Editorial – Waterford Use is Completely Legal and Authorized
A Rogue Gardner Facebook group is putting forth some complete nonsense regarding whether the current use of the Waterford Community Center is legal. Well it is legal. As a matter of fact, the City of Gardner went through a complete legal process to make sure it was doing things in a proper manner.
The City of Gardner was formally authorized in July 2024 to move forward with its Waterford Community Center plans when the Governor signed a bill which had been submitted by State Representative Jonathan Zlotnik.
Very specifically, the land was authorized to be used for general municipal purposes instead of use as a public school. The bill was referred to the committee on Municipalities and Regional Government in April 2024, got reported favorably by that committee and referred to the committee on House Steering, Policy, and Scheduling in May, enacted by the House on July 17, 2024, by the Senate on July 18th, and signed by Governor Healey on July 25, 2024. This was a lengthy and completely transparent process handled in a completely lawful manner. The formal authorization allows the City of Gardner to move forward on leases with tenants. Here’s the actual bill, CLICK HERE.
It is unfortunate that Mayoral candidate Kimberly Blake allows complete false and inaccurate posts on her Rogue Facebook Group when the City of Gardner has done everything above board and even has the Governor’s signature on what it is doing. Shame on Blake for once again trying to mislead the people of Gardner.