This article covers the meeting of January 21st in which the focus was on the immediate year ahead. Gardner Magazine previously published an article focusing on the 5 year Plan. It includes an infographic featuring $88 million in projected needs and a “Deep Dive”. Here’s a link to that article, CLICK HERE.
Capital Improvements Committee Meets and Discusses “The Big List”
The Gardner Capital Improvements Committee met on January 21st and the meeting video was just made available so we are covering it now. Listen to the meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY.
The infographic below is a helpful summary of the critical needs, mandates, and strategic investments amidst deferred maintenance.
Some key takeaways: A new fire truck costs a million dollars and takes an average of 2 to 4 years to arrive. It’s not just about finding the money, it’s also about managing incredibly long lead times and planning ahead. And an interesting example of how to build a “new” ambulance for half the price by mounting the existing patient compartment which is still in solid condition on top of a brand new truck chassis, saving $250,000. While the elevator in Gardner City Hall is on the list to be replaced, repairs on it have been difficult as replacement parts have had to be custom-manufactured from scratch due to the elevator’s age. The Keyes Road culvert is in poor condition and requires a full replacement at a cost of $2 million – otherwise 60 families could be stranded. And rather than leaping forward on building a new fire station, Fire Chief Gregory Lagoy is requesting a study so the City gets the right building. Bottom line overall: $20 million in needs versus a $4 million spending target. That’s why the City of Gardner pursues every single grant possible.
