In this “Year Ahead 2026” Interview, Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson outlines an ambitious agenda for building on a big year of progress in 2025. The interview itself and the infographic below demonstrate the specifics. A Forward- Looking Interview with Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson – The Year Ahead 2026 Listen toContinue Reading
Poedm.net provides AUDIO commentary, podcasts, DEEP DIVES, and DEBATES which cuts through partisanship, presents solutions with simple common sense, and preserves the dignity of all people. Our National Podcast Site, Poedm.net Gets an Upgrade Poedm.net was launched in 2024. Recently, the site was upgraded to include podcasts, Deep Dives, andContinue Reading
The Gardner Economic and Community Development Committee met on December 12th and focused on updates for numerous municipal projects. Those projects are seen in the infographic below. Many Project Updates at Development Committee Rounds out Busy 2025 Listen to the lengthy meeting on any device. CLICK PLAY. The Gardner EconomicContinue Reading
Planning Board Focuses on Various Sites During Meeting City of Gardner Planning Board meeting on December 9, 2025, detailed several important municipal topics. Key agenda items included addressing a withdrawn site plan application for a Mount Wachusett Community College project, which was withdrawn after modifications lowered the required number ofContinue Reading
Essential Updates and a New Club Takes Flight at Gardner Municipal Airport Listen to the entire meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY. At the Airport Commission meeting of December 3, 2025, the group heard essential updates regarding the airport’s infrastructure and introduced a proposal for a new aviation club. AnContinue Reading
A Look Towards Spring – Gardner Parks, Recreation, Open Space, and Athletics With a taste of winter just received, we thought a look towards Spring was in order. The City of Gardner is unique in that it combines the features of a small City with the amenities of a ruralContinue Reading
Administrative and Construction Updates Topic of Gardner Redevelopment Authority November meeting Listen to the entire meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY. A significant step forward was announced for the Rear Main Project North, which finally received approval from National Grid, allowing the contractor to complete subsurface electrical work and maintainContinue Reading
Financial Orders, Municipal Discussions, and Complex Legal Considerations Focus of Finance Committee Meeting The Gardner Finance Committee met on November 25, 2025. 197 page packet, CLICK HERE. Listen to the entire meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY. Key orders recommended for approval by the full City Council included the appropriationContinue Reading
ZBA Holds Meeting on Various Land-Use Applications Listen to the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting of November 18, 2025 on any device, CLICK PLAY. 1. An initial request from NH Signs for a sign requirement release for 4 Oak Street was withdrawn without prejudice. 2. The Board took up theContinue Reading
Gardner Golf Commission Approves Proposed 2026 Rates But Leaves Cart Fees Alone Listen to the Golf Commission meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY. The Gardner Golf Commission met on November 17, 2025 and discussed setting the golf course rates for 2026, particularly noting that cart fees were already higher thanContinue Reading
A very positive interview about Gardner’s Future. We cover many areas. Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY. Focus on Gardner’s Future – Interview with Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson On November 17, 2025, Gardner Magazine spoke with Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson in a very positive interview “Focus on Gardner’s Future” ListenContinue Reading
Weather Delays Completion of Pearl Street Paving Here is the alert issued by the City of Gardner: “Pearl Street Paving Work To Be Completed on Mon. Nov. 17th. Please be advised that due to the unexpected weather, crews got a late start and were unable to finish Pearl St. paving.Continue Reading
It’s Pearl Street Paving Time! – Saturday November 15, 2025 in Gardner MA Preparations have been made. And now the long awaited paving date is here. Pearl Street in Gardner will be paved on Saturday November 15th. It has been a difficult project due to the road’s proximity to theContinue Reading
Weatherization and Heating Efficiency Upgrades made at public housing authorities – What it means for Gardner and the region. Massachusetts oversees about 43,000 units of state-funded public housing. The finalized contracts, executed with local housing authorities across the state, will help make those homes warmer, healthier and more energy-efficient forContinue Reading
Environmental Review, Capital Improvements, and Finances – a Gardner Airport Update The members of the Gardner Airport Commission met on November 5, 2025 and discussed several ongoing and upcoming projects at the airport. Listen to the entire meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY. Key topics included the status of theContinue Reading
Planning Board Meets on Private Gardner Projects The Gardner Planning Board met on November 4, 2025 to address several key development projects and proposed ordinance amendments. The board first discusses the continuation of a public hearing for a Mount Wachusett Community College building addition due to recently submitted definitive siteContinue Reading
Gardner Gets a Quarter of a Million Bucks for New Playground at Ovila Case The City of Gardner has been awarded $252,000 in a State grant to fund new playground equipment at Ovila Case. For years, kids enjoyed playing in the Fantasy Playground at Ovila Case. However, in 2023 theContinue Reading
South Gardner to be REVITALIZED with nearly $1.5 Million Grant The graphic shows the NOW photo, the CONCEPT photo, and Utility Improvements. The exciting transformation will be undertaken because the City of Gardner has received nearly $1.5 million for the South Gardner Revitalization Project. Mayor Nicholson has focused on allContinue Reading
Press Release 10-27-25, CLICK HERE. The City of Gardner and Growing Places Celebrate the Grand Opening of the Waterford Street Regional Food Center Listen to the speakers and the ribbon cutting on any device, CLICK PLAY. The ribbon cutting ceremony featured remarks from officials Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson and StateContinue Reading
Some Changes in the Commercial Landscape of Gardner MA A sign went up recently in the Gardner Plaza for a new NAPA Auto Parts which is going in to the former Walgreen’s location to the right of Ocean State Job Lot and to the left of Patriot Pizza. The expectedContinue Reading
Gardner Redevelopment Authority Meets with Added New Members Listen to the entire meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY. Executive Director is Jason Stevens, Gardner’s Director of Community Development and Planning. The Chairman is City Councilor Paul Tassone. Other members include State Representative Jonathan Zlotnik, City Councilor Judy Mack, and PaulContinue Reading
DEEP DIVE – The Gardner Airport Listen to the “Deep Dive” on any device. CLICK PLAY Key agenda items included the successful closeout and final payment authorization for a runway reconstruction project and updates on the associated storm water pollution prevention plan. The commission also discussed the draft wildlife hazardContinue Reading
Airport Commission Meeting of August 6, 2025 Listen to the entire meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY. Key agenda items include the closeout of a runway reconstruction project and updates to the stormwater pollution prevention plan, which requires clarification on pollutant testing. A major focus is the discussion of aContinue Reading
To put Phillipston in context: The nearby City of Gardner is 23.02 square miles in area with a population of over 21,000. Phillipston is slightly larger with a total area of 24.6 square miles and a population of under 2000 people. A little bigger in size with 1/10 the people.Continue Reading
Fiscal 6 – The Interview with Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson Fiscal 6 is the 6th Fiscal Year Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson has been in office and that started on July 1, 2025. We spoke with the Mayor about various needs and issues, and how things have changed over the lastContinue Reading
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