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
Addressing Concerns – All the Answers – All the Rewards – Interview with John Stefanini With concerns of citizens and the Gardner City Council in mind, BayState Racing LLC today announced an updated Host Community Agreement which would give Gardner an upfront payment of $650,000 instead of $50,000 and guaranteeContinue Reading
Paving Update Given During Public Service Committee Meeting The first half of the meeting on July 29, 2024 concerned citizen appeals of water/sewer bills. The Public Service Committee adjudicates the appeals and decides on the amounts of credit awarded. DPW Director Dane Arnold spoke about paving and other updates inContinue Reading
CDBG Grants Announced in Front of School Street School School Street School has been vacant for almost 40 years, has fallen in to disrepair, often has vandals and police calls. Gardner applied for a Community Development Block Grant to demolish the building and received it along with others to benefitContinue Reading
Conservation Commission Hears About Racetrack at Meeting of July 22, 2024 The public was reminded that the subject of the proposed Horse Racetrack at 827 Green Street in Gardner was not on the agenda of the July 22nd meeting, but nevertheless the public was able to voice various opinions towardsContinue Reading
Gardner MA City Council Meets for More than 5 Hours The Gardner City Council heard a presentation from John Stefanini of BayState Racing LLC on July 23, 2024 regarding a proposed Horse Racetrack at 827 Green Street in Gardner. Following the presentation, the City Council took a non-binding straw voteContinue Reading
Gardner Magazine has a page with interviews. statements, commentary and resources on this issue. CLICK HERE for the Racetrack page. Information Session Followed by Public Hearing Tuesday July 23, 2024 The Gardner City Council holds an information session with a presentation by BayState Racing LLC at 6pm followed by aContinue Reading
Listen to Commentary from Publisher Werner Poegel regarding various aspects of the Racetrack proposal. Listen on any device. CLICK PLAY. Worldwide Audience Listens to WGAW Hotline Radio on Saturday July 20, 2024 With millions of potential listeners throughout the world via live streaming and thousands of Greater Gardner area listenersContinue Reading
More Updates on Airport Progress in this week’s Meeting The Gardner Airport Commission had a lengthy meeting on July 17, 2024. Discussions revolved around a Runway Update, Master Plan Update, and Ramp Repaving. The Airport Manager presented information on Guard System Counts, gave a facility update, went over the budget,Continue Reading
Mosquito Control Project on the Attack in Gardner MA during August 2024 The Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project plans to spray in the Gardner – Fitchburg – Leominster area on every Thursday in August which is August 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29. indicating that all of the dates areContinue Reading
OPEN: Greenwood Pool in Gardner and Lake Dennison in Winchendon. MA Water Quality Dashboard Shows Beach Closures in Greater Gardner MA The MA Map shows about 3 dozen beach closures in the entire state of Massachusetts. Most are closed because allowable bacteria levels have been exceeded. For the current mapContinue Reading
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