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• Update 11-7-25

  

  Events, Operations, and a Holiday Preview Focus of Mayor’s Update of November 7, 2025

  Listen to the update on any device, CLICK PLAY.

  Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson goes over a variety of upcoming community events and city operations for November and December. Key announcements include the annual Veterans Day ceremony on November 11th and the Thanksgiving farmers market on November 22nd, both at Perry Auditorium at Gardner City Hall.

  The Mayor speaks about hazardous waste collection day and yard waste collection schedule for residents. The update also highlights holiday activities, such as the 20th-anniversary Festival of Trees, the annual holiday stroll and Christmas tree lighting ceremony, and various musical and theatrical performances. Finally, the Mayor concludes with news of a recent website refresh. The Mayor is shown at the new DPW Salt Shed.

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• Razed and Raised

  

  

  One building is razed – Another building is raised – Another Nears Completion

  Razed: The indoor Greenwood Memorial Pool building has been razed, demolished, and torn down awaiting a new Pavilion to be built in 2026. The building had been given to the City of Gardner in 1915 and had fallen in to disrepair. Hazardous material such as asbestos was abated prior to the demolition. Some historical items were preserved to go in to the new building. Now, the underground parts of the facility are being removed.

  Raised: Meanwhile over at 549 West Broadway in Gardner, another building is being raised (8 feet taller than the original building) constructed because of a devastating fire which totaled the former Brian’s Auto Body and Atkinson Auto building back in March 2025. The new $1.5 million facility will house Brian’s Auto Body, Atkinson Auto, and an auto detailer and is expected to be completed sometime in Spring 2026.

  Nearing Completion: And closer to completion is Gabby’s Place, the breakfast-lunch restaurant at 173 Pearson Boulevard which decided to take it down and build again. Gabby’s Place has been closed since September 22^nd. Here’s what they recently posted: “… It’s taking a little longer than we thought. We really miss seeing all your faces and can’t wait to have everyone back! The place is getting a nice little glow-up, and it’ll be worth the wait — promise! Stay tuned — we’ll be opening our doors again soon! Thanks for being patient and for always supporting Gabby’s Place!”

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• This Week 11-7-25

  

  This Week’s Edition of our Weekly News Magazine “This Week in the Chair City” for Friday, November 7, 2025

  Listen to “This Week in the Chair City” on any device. CLICK PLAY.

  In this week’s edition: Municipal Election – National Election Historical Stats – Community Food Drive – Gardner Airport Update – Planning Board Projects Update – Gardner DPW donation to CAC – City Council meetings – Levi Heywood Memorial Library Gratitude Tree – Upcoming Meetings

  Contact Us: Have a news story idea? Like to promote your event? Want to give some exposure to your non-profit organization? It’s easy. Email News@GardnerMagazine.com or leave a voicemail at (978) 632-6324. Thank you.

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• Community Food Drive

  

  PRESS RELEASE on PDF, CLICK HERE.

  GARDNER COMMUNITY FOOD DRIVE: Saturday November 15th from 9am to 11:30am at Price Chopper, Walmart, and Hannaford. In addition, Hannaford on Sunday November 16th from 9am to 11:30am.

  Gardner City Council and The Senior Center/AARP Join Forces for Community Food Drive

  Gardner City Councilors Judy Mack and Dana Heath as well as Gardner Senior Center Director Mike Ellis have joined forces to hold a Community Food Drive to benefit the Gardner CAC Food Pantry on Saturday November 15th from 9am to 11:30am at Price Chopper, Walmart, and Hannaford. In addition, Hannaford on Sunday November 16th from 9am to 11:30am.

  Items Needed:

  Canned Fruit	Canned Vegetables	Granola Bars
  Peanut Butter	Baking Mixes	Fruit Snacks
  Cookies	Ramen packs or cups	Juice Boxes
  Crackers including Gluten free	Pasta – all types and Canned Spaghetti Sauce	Rice
  Applesauce	Canned Pasta	Spices / Cooking Oils
  Jelly	Instant Mashed Potatoes	Cranberry Sauce
  Pudding Cups	Gravy Mixes	Canned Soups

  Cash and gift card donations are also appreciated. The Gardner CAC also has an online secure donation link, CLICK HERE. Councilor Judy Mack told us that “Ms Meehan at the CAC is very excited by this project as the need is currently greater than usual especially with the upcoming holidays“. The Senior Center/AARP are staffing Hannaford for the 2 days. Gardner City Council members will be covering Walmart and Price Chopper on Saturday.

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• Airport 11-5-25

  

  Environmental Review, Capital Improvements, and Finances – a Gardner Airport Update

  The members of the Gardner Airport Commission met on November 5, 2025 and discussed several ongoing and upcoming projects at the airport. Listen to the entire meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY.

  Key topics included the status of the wildlife hazard site visit and its associated payments, the environmental review process for tree clearing easements and fence installation, and the Obstruction Study report review by Mass DOT and the FAA. A significant portion of the discussion focused on the Airport Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), specifically the funding and logistics for acquiring navigation easements to clear trees, highlighting the current 95% federal funding opportunity for fiscal year 2026. Finally, the meeting includes an update on airport finances, detailing attempts to secure leftover runway project funds and independent fee monies, as well as routine operational updates like fuel sales and equipment status.

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• Planning 11-4-25

  

  Planning Board Meets on Private Gardner Projects

  The Gardner Planning Board met on November 4, 2025 to address several key development projects and proposed ordinance amendments. The board first discusses the continuation of a public hearing for a Mount Wachusett Community College building addition due to recently submitted definitive site plans that require more review time. Following this, a representative presents a preliminary site plan for a new barn, offices, and classrooms at 827 Green Street to be used for animal-assisted therapy, focusing heavily on challenges related to storm water management, high groundwater, and a proposed septic system. Listen to the entire meeting on any device. CLICK PLAY.

  Finally, the board reviews two proposed zoning ordinances: one to allow cottage kitchens in residential areas and another to promote housing growth and production by reducing parking requirements, expanding accessory dwelling unit (ADU) flexibility, and creating a housing priority overlay district.

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• DPW Check

  

  Make a monetary donation to the Gardner CAC through this secure link, CLICK HERE.

  Gardner DPW Presents Check to Gardner CAC

  Scrap metal from around the City from various projects was turned into 10 grand and presented in the form of a check to the Gardner CAC. Photo shows over 2 dozen DPW Employees. The effort was timely in that concerns persist over food insecurity in the area due to SNAP benefits not being paid on November 1^st. The Gardner CAC intends to use the funds to bolster its food pantry which it expects will have a greater demand for food in the coming weeks.

  Dane E Arnold of the DPW stated: “The Gardner DPW never ceases to make me proud. With the government shutdown and thousands of people not receiving food benefits and the holidays around the corner, what do they do? They want to help and turn in over $10,600 in scrap metal, brass, copper, and structures to donate to the Gardner CAC.”

  Greater Gardner area residents can donate food directly to the Gardner CAC or can make a monetary donation through this secure link, CLICK HERE. To find out more about the Gardner CAC and its programs visit their website, CLICK HERE.

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• Nicholson Wins

  

  Gardner Magazine has complete results of the November 4, 2025 Gardner MA Municipal Election. The complete election page is at this link, CLICK HERE.

  Gardner Mayor Nicholson Achieves Landslide Win in Gardner Election

  The results are unofficial but definitive: Gardner Mayor Nicholson 2407 votes, Challenger Kimberly Blake with 1379 votes. Gardner Mayor Nicholson wins with 63.5% of the vote, beating his performance in the Preliminary election held in September. All results, CLICK HERE.

  How does this compare to 2023? 2 years ago, it was in official results – Nicholson: 2,459 or 65.8%, Blake 1,189 or 31.8%, The difference this time was 52 less votes for Nicholson and 190 more votes for Blake. Voter turnout was slightly higher this time around. This year’s percentages will likely change slightly when official results are released.

  Gardner Magazine has complete results of the November 4, 2025 Gardner MA Municipal Election. The complete election page is at this link, CLICK HERE.

  All incumbent Councilors at Large have been reelected. All incumbent Ward Councilors have been reelected. All candidates for School Committee have been elected. Voter Turnout was 24.7% of registered voters.

  Complete Unofficial Results from the City Clerk’s Office, CLICK HERE.

  Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson releases statement at 10pm on 11-4-25: “Thank you Gardner! I’m truly honored to have earned your vote tonight and look forward to continuing to move Gardner forward for the next two years. From investing in our infrastructure, increasing opportunities for our students, creating new recreational amenities, growing our business community and more- we’ve accomplished more than we thought possible before- and now we get back to work. From the recently announced improvements to South Gardner, completing the Rear Main Street Revitalization Project, cutting back red tape in our ordinances and zoning to make us fully open for business and housing development and more, I’m excited for what this next term will bring. Thank you to all those who have supported me- my family, my friends, those who braved the wind and held signs or talked to their friends, I’m truly honored and humbled by your support. I’m proud to be your mayor, but I’m even more proud to have the opportunity to work with you all to make this City the best it can be. God Bless You all and this great City.“

  Election Victory Song, CLICK HERE

  Challenger Kimberly Blake releases statement at 10pm on 11-4-25: “I’ll just leave this right here…” Following her statement is a graphic of the vote totals.

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• Another Term in the City – Original Song

  

  Editorial: Gardner Magazine has produced an Election Victory Song called “Another Term in the City”

  Given all the nonsense the Mayor has had to put up with during the campaign from his opponent, we thought it was fitting for this occasion and to celebrate when “Good” wins. Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.

  From the song: “The votes, the votes, the totals are in, Time to announce a really big win, He stayed the course with a positive view, Even though his rival led others askew”

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• Election Results 11-4-25

  

  For Mayor: Michael Nicholson: 2407, Kimberly Blake 1379. Nicholson Wins with 63.5% of the vote.

  Gardner Municipal Election 11-4-25 Complete Results

  Gardner Magazine will have complete results of the November 4, 2025 Gardner MA Municipal Election. The complete election page is at this link, CLICK HERE.

  Results often come in anywhere between 1/2 hour to 1 hour after the polls close (polls are open on November 4th from 7am to 8pm). We will post results as soon as they are available.

  Publisher’s Note: WGAW will have live coverage of election results starting sometime after 7:30pm with continuous coverage beginning about 1/2 hour after the polls close. WGAW is heard on AM 1340, 98.1 FM, or streaming to anywhere in the world.

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