Council on Aging Zeroes Out Fiscal Year 2026 But Discusses Budget Issues for Fiscal Year 2027 Listen to the entire meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY. The Gardner Council on Aging (COA) meeting held on September 15, 2026, focused on the closeout of Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) and the initialContinue Reading

An Update from Gardner Mayor Nicholson on City Hall Projects and Construction Updates From Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson: ” Beginning on Monday, September 21, 2026, crews will be returning to City Hall to complete the painting work on the front portico of the building. The timeline needed to complete thisContinue Reading

Scheduled Workshops and Events: Pins for Possibilities Event – Great Example of Community Cooperation The Gardner Area League of Artists (GALA) and the Winchendon Community Action Committee (CAC) have partnered to launch “Pins For POSSIBILITIES,” a major community fundraiser and arts engagement initiative scheduled for October 8, 2026. Held atContinue Reading

Gardner MA Temporary Tap Water Changes – COMPLETE COVERAGE Beginning September 21, 2026, the City of Gardner Water Department will implement a temporary change in its water disinfection process, transitioning from chloramines to free chlorine. This shift is a proactive measures designed to address low chloramine residuals caused by nitrificationContinue Reading

Downtown Sleuth None Other Than Mayor Michael Nicholson Using his keen eyes of observation, the Mayor noticed the signs and then Mayor Nicholson posted: “Three new signs showed up in Downtown Today! Getting closer to fully welcoming Brilla Coffee Roasters to the Chair City.” Brilla Coffee has been eagerly anticipatedContinue Reading

Motorcyclist Sustains Serious Injuries in Collision with Bear A 71-year old male Orange MA resident sustained serious injuries in a collision with a 160 pound bear while traveling on Route 122 in Petersham. The man was flown via Life Flight to U-Mass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester. The bear wasContinue Reading

CVS Back open after Facade Collapse The Gardner MA CVS is back open after contractors took needed action. From the Gardner Fire Department: “Yesterday, Group 2 responded to CVS on Main Street for a reported building collapse. Firefighters arrived to find a large portion of the façade that had brokenContinue Reading

Printable copy of above, CLICK HERE. Ashburnham to Hold Street Fair on September 20th Listen to this podcast covering the upcoming Ashburnham Street Fair on September 20th. CLICK PLAY. The Celebrate Ashburnham Street Fair is a premier community event scheduled for Sunday, September 20, 2026. Presented by Cushing Academy andContinue Reading

Our infographics below illustrate the issue very thoroughly. Topic of Historic Preservation Dominates Gardner Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting The Gardner ZBA met on September 15, 2026. Listen to the entire meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY. On September 15, 2026, the Gardner Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) convened toContinue Reading

Publisher’s Note: City Council meetings are often dismissed as dry, procedural affairs, but the decisions reached during the Public Safety Committee meeting on September 15th represent a significant “hardware update” for Gardner’s infrastructure. To the casual observer, parking ordinances and speed limit adjustments might seem like minor clerical shifts. However,Continue Reading

Printable version of above, CLICK HERE. 21st Annual Gardner Oktoberfest and Chair Luge is Saturday, September 26th Listen to the Chair Man and the Chair Lady discuss this exciting Gardner event. CLICK PLAY. The Gardner Oktoberfest and Chair Luge, scheduled for Saturday, September 26, 2026, represents a significant community celebrationContinue Reading

Gardner MA School Committee Meeting of September 14, 2026: We cover facilities and infrastructure status, academic performance and strategic planning, governance and the city charter, administrative actions, and various updates. View the infographics below for additional details. Gardner School Committee Meets for First time this School Year Listen to theContinue Reading

Templeton Select Board Meets on Regular Items and has Special Guests Narragansett School District Superintendent Chris Casavant spoke to the Select Board about Civic Engagement. Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson spoke on grant funding opportunities and answered questions about how Gardner has been successful with grants. The Templeton Select Board tookContinue Reading

Gardner Magazine has additional podcasts for each of the following complete briefing articles as well as infographics.North Central MA News of the Week, Massachusetts Weekly News Roundup, National News Briefing, and World News Briefing Gardner Magazine Weekly Briefing – September 13, 2026 Listen to the Weekly Briefing podcast on anyContinue Reading

WGAW Hotline Radio – 9-11 Tribute Edition This special broadcast of WGAW Hotline Radio on September 12, 2026 covers the 9-11 Ceremonies at Monument Park in Gardner and features a special report on 9-11 hosted by Brian Kilmeade. Listen to the entire show on any device, CLICK PLAY. There isContinue Reading

Gardner MA September 11th Ceremony – September 11, 2026 Listen to the ceremony on any device, CLICK PLAY. The September 11th memorial ceremony held at Monument Park in Gardner, Massachusetts, marks the 25th anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks. The event serves as a critical junction where personal memory transitionsContinue Reading

Editorial: Why Voting for the Templeton Override Makes Sense Why voting for the $1.38 million override in the Templeton Special election on September 28, 2026 makes sense: Why voting for the override is in your best interest – the real reasons: In my opinion, finger-pointing is not the answer. I don’tContinue Reading

Worcester Country including Greater Gardner MA is now having normal conditions with NO DROUGHT. However, conditions are evaluated on a monthly basis. So, stay tuned…. Please note: Residents and businesses are strongly urged to monitor their local water systems, as many municipalities may implement restrictions more stringent than the state’sContinue Reading

Traffic Commission Addresses Signs, Speed Cushions, Accessibility, Visibility, and Funding Needs Listen to the entire meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY. The Gardner Traffic Commission met on September 8, 2026, to address various public safety and infrastructure concerns throughout the city. The members discussed the need for a pedestrian crosswalkContinue Reading

Gardner’s upcoming festival season represents a strategic opportunity for local economic stimulation and community engagement. The Gardner License Commission reviewed a diverse slate of applications, prioritizing logistical feasibility and public safety. Gardner License Commission Decisions Affecting Community Events The Gardner License Commission met on September 8, 2026, to review and authorize several specialContinue Reading

The text of Councilor Brad Heglin’s investigation into the financial security incident is contained in the City Council Agenda and Packet CLICK HERE. Joint Meeting and Regular Meeting of Gardner City Council In a Joint Convention of the Gardner City Council and School Committee, Veronica Guay was elected to theContinue Reading