No Loud Explosions as “quiet demo” takes place at Willow and Main The old Rome Building at Willow and Main is on its way down. Much to the chagrin of thrill seekers, there were no loud explosions as the building was carefully demolished. Some traffic is being rerouted for safetyContinue Reading
After almost 3 Decades, Former Garbose Site to be Sold The Garbose Metal Company operated a metal salvage yard at 155 Mill Street in Gardner for about 40 years from 1958 to 1998. Contamination was found on much of the property to include PCBs, heavy metals, and petroleum compounds. AfterContinue Reading
Page with complete text of interview, CLICK HERE. Challenges and Solutions – Interview with Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson Gardner Magazine Publisher Werner Poegel spoke with Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson on April 24, 2025. The conversation revolved around various challenges and the corresponding solutions. Listen to the numerous questions and answersContinue Reading
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 reviewContinue Reading
The MEMA map is dated 2-1-25. Press Releases re Drought date back to 2023, 2 years ago. Gardner Magazine has concerns as to data accuracy especially since our other sources reflect a different outlook. Update 3-29-25 10:50pm – Further investigation confirms that the MEMA map appears to be the onlyContinue Reading
Conservation Commission Speaks About the Sludge Discussion at the Conservation Commission meeting of March 24, 2025 revolved around the problems at the Gardner Sludge Landfill. Chairman Greg Dumas asked questions of DPW Director Dane Arnold and City Engineer Rob Oliva regarding options at the site. Dumas stated that he wouldContinue Reading
Deep Dive with the Chair Man and Chair Lady – Landfilling Biosolids In this episode of our “Deep Dive” series, Gardner Magazine covers an EPA report on Landfilling Biosolids, featuring the Pros and Cons as laid out by the EPA. With all of the discussion and public comment on theContinue Reading
Members of the CDBG Committee include Chair Evan Cudmore who is the Assistant Director of Community Development, Council President George Tyros, Jason Stevens who is Director of Community Development, Micah Blondeau who is Director of Public Health, Thomas Zuppa who is Building Commissioner, Shawn Hayden who is CEO of GAAMHA,Continue Reading
Top: Land Application. Middle: Landfill Bottom: Incineration. For additional EPA technical resources, visit the website, CLICK HERE. Some Sludge Facts for Greater Gardner MA It just so happens that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has produced some very interesting Fact Sheets on the basics of sewage sludge and biosolids. 3Continue Reading
The Gardner Board of Health sent Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson a letter regarding concerns about the Gardner Landfill, CLICK HERE. Conservation Commission Discusses Problems with Sludge Landfill Residents Alan Rousseau and Paul DeMeo spoke about alleged ongoing issues at the Gardner Sludge Landfill. Members discussed the possibility of modifying itsContinue Reading
Gardner Magazine Releases “We’ve Got the Sludge” – A Funky Environmental Song Debate and comments regarding the proposed Sludge Landfill Expansion in Gardner Massachusetts continue on almost a daily basis at Gardner Committee meetings and even at the Templeton Select Board Meeting of March 12th. Supporters cite economics and theContinue Reading
Conservation Commission Meets Regarding Various Properties and Various Concerns The Sludge Landfill issue was discussed very briefly with Chair Greg Dumas allowing only “new” material from the public. Considerable time was spent on 36 Nicole Terrace. The Homeowner allegedly cut down trees on an adjacent property which he did notContinue Reading
Horse Racing Proposal Back – This Time in Leominster Baystate Racing LLC is proposing a Horse Racing Track at the former landfill on Mechanic Street in Leominster. According to Leominster Mayor Dean Mazzarella, entry to the facility would be made via the interstate highway and not via Mechanic Street. AContinue Reading
Sludge Landfill Presentation and Public Input in Gardner MA On February 10, 2025, a presentation was made to the public by a representative from the firm working for the City of Gardner. Links to various documents are below for your reference. Following the presentation, there was about an hour ofContinue Reading
Upcoming Meeting to Give Citizens Input on the Proposed Sludge Landfill Expansion On February 10, 2025, there will be a meeting at Gardner City Hall’s Perry Auditorium from 6 to 8pm. In the notice for the public meeting, the City of Gardner outlines its purpose to provide an overview ofContinue Reading
Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson mentions in the short interview that $11 million was spent to upgrade the water treatment plant a few years back and a recent grant of $4 million was obtained by DPW Business Manager Chris Coughlin to do upgrades to the sewer treatment system. The City ofContinue Reading
GAAMHA Contractor Quits, Blames Social Media Harassment According to GAAMHA President and CEO Shawn Hayden, a contractor working on septic system improvements at the 827 Green Street facility quit abruptly via email, sending a screenshot of a Social Media posting allegedly by Paul DeMeo and informing GAAMHA that they didContinue Reading
Before and After the Big Mowing at Gardner Elementary School Much of the grounds at Gardner Elementary School have been mowed. The top photo shows how the grounds looked in violation of City Ordinance and State Law which contemplates the potential risk to children and adults from insects, rodents, andContinue Reading
Nature Takes Over When Humans Aren’t Looking Throughout the City of Gardner, the weather has allowed for accelerated foliage growth in some areas. For example, the barricade at South Main Street almost looks like a hedge. A retaining wall at Timpany Plaza is showing signs of structural infiltration by MotherContinue Reading
Update September 3, 2024 Mayor Michael Nicholson explained: “MEPA stated they got enough complaints from individuals stating the 8 day notice was too short of a time, even though the minimum legal requirement is 7 days, so they have ordered the meeting be reposted with a 14 day notice.” MeetingContinue Reading
Chair Greg Dumas stated, “I’ve asked a hundred times what retainers are left on that job and I get a zero response. They think I’m an idiot. If they take all their retainers out, shame on the city.” Gardner Conservation Commission Introduces Agent Justin Enright Justin Enright was introduced asContinue Reading
Planning Board Approves Salt Shed – Not Affecting Wetlands The Gardner Planning Board on August 13, 2024 approved the Definitive Site Plan for the new DPW Salt Shed. Listen to the meeting on any device. CLICK PLAY The 9100 square foot salt shed is identified by the rectangle on theContinue Reading
Environmentally Safe Weed Removal in Gardner MA Gardner City Hall has announced that the Department of Public Works “will be working to remove the weeds from the sidewalks in areas of the Downtown beginning this week. To be environmentally friendly and safe to our pets, the solution used is aContinue Reading
Complete EPA Fact Sheet, CLICK HERE. EPA Removal Action to Take Care of Dangerous PCBs at Temple Stuart The factory has been inactive for years, but the chemicals known as PCBs at the site remained. The site located at 24 Holman Street in Baldwinville was targeted in the Spring ofContinue Reading
Councilors consistently referenced risks, concerns about items not addressed completely, and opposition of most constituents contacting them. Gardner City Council Votes Unanimously Against the Horse Racetrack Gardner City Council voted 11 to 0 against the Horse Racetrack proposal by BayState Racing LLC. The City Council discussed the matter before theContinue Reading
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