Gardner City Council Organizes Food Drive The Gardner City Council is sponsoring a community food drive scheduled for Saturday, November 14, from 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM. The objective of the drive is to stock the food pantries of the Massachusetts Veterans Outreach Center, Inc. (MVOC) and the Gardner CommunityContinue Reading
Realities Faced by the Senior Center in Gardner MA Listen to the Council on Aging meeting of 10-5-26 on any device, CLICK PLAY. Facility Repair Costs and Budget Deficits were discussed: Unanticipated, critical repairs to the senior center’s aging elevator—including load retests and a full circuit board replacement—along with anContinue Reading
Gardner Magazine has 3 infographics at the end of this article focusing on a summary of the October 5, 2026 Gardner City Council Meeting, a Municipal Action Report, and 5 Takeaways from the Meeting. Gardner City Council Holds First October Meeting of 2026 Listen to the meeting on any device,Continue Reading
From the President’s Desk – September 2026 Update with Gardner City Council President George Tyros Press Release from George Tyros: A+ Collaboration: Strengthening Council & School Committee Oversight – On September 14th, I had the privilege of presenting an amendment to my ordinance to Strengthen Oversight and Transparency of CapitalContinue Reading
At the City Council meeting of September 21st, 9 Councilors participated in person with Councilor Tassone calling in remotely and Councilor Hardern was absent, still recovering from back issues. Gardner City Council meets on the Last Day of Summer 2026 Listen to the entire meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY,Continue Reading
Council on Aging Zeroes Out Fiscal Year 2026 But Discusses Budget Issues for Fiscal Year 2027 Listen to the entire meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY. The Gardner Council on Aging (COA) meeting held on September 15, 2026, focused on the closeout of Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) and the initialContinue Reading
The text of Councilor Brad Heglin’s investigation into the financial security incident is contained in the City Council Agenda and Packet CLICK HERE. Joint Meeting and Regular Meeting of Gardner City Council In a Joint Convention of the Gardner City Council and School Committee, Veronica Guay was elected to theContinue Reading
Publisher’s Note: The big topic at the beginning of this City Council meeting revolved around meeting minutes and how difficult it was to keep up with them. Gardner Magazine used one of its subscription tools and rendered official meeting minutes within about an hour of the meeting. We have sentContinue Reading
Gardner City Council Meets with New City Clerk at the Desk Listen to the entire meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY. The Gardner City Council meeting held on July 6, 2026, focused on administrative appointments, fiscal reallocations, and the resolution of procedural complaints. Key outcomes included the dismissal of twoContinue Reading
Gardner City Council Passes FY27 Budget with Numerous Reductions AUDIO of meeting presented here has the silence of the recess periods edited out. That’s is why the length differs considerably from the video which will be presented on the City’s YouTube channel. Listen to the entire meeting on any device.Continue Reading
The agenda and packet for this meeting is 927 pages. CLICK HERE for pdf. (It’s a huge file.) New City Clerk Sworn In, Appointments Approved, and 3 Investigations Begun at lively City Council Meeting Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson has issued a response to the City Council’s actions of last night.Continue Reading
Gardner City Council Meets Regarding Budget in Special Meeting The Gardner MA City Council met on June 8, 2026 to consider the FY27 Budget. Listen to the meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY. Gardner Magazine has prepared 2 additional infographics to illustrate the topics under consideration. Find them below. CLICKContinue Reading
Listen to the entire meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY. Variety of Matters Focus of Gardner City Council Meeting The council approved several licensing applications for local businesses, including a bowling alley and multiple secondhand article dealers. Significant debate occurred regarding personnel ordinances, specifically the creation of a Chief ofContinue Reading
Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson is Special Guest at Council on Aging Meeting At the Gardner Council on Aging meeting of June 1, 2026, officials addressed the fiscal year-end budget and several infrastructure developments. Listen to the entire meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY. The treasury report details various funding sources,Continue Reading
Councilors wished Councilor Karen Hardern well who has been absent due to a back problem. Get well soon, Councilor Hardern. City Council Holds Meeting with 7 of 11 Councilors Present Alek Dernalowicz was elected City Council President Pro-Tem to lead the meeting in the absence of City Council President GeorgeContinue Reading
Gardner City Council Hears Budget Presentation The Gardner City Council met on May 12, 2026 and heard the School Budget presentation in a lengthy meeting. Listen to the meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY. Superintendent Dr. Mark Pellegrino and financial officials outline a significant $793,000 funding gap driven by risingContinue Reading
Transitions, Planning, and Oversight Focus of Gardner City Council The Gardner City Council met on May 4, 2026. Listen to the entire meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY. The Gardner City Council meeting held on May 4, 2026, focused on critical administrative transitions, budgetary planning for Fiscal Year 2027, andContinue Reading
Senior Center Budget and Preparation for the Summer Move to Waterford The Gardner Council on Aging met on May 4, 2026. Listen to the meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY. The budget was discussed during this lengthy Council on Aging meeting on May 4th and our infographic below provides someContinue Reading
From the President’s Desk – April 2026 with Gardner City Council President George Tyros. In an April 2026 update, CLICK HERE FOR PDF, Gardner City Council President George Tyros outlines several legislative measures aimed at improving city operations and local governance. A major highlight includes the establishment of a standardizedContinue Reading
Listen to the entire meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY. Personnel, Fiscal Responsibility, and Accessibility Among Topics of City Council The Gardner City Council met on April 21, 2026 and confirmed various appointments. The council authorized a five year contract for a police policy delivery system and approved salary stepContinue Reading
Gardner City Council Gets Visit from State Representative Zlotnik Featured at the Gardner City Council meeting of April 6, 2026 was a comprehensive district update from State Representative Jonathan Zlotnik. Zlotnik details critical shifts in state funding formulas, noting a significant increase in road maintenance aid and the final implementationContinue Reading
Joint Public Hearing Focuses on Signs The Gardner City Council and Planning Board held a joint public hearing on April 6, 2026 to discuss moving the city’s signage regulations from the zoning code to the general ordinances. Officials argue that the current zoning requirements are too restrictive and time-consuming, citingContinue Reading
Council on Aging – Complete Briefing The Gardner Council on Aging (COA) meeting on April 6, 2026, focused on a critical assessment of the fiscal year-end projections, operational challenges, and upcoming transitions. Listen to the entire meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY. Despite successful programming and high volunteer engagement, theContinue Reading
The Gardner City Council authorized the Council President to seek legal clarification regarding its ability to participate in contract talks when individuals who report to the City Council are involved. While George Tyros’ remarks are included in the meeting AUDIO, we highlight them here. Despite Absence of 3 Councilors –Continue Reading
Council President George Tyros utilized closing remarks to address what he described as a pattern of financial mismanagement within the City Administration over the last six months. Gardner Magazine reached out to Mayor Michael Nicholson for his reaction and/or response and we have updated this article with the Mayor’s responseContinue Reading
Successes, Updates, and Finances Focus of Gardner Council on Aging The Gardner Council on Aging met on March 2, 2026 and reviewed financial reports, facility updates, and programmatic successes. The center remains in a strong fiscal position despite nearing a city-wide spending freeze. Key highlights include the successful management ofContinue Reading
At the Gardner City Council meeting, Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson spoke about discontinuing the Sludge Landfill Expansion. Listen on any device. CLICK PLAY. Council President George Tyros commented on the visit by 2 members of the U.S. Congress to Gardner and congratulated Councilor Elizabeth Kazinskas on her recent engagement. ListenContinue Reading
Council on Aging Reviews Progress and Plans the Move to Waterford Listen to the entire meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY. Current Facility Issues: While participation in senior programs has reached record highs, the move to Waterford can’t come soon enough as there are critical infrastructure failures at the currentContinue Reading
Two councilors had interesting things to say during Councilor Comments: Dana Heath spoke on Black History Month and Judy Mack spoke about DPW and the requirement of business owners to clear in front of their stores. Listen on any device. CLICK PLAY. City Council Topics Include Municipal Compensation, Business Licensing,Continue Reading
Procedures – Appointments – Committees Topics of Gardner City Council Meeting. Listen to the entire meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY. The Gardner City Council met on January 20, 2026. The most significant actions involved a comprehensive overhaul of the council’s internal operating rules, a contentious debate regarding the termContinue Reading
Organizational Restructuring and Financial Oversight Focus of Council on Aging Meeting The Gardner Council on Aging met on January 5, 2026. The current Chair Ron Dameka, Vice Chair Paul Leone, Treasurer Terri Hillman, and Secretary Kathy O’Brien were reelected. Financial reports were a major component of the discussion, with officialsContinue Reading
Gardner City Council Organizes for New Year and Closes Out Maki Park Project The Gardner City Council met on January 5, 2026 and unanimously reelected George Tyros as Council President. A significant portion of the session focused on a detailed report and presentation by Director of Community Development and PlanningContinue Reading
City Council Rules – a Debate on the Balance Between Rigorous Deliberation and Instant Response This Gardner Magazine debate with Max and Maxine Rogers concerns the official procedural framework governing the Gardner City Council. The rules establish administrative protocols for the legislative body including the scheduling of regular and specialContinue Reading
The Gardner MA City Council meeting of December 15, 2025 is the last City Council meeting of the year. View the infographic for this meeting below. CLICK IMAGE for larger view. Gardner City Council Meets for the Last Time in 2025 Listen to the entire meeting on any device, CLICKContinue Reading
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 StreetContinue Reading
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 andContinue Reading
View the entire agenda and packet on pdf, CLICK HERE. Gardner MA City Council Met on November 17, 2025 Listen to the entire meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY. The Housing Ordinance passed. Request to utilize just over 200 grand for road paving was approved. Gardner Mayor Nicholson gave aContinue Reading
The Gardner Tax Rate has been set at $13.77. Image shows the math approved by the State of MA. CLICK Image for larger view. DEEP DIVE – Upcoming City Council Meeting of November 17, 2025 Gardner Magazine has prepared a “Deep Dive” with hosts the Chair Man and the ChairContinue Reading
Councilor Judy Mack spoke of the food crisis in the community and announced that the Gardner City Council would be having a food drive. Gardner Magazine will provide more details when available, but this is what the Councilor said: Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY. Two Meetings of Gardner MAContinue Reading
The Gardner City Council unanimously approved a Single Tax Rate for Fiscal Year 2026. Gardner to have Single Tax Rate Once Again The Gardner City Council met on October 20, 2025. Listen to the entire meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY. A major focus of the meeting was the FY2026Continue Reading
Gardner City Council Meeting Features a Report by Councilor Brad Heglin on Waterford According to City Councilor Brad Heglin, the Waterford Improvements are being done correctly. Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY. Listen to the entire meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY. Key actions included the swearing-in of four newContinue Reading
Gardner Magazine Releases the original song “Cool Councilors” This original song is about the very “Cool” Gardner MA City Council. Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.Continue Reading
Gardner City Council Approves Budget for Fiscal Year 2026 The Gardner City Council met on June 16, 2025 and approved the various zoning ordinances and financial ordinances. The overall budget was reduced by the salary item which the Council restricted to the original increase. Agenda and packet, CLICK HERE. ListenContinue Reading
Zoning Matters and Budget subject of 2 City Council meetings Gardner City Council Held Public Hearings on 3 Zoning Matters on June 9, 2025 in conjunction with the Planning Board. The meeting began with a presentation by Attorney Christine Tree followed by the 3 public hearings. Listen on any device,Continue Reading
4 AUDIO files in this article. The Informal and Regular City Council meetings of 6-2-25, the Public Service Committee of 5-30-25 and the 2 Hour Finance Committee of 5-29-25. As of 6-4-25 at 3pm, the Economic Development Committee meeting was not yet available – we will present it to youContinue Reading
Gardner City Council Holds 2 meetings – Budget Major Topic The informal meeting of May 19, 2025 was convened to hear a School Budget presentation. Listen on any device. CLICK PLAY. At the regular meeting of May 19, 2025, the budget items were referred to appropriate sub-committees for further review.Continue Reading
At the end of the meeting, 3 councilors commented on the Light the Town Purple event. Gardner City Council approves Veterans Agreement with Town of Winchendon The Gardner City Council met on May 5, 2025. Listen to the meeting on any device. CLICK PLAY. With this approval, the Town ofContinue Reading
City Council Meets on Tuesday Because of the Monday Patriot’s Day Holiday, the Gardner MA City Council meets on Tuesday, April 22nd. Complete Agenda and packet, CLICK HERE. Gardner Magazine will publish AUDIO of the meeting after it occurs.Continue Reading
View the complete agenda and packet, CLICK HERE. Meeting has extensive discussion on the proposed Building Department Fee increases. Listen on any device. CLICK PLAY. MART – Building Department Fees – Council Webpage – Some Topics of City Council Meeting The Gardner City Council met on April 7, 2025. ListenContinue Reading
Copyright 1998 to 2098 Werner Poegel WebTech Online (978) 632-6324