April 2025 – Greater Gardner MA Local News

• Council 4-22-25 (4/21/2025)

  

  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.

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• Patriot’s Day 2025 (4/20/2025)

  

  Gardner Magazine Releases “Flag of Patriot’s Day” to Celebrate 250th Anniversary of original Patriot’s Day

  What better way to celebrate Patriot’s Day than with this original celebratory song. Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.

  In April 1775, soldiers fought the inaugural battles of Lexington and Concord in the American Revolutionary War. 250 years later, we are celebrating Patriot’s Day on April 21, 2025.

  Gardner City Hall and town offices throughout the region are closed.

  Happy Patriot’s Day!

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• Easter song (4/19/2025)

  

  Happy Easter! – Gardner Magazine Releases “The Easter Song – Life from Death”

  About 2 thousand years ago at a single tomb, the life of Jesus was about to resume because of a miracle conceived by God as a gift to the human race. Easter is celebrated because Jesus rose from the dead. This song is intended to honor the miracle we are afforded through Christ. Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.

  Happy Easter to All!

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• Hotline 4-19-25 (4/19/2025)

  

  Preview of Next Week’s Events Highlight of WGAW Hotline Radio Show of April 19th

  Host Steve Wendell opened the show with an interview with Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson in which the Mayor reviewed parks in the City and the 3 events coming up in Gardner on Saturday, April 26th: 1. 10th Annual Litter Cleanup and Nip Hunt 2. Agricultural Expo at MWCC 3. Purple Paws Event. Listen to the entire show on any device, CLICK PLAY

  Interviewed during the show were Bernice Richard on the Purple Paws Event and Diane “Neon” Leblanc on the Make Gardner Beautiful Cleanup Event. There were highlights from Westminster Candidates Night, a “Deep Dive” on the problems with microplastics, especially in canned foods, and a commentary with Werner Poegel on MEMA.

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• Discounted Condos (4/18/2025)

  

  143 Ridgewood Condos Sold in one fell SWOOP…

  Uncas LLC and 127 No. Main St. LLC have purchased almost half of the condos at the Ridgewood Condominium Complex. Purchase price was just over $121,000 each for a total purchase price of just over $17 million. The deal closed a couple of weeks ago. There are 288 condos at Ridgewood, located off Pearl Street in Gardner.

  Real estate prices have gone up in the past few years. Back in 2021, a unit at the Ridgewood complex sold for under $80k. Right now, a single 2 bedroom unit is on the market for $169,100. 1 bedroom units have sold recently for as much as $160k. One could say that by buying in bulk, the entity which purchased many units at once got about a 25% discount.

  As far as the state of Massachusetts goes, these are bargain condos as the median price in the state exceeds $500,000 and prices year over year are up about 5% or so.

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• This Week 4-18-25 (4/18/2025)

  

  Gardner Magazine Weekly Update April 18, 2025

  The Gardner Magazine Update can be heard on any device. CLICK PLAY.

  Drought Update – The Storm – Capital Improvements – MWCC Auto Grant – Sludge Landfill again – Phone Smishing Scams – School Budget – City-Wide Yard Sale – MART – Election – Mount Auditions for Grease – Volunteers for Animal Shelter – Events coming up in Gardner – Meetings coming up in Gardner

  Email any events or news tips to News@GardnerMagazine.com

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• Drought 4-17-25 (4/17/2025)

  

  MEMA Finally Updates Greater Gardner MA Drought Status to “MILD DROUGHT”

  Weeks ago, Gardner Magazine alerted MEMA that its website was circulating misinformation about a “Critical Drought” when that simply was not accurate – a fact we confirmed with other sources including those actually used by MEMA. MEMA finally updated its site in the last several days, but backdated its map to March 1st. As to our original inquiry of several MEMA contacts: we never heard back from any of them.

  In an April 9th website posting on MEMA’s site it was stated “Today, Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Rebecca Tepper declared the Connecticut River Valley, Central, Southeast and Western regions of the state have been downgraded to a Level 1 – Mild Drought status following two months of above normal precipitation.” MEMA Drought page.

  In a further development, there may not even be a drought at all as Drought.gov shows its 1 month forecast as drought ending in Greater Gardner MA. See Drought.gov details for Gardner MA, CLICK HERE.

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• Capital 4-16-25 (4/17/2025)

  

  Gardner Capital Improvement Committee Looks to Future

  While some major items are being covered by the $8 million from the GES Surplus going towards projects with lives of 30+ years, there’s still plenty of capital need for the years 2026-2030. See the $8 million list The Capital Improvement Committee met on April 16^th and reviewed the long list. List of requests is included in the agenda and packet, CLICK HERE. Listen to the meeting on any device, CLICK HERE.

  A Google AI analysis of the agenda and packet resulted in the following “Deep Dive” from Gardner Magazine analyzing and going over all the requests. Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.

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• MWCC Auto 4-16-25 (4/17/2025)

  

  Gardner Magazine has a “Deep Dive” AUDIO program about this grant and the MWCC Automotive Technology Program. Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.

  For more information about MWCC’s automotive program visit the following pages: Certificate Auto Techology, CLICK HERE – Gardner Automotive Technology Center, CLICK HERE. — National Science Foundation Grant, CLICK HERE.

  Trust Founded by Man from Templeton Gives Boost to MWCC Auto Technology Center

  Mount Wachusett Community College has been awarded a $100,000 grant from the George I. Alden Trust to support the first part of a three phase expansion of MWCC Automotive Technology Center. See separate article on the George I Alden Trust, CLICK HERE.

  In a Press Release, MWCC detailed how the funding will be used: “The grant will cover 29% of the funding needed for the installation of two modular classrooms, adding 2,000 square feet of instructional space to meet the increasing demand in the Automotive Technology program. This growth is driven by MWCC’s Electric Vehicle (EV) courses, launched with funding from a National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education grant. The addition of EV training has already driven a significant increase in program enrollment, equipping students with essential skills in both traditional and cutting-edge automotive repair, including hybrid and fully electric vehicles.

  “Our automotive programs are at the forefront of industry needs, and this funding will allow us to continue offering state-of-the-art facilities and equipment for our students,” said MWCC President James Vander Hooven. “With the support of the George I. Alden Trust, we are able to expand our capacity, ensuring that more students have the opportunity to gain the skills necessary for successful careers in this rapidly evolving field.”

  Phase II will convert existing space into additional instructional areas, followed by Phase III which will focus on the renovation of the second-floor of the facility to increase student support services at the facility.

  The George I Alden Trust was established in 1912 in Worcester, MA for the purpose of the “maintenance of some charitable or philanthropic enterprises’ with specific interest in ‘the promotion of education in schools, colleges, or other educational institutions.” See Alden Trust website, CLICK HERE.

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• George Alden Trust (4/17/2025)

  

  A “Deep Dive” in to the George I Alden Trust – MWCC Granted $100,000

  
  The George I Alden Trust was established in 1912 in Worcester, MA for the purpose of the “maintenance of some charitable or philanthropic enterprises’ with specific interest in ‘the promotion of education in schools, colleges, or other educational institutions.” Listen to the Gardner Magazine “Deep Dive.” on any device, CLICK PLAY.

  On April 16, 2025, Mount Wachusett Community Collage announced it had been awarded $100,000 towards its Automotive Technology Program, see separate article, CLICK HERE.

  George I. Alden has Greater Gardner MA Roots, growing up in Templeton.

  George Alden was a man of the Industrial Revolution who was educated at Harvard’s Lawrence School of Science. He was a New Englander who grew up in Templeton, Massachusetts, and earned money for college in the furniture factories of nearby Gardner. To quote one biographer, ‘serious himself, he expected everybody else to be, believing more in practice than in precept… .’

  Alden came to Worcester in 1868 to teach at the newly established Worcester Polytechnic Institute. For 28 years he headed WPI’s Mechanical Engineering Department. Alden and his colleague, Milton Higgins, achieved national recognition in the 1880s and 1890s for their skillful and compelling advocacy of an engineering education that combined practice with theory. Their graduates, able to lead in the industrialization of America, were, in Alden’s words, ‘entitled to be called gentlemen in the original and derivative sense of that word.’ George Alden lived from 1843 to 1926. The trust was established in 1912.

  George I. Alden Trust – In 2024, to the total of over 11 million dollars, the George I. Alden Trust supported Higher Education, Secondary Schools, Education related organizations primarily in Worcester, and YMCAs. It also gave $15,000 individual grants to almost 3 dozen other organizations. Details, CLICK HERE. – Website CLICK HERE.

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• ZBA Parking (4/16/2025)

  

  Parking – Parking – Parking Focus of Majority of ZBA Meeting

  The 5 member Gardner Zoning Board of Appeals discussed the plans for parking at a 163-165 Pine Street property during the meeting of April 14, 2025. Attorney Christine Tree represented Jonathan Bombaci whose entities have 2 properties on Pine Street and is attempting to come up with solutions to parking limitations including a creative easement idea to provide parking for tenants at one property at another property. Building Commissioner Tom Zuppa was on hand to give advice to the Board as the matter was heard. Listen to the meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY.

  The City of Gardner website shows 163-165 Pine on the agenda for a meeting on April 26^th at 9:30am and on April 30^th at 10:00am

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• Conservation 4-14-25 (4/15/2025)

  

  Gardner Conservation Commission Conducts Lengthy Meeting – Sludge Landfill Topic Up First

  The Gardner Conservation Commission Meeting was over an hour and a half on April 14, 2025. Listen to the meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY.

  For a complete list of the various matters up for discussion, please review the agenda, CLICK HERE.

  On the agenda: enforcement orders for the sludge landfill, 36 Nicole Terrace, and 282 Brookside Drive. Hearings scheduled are for proposed tree removal at 125 Snake Pond Road which is set to occur within the buffer zone of a bordering vegetated wetland – single family home and driveway on Betty Spring Road – the New England Power a1/b2 transmission line, a proposed gravel pit stabilization project at the Ebenezer Keyes Conservation Area – and, Old Duck Pond Dam project on the site of Mount Wachusett Community College – it’s a proposed ecological restoration limited project. Other business includes utility maintenance notifications from Massachusetts Electric and New England Power, and the yearly operations plan and vegetation maintenance notification from Berkshire and Eastern Railroad. The Commission will also discuss the recent fire at 549 West Broadway and subsequent runoff towards areas of jurisdiction.

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• Smishing Scams (4/15/2025)

  

  Worcester Sheriff Warns Greater Gardner MA – “Smishing” Scams surging on cell phones

  
  [West Boylston]—Worcester County Sheriff Lew Evangelidis is warning residents about a recent wave of “smishing” scams targeting cell phones across Massachusetts. Smishing, a combination of “SMS” (short message service) and “phishing,” involves scammers sending fraudulent text messages with website links to residents’ cell phones.

  Press Release April 15, 2025

  “According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), a typical smishing scam message may appear to be from your bank or another trusted organization. These messages often contain a link or phone number designed to entice you to click or call. If you engage with these messages, you risk falling victim to the scam. Once you interact with the scammers, they may manipulate your personal information, which they can sell or use for further scams. Additionally, “smishers” may try to lure you into downloading malware onto your personal electronic devices.

  
  

  Recent reports state that the following scams have been identified: **MassDOT Toll Scam**: In this scam, individuals receive a notification, often via email or text, claiming that they’re being contacted regarding unpaid highway tolls. The text may demand payment via fake payment links or phone numbers.

  USPS Undeliverable Package Scam**: In this scam, individuals receive a notification, often via email or text, claiming that a package sent through the United States Postal Service (USPS) could not be delivered. The message typically includes a link to resolve the issue, which leads to phishing sites designed to capture sensitive personal and financial information.

  – **One-Ring Scam**: This scam involves receiving a phone call that rings only once or twice before hanging up. When victims return the call, they are connected to a premium-rate number, resulting in high charges that are billed to their phone. Many area code numbers used in this scam are international, leading to significant unexpected charges on victims’ phone bills.

  “Residents need to beware of any unsolicited calls that ask for their personal or financial information,” commented Sheriff Evangelidis. “These callers can sound convincing, may be aggressive, and try to intimidate you with threats of jail time or steep fines. We encourage anyone who gets a suspicious call to hang up and contact their associated institutions directly to verify any requests.”

  Finally, Worcester County Sheriff Lew Evangelidis is issuing a warning to residents regarding a “spoofing” phone scam involving the Sheriff’s Office. The phone scammer poses as an employee of the Sheriff’s Office and informs the victim that they have an arrest warrant, charges filed in their name, or missed jury duty. The scammer then demands payment of a fine to avoid being arrested and serving jail time.

  Sheriff Evangelidis says, “In general, if you do not initiate contact and an unknown caller is requesting money or making threats of arrest or loss of utilities, it’s likely a scam.”

  The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office encourages people to be aware of text and phone call scams like this and to never give personal or financial information to an unknown number soliciting payments. For more information on the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office, please visit www.WorcesterCountySheriff.com.”

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• No Political Fool (4/15/2025)

  

  Gardner Magazine Releases “No Political Fool” – a powerful original tune with 12 different versions

  Listen to the Rock Blues version on any device, CLICK PLAY.

  Listen to the Country-Americana version on any device, CLICK PLAY.

  View the lyrics and listen to all 12 versions including a very unique Live Metal Performance, Glam Rock, Acoustic Folk, Funk, and Baroque Pop, and more… CLICK HERE

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• School 4-14-25 (4/15/2025)

  

  

  Budget Presented at Gardner School Committee Meeting

  The School Budget of over $37 million was presented by School Superintendent Mark Pellegrino and Finance Manager Mark Hawke. Members of the School Committee asked questions. The hearing was open to members of the public and 1 resident asked questions. Listen to the complete meeting on any device. CLICK PLAY.

  The School Committee passed the budget unanimously. The Gardner City Council still needs to approve both the School Budget and the Municipal Budget.

  John Lafreniere spoke on Finances. Anne Hurst spoke on policies. Mark Pellegrino will be staying on as Keystone Collaborative Representative and Caps Collaborative Representative.

  Mark Pellegrino proposed that competency language be kept simple for the class of 2025. Some previous MCAS scores can count, otherwise passing grades in various identified courses in English, Math, Science. APPROVED by School Committee.

  Paula Bolger will be stepping down as Principal of Gardner High School.

  Mayor Nicholson congratulated all of the student participants in the musical and sports activities.

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• Snow Sequel (4/14/2025)

  

  Gardner Magazine Releases – “Sneaky Snow – the Sequel” original song

  When Winter Comes Alive, you can expect the unexpected. Listen to Pop or Jazz versions of the song on any device, CLICK PLAY

  From the song: “It’s Sneaky Snow, the sequel, the pesky snowball returned, Sneaky snow has no equal, the region soon learned…. Sneaky Snow, you should go, Winter in Spring sure does blow!…”

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• Sneaky Snow (4/14/2025)

  

  Persistent Sneaky Snow – A Gardner Magazine Tongue-in-Check Investigation

  Gardner Magazine scoured the City of Gardner around 11am on April 14, 2025. Temperature was nearly 60 degrees and much of the snow had melted. However, some stubborn pesky sneaky snow remained hidden in plain sight. From the edges of parking lots to grassy areas. From various corners to even a section right in the middle of a sidewalk.

  The persistent sneaky snow was a stark reminder of the Saturday snow of April 12th with the knowledge that Mother Nature operates in New England on a very hidden set of her own rules.

  

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• MART Riders (4/12/2025)

  

  EDITORIAL – Full, Half Empty, a few riders, or empty – which is it?

  Gardner City Councilor Karen Hardern got approval to have an informal meeting with the City Council and MART to discuss safety concerns and the amount of ridership. MART has been FREE and Hardern suggests the model may not be working.

  FREE ridership on MART may not make any sense if ridership doesn’t increase by 20 fold in some cases as Councilor Hardern complains that some routes have no riders or 2 riders.   With 2 riders, you’d need a 50% increase in riders to have just 1 more person.  So what’s relevant are the real numbers. My idea would be that ridership would not be FREE, but could be rebated to an individual if a desired threshold is met, thus encouraging public transportation and actually making a difference in the environment.  It appears the current model might actually be having a negative effect if Hardern’s concerns have validity.  Without any real numbers but just percentages, we have no real data to really know what’s going on.   Are the buses successfully full, half empty, or often empty?   The answer would be helpful.

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• Hotline 4-12-25 (4/12/2025)

  

  

  Maki Park has been embroiled in controversy since its opening. An investigation approved by the Gardner City Council and conducted by Councilor George Tyros found various missteps including lack of ADA compliance and the fact that final plans were not those approved by the City Council when it funded the project. Park has 4 levels including a steep grassy area to which stairs are currently provided.

  WGAW Hotline Radio on Day of More Snow than Forecast

  Listen to the entire show on any device. CLICK PLAY

  The WGAW Hotline Radio Show of Saturday April 12, 2025 featured Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson who explained problems with getting plows out for the storm – plows were off and had to be put back on the trucks and that delayed storm response. Nicholson also spoke about the Building Commissioner’s simultaneous salary request hike and fee request hike, and other Gardner issues. The Mayor also spoke about MART and ridership, Maki Park discussions are underway including what to do about the 4th level which Mayor Nicholson stated was never intended for public access but simply for DPW to mow the grass.

  Diane “Neon” Leblanc spoke about Gardner Cleanup Day coming up soon. Werner Poegel commented on when FREE should be FREE.

  In the 2nd hour of the show, host Steve Wendell spoke with the behavioral health staff at Heywood. A psychiatrist and a therapist from Heywood Hospital on Behavioral Health Resources – The Director of Behavioral Health on sensory treatments. The Nurse Manager of the unit on the scope of the job. And the Nurse with the Geriatric Practice Unit. Listen to the show for all of the information.

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• This Week 4-11-25 (4/11/2025)

  

  Gardner Magazine Weekly Update 4-11-25

  The Gardner Magazine Update can be heard on any device. CLICK PLAY.

  Various Events in the City of Gardner. — Concerns about MART — Ire re some proposed fees — Rebuilding after fire — Election 2025 — April Events – Future Events – Upcoming meetings including jam-packed Conservation Commission – School Committee to review budget. – and more!…

  Email any events or news tips to News@GardnerMagazine.com

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• Planning April ’25 (4/10/2025)

  

  Gardner Planning Board Hears Various Matters on April 8, 2025

  The Gardner Planning Board met on April 8, 2025. Listen to the meeting on any device. CLICK PLAY.

  View complete agenda, CLICK HERE.

  On the agenda were 3 items described as a public hearing: 1. a site plan related to a proposed multi family home on Emerald Street 2. to review the site plan of West Mini Storage for a proposed self storage facility on Manca Drive and 3. to review the proposed Zoning amendment for historical properties which was submitted by Chair City Church via citizen petition.

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• Yard Sale 2025 (4/8/2025)

  

  Date of Gardner Spring City-Wide Yard Sale Announced

  The Gardner City-Wide Yard Sale will be Saturday May 31st with hours of 8am to 1pm. Residents can of course be open longer and even Sunday if they choose.

  Email address to submit addresses to organizer Stacy Eady is shopportunity5@yahoo.com

  

  Gardner Magazine Releases the original song “City-Wide Yard Sale”

  Play the goofy song on any device and get in the mood to participate or buy at the Gardner Spring City Wide Yard Sale. CLICK PLAY.

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• Council 4-7-25 (4/8/2025)

  

  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. Listen to the entire meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY.

  The City Council approved a request by Councilor Karen Hardern to schedule an informal meeting with MART due to various concerns Hardern detailed. Councilor Hardern stated that her unsafe driving concerns were not being taken seriously and also wants to discuss her concern that many MART buses are either completely empty or have 1 or 2 people. The date of the informal session will be announced.

  Council President George Tyros temporarily yielded the Chair to Councilor Kazinskas for the purpose of speaking on his resolution to oppose an increase in Building Department Fees. It was stated that Mayor Nicholson actually opposes the increases, but Tyros felt it was appropriate for the Council to discuss as the fee increase proposal was shared with the City Clerk. There was extensive discussion and the resolution to oppose the fee increases passed 8-2

  Councilor Kazinskas reported that the City Council webpage will soon have updates to make it more user friendly and that she has been working with IT Director Bob O’Keefe on the endeavor. Regarding Maki Park, various issues are being addressed.

  BACKGROUND – Finance Committee Meeting April 7, 2025

  
  The Gardner Finance Committee took up various matters including the proposed increase in Building Department fees. Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson stated in no uncertain terms that he was not in favor of the increases and that is why he did not bring forth the proposal to the Council. Council President George Tyros expressed his disapproval and opposition to the fees. Other items included a proposal to discuss the creation of a Special Committee for the Waterford Community Center Project, discuss the City’s current sexual harassment policy, and discuss the current state of facilities management for all municipal buildings. Complete agenda and packet, CLICK HERE. Listen to the entire meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY.

  Why the City Council President was so irritated about the Fees Proposal from Tom Zuppa

  All of this information can easily be garnered from listening to Council President George Tyros speak on the matter during the Finance Committee meeting and during the City Council meeting. Details of Tom Zuppa’s salary demand and simultaneous proposal to increase all Building Department fees to support the salary increase are in the packet. CLICK HERE.

  On December 28, 2024, Building Commissioner Tom Zuppa wrote the Mayor to formally submit a proposal to increase all fees currently under control of the Building Department to help cover the increase in inspector salaries. Zuppa raised the ire of the City Council President when George Tyros discovered that Zuppa was requesting an immediate salary increase of over 20 percent so Zuppa’s salary could stay substantially higher than his subordinates whose base salaries increased as a result of recent unionization. The agenda and packet contains the proposed new fees.

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• Estate Sale (4/7/2025)

  

  If you have any questions about this sale, please leave a voicemail at (978) 632-6324. Thank you.

  Gardner Magazine Publisher Announces Estate Sale at Home of Late Mother

  Our Mom passed in December at the age of 88 and this weekend we are having an estate sale. We are opening it up to readers of this publication as well because many of you would be interested in the wide array of collectibles to be offered. Sale will be Saturday April 12th from 9am to 2pm and Sunday April 13th from 9am to noon (no early birds). Location: 28 Nelson Circle, Jaffrey, NH

  Hundreds of collectibles in all price ranges include: German Porcelain Dolls, Christmas Villages, Nutcrackers, German Steins, Crystal, China, Figurines, Rocks and Minerals, Shells, DVDs, Stamps, postcards and so much more. Furniture is decades old but much of it looks like it could have been made yesterday. Quality housewares and kitchen stuff too. Cash Only. Bring your truck. You’ll want to fill it up. If you collect anything, you won’t find it in better condition. Location: 28 Nelson Circle, Jaffrey, NH
  

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• Hotline 4-5-25 (4/6/2025)

  

  Hotline Radio is heard Saturdays from noon to 2pm on WGAW. Steve Wendell also hosts the Morning News weekdays from 6-9am with additional short reports throughout the day.

  Nicholson and Zlotnik Headline Hotline – Later, “DOGE” and “Raising Chickens”

  An extremely interesting Hotline Radio Show was to be had for WGAW Radio listeners on April 5, 2025 as Host Steve Wendell streamed worldwide and broadcast locally on AM 1340 and 98.1 FM. Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.

  Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson started off the show with an informative discussion about projects in the Chair City. —State Representative Jonathan Zlotnk spoke on the State Budget and Chapter 90 – Chapter 70 Funds and his committee work. — The One one One interview with Elon Musk continued. —Werner Poegel had a commentary on Calendar – Colander and had some fictional guests. — M. L. Altobelli of the Good Earth Farm and Garden Center delighted the audience with a talk on raising your own chickens. — Town Administrator Stephanie Lahtinen of Westminster’s Town Crier featured upcoming elections and the process.

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• This Week 4-4-25 (4/4/2025)

  

  Gardner Magazine Weekly Update 4-4-25

  The Gardner Magazine Update can be heard on any device. CLICK PLAY.

  Maki Park – Fires in Gardner – Drought Forecast – Grand Opening – Election – Events – Meetings – MART concerns – Building Fee Concerns

  Email any events or news tips to News@GardnerMagazine.com

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• Deep – Parks etc. (4/4/2025)

  

  Deep Dive with the Chair Man and Chair Lady – Parks, Trails, and Recreation

  Spring is here and people will be heading for the outdoors. This program examines and details the parks, trails, and recreation opportunities in Gardner. There are more than you think. Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.

  In this episode of our “Deep Dive” series, Gardner Magazine covers 22 different Gardner locations including Alisauskas Conservation Area, Bailey Brook Conservation Area and Park, Cowee Pond Open Space, Crystal Lake Park, Dunn Pond State Park, High Ridge Wildlife Area, Lake Wampanoag Wildlife Sanctuary, Monument Park, North Central Pathway, Perley Brook Reservoir, Rome Conservation Area, Jackson Playground & Skatepark, Bickford Playground, Pulaski Playground and Dog Park, Greenwood Playground, Ovila Case Playground, Greenwood Outdoor Pool and Spray Park, Park Street Park, Orpheum Park, Maki Park, the Municipal Golf Course, and the Waterford Community Center. — More “Deep Dive” Episodes, CLICK HERE.

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• Lamontagne – Phillipston (4/2/2025)

  

  Adam Lamontagne lands a few miles down the road

  Lamontagne posted, “It is official! The Phillipston Select Board voted 3-0 to appoint me as the Chief Administrative Officer. I look forward to representing Phillipston’s best interests. My first day will be Tuesday.”

  Adam Lamontagne was most recently the Town Administrator of Templeton MA until he resigned. He will start in Phillipston on Tuesday, April 8th.

  Town of Phillipston website, CLICK HERE.

  Town Hall: (978)-249-6828

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• Calendar Geek (4/1/2025)

  

  Gardner Magazine Releases Original Song “Calendar Geek”

  A song so fun there’s more than 10 versions. We present 4 of them right here.

  Go to the complete song page with all the lyrics, CLICK HERE.

  From the song “Trust me, trust me, I need my dates and days of the week, Give me, give me, all the dates and days I seek, Watch me, watch me, perform my calendar tweak. I must be, I must be, a CALENDAR GEEK!…(a calendar geek)...”

  Enjoy whatever calendar you use!

  CALENDAR GEEK – Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.

  All versions and page, CLICK HERE.

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