Here’s the actual vote: Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY. Butler explained her auditing approach emphasizing “professional skepticism” and independence. Butler advocates for transparency and “no surprises”, citing instances where she reported internal policy bypasses (e.g. shipping items without production orders.) City Auditor Search Committee to Make Recommendation to GardnerContinue Reading

Lengthy Airport Commission Meeting Reveals Much of 2026 Agenda Listen to the entire meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY. The Gardner Airport Commission meeting on February 4, 2026, addressed critical infrastructure projects, budgetary oversight, and operational challenges. Key takeaways include: • Infrastructure & Environment: Progress is being made on a comprehensive fencingContinue Reading

At least 3 candidates for the open Gardner City Auditor position will be interviewed this week with the Committee and Gardner HR Director Amanda Morse anticipated to be in attendance. Auditor Search Progresses – 3 Interviews Scheduled The Auditor Search Committee consisting of Councilors Heglin, Dernalowicz, Mack, Heath, and KazinskasContinue Reading

Walmart Project Dominates Discussion at Conservation Commission as Members Ask Many Questions Listen to the entire meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY. The February 2, 2026, meeting of the Gardner Conservation Commission focused on critical environmental oversight regarding the Gardner Sludge Landfill and the proposed redevelopment of 677 Timpany BoulevardContinue Reading

Golf Commission Previews 2026 Season at February Meeting The Gardner Golf Commission met on February 2, 2026. Listen to the entire meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY. The meeting focused on operational transitions, financial health, and infrastructural planning for the upcoming season. Key takeaways include the approval of the 2026-2027Continue Reading

Council on Aging Reviews Progress and Plans the Move to Waterford Listen to the entire meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY. Current Facility Issues: While participation in senior programs has reached record highs, the move to Waterford can’t come soon enough as there are critical infrastructure failures at the currentContinue Reading

Two councilors had interesting things to say during Councilor Comments: Dana Heath spoke on Black History Month and Judy Mack spoke about DPW and the requirement of business owners to clear in front of their stores. Listen on any device. CLICK PLAY. City Council Topics Include Municipal Compensation, Business Licensing,Continue Reading

Public Service Committee Handles Abatement Requests and Hears Updates The Public Service Committee met on January 30, 2026. Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY. The Committee heard from a homeowner and a non-profit requesting abatements, deciding to forgive 30 percent of the bill for each based on what the committeeContinue Reading

Of six candidates contacted by the City, three have responded positively and wish to interview. Auditor Search Committee Finalizes Next Steps The Gardner Special City Auditor Search Committee met on January 29, 2026. Listen to the meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY. The primary objective was finalizing a comprehensive setContinue Reading

Appointments Committee Meeting About Both Process and Candidates The Gardner Appointments Committee met on January 28, 2026. During the meeting, four residents were interviewed for positions on two City Commissions. Listen to the meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY. The committee acknowledged the experience of Conservation Commission members, highlighting thatContinue Reading

Both Mayor Michael Nicholson and Council President George Tyros appear on WGAW Hotline Radio Listen to the entire show on any device. CLICK PLAY. First up on the WGAW Hotline Radio Show of January 31, 2026 was the Mayor of Gardner, Michael Nicholson who spoke about DPW’s effort in keepingContinue Reading

Another Exciting Board of Assessors Meeting The Gardner Board of Assessors met on January 22, 2026. After addressing a delayed start due to technical issues, the two present members approved the previous month’s minutes and proceeded to reorganize their leadership. They successfully nominated and voted for an absent colleague, Charles Leblanc, to serve as the new chairperson forContinue Reading

ZBA Grants One Final Appeal for 69 Oak Street Application Listen to the meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY. At the January 21, 2026 meeting, the Gardner Zoning Board of Appeals discussed a pending application from Nanda Patel regarding the rehabilitation of a vacant three-family home on Oak Street. TheContinue Reading

Auditor Search Committee Discusses Candidates by Number and Develops Shortlist The Gardner City Auditor Search Committee met on January 21, 2026. Listen to the entire meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY. The search committee met to evaluate resumes and establish a shortlist of candidates for interviews. Members identified 6 specificContinue Reading

Procedures – Appointments – Committees Topics of Gardner City Council Meeting. Listen to the entire meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY. The Gardner City Council met on January 20, 2026. The most significant actions involved a comprehensive overhaul of the council’s internal operating rules, a contentious debate regarding the termContinue Reading

Operational Concerns, Internet Outages, Council Rules Topics of Finance Meeting The Gardner Finance Committee met on January 14, 2026. Gardner Mayor Nicholson and Councilors Alek Dernalowicz and Council President George Tyros addressed several municipal fiscal and operational concerns. A significant portion of the discussion centered on the repayment plan forContinue Reading

Short But Significant License Commission Meeting ends with Pyrotechnics Safety Advisory The Gardner License Commission Meeting on January 13, 2026 was mostly routine and involved voting on formal leadership and administrative tasks and an update on a pending license transfer for a local restaurant. However, the commission confirmed that updatedContinue Reading

Conservation Commission Met on Various Issues The Gardner Conservation Commission met on January 12, 2026 and members addressed various local environmental and land-use issues. The board begins by approving certificates of compliance for residential properties, resolving long-standing title issues caused by developer oversights. A significant portion of the session focusesContinue Reading

Overall, the Gardner Inauguration Ceremony on January 8, 2026 projected a vision of a city focused on pragmatic problem-solving, strategic investment, and regional leadership. Speakers consistently praised Gardner’s momentum, attributing its success to a results-oriented approach that prioritizes progress over political division. FULL COVERAGE: – Gardner MA 2026 Inauguration GardnerContinue Reading

Gardner Board of Health Meets Regarding Alleged Open Meeting Law Violations The Gardner Board of Health met on January 8, 2026, primarily to address a formal Open Meeting Law complaint. The board discussed an advisory from the city solicitor regarding executive sessions used for health director interviews, which were allegedlyContinue Reading