Gardner MA

Gardner MA Local News and Community Information

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• Zlotnik 12-20-24

  

  In an interview with Gardner Magazine, State Representative Jonathan Zlotnik once again expressed his desire to lower the sale tax and get rid of the inventory tax. Listen on any device. CLICK PLAY.

  Jonathan Zlotnik on the Year Ahead

  We spoke with State Representative Jonathan Zlotnik about “The Year Ahead.” Listen to the interview on any device. CLICK PLAY.

  Representative Zlotnik spoke about getting ready for the next fiscal year budget cycle. Zlotnik also spoke about his opposition to certain taxes which impact his constituents, “Yeah, so my record on this I think is pretty clear. I’ve voted against raising the income tax. I’ve voted to lower the sales tax. I, of course, voted for the tax cut package that was passed this last session, but I also voted for a tax cut package. The previous session that didn’t pass, I think in general what the state should be looking to do, especially as our economy continues to grow, is use that new growth to offset and be able to do more of that kind of targeted relief. Two of the things that I’ve prioritized that I think would help this part of the state and have continuously supported over the last decade is rolling back the sales tax and eliminating the inventory tax for manufacturers. The sales tax, I think, is obvious, especially because of our proximity to New Hampshire, which does not have a sales tax. I think our region is especially impacted by that. But before, for most of my life, the sales tax was 5%, and then just before I joined the legislature, it was raised to the 6.25% where it remains. At the same time, we have rolled back the general state income tax, but I think that we should be looking to do the same with the sales tax as well.“

  Zlotnik spoke about certain projects of this year and of continuing a lot of the work in the new year. Jonathan Zlotnik also spoke about the importance of bipartisanship and the importance of cooperation.

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• Update 12-20-24

  

  Gardner Mayor Nicholson in last weekly update of 2024

  Listen to the update on any device. CLICK PLAY.

  Thanks: Library Staff and Gardner PD for coordinating Santa at the Library —- Staff at City Hall who participated Spirit Week and decorations —- E.L. Harvey, the trash collection company, for donating 20 bikes, half went to Gardner CAC and the other half to Alyssa’s Place.

  Reminder: People who have live trees – make sure they stay watered. Dry trees are a fire hazard.

  Non-Profits highlighted: Growing Places which is in the Waterford Community Center (See article on lease signing) and the Montachusett Veterans Outreach Center. (See separate article, CLICK HERE)

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• Veterans Workoff

  

  Veterans Tax Workoff Program Announcement

  For over 10 years, Senior Citizens have been able to work money off their taxes. Now, veterans of any age are able to participate in the program announced formally at the Montachusett Veterans Outreach Center in Gardner. Speakers included Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson, State Representative Jonathan Zlotnik, and Veterans Agent Corey Hasselmann. Listen on any device. CLICK PLAY.

  Application available in Gardner Human Resources Department and on the City of Gardner website. Application period is January 1^st to February 1^st.

  Last year, Gardner fully waived all Real Estate taxes for Goldstar families.

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• Chipotle Open

  

  

  Chipotle Opens in Gardner MA

  Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson was on hand to welcome Chipotle on their opening day in the Chair City.

  Chipotle is located in the Timpany Plaza. During the past year, the plaza has seen various openings including Aldi which is a small supermarket, Five Below which sells a variety of merchandise. and Lovewell Beauty Supply.

  There are a few open spots left in the Timpany Plaza and there may soon be one large one as Big Lots has announced that it is preparing to have a “Going Out of Business Sale” at remaining stores in the United States. However, Big Lots simultaneously announced that while a pending sale to Nexus Capital Management is falling through, negotiations with other possible buyers are underway in an effort to avoid the store closings.

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• Homeless Commentary

  

  Editorial: Shedding A Light on Greater Gardner Homeless Resources

  The homeless are not forgotten in Gardner. In fact, there are a number of excellent, highly vetted resources in the Chair City and the region who provide help to those who need it. This commentary sheds some light on these organizations. Listen on any device. CLICK PLAY.

  For our previous article listing all the names and website links, please CLICK HERE.

  Sometimes the desired resources to help those less fortunate are right in front of you. Consider making a donation to any of these organizations who help so many throughout the year.

  For those who have asked how to donate to the Gardner C.A.C. here is the secure donation link, CLICK HERE.

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• Patti Conducts

  Patti Bergstrom Conducts

  
  Here’s Patti Bergstrom conducting “Glory to Gardner”. She looks like a natural.

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• Growing Places 12-18-24

  

  Growing Places latest to Sign Lease for space at Waterford Community Center

  Growing Places signed a lease on December 18, 2024 for use of the kitchen and space at Waterford Community Center. Various officials were on hand plus staff from Growing Places and even 2 area farmers. Speakers included Gardner Mayor Nicholson, State Representative Jonathan Zlotnik, and Growing Places Executive Director Ann Yeagle . Two farmers also spoke about the need for nutritious food and their excitement for Growing Places. Listen to this event on any device. CLICK PLAY.

  Growing Places has been doing food access work in the region since 2001, purchasing food from farms and after processing, delivering food to individuals. Growing Places home delivers produce to over 300 households each month.
  For information email staff@growingplaces.org

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• Safety 12-16-24

  

  Public Safety Meeting Lasts 1 Minute and 5 seconds

  Listen to the exciting December 16, 2024 meeting on any device. CLICK PLAY.

  The Committee sent a positive recommendation to the full City Council for a license renewal. Police Chief Eric McAvene stated “In fact, all of them, all the renewals are up to standard with the plot plans and everything, the concerns we had last year, so we’ve come a long way, actually.”

  Sometimes important things don’t take long. Sometimes they do.

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• Paper Purchase

  

  Gardner’s Seaman Paper Acquires German Specialty Paper Company

  Seaman Paper posted, “We are excited to announce that Seaman Paper has acquired Julius Glatz GmbH, a pioneer in specialty papers based in Neidenfels, Germany. This acquisition marks a significant milestone for both companies as we join forces to enhance our global expertise and technological capabilities in the production and converting of specialty paper and packaging solutions. We welcome the entire Glatz team to the Seaman Paper family of companies. Together, we will strengthen our capabilities in fine and specialty papers, positioning ourselves for long-term success. This partnership is a natural next step to deepen our collaboration and begin an exciting new chapter together.” Complete Press Release, CLICK HERE.

  Seaman Paper maintains its Corporate Headquarters at 35 Wilkins Road in Gardner. Website, CLICK HERE.

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• Changes 12-17-24

  

  This is the complete Press Release of Mayor Nicholson on 12-17-24. See separate article re George Tyros report to the City Council, CLICK HERE.

  Gardner Mayor Nicholson Makes Changes in Light of Maki Park Issue

  In a Press Release of December 17, 2024, Mayor Michael Nicholson stated the following:

  I would like to thank Councilor Tyros and the City Council for their thorough review of the processes related to the Maki Park Project. I was disappointed and surprised when the issues arose with relation to this project, and I believe the review that was conducted brought to light various breakdowns in departmental communications that need to be addressed in order to ensure our departments and employees are operating as efficiently and effectively as possible. Put simply, there are policies and procedures that need to change. In a modern working environment, it is important to give individual departments a certain degree of autonomy to do the work they were hired to do. We hire our staff based on the education, training, and experience they bring to the table without being micromanaged in the projects they undertake. However, when issues arise and significant errors occur, such as in this instance, it is my job as mayor to ensure that these issues get corrected to prevent this from happening again- both in the immediate short term and in the longer term.

  
  To that end I have made, or will soon be taking the following actions.

  • I have appointed Katharine Jablonski, my executive aide, to the CDBG Steering Committee. This will give my office direct oversight of the CDBG program allowing me to keep a closer eye on their projects.
  • The CDBG Steering Committee will meet monthly.
  • I am changing the departmental report policy. When I took office, I instituted a policy whereby City department would submit to my office bi-annual (6-month) reports of current and pending projects. Going forward, this will be done quarterly.
  • Full department head meetings will also be increased to quarterly to coincide with quarterly reports. This will synchronize communication and updates between departments so department heads are aware of work being done elsewhere in the City that may impact their department, or that their department should have a role in.
  • I will require and conduct weekly staff meetings for the Department of Community Development and Planning until all current and pending projects reach completion.

  Our role in local government is to work together to ensure that we work together to move the City forward and provide our residents with the quality services they deserve. This is an example of how that collaboration works. I appreciate the work of Councilor Tyros in bringing these issues to light, but also in working to come up with a plan to make sure things simply get better.

  As I continue to review this situation, and the Department of Community Development and Planning in general, I will submit a full proposal to the City Council for longer term responses to these issues in early 2025 to include operational adjustments, ordinance proposals, and updated internal procedures.

  Michael J. Nicholson, Mayor of the City of Gardner.

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