Gardner MA

Gardner MA Local News and Community Information

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• City Council 11-18-24

  

  Gardner City Council Meets in Both Informal and Formal Sessions on November 18, 2024

  Informal Meeting: Regarding Administrative Legislation and Rules of the City Council . Agenda and Packet, CLICK HERE Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.

  Formal Meeting: Regarding Various Matters. Agenda and Packet, CLICK HERE. Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.

  The City Council approved a request from Mayor Nicholson for a $100,000 appropriation from FREE CASH for 3rd party grant writing. More than $20 million has been awarded with an expenditure of about $75,000.

  The item regarding $45,000 for a recount was taken off the agenda as paperwork was not submitted by candidate Bruce Chester. Councilor Hardern stated, “I’m relieved the taxpayers will not have to shoulder this cost. ..I can understand the frustration that comes from campaigning and running for office for 5 years and not winning. However, it’s on all of us who run for office to be responsible with recounts, especially given the cost to the public. Part of what comes from running for office is being prepared to accept how the people vote.”

  Councilor Tyros stated, “You know, this election was not determined by a handful of votes but by hundreds of votes and I was very disappointed to see some of the commentary in our community about, you know, there being questions around the integrity of this election.” Councilor Tyros later spoke about the cost to the taxpayers when the 13 Open Meeting Law complaints were filed by Paul DeMeo and not one of the complainants followed up with the AG’s office.

  Cost of parking at meters in Gardner will be 50 cents per half hour. According to Mayor Nicholson, enforcement begins in January 2025.

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• Nicholson Interview 11-20-24

  

  Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson on the Road Ahead

  A Discussion with Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson on the Road Ahead in Gardner. We discuss various topics including the recent recount issue, various City projects, and the Road Ahead with all. Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.

  Re the potential recount: Even though Bruce Chester requested an incorrect form, City Clerk Titi Siriphan reached out to the State and then to Bruce Chester to make sure he got the correct form. Clerk’s office was staffed until 5:15pm on day of deadline to give Chester every chance. However, he did not turn in the forms. Interview contains complete explanation from the Mayor.

  Re Paul DeMeo: Interview addresses some of the nonsense perpetrated against the City and some very good people.

  Project Updates: We go over many of the projects as to status, speak about grants, and talk about possible uses for the roughly unspent $8million from the new Elementary School loan and the inherent restrictions. Note that Director Trevor Beauregard is leaving the City in December.

  The Road Ahead – And literally at the end of the interview, Mayor Nicholson was on the road to meet with an investor interested in Gardner. Gardner Magazine will update you if there’s more good news to share down the road.

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• The Clerk

  

  City Clerk staff actually waited until 5:15pm on deadline day to give Bruce Chester every possible opportunity.

  City Clerk Titi Siriphan Unjustly Attacked – Actual Email Shows Effort to Be Fair

  Candidate Bruce Chester came in to the City Clerk’s office for recount forms and was given the usual District-wide forms customarily used when vote tallies are within ½ of one percent. As it turns out in this case, a different form needed to be used which was later made available to Chester. City Clerk’s office was staffed until 5:15pm on date of deadline. Documents were even left at police station with access 24 hours per day. Chester did not submit by deadline, so no recount is taking place. Cost would have been $45,000 to the City due to statutory requirements of how ballots must be handled in a recount.

  So what happened? Paul DeMeo unleashed a nasty attack in an email. SEE IMAGE. Bruce Chester disavowed DeMeo in an email. SEE IMAGE. And of course, here’s the email in which it is very clear Clerk Siriphan made the correct forms easily available to Candidate Chester. SEE IMAGE.

  Note: Bruce Chester is still on Social Media even today complaining about Gardner Magazine’s reporting prior to the election. We stand by our articles as they accurately reflected actual AUDIO of what Chester said and accurately showed actual State documents re various campaign issues.

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• Coleman Legal

  

  Graphic shows screenshot of Go Fund Me which was launched by Olivia Coleman.

  Gardner Facebook Admin Starts Go Fund Me for Alleged Victims of DeMeo and Others

  A Gardner Facebook Admin has launched a go fund me releasing the following statement “A number of people have suggested a gofundme for legal fees, including Jeff Hermanson! So here it is: A fundraiser for a retainer to pursue legal action for individuals who have been the victims of slander, libel and/or defamation by Kimberly Blake, Paul DeMeo and/or Bruce Chester” The Go Fund Me was launched just after 3pm on November 20, 2024. At the time of this article, 5 dollars out of a goal of $15,000 had been raised. CLICK HERE

  Gardner Magazine reached out to Olivia Coleman for further comment and she stated, “It’s open to anyone that has been a victim of their that would like to purse legal action. If someone has been a victim, they can reach out to me and I’ll start a running list. Depending on how many there are, we may look into in a group suit rather than individual…Funds will paid directly to the atty that is selected to handle the case(s).”

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• Parking 50 cents

  

  Cost of Metered Parking to Double in Downtown Gardner

  The parking meters are being installed one at a time and enforcement won’t begin until early 2025. Cost has been 25 cents per half hour for 20 years, but will go up to 50 cents per half hour if the Gardner City Council votes to approve the recommendation of the Public Safety Committee. Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.

  Plan is to have both cash and app options to pay for parking. Note that Downtown Gardner does have a number of FREE parking locations available such as in back of City Hall and right across from the Gardner Ale House. The Rear Main Street Project will also add parking and the Mayor is proposing a parking garage at the site of the West Street Parking Lot.

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• Hotline 11-16-24

  

  News from Hotline Radio November 16, 2024

  Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson and Council President Elizabeth Kazinskas gave updates. The Veterans Ceremony was aired in two parts. Listen to the complete program on any device. CLICK PLAY.

  At the beginning of the show, Mayor Nicholson describes his notification from the City Clerk that Bruce Chester was planning to submit papers for a recount, thus prompting him to request $45,000 to cover the cost from the City Council – however, according to the Mayor, Chester did not submit any papers by the 5pm deadline and thus a recount will not be held. Council President Kazinskas spoke of items on the agenda. The other part of the program featured the recent Veterans Day Ceremony.

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• Fill-A-Cruiser

  

  Gardner Police Department to Hold Food Drive Supporting Gardner CAC and Gardner Senior Center

  The Gardner Police Department has announced that it is launching a new event: The First Annual Fill-A-Cruiser Food Drive. Event will be held in front of the Gardner PD on Saturday, November 23, 2024 from 9am to 1pm.

  The Gardner PD wrote: “We are excited to announce that we will be hosting our first annual Fill-A-Cruiser food drive event this year in support of the Gardner CAC and Gardner Senior Center! Help us kick off the holiday season by filling a cruiser with non-perishable food items, hygiene products and necessities for members in our community. Join us in front of the Gardner Police Department at 200 Main St. on Saturday, November 23 from 9:00AM-1:00PM. We are appreciative of the continued support from our community and look forward to seeing you there!

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• Fire Towers

  

  Fire Danger Very Serious in Greater Gardner MA

  The Gardner Fire Department posted a very serious message on November 16, 2024: “Sadly, we are still continuing to respond to people illegally burning in their yards on a daily bases. We thank all the citizens who have called these fires in to us. For people who disregard our warnings, please know that ALL Massachusetts State Fire Towers are up and running daily, and on high alert. Our closest fire tower is on top of Wachusett Mountain and has a clear birds eye view of Gardner, and quickly can spot the smallest amount of smoke. They then immediately call us, give us the location and we respond. We might not see you burning, but the Massachusetts Fire Towers will. Please, do not do any outside burning until this dangerous drought is over, that includes cooking, camp, and ornamental fires.“

  Here is a message from MEMA Director Dawn Brantley regarding the wild fire situation in Massachusetts and the alarming increase in fires. Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.

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• Recount 2024

  UPDATE 11-16-24: Bruce Chester did not turn in papers by 5pm deadline yesterday. Therefore according to Mayor Michael Nicholson who appeared on WGAW’s Hotline Radio on Saturday November 16th, there will be no recount. Again, papers not turned in. There will be no recount.

  

  Note: According to Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson, even if a District-wide was requested, the City of Gardner would still have to bear the total local cost. Facebook posts stating otherwise are not correct.

  Recount of Zlotnik-Chester Race in Gardner to cost Taxpayers $45,000

  The Gardner City Council Meeting Agenda and packet for Monday November 18, 2024 was amended to include a request from Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson for $45,000 from FREE CASH to cover the costs of a hand recount of all 5 Gardner precincts. Recount is taking place at the request of candidate Bruce Chester who lost the race for State Representative for the 2^nd Worcester District to Jonathan Zlotnik who has held the office for over a decade.

  Mayor Michael Nicholson wrote, “The City has been made aware that Mr. Bruce Chester, who was a candidate for Representative to the General Court for the 2^nd Worcester District in the November 5, 2024 election will be turning in petitions for a recount of the election for each Ward in the City.” Elections Division advised all costs to be born by the City. Mayor’s appropriation request covers the cost of having to recall all of the poll workers to do a hand recount of the ballots cast. View entire agenda and packet, CLICK HERE.

  Original Unofficial Results from all Gardner Precincts

  

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• Finance 11-14-24

  

  Finance Committee has Honor of Hearing from Assistant Director Evan Cudmore

  All were impressed as Assistant Director of Community Development and Planning Evan Cudmore updated the Gardner MA Finance Committee on various projects and grants. Mayor Nicholson also added some information, but Cudmore was thorough. Cudmore has been with the City about 8 months, but this is his first meeting appearance. See a complete list of Project Updates below. Listen to the entire meeting on any device. CLICK PLAY.

  The Gardner Tax Rate has been certified at $14.36. Auditor John Richard spoke and praised the Assessor. Gardner was the 39th community in the entire State of MA to set its tax rate. Mayor Nicholson spoke about how this will help in planning.

  The Finance Committee is sending some FREE CASH recommendations to the entire City Council include monies to the Stabilization Fund, 10% to roads, 100k towards a 3rd party grant writer, and 95k for IT software and cloud backup. Nicholson said he would wait until about April to utilize additional FREE CASH to be cautious. This is a strategy the City of Gardner usually uses because until Winter is over, for example, the total cost of snow removal is unknown.

  Updates Provided to the Finance Committee by Evan Cudmore on 11-14-24

  Rear Main Street Phase 2 North: The $3.64 million project is under construction right now Rear Main Street Phase 2 South: The $3.5 million housing works grant was recently awarded to the City. Bike trail, nature trail construction is continuing. The layout of the trail and the sub-base material is complete. The crossings are installed, and the contractor is working on finalizing the agreements with New England Power. The pathway should be complete this year, and landscaping is to be complete in the spring. Maki Park ADA Compliance Solutions: The Building Commissioner is reviewing 2 options for ADA compliance submitted by the City’s engineering firm. One option is $30,000, the other is $50,000. Funding may come from some CDBG projects which came in under budget. Potential New Industrial Park: City’s Engineering firm of Hudson O’Neill is currently developing concept plans for a potential build-out of proposed site based on wetlands and topographic data. Once complete, market analysis will be developed, and the location of land is south of Route 140 from Route 101 to Mathew Street. City would have to purchase the land. Currently Gardner has the Gardner Industrial Park, the North Gardner Industrial Park, and the Suffolk Industrial Park. This would be adding a 4th one. 16 Lot Subdivision being considered by Planning Board. See separate article. Public hearing is continued to the next meeting on December 10th. Greenwood Indoor Pool Building Demolition: Contractor has completed the site survey. The lake delineation testing and the hazardous materials testing is complete. Contractor is working on finishing the sketches for the plan and hopes to have that done by the end of the year. And then given the swim season in mind, demolition will be done probably late winter, early spring at most. 205-213 Main Street (Old Rome Building) Demolition across from Police Station: Bids were opened on November 13th. Awaiting Awarding of bid. Target time for demolition is mid to late December. Later, grant funding would be sought to improve the intersection itself. Listen to the meeting for even more information.

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