Gardner MA

Gardner MA Local News and Community Information

Visit the Gardner MA Complete History page with infographics, Deep Dive, Narratives, Debate, and so much more….CLICK HERE — Complete Gardner Telephone Guide to Various Departments

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• Projects and Progress Gardner MA

  

  

  Listen to the AUDIO of either or both meetings. View the various infographics below documenting the progress in Gardner.

  Gardner MA Projects and Progress Discussed During Pair of Meetings

  Listen to the CDBG Meeting from June 23rd on any device, CLICK PLAY.

  Listen to the Economic Development Committee Meeting from June 24th. CLICK PLAY.

  
  The CDBG program in Gardner is currently managing a complex transition between the closeout of FY22/23 projects and the commencement of FY24 and FY25 initiatives. Key highlights include the successful conclusion of the Greenwood Pool demolition, allowing the facility to reopen for the season, and the awarding of the base bid for the new Greenwood Pavilion. Financial and regulatory hurdles remain for specific projects, notably the Waterford Street Community Center—which faces strict federal benefit requirements—and the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Community Garden expansion, which requires rigorous adherence to accessibility and labor standards. Administratively, the department is preparing for a leadership transition following the departure of the Assistant Director and the Conservation Agent. The Assistant Director was “scouted” by another community and the Conservation Agent is going back to school for his MBA.

  The Economic and Community Development Committee meeting held on June 24, 2026, highlighted a period of significant transition and strategic milestone achievement for the City of Gardner. Key developments include the successful adoption of foundational planning documents—the Master Plan, Housing Production Plan, and Municipal Surplus Property Plan—which now provide a unified roadmap for the city’s growth. The Hazard Mitigation Plan is currently awaiting FEMA approval and was granted an extension until October 1st.

  The city has secured substantial funding for major infrastructure, most notably a $2 million-plus grant from MassDOT for the Keyes Road Culvert replacement and a Mass Trails grant for the North Central Pathway Phase 2. Renovations at the Waterford Street Community Center face a temporary delay due to the discovery of asbestos-containing tiles in the two-story wing and a state-level accessibility review. Despite these hurdles, the city’s housing analysis confirms a robust demand for at least 250 new units over the next five years, supported by a low rental vacancy rate of 1% to 2%.

  

  

  

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• Summer Reading 2026

  

  For more information about programs at the library, visit their website, CLICK HERE.

  Levi Heywood Memorial Library Kicks off Summer Reading Program

  From the library: “What an INCREDIBLE Night! WOW! Thank you to over 500 people who came out last night for our Summer Reading Kickoff Party! The energy, the families, the community spirit—it was absolutely amazing!

  Here’s what made last night so special:Kids and teens signed up for our summer reading challenge and picked out FREE books to take home! Adults who signed up received a FREE book sticker! Thanks to Fidelity Bank and Pops Sweet Harts, everyone got to enjoy free ice cream! Kids had a blast trying their luck in GFA’s Money Tornado Huge thanks to Gardner Police Department for bringing vehicles and letting kids test the sirens! Project HEAL/Growing Places distributed free fresh produce boxes filled with locally grown goodies

  MOC (Montachusett Opportunity Council) brought their popular Parents as Teachers Mystery Box and other great tables. Hope House had everyone looking summer-ready with face painting. Gardner Family Resource Center and Heywood Commons had amazing giveaways. Our City Engineer was here, working on ways to make Gardner safer.

  This is what community looks like. A huge thank you to all of our partners and to YOU for showing up big and making this such a special event! We’re your library, and we’re here for you. Come see us this summer—borrow some books, claim your summer reading rewards, or just hang out in our cool (capital C!) space. We have amazing programs planned all summer long, and we can’t wait to see you again! See you at the library!

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• Commissioning Heywood Helipad

  

  The Helipad is officially commissioned at Heywood Hospital in Gardner MA. View complete Press Release, CLICK HERE.

  Helipad Formally Commissioned at Heywood Hospital in Gardner MA

  View complete Press Release, CLICK HERE. Listen to the Chair Man and the Chair Lady discuss this news in a podcast. CLICK PLAY.

  On June 24, 2026, Heywood Healthcare reached a critical milestone in regional emergency services with the official ribbon cutting of a new, fully operational helipad at Heywood Hospital in Gardner, MA. This project, which was eight months in development, represents the culmination of a vision shared by hospital leadership and community supporters for over 40 years.

  The helipad significantly enhances the hospital’s ability to provide life-saving care by reducing transfer times for patients requiring the specialized services of tertiary medical centers. The facility is already proving its utility; prior to the official ceremony, four patients had already been successfully transported to higher levels of care. With this addition, Heywood Healthcare now operates helipads at both its Heywood Hospital and Athol Hospital campuses, creating a robust emergency air transport network for North Central Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire.

  
  Rozanna Penney, President and CEO of Heywood Healthcare: “For more than 40 years, dedicated physicians, APPs, leaders, staff, board members, community leaders, and supporters have shared the vision of bring this capability to Heywood Hospital…This is another important step in strengthening access to high-quality care for the communities we serve.”

  The helipad at Heywood Hospital is expected to be more active than its counterpart at Athol Hospital, based on current healthcare trends and regional needs.

  Metric	Athol Hospital (2025 Data)	Heywood Hospital (Estimated Annual)
  Total Landings	37	40 – 60
  Overnight Landings	14	Data not specified
  Average Monthly Landings	~4	~3.3 – 5

  The successful transport of four patients prior to the official ribbon cutting serves as immediate evidence of the facility’s integration into the hospital’s emergency response protocols.

  

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• Conservation 6-22-26

  

  Conservation Commission: Property Compliance, Ecological Restoration Efforts, Cease and Desist, Delayed Culvert Repairs. North Central Pathway Timeline, and Agent Resignation.

  Listen to the entire meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY.

  
  Local officials and environmental consultants reviewed several ongoing property compliance cases. Representatives for sites on Nicole Terrace, Brookside Drive, and Crawford Street updated the board on ecological restoration efforts, including successful tree plantings and the removal of unauthorized materials. The commission also addressed a cease and desist order for Linwood Street and discussed long-term maintenance permits for nuisance vegetation at Kendall Pond.

  Significant attention was given to National Grid’s delayed culvert repairs and the potential safety risks posed by the current state of the utility’s work site. Additionally, members reviewed plans for a 1.45-mile asphalt extension of the North Central Pathway, which involves a complex timeline involving state management and federal land rights. The session concluded with the resignation of the commission’s agent, Justin Enright, and a discussion regarding the warranty and survival of trees planted along a local nature trail. Infographic below has further detail.

  

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• City Council 6-22-26

  

  Gardner City Council Passes FY27 Budget with Numerous Reductions

  AUDIO of meeting presented here has the silence of the recess periods edited out. That’s is why the length differs considerably from the video which will be presented on the City’s YouTube channel. Listen to the entire meeting on any device. CLICK PLAY.

  The City Council first met as a Committee of the Whole during which Council President George Tyros explained how the process differed this year in order to increase transparency. Following this meeting, the session continued with the Special City Council meeting during which each order was brought up, amendments were outlined, discussed, and voted upon. When needed, a recess was called so that the final order to be voted upon could be prepared by the Clerk and the Auditor.

  
  Key outcomes include the passage of a $14,534,400 salary and labor budget and a $31,808,793 expense budget (following various reductions). A significant point of debate centered on a proposed $1,000,000 strategic reduction to the school department budget, which ultimately failed due to concerns regarding state-mandated “net school spending” requirements. The Council ultimately approved $38,143,689 for the school department. The council approved $11,644,138.35 (as amended) for various enterprise accounts. Infographic below further illustrates the budget and other items from the meeting.

  

  City Clerk issue: We received a response from Council President George Tyros and are pleased to report the following: From Council President George Tyros: “This is an obvious question and as it turned out, Atty. Pelavin had already contacted the state ethics commission before applying as a precaution regarding a conflict of interest issue. She has informed me that it is her intention to resign her seat on the school committee prior to beginning to serve as City Clerk on July 6th 2026. “

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• Rogue Facebook 6-22-26

  

  Editorial: Rogue Facebook Group Strikes Again

  That Rogue Gardner Facebook Group is at it again with misinformation. The original “Was Pelavin’s Election Legal?” article is still here. I’ll give them a little grace, maybe they missed it because we put up a rather lengthy Weekly Briefing, or maybe their computer picked up a cached version of the website before the article was posted, or maybe we screwed up on our end. In any case. Here’s a direct link to the article, CLICK HERE.

  Gardner Magazine followed up today on the issue with a screenshot of the current City Charter which appears to show another reason why the election of Pelavin was not done correctly. We have yet to hear from City Council President George Tyros, but will inform our readers if and when we do. We’re hoping that it is discussed at the City Council meeting of June 22^nd and our greatest hope is that it was all legal in the first place and that we were dead wrong.

  In my opinion, the rants of Scott Graves, Gene Brunelle, Kimberly Blake and Paul DeMeo are not helpful. According to them, the City of Gardner which is so often praised as a “Model City for America” is anything but. In my opinion, they need to have their heads examined or better yet, just move so their trash talk doesn’t continue to pollute the City.

  While Gardner Mayor Nicholson has had a largely successful tenure in office and it is true that I have reported on the successes, I have also been critical in the rare instances where I thought something was silly – like the editorial I wrote on the “Chief of Staff” title and position. I have both praised and been critical of Council President Tyros. Any assertion that this publication is been “bought” by any politician is ridiculous.

  Some idiot was allowed to comment on my driving, actually complaining that I stopped at the intersection of Willow and Pleasant Street where there is no STOP sign. – however, last time I checked my logic it still made sense to stop rather than hitting another vehicle and I will continue that practice.

  And then some other idiot suggested that I’m somehow earning tons of money from advertisers utilizing a “click bait” strategy. – Wow, if that’s true I must be doing a horrible job because if you look I have two advertisers on the site as seeking advertising dollars has not been my priority. I pay for all of the expenses for Gardner Magazine out of my pocket. – it feels good that nobody owns me.

  I think someone even commented on my looks, well, everyone knows that in a competition with Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, and Tom Selleck I would either win or come in second in each comparison.

  If you notice, very few people or businesses of any importance bother to put up posts on that Rogue Facebook site. There are many posts of people bellyaching about this or that. And, in my opinion, most all of the information about officials or projects in the City of Gardner is completely false, fake, made-up, fabricated, and/or exaggerated. I check it out every once in a while like I did today and when done I had to wash my hands because I just felt dirty – a whole lotta yuck, that’s my assessment.

  Here are some Gardner Facebook Groups which do a great job and actually lift up the people of the community. Gardner Now, CLICK HERE. And, Gardner, Ma – #1 What’s going on Page!, CLICK HERE.

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• Was Pelavin’s Election Legal?

  Update 6-22-26 11:48am – No response to email has been received.

  Update 6-22-26. Council President George Tyros contacted us before the City Council meeting. From Council President George Tyros: “This is an obvious question and as it turned out, Atty. Pelavin had already contacted the state ethics commission before applying as a precaution regarding a conflict of interest issue. She has informed me that it is her intention to resign her seat on the school committee prior to beginning to serve as City Clerk on July 6th 2026. “

  

  Was Jennifer Pelavin’s Election Legal?

  Preliminary Research by Gardner Magazine indicates that the recent vote of the Gardner City Council to elect Jennifer Pelavin City Clerk effective July 6^th may have been illegal. It is our understanding that both a City Council member and/or a School Committee member must first resign their position and then wait 30 days before accepting any municipal position.

  Jennifer Pelavin was at the School Committee meeting on June 8, 2026. The earliest date she could have resigned would have been the next day or June 9^th , and if our information is correct, she wouldn’t have been eligible for the position until 30 days later in July. As far as we know, Pelavin was still a School Committee member on June 15^th and was thus not eligible for any job working for the City. The City Clerk is a paid City of Gardner position. The Big Question: Because Pelavin did not accept a job directly under the jurisdiction of the School Committee, could the 30 day period be legally waived?

  Gardner Magazine has sent an email today to Council President George Tyros and Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson regarding the matter: This is the text of the email: “Dear Council President Tyros, Will you be asking the City Council to open an investigation into the possible illegal election of Jennifer Pelavin to the position of City Clerk.  My understanding is that in order to be eligible for the position in the first place, she would have had to resign first and then wait 30 days.    Did this occur?  Had Pelavin already resigned prior to being selected for the position?         Mayor Nicholson, could you ask the City Solicitor to look in to this?   If this is a problem it should be corrected immediately at the City Council meeting tomorrow(Monday) with a rescinded vote. “

  Gardner Magazine will let you know when we get more information.

  We do know that a rant by a former City Council member on a Rogue Gardner Facebook Group relating to the matter is completely incorrect. The assertion is that any elected official can’t accept a municipal position unless elected to it by the people – this of course makes absolutely no sense as the City Charter clearly specifies that the City Council interviews for and elects a City Clerk. The actual issue is whether the election was illegal and premature without a 30 day waiting period being served after the individual resigned from any elected City positions before accepting a municipal job.

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• WGAW Hotline Radio 6-20-26

  

  Updates – Commentaries – Bears – Town Events – Father’s Day – Universities on WGAW Hotline Radio

  Listen to the entire show of June 20, 2026 on any device, CLICK PLAY.

  Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson spoke of the Monument Park Concert series kicking off tonight (June 20th). Greenwood Pool needs a repair to a concrete crack before opening within the week. The gazebo construction is expected in the fall. City Council will meet Monday to review the budget. The Mayor spoke about the Gardner High School locker project which has increased in cost from $2 million to over $3 million due to increased costs and scope. Regarding projects: The Bike and Pedestrian Bridge construction is expected to begin next summer and take about 2 years to complete.

  Also on the program: Steve Wendell spoke about a 2nd attack on the station by Urban Terrorists and about the lack of celebration events in the area for July 4th. Mike Urban commented on his allegations that Governor Maura Healey is raiding the pension cookie jar. “You are There” with Jerry Stuart regarding Father’s Day. – Werner Poegel with a positive commentary on a recent Gardner Appointments Committee meeting. A segment of the Westminster Town Crier with Stephanie Lahtinen. Victor David Hanson spoke about colleges and universities closing in New England.

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• Relay for Life 6-19-26

  

  Greater Gardner Relay for Life Close to Goal

  The Greater Gardner Relay for Life is close to its goal of $170,000 for 2026 with total raised as of June 19th of $145,103.90. For more information and to donate visit RelayForLifeGG.org, CLICK HERE.

  Upcoming Event:

  “Mark your calendars for Saturday, June 27, 2026, at 4:05 pm and join us for an inspiring afternoon at the Greater Gardner Relay for Life fundraiser, where community spirit shines brightest.

  Witness a memorable first pitch thrown by one of our very own courageous fighters, symbolizing hope and unity in the battle against cancer. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those affected by cancer. Get your tickets today!”

  
  The Greater Gardner Relay for Life afternoon with the Worcester Red Sox is Saturday, June 27^th at 4:05pm at Polar Park, Worcester, MA. Ticket Details: Third Base Field Box Seating $32.00. The included $5 donation supports the Greater Gardner Relay for Life. Get your tickets here. CLICK HERE.

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• Public Service 6-18-26

  

  Municipal Infrastructure, Frozen Pipes, Burst Water Meters, and Undetected Leaks Discussed by Public Service Committee

  The Gardner Public Service Committee met on June 18, 2026.to address municipal infrastructure and resident requests. Local property owners presented petitions for water and sewer bill abatements caused by issues like frozen pipes, burst water meters, and undetected leaks. Listen to the entire meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY.

  Committee members evaluated these cases, often granting sewer fee waivers and interest-free repayment plans to alleviate the financial burden on citizens. Additionally, the committee discussed a National Grid utility pole installation and several ongoing engineering projects, such as a new pedestrian bridge and safety improvements. The Engineering Director provided updates on experimental “speed cushions” intended to reduce traffic accidents and clarified driveway permitting processes. The session concluded with a review of drainage and property access concerns involving private ways and the scheduling of future regulatory discussions. CLICK on IMAGE below for larger view.

  

  

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