Representative Jonathan Zlotnik Comments on House Passage of Right-to-Shelter Reform Bill Representative Jonathan Zlotnik joined colleagues in the Massachusetts House in voting to pass a bill reforming the state run homeless shelter system. Right-to-Shelter was put in place more than 4 decades ago and many, including Zlotnik, have described theContinue Reading

Planning – Resources – Funding – Legislation – Policy Focus of WGAW Hotline Radio Program Hotline Radio Program on WGAW aired Saturday February 8, 2025 from noon to 2pm. Here are some of the highlights: Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson spoke with host Steve Wendell on various topics including Project PlanningContinue Reading

In a statement during Council Comments and Remarks, Council President Tyros emphasizes why oversight is so important in the context of a July 31, 2024 meeting. We have details below and AUDIO from that meeting. Gardner City Council Meets on February 3, 2025 The Council added a Committee on EconomicContinue Reading

The Massachusetts Mayors Association was established in 1945. Mayor Nicholson was elected President of the MMA on January 25, 2025. Michael Nicholson elected President – of MMA Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson was unanimously elected President of the Massachusetts Mayors’ Association on January 25, 2025. Official Press Release, CLICK HERE. —Continue Reading

Chair Leblanc created an amusing moment when speaking about printer frustrations, “When it comes out of the printer, you know, page after page, I’m like this. Exactly. And then I’ll go, son of a bitch. And then my wife says, are you doing the papers again? How’d you guess?“ BoardContinue Reading

Gardner City Council Debates Oversight of Economic Development Department At the Gardner City Council meeting of January 21, 2025, councilors debated oversight of the Economic Development Department, likely creating a new sub-committee at a future meeting. Gardner Mayor Nicholson introduced Jason Stevens who was given a temporary 60 day appointmentContinue Reading

Donald J. Trump is President Again after taking Oath of Office Donald Trump is now President of the United States once again. Trump is only the 2nd man to serve a non-consecutive term in the Oval Office. President Trump juggles a number of Inaugural activities along with the business ofContinue Reading

Update with the Mayor and State of City and State of State Featured on WGAW Hotline Radio Listen to the entire program on any device, CLICK PLAY. The show began with an informative update with Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson. The Mayor spoke about oversight of City Departments, the hiring ofContinue Reading

Gardner Mayor Nicholson Delivers State of the City Address The Mayor’s speech was preceded by remarks by Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll who spoke of Gardner and its penchant for success and spent the afternoon with the Mayor “bringing developers together as part of a roundtable to understand what the opportunitiesContinue Reading

Highlights of this Weekly Update: Registration for Summer Recreation begins February 1st – details available on that date. Gardner Fire Department has advice on ways to prevent freezing pipes during the cold winter weather. Christmas Lights can be put in the regular trash. On Sunday, January 19th at 1pm theContinue Reading

Listen to the AUDIO of the meeting for complete remarks. Gardner City Council Elects George Tyros as President for remainder of term Former City Council President Elizabeth Kazinskas nominated Councilor George Tyros to be Council President for the remainder of the 2 year term. Tyros was elected unanimously. Listen toContinue Reading

Michael Nicholson on “The Year Ahead” We spoke with Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson about “The Year Ahead.” Listen on any device. CLICK PLAY. Mayor Nicholson discussed what’s upcoming in 2025. Upcoming projects include Revitalization Projects at the Greenwood Pool area, Rome Square, and work in the Downtown. The Mayor isContinue Reading

In an interview with Gardner Magazine, State Representative Jonathan Zlotnik once again expressed his desire to lower the sale tax and get rid of the inventory tax. Listen on any device. CLICK PLAY. Jonathan Zlotnik on the Year Ahead We spoke with State Representative Jonathan Zlotnik about “The Year Ahead.”Continue Reading

Gardner Mayor Nicholson in last weekly update of 2024 Listen to the update on any device. CLICK PLAY. Thanks: Library Staff and Gardner PD for coordinating Santa at the Library —- Staff at City Hall who participated Spirit Week and decorations —- E.L. Harvey, the trash collection company, for donatingContinue Reading

This is the complete Press Release of Mayor Nicholson on 12-17-24. See separate article re George Tyros report to the City Council, CLICK HERE. Gardner Mayor Nicholson Makes Changes in Light of Maki Park Issue In a Press Release of December 17, 2024, Mayor Michael Nicholson stated the following: IContinue Reading

Varied Topics at City Council Meeting of December 16, 2024 Listen to the entire City Council meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY. The Gardner City Council approved $800k from sewer retained earnings to sewer leachate project and $150k from water retained earnings for the valves project. City has 1000 waterContinue Reading

Gardner’s Assessor Christine Kumar is part of the great Finance Team in the City of Gardner. Mayor Michael Nicholson and various City Councilors frequently compliment the team on its transparency, efficiency, and competence. Gardner does very well on objective State and Federal audits. Gardner has an online checkbook which anyoneContinue Reading

Gardner City Council to Hear Results of Maki Park Investigation Gardner City Councilor George Tyros was tasked by the City Council with investigating the Maki Park Project. Once built, it was immediately apparent that Maki Park was not ADA compliant. The City Council will hear a presentation by Tyros atContinue Reading

Publisher’s Note: It gives me great joy to report on the good people of Gardner whether it’s elected officials, business owners, non-profit leaders, or individuals. The 3 councilors mentioned here are part of a group of 11 really good people. Send any article ideas to News@GardnerMagazine.com. The local hero mayContinue Reading

A Holiday Season Update with Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson Listen to the December 13, 2024 update on any device. CLICK PLAY. EVENTS – Saturday December 14th: Good Earth Farm and Garden Center on West Broadway hosts Santa Claus from 10am to 2pm. —- Sun. December 15th: Winter Carnival with ElsaContinue Reading

Templeton Citizens Act on 3 articles – Waste Plastics – Senior Center Project – Solid Waste The Town of Templeton held a Special Town Meeting on December 5, 2024 that was attended by hundreds of residents. Concerns over possible Waste Plastics Incineration were discussed during the first part of theContinue Reading

Publisher’s Note: In this meeting, taxpayers learn about a loan paid off in full 3 years early, a crane which lasted 53 years, lease agreements coming to fruition at Waterford, a Mayor spending the time to update ordinances, a Council President spending the time to update Council rules, and confirmationContinue Reading