Overall, the Gardner Inauguration Ceremony on January 8, 2026 projected a vision of a city focused on pragmatic problem-solving, strategic investment, and regional leadership. Speakers consistently praised Gardner’s momentum, attributing its success to a results-oriented approach that prioritizes progress over political division.
FULL COVERAGE: – Gardner MA 2026 Inauguration
Gardner Massachusetts held its 2026 Ceremonial Inauguration on January 8, 2026. Many local, state, and even international leaders were in attendance. Listen to the complete event AUDIO here on any device. CLICK PLAY. (Nicholson speech and Tyros speech by themselves below.)
MC was Massachusetts Director of Rural Affairs Anne Gobi and State Representative Jonathan Zlotnik and Council President George Tyros also spoke. Gardner Mayor Nicholson, the entire City Council, and the 3 newly elected members of the School Committee were sworn in to office.
During his inaugural address, CLICK HERE Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson reviewed several key milestones such as educational advancements, housing reforms, significant infrastructure improvements, and more. The ceremony itself included musical performances by local choirs, a presentation of colors, and religious invocations from local clergy members. Throughout the proceedings, the common theme emphasized by officials was a commitment to fiscal discipline, transparency, and collaborative governance to ensure the community’s continued growth. The event concluded with a call for unity and a shared vision for Gardner’s future as the City navigates new economic challenges.
A Robust Portfolio of Accomplishments from the past 5 years were detailed in Nicholson’s Inaugural Address.
Mayor Nicholson gave a Five-Year Retrospective of Accomplishments: • Education: ◦ Curriculum: Made civics and financial literacy graduation requirements. ◦ Inclusivity: Conducted library audits to ensure diverse representation in school books. ◦ Vocational Training: Created the Montachusett Vocational Partnership Academy with Monty Tech, a first-of-its-kind state program allowing students to graduate with both a high school diploma and trade credentials. ◦ Facilities: Renovated Landry Auditorium, Lachance Gymnasium, Watkins Field athletic complex, and several varsity fields. • Housing and Development: ◦ HOME Act: Passed a zoning ordinance to combat the housing crisis by allowing tiny homes, increasing accessory dwelling unit sizes, lowering parking requirements, and zoning over 25% of residential properties for multi-family development by right. ◦ Blight Remediation: Remediated and sold several former factory sites including those at Rock, Stuart, West, and Leamy Streets and is finalizing sales of the former School Street and Helen Mae Sauter School sites for housing development. • Public Safety: ◦ Police: Created specialty translator positions to assist in Spanish, Portuguese, and other languages. ◦ Fire: Purchased two new fire engines, a heavy rescue truck, and two new ambulances, with a new ladder truck and another ambulance forthcoming. Provided every firefighter with a second set of turnout gear and EMS protective jackets. • Resident Services and Recreation: ◦ Social Services: Reinstated the domestic violence advocate position as a full-time role and invested $150,000 in local food pantries. ◦ Library: Increased hours at the Levi Heywood Memorial Library to 50 per week, including nights and year-round Saturdays. ◦ Parks: Made substantial investments in every city neighborhood, including new equipment and a walking path at Ovila Case, new pickleball courts and a playground for young children at Bailey Brook Park, refurbished tennis courts, and upgrades to the Pulaski Dog Park. ◦ Bike Trail: Extended the North Central Pathway around Crystal Lake. • Fiscal and Operational Management: ◦ Grant Funding: Retained Keller Partners company, leading to the acquisition of over $52 million in grant funds. ◦ Budgeting: The new Gardner Elementary School project was completed over $10 million under budget.
Mayor Nicholson spoke of Future Initiatives:
• Infrastructure: The South Gardner Infrastructure Improvement Project will break ground this year to move overhead wires underground and install new sidewalks and Victorian lighting. • Environmental Sustainability: Projects are planned to install solar panels on all city buildings and new EV fast chargers in public parking lots and parks. • Economic Growth: ◦ Propose new ordinance amendments to ease restrictions on senior/student housing, commercial signs, and general business operations. ◦ Create a “Pull Up a Chair Manual,” a step-by-step guide for entrepreneurs looking to open a business in Gardner. • Capital Investment: The surplus from the elementary school project is being reinvested into repairs at City Hall, a new community center, high school athletic locker rooms, and a new roof for the Gardner Middle School. The Mayor concluded with a call for continued collaboration, stating, “When others go to social media sites, we go to work. When others try to sew division, we break ground on progress. While others make noise, we make a difference.”
Council President Tyros spoke about rigorous financial oversight
City Council President George C. Tyros underscored the Council’s commitment to rigorous fiscal oversight, particularly in anticipation of “significant fiscal headwinds” from shifting state and federal funding. He celebrated the unprecedented re-election of all 11 incumbent counselors as a public endorsement of their work, which has included reforms in economic development, housing, and city policy. Tyros noted that for the first time in at least 20 years, the fact that all 11 incumbent counselors won re-election is a mandate they “do not take for granted.” President Tyros affirmed the Council’s role as a “check and balance” dedicated to operational excellence and earning the trust of the electorate.Tyros highlighted several policy achievements from the past term: ◦ Reforming the economic development department for cost savings and better performance. ◦ Leading on compensation modernization to retain long-serving employees. ◦ Modernizing housing codes to support smart growth. ◦ Updating the city’s sexual harassment policy, which had not been revised in decades. Council President Tyros paid tribute to the late Ron Cormier, the longest-serving counselor in the city’s history, whose passing left a void of institutional memory. Tyros stated, “We honor his legacy tonight by recommitting ourselves to the steady and honorable leadership he exemplified for 38 years.”
