Secretary Ed Augustus Reflects Proactively on Housing in Massachusetts and Greater Gardner MA Gardner Magazine Publisher Werner Poegel spoke with Ed Augustus, Secretary for Housing and Livable Communities for the State of Massachusetts. We spoke about housing issues including the proposed Affordable Homes Act. Listen to the interview on anyContinue Reading

The Mayor is required each year to issue a proclamation proclaiming Patriot’s Day as Colonel Thomas Gardner Day. From the City Code, “Whereas history is prologue, and it is important that our children be cognizant of our past, especially the early sacrifices that established the freedom and democracy we enjoyContinue Reading

Conservation Commission Discusses Proposal on Property near Wetlands Most of the meeting involved discussion regarding a subsurface sewage disposal system within 100 feet of a wetlands buffer zone at 122/128 Wampanoag South Road. A representative from Mass. Audubon was there to share thoughts on the project. It was stated byContinue Reading

View the Complete 261 page Agenda and Packet, CLICK HERE. Approved: 2024-2025 School Calendar will be option 2 which was the choice of about 3/4 of respondents to a Staff and Family survey. First day of school in Fall 2024 will be the Tuesday after Labor Day weekend. Printable pdfContinue Reading

Update 10am 2-13-24: From City of Gardner: “The parking ban that was called for Tuesday, February 13th, has been lifted and on street parking is available on all streets where on street parking is allowed.”Continue Reading

All of the existing Chinese restaurants in Gardner have positive Google reviews from 4 to 4.4. With Four Season Cutting Ribbon, Gardner Officially has 4 Chinese Restaurants Again Roughly 2 months after opening, the Four Season Chinese Cuisine located at 19 Union Square in Gardner had its official ribbon cuttingContinue Reading

Gardner MA Is Awarded $230k in Safe Streets and Roads Grant Funding The City of Gardner will receive $230,000 for implementation, planning, and demonstration projects to improve safety and help prevent deaths and injuries on its roads. The complete Press Release from Gardner Mayor Nicholson outlines details, CLICK HERE. “InContinue Reading

School Committee Reviewing Policies and Curriculum at Monday Meeting The packet contains extensive information about the School Curriculum and courses. View agenda and 261 page packet, CLICK HERE. REPORT on the meeting including AUDIO, CLICK HERE. The vision of the School system includes the following statement: “Every child, in everyContinue Reading

UPDATE 8:30am 2-13-24: Where is the forecast storm? Levi Heywood Memorial Library has announced it will open at 11am on Tuesday, February 13, 2024. It is possible other items in this article have changed. We will update as we have information. Forecast Update: National Weather Service now calling for 1Continue Reading

A limited number of interview slots are available on Hotline Radio each week. Please contact Host Steve Wendell at (978) 632-1340 or email SteveWendell@wgaw1340.com. Wendell also tells us that the station provides slots for FREE Public Service Announcements to promote community organizations. News from the HIT Hotline Radio Show onContinue Reading

Aldi Getting Ready for Spring – Summer Opening in Gardner Gardner is abuzz with discussion about when Aldi will open in the Timpany Plaza. Gardner Magazine visited the location on February 7th. We were able to find out that construction has progressed to indoor shelving and a Spring opening isContinue Reading

Downtown Gardner is undergoing a period of positive transformation as a number of buildings are being renovated including the historic Garbose Building and the Bullnose Building. Work on the former Bank of America building and the Gardner News building is expected in the near future. 29 New Housing Units OfficiallyContinue Reading

Mayor Nicholson indicated that if this first stage $3.6 million RAISE grant was approved, then next year the City would apply for the remainder of the $15 million for the full project. Details are on pages 39 to 51 of the City Council Agenda of 2-5-24 Meanwhile, the plan MayorContinue Reading

Council on Aging members were praised by the Mayor, Senior Center Director, and City Councilors. Gardner Appointments Committee – Council on Aging Members Doing Terrific Job Taking up appointments and re-appointments to the Council on Aging at its meeting of February 9, 2024, the Appointments Committee heard praises from allContinue Reading

Many Area Communities Receiving Fiscal Year 2024 Firefighter Safety Grants The Massachusetts Department of Fire Services has announced awardees for the Fiscal Year Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant Program: Ashburnham: $5,936.05, Ashby – $12,500, Barre – $15,500, Gardner- $19,000, Hubbardston – $12,500, New Salem – $6,762.47, Oakham – $10,443, Orange –Continue Reading

View Complete Meeting Agenda and Packet, CLICK HERE. Gardner MA City Council Meets on February 5, 2024 The Gardner City Council paid tribute to long-time Councilor Ronald F. Cormier who recently had passed away. At the beginning of the meeting. some firefighters were sworn in and it was noted thatContinue Reading

Public Safety Committee Hears from Tom Zuppa Regarding Auto Dealers and Zoning Compliance Building Commissioner Tom Zuppa was heard regarding the Class II Dealer License application of Gardner 5 Star Auto Sales. The Committee voted to recommend to the full City Council that the business be given 120 days toContinue Reading

MVP Barber Studio 2 Has Ribbon Cutting to Large Group of People MVP Barber Studio held is official grand opening and ribbon cutting on February 5, 2024 at 66 Main Street in Gardner. It is the second location for Vincent Santana who has a similar shop in Leominster. Santana postedContinue Reading

Editorial: Again, More Nonsense Allegations by Pauly Potato Meeting Minutes: The Gardner City Council Meeting Agenda and Packet for February 5, 2024 contains an an Open Meeting Law violation complaint made by Paul Demeo, known colloquially as “Pauly Potato.” He alleges that the meeting minutes are not provided in aContinue Reading

Craig Cormier Shares Words About Ronald F. Cormier Ronald F. Cormier passed away on Sunday, January 28, 2024. His son, Craig Cormier posted a poignant statement with words of reflection about his father. Here it is in its entirety. CLICK HERE. Craig Cormier wrote about his father, “As I’ve beenContinue Reading

City of Gardner MA Recreation Announces Registration Open for Summer Program The City of Gardner Recreation Department has announced that registration is now open for the 2024 Summer Program. This year, the program will be using Gardner Elementary School and Gardner Middle School. Gardner High School will not be used.Continue Reading

Reminders: MART is Fare-FREE until July 1st — Excise taxes are due March 4th, contact tax collector’s office if you haven’t received a bill — Dog licenses need to be renewed by April 1st In Weekly Update – Remembering and Reflecting on City Councilor Ronald F. Cormier While he didContinue Reading

Lean (But Not Mean) Gardner Board of Assessors Releases Not one Lien, but Two City Assessor Christine Kumar and Member Paulette Burns met on January 30, 2024. It was a “lean” meeting without Chairman Charles LeBlanc. However, they had the means to release 2 “liens” on a property which accordingContinue Reading