “frustrating” by city officials due to lack of coordination among National Grid, Comcast, and Verizon.

• Utility Coordination: Delays involve the removal of wires and the delivery of multiple transformers required for underground electrical service.
• City Action: The city paid National Grid $978,000 in March 2026 for this work. The Mayor reported personally hand-delivering easement papers to landowners and the Registry of Deeds to prevent any city-side delays.
• Timeline Status: Originally expected to finish by mid-September, the completion date has been pushed out indefinitely pending a six-week turnaround from National Grid once equipment is received.

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Key Quotes

“The roofs were declared surplus for the purpose of leasing to the solar company and that’s how we’re able to do the lease holder improvements for the roof before that lease makes it to the council.” — Mayor Michael Nicholson on the solar project mechanics.

“I want it being known that there are no delays in regards to this project that have been on the fault of the city… we have been knocking on National Grid’s door of where we’ve paid for this already months ago.” — Jason Stevens on the Rear Main project utility delays.

“I think it would just open a lot more transparency and it puts a face to a project and that’s really important.” — Committee Member on including the OPM in future project updates.

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August Engagement At-a-Glance

• Wellness: Comprehensive fitness including Yoga, Tai Chi, and specialized Water Fitness.
• Daily Nutrition: The Senior Café, providing daily social connection over lunch.
• Creative Arts: Artistic pathways through painting, woodcarving, and quilting.
• Professional Advocacy: Direct access to legal, medical, and insurance navigation.
• Social Recreation: High-energy concerts, regional excursions, and competitive gaming.

The Gardner Senior Center is guided by a singular mission: to provide a home for Connection & Purpose. As we enter August 2026, our programming is intentionally designed to serve as a vital infrastructure for our community, offering the resources necessary for seniors to maintain their independence, health, and social vibrancy. By synthesizing physical wellness, professional advocacy, and creative expression into a cohesive monthly schedule, we ensure that every member has the opportunity to remain an active, contributing architect of their own life. A cornerstone of this daily connection is our Senior Café, which serves lunch every weekday at 11:30 AM, providing not just vital nutrition but a consistent space for neighbors to gather and share a meal.

Landmark Events and Regional Excursions: The off-site excursions and live performances are more than just outings; they are strategic interventions against social isolation. These events allow members to experience regional culture and history in a safe, communal setting, turning a simple trip into a lasting memory and an opportunity for new friendships to take root. We are also pleased to highlight our Travel Time series (Aug 14, 17, and 28), which offers members a chance to explore future horizons with Diane and Collette Travel.

August Major Events

• Art, Fun, and Education with Julie Harold
  • Date & Time: August 5 at 1:30 PM
  • Cost: Registration required for supplies.
  • Impact: This session invites you to rediscover your creative spark in a low-pressure, joyful environment where the focus is on the process of creation rather than just the final product.
• American Heritage Museum Trip
  • Date & Time: August 12 (Bus departs at 8:30 AM, returns approx. 12:00 PM)
  • Cost: $10 for Veterans/Spouses; $18 for Non-Veterans (Includes transport and lunch provided during the trip).
  • Impact: This excursion provides a profound “So What?” for our community by honoring the human impact of military service. It fosters a deep historical connection, allowing participants to interact with our national heritage from the Revolutionary War to the modern era.
• Dave Malouin Live in Concert
  • Date & Time: August 26 at 1:30 PM
  • Cost: Please RSVP at the Center.
  • Impact: Music has a unique power to unify; Dave’s high-energy performance is designed to stimulate emotional well-being and provide a vibrant, shared auditory experience for all attendees.
• Polar Park Trip: WooSox Game
  • Date & Time: August 28 (5:00 PM departure; 6:45 PM game time)
  • Cost: $50.00 per person.
  • Impact: This premium outing bundles transportation and a ticket with a two-hour all-you-can-eat buffet, offering a festive environment for sports fans to celebrate local culture together.

Holistic Wellness and Physical Fitness Framework: Strategic, age-appropriate physical activity is the most effective tool we have for preserving mobility and cognitive function. Our fitness framework is built on inclusivity, ensuring that every member—regardless of their starting point—can find a class that helps them build strength, balance, and confidence. Weekly Fitness & Wellness Schedule

Activity	Frequency / Day	Time	Participant Cost/Donation
Fun & Fitness	Mon / Fri	11:30 AM (M) / 8:30 AM (F)	$3.00 Suggested Donation
Chair Yoga	Tues / Fri	8:30 AM (T) / 11:30 AM (F)	$3.00 Suggested Donation
Mat Yoga	Fridays	10:00 AM	$3.00 Suggested Donation
Senior Water Fitness	Fridays (Aug 7-28)	10:00 AM – 11:00 AM	$20/Session (Reg. Required)
Tai Chi	Thursdays	1:00 PM	$3.00 Suggested Donation
Line Dancing (Beginner)	Mon / Thurs	10:00 AM (M) / 10:30 AM (Th)	$3.00 Suggested Donation
Line Dancing (Level 2/3)	Tuesdays	10:00 AM / 11:00 AM	$3.00 Suggested Donation

The specialized Senior Water Fitness program at Greenwood Pool is an excellent low-impact option for both swimmers and non-swimmers to improve cardiovascular health. Additionally, please note that the Walking Group at Perry Auditorium will begin its new season on Friday mornings starting in September 2026. The Gardner Senior Center encourages you to pre-register this August to secure your spot in this socially engaging, weather-proof exercise group. These programs prove that wellness is more sustainable when practiced as a community.

Social Connectivity, Hobbyists, and Creative Arts : Mental acuity and emotional resilience are bolstered by cognitive stimulation and social play. Whether through the rhythm of a drum or the strategy of a card game, these programs provide a sense of accomplishment and a shared identity among participants.

Community Engagement Groups

• Musical Engagement: Find your rhythm with the Ukulele Strum & Sing-Along (Tuesdays at 1:00 PM). Registration is also now open for our Cajón Drum Class starting September 14—a ten-session, hand-drumming course provided at no cost.
• Social Gaming: Join the friendly competition in BINGO (Thursdays), Pitch (Wednesdays at 10:00 AM), or Cribbage (Tuesdays at 1:30 PM).
• Artisan Groups: Get inspired with Crafters One & All (Wednesdays at 9:00 AM), the CM Caricature Carvers (Tuesdays at 9:00 AM), or the Montachusett Quilters Guild (Aug 4 at 6:00 PM).
• Literary Discussion: Our Books With Friends group meets Aug 24 at 1:00 PM to discuss “The Crown and the Conspiracy” by Connie Mann.

Our BINGO program remains a premier social hub, featuring a Progressive Jackpot and a lively atmosphere. This popular tradition is made possible by the dedicated work of our volunteers, including Carole and Joan, who ensure every session is organized and welcoming for all.

Professional Advisory and Support Services: As a community hub, the Center makes complex legal, medical, and financial resources accessible to everyone. By hosting specialists in a familiar environment, we remove the barriers that often prevent individuals from seeking the guidance they need.

Professional Services Calendar: August 2026

• Integrity Medicare: Insurance guidance and support (Every Thursday at 9:00 AM).
• SHINE Assistance (Aug 11): Professional Medicare and health insurance counseling.
• Talk With a Doc / Curse with a Nurse (Aug 12 & 26): Informal health chats with Dr. Harrington and Nurse Ireland focused on spirits and wellness.
• Journey with an Attorney (Aug 17 @ 2:30 PM): A legal Q&A session with Nancy Binder covering general interest topics.
• Vet-to-Vet Café (Aug 18 @ 11:30 AM): A supportive space for veterans to connect over a light lunch.
• Breakfast with a Badge (Aug 21 @ 10:00 AM): Coffee and conversation with local law enforcement.
• SNAP/HIP Assistance (Aug 13 @ 9:30 AM): Help with food budgeting and nutrition access.
• Memory Café (Aug 28 @ 11:00 AM): A specialized social gathering for those dealing with cognitive decline and their caregivers.

Sustainability is also a key part of services offered by the Gardner Senior Center. The Senior Food Pantry (Aug 19) and our on-site Textile Recycling Bin offer essential support for individual household needs while promoting environmental responsibility by keeping fabrics out of landfills.

Participation Checklist: Next Steps

• [ ] Pre-Register: All events and activities require a call to 978-630-4067 to register. This ensures the Senior Center has the correct supplies and seating.
• [ ] BINGO Punctuality: BINGO begins promptly at 1:00 PM; please arrive at least 10 minutes early to register and find your seat.
• [ ] Info Updates: Ensure the office has your current phone number and email so you don’t miss out on the monthly newsletter.
• [ ] Location: All programs are at 294 Pleasant Street, Gardner, MA, unless marked as an off-site excursion.

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If you don’t have a library card, or you prefer using a desktop, you can check out the 6 newly upgraded desk top computers in our reference area. And if you need help, either with your technology or ours, you can take advantage of our new Book a Librarian service. Email leviheywoodlibrary@cwmars.org, or call (978) 632 – 5298 and ask for the reference desk to set up a technology appointment.

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The windows that are being replaced were original to the Auditorium’s construction in the 1950s. These 12 foot windows were single pane windows that both had large draft issues in the winter, fading issues that restricted the amount of light that came into the space, and also had large reverberation problems that added to acoustic issues during events in the auditorium. This project seeks to address those concerns, remove, remediate, and abate any asbestos around the windows, and replace them with energy efficient windows that meet the modern uses of the Auditorium.”

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Details on the Approved City Council Formal Investigations

Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson’s Response

“Dealing with large scale construction projects like this can always be difficult and communication in these situations is key. With changes in scope, cost changes due to economic trends, and tight construction timelines, communication and regular briefings need to be done in order to keep everyone on the same page. I will be working directly with all City departments and members of the City Council to make sure communication breakdowns like this do not happen in the future. All of us working for the City- our elected officials, department heads, and employees – all work together to get the best possible outcome for our residents every day. I think this project is going to be a big benefit for our students for years to come. With recent upgrades made to the art wing of Gardner High School and now this project renovating the Athletic Wing, 2/3 of the Gardner High building will have been fully redone, both extending the life of the building and providing our student athletes with the top quality services they deserve. Projects of this size, scope, and cost require close supervision and management and we will be sure to provide regular updates to the City Council and the public on the process, so that the outcome of this project can truly be celebrated for the good it will provide to the community. No matter the path that got us to this point, we are here now and know the benefits this project will provide and can move forward improving and addressing concerns on all sides of the issue while doing the best possible for our schools.”

– Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson

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When Service Becomes a “Lifestyle,” Not Just a Job

The appointment of Brighton Cormier to the Cemetery Commission revealed the profound duality that often defines small-town service. Cormier isn’t just a community volunteer; he is a local firefighter who also spent his life working in his family’s funeral home.

There is a quiet poetry in this combination. During the day, he operates in the high-stakes world of emergency services, fighting to save lives. In his “off” hours, he draws on a lifetime of experience in the funeral industry to honor those who have already passed. For Cormier, this isn’t just work; it is a spiritual orientation toward his neighbors at their most vulnerable.

“Death is pretty much like a lifestyle, as everyone always says… being able to give your whole heart and soul to the people in the community who are dying, as well as trying to save them in the other part of it.” — Brighton Cormier

The Practical Power of Local Institutional Memory

The case of Don Robinson’s appointment to the Cemetery Commission served as a reminder that some of a city’s most vital assets aren’t stored in a computer, but in the memories of its residents. Robinson recently retired after twenty years of managing the three Catholic cemeteries in Gardner—a job that involved overseeing 30 acres of hallowed ground and 150 burials a year.

This kind of hyper-local knowledge is irreplaceable. The Mayor shared a poignant example: years ago, his own grandfather had lost the location of an infant sister’s grave. It was Robinson who, through decades of intimacy with the land, was able to provide the family with a map to finally find her. In an era of digital records, there is still no substitute for the man who knows the history of every acre and the stories buried within them.

The “Zero-Dollar” Model of Civic Pride

Sustainability is a buzzword in government, but the Gardner Bandstand Committee—highlighted during the reappointments of Nancy Binder and Michael Zlotnik—offers a masterclass in how to achieve it. This committee produces a full summer of concerts without using a single penny of taxpayer money, relying entirely on sponsorships and local donations.

What makes this model remarkable is its evolution. Councilor Brad Heglin noted that the committee wasn’t always a formalized city body; it began as a purely grassroots, volunteer effort. Today, that spirit remains. Members like Michael Zlotnik embody this “sweat equity” legacy—he was actually part of the original volunteer crew that physically built the bandstand. If you look closely at the structure today, you’ll find his name etched on the plaque, a tangible symbol of the ten Saturdays every summer these volunteers sacrifice to keep the music playing.

The Tangible “Torch” of Leadership

Small-city governance is often a relay race, and the appointment of former Mayor Daniel Kelly to the Council on Aging provided a moving look at the “baton” being passed. Current Mayor Michael Nicholson recounted the story of a “United We Stand” 9/11 plaque that his own grandfather had made for Kelly back in 2001.

The plaque stayed in Kelly’s office throughout his term and followed him into private life. But in 2010, at the grandfather’s funeral, Kelly returned the plaque to the family, offering it back as a source of strength during their own “hard times.” On the current Mayor’s first day in office, he hung that same plaque back on the wall where his grandfather and Kelly had first placed it. It serves as a reminder that the stability of a city is built on these intergenerational gestures of kindness and professional respect.

Reimagining “Culture” Through the Eyes of the Youth

Perhaps the most forward-thinking lesson came from the appointment of Brandon Huey to the Cultural Council. Huey is the city’s Youth Center Director, and he intentionally sought this role to bridge the gap between the Youth Commission and the city’s cultural programming.

Huey’s philosophy is a strategic one for any town facing a “brain drain.” He argues that a person’s decision to stay in their hometown—to view it as their permanent home—is often decided during the experiences of their youth. By intentionally marketing “culture” to young people, the city isn’t just providing entertainment; it is building a sense of belonging. It is a holistic approach to municipal health: you save the future by engaging the present.

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The Vibrant Mosaic of the “Model City for America”

A functioning municipality requires a diverse cast of characters to truly work. It needs people like Richard Ru, a 12-year Vietnam-era Air Force veteran who spent 50 years in the industry, starting as a janitor and draftsman before working his way up to marketing manager and engineer. He is the man who “knows when to talk and when to be silent.”

It needs people like Marion Knoll, the Gardner Museum curator whose energy is described as “infectious.” Knoll represents the deep social fabric of Gardner; long before she was an official appointee, she was the Mayor’s “band parent” during his high school marching band days.

When these individuals step out from behind the “camera in the corner” and take their seats at the table, they are doing more than filling vacancies. They are mapping the future while preserving the past and contributing to why we call Gardner the “Model City for America.”

Werner Poegel – Publisher

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More Details in these infographics on the Council on Aging 6-1-26 Meeting. CLICK IMAGE for larger view.

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