City Council Gardner MA

Publisher’s note: The first case is an example of a difficulty faced by a multi-unit property owner losing grandfather status which the Hardern-Nicholson proposal for zoning change was designed to alleviate.

Two Cases, Two Different Situations at ZBA Meeting

The Gardner Zoning Board of Appeals meeting of December 16, 2025 focused on two distinct cases requiring special permits. Listen to the meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY.

The initial case involves a property owner seeking to reinstate the status of a three-family dwelling that has been vacant since 2014, with the board questioning the applicant’s plan for meeting required parking spaces and snow storage, ultimately suggesting the applicant work with the building commissioner regarding a by-right two-family use. The case will be continued until next month while the applicant works with the Building Commissioner.

The second major item is a special permit application from Walmart Real Estate Business Trust to develop a motor vehicle fueling station and convenience store on their existing commercial property, with the board reviewing their compliance with nine special permit criteria before voting to approve the application. The meeting also touches on procedural rules and includes the approval of past meeting minutes.

This article focuses on the common license renewal hurdles and how to overcome them with advance planning. The infographic below can serve as a helpful guide.

Late and Incomplete Renewal Applications Focus of License Commission Meeting

The Gardner License Commission met on December 16, 2025 with the proceedings focused primarily on alcohol and other license renewals for the upcoming year. View the infographic below and listen to the entire meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY.

The meeting addresses incomplete and late renewal applications from several establishments, and various restaurants, frequently citing missing documentation like insurance certificates, inspection forms (304), and unpaid late fees. Discussions often become contentious as applicants and commission staff debate the proper procedures and timelines for submitting paperwork, highlighting the challenges of a short-staffed office and a complex permitting system. Ultimately, the commission approves a list of complete 2026 license renewals and permits and discusses future procedural changes, such as adjusting inspection expiration dates to encourage earlier submission. Note that the Building Department has changed the inspection deadline to October 31^st of each year to help the process.

The Gardner MA City Council meeting of December 15, 2025 is the last City Council meeting of the year. View the infographic for this meeting below. CLICK IMAGE for larger view.

Gardner City Council Meets for the Last Time in 2025

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The council addresses several key issues, including approving a transfer of funds for professional services to address the vacant auditor position and authorizing another fund transfer to purchase new recording equipment for the council chambers. Furthermore, the council reviews updates from the Public Service, Public Safety, and Economic and Community Development committees, which cover topics like departmental staffing, infrastructure repairs, and various ongoing projects like the Maki Park investigation and the status of the Greenwood Pool Pavilion. The discussion also involves technical procedures, such as amending an ordinance concerning parking regulations and the formal approval of a revised city auditor job description, with council members also offering remarks on the successful launch of the Gardner Community Youth Center. For more information on Maki Park, view our article on the December 12^th Community Development meeting.

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

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The Gardner Economic and Community Development Committee met on December 12th and focused on updates for numerous municipal projects. The Rear Main Street infrastructure project is at a stage which involves moving utility lines underground. There was a lengthy discussion on the Maki Park Project focusing on ADA compliance concerns and project financials. Director Stephens acknowledged that while the Maki Park solutions are not perfect, the park is ADA compliant subject to railings to be installed in Spring 2026 and the Building Commissioner’s approval of the stone dust currently being used.
The committee also reviews several Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) initiatives, such as the downtown phase 5 upgrades and the Greenwood Memorial Pavilion construction, while also addressing ongoing planning efforts like the Master Plan update and the Hazard Mitigation Plan. The director’s report emphasizes the city’s success in securing and efficiently utilizing numerous state and federal grants for these projects, specifically noting that taxpayer funds are minimized. View our infographic below. Click Image for a larger view.

Winter Maintenance and Planning for New Facility on Agenda at Golf Commission

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In the Meeting: An update on a building feasibility study for a new restaurant with architects. The commission addresses golf course maintenance efforts, specifically focusing on winterizing equipment and clearing brush to speed up play, as well as the marketing of online gift cards and the management of lost and found items. Financial discussions show the golf course at 47% of its annual revenue and there was an outline anticipated large expenditures in the coming spring for planned work that will impact the budget.

Another Super Exciting Board of Assessors Meeting in Gardner MA

Always exciting, the Gardner Board of Assessors met on Thursday, December 11th. The business-like 2 minute meeting focused on procedural matters including the acceptance of meeting minutes, the denial of a motor vehicle excise abatement due to timing issues relating to registration and cancellation. The meeting ends by going in to Executive Session because various abatement applications are not discussed in public. Listen to the entire meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY.

About the Issue of Motor Vehicle Excise Abatements: Abatements are commonly granted for reasons such as selling, trading, or losing the vehicle, moving out of state, or if the assessment is incorrect. You are not eligible for an abatement if you cancel your registration but keep the vehicle, or if you move to a different Massachusetts town during the tax year. In that situation, you owe the excise to the town where you lived on January 1st.

Huge Undiscovered Leak, Cost of Irrigation During Drought and Project Updates Subject of Public Service Committee Meeting

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Representatives from a childcare program came in to appeal a significantly high water bill despite plumbers finding no leak, leading to a discussion about potential causes such as sporadic toilet issues and the City’s lack of an alert system for high usage.

The President of Chair City Baseball and Softball came in to request financial assistance to cover a large water bill for their newly irrigated field. The committee proposed to consult the City Solicitor about a possible cap on their non-profit water expense.

Anne Hurst re Maki Park :” ..it might meet requirements, but it’s still not right.” as Disability Commission Meets

The Gardner Disability Commission met on December 10, 2025 and Chair Anne Hurst and other members expressed multiple frustrations with the status of the project, while also acknowledging and expressing appreciation to Director Jason Stevens for his efforts in addressing issues caused by others prior to his arrival. Listen to the entire meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY.

There were extensive discussions about accessibility and compliance issues within municipal projects, particularly Maki Park. Commission members and city staff examine how the new park, while meeting 521 CMR compliance (Massachusetts Architectural Access Board regulations), is still not fully inclusive or welcoming to people with disabilities due to design flaws, such as multi-level access and the use of unsuitable stone dust surfacing.

The sound you hear during the Public Safety meeting is the ongoing work being done at the front Portico of City Hall. We have an extensive infographic below.

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 of new parking spaces and removed the need for a public hearing. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to a definitive site plan review application for the GAAMHA Green Street project, involving the construction of a new 7,400 square-foot barn facility for expanded client services, including discussions on environmental concerns, drainage, and water supply issues with city officials and external consultants. Updates were given on the progress of two municipal planning efforts: the city’s new Master Plan and a five-year Housing Production Plan. Listen to the entire meeting on any device. CLICK PLAY.

Cross-Jurisdictional Conflict Re Pond Expansion Brought up During Last Portion of Planning Board Meeting

A Presentation followed regarding the Hubbardston Pond Expansion and took up the balance of the meeting. (It had been referred to in the agenda as Templeton, which was in error). The man-made pond is located in both Hubbardston and the project site is located within Gardner’s Zone 2 protected water supply zone. The core environmental concern is that man-made ponds can create a direct interface with the groundwater aquafer, potentially introducing pollutants. Next step: Internal consultation by the City Engineer with the Building Commissioner regarding the application of Gardner’s zoning rules.