Gardner MA

Gardner MA Local News and Community Information

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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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• Grant Maze

  

  The City of Gardner is moving forward due to some very smart decisions and actions over the last 5 years. Turning $50,000 in to $50 million is a story to be told for the ages.

  Editorial: The Grant Maze

  So how exactly did Gardner Mayor Nicholson turn a $50,000 City investment into a $50 million return for Gardner?

  It all started with a realization by the Mayor that because of the daily workload in the Economic Development and Planning Department, it was possible that some grant money was being left on the table. If somehow the City could get additional help in seeking grants by having a 3^rd party navigate the grant maze, perhaps the City of Gardner could gain more in grants than the expense of hiring a 3^rd party.

  Gardner Mayor Nicholson went before the City Council and got approval after considerable discussion. Mayor Michael Nicholson knew it was likely that even one grant approval would bring in more money than the funds expended. Mayor Nicholson was both right and wrong – right in the decision to pursue getting a 3^rd party grant writer to help, but wrong in forecasting the extent of the endeavor’s success.

  So far, a $50,000 investment by the City has returned more than $50 million. It’s a testament to the keen mind of Mayor Michael Nicholson and a big highlight of his 5 years of moving Gardner forward. And it’s documentation that when a City Council is willing to think outside of the box the rewards can be awesome. We hope the next 5 years are just as successful. Sometimes there are unexpected mazes involved in running a City, but when you have educated, experienced, and intelligent people involved, almost anything is possible.

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• Election Day Statement

  

  A Statement from Mayor Michael Nicholson on Election Day

  Mayor Nicholson released this election day statement: “It’s Election Day in Gardner! Polls are open today from 7am to 8pm at the 5 different polling locations around the City. If you’re unsure where to vote, contact the Gardner City Clerk’s Office at 978-630-4058

  It’s truly been an honor to serve as the Mayor of this City for the last 5 years. We’ve accomplished so much together, and there’s still more to do. I’m asking for your vote today to keep Gardner moving forward.

  We are very lucky to have many dedicated individuals on the ballot today for Ward Councilor, Councilor At-Large, and School Committee. These individuals are truly dedicated to our City and its residents. They’ve worked to push the City to a better and stronger tomorrow and are truly the right people for the job. I’m happy to be supporting them today in their re-election/election campaigns”

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• City Council 11-3-25

  

  

  Councilor Judy Mack spoke of the food crisis in the community and announced that the Gardner City Council would be having a food drive. Gardner Magazine will provide more details when available, but this is what the Councilor said: Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.

  Two Meetings of Gardner MA City Council on November 3, 2025

  1st: The joint public hearing between the Gardner City Council and Planning Board regarding proposed amendments to the city’s zoning code:

  The first concerned an ordinance to allow the operation and use of cottage kitchens (home-based commercial kitchens) in residential districts, with Mayor Mike Nicholson advocating for the change to support small businesses.

  The second, more extensive discussion focused on a comprehensive ordinance designed to promote housing growth and production in the city by addressing a housing supply and demand crisis through measures such as permitting small homes (tiny homes) and accessory dwelling units (ADUs), expediting permitting, creating a starter home overlay, and easing residential parking requirements. Testimony was heard both in favor of and in opposition to the proposed zoning changes, with the primary opposition and council concerns revolving around the limited scope of the proposed multi-family overlay district and the impact of the reduced parking requirements on existing neighborhoods.

  Complete Agenda and Packet CLICK HERE.

  Listen to the meeting on any device, CLICK HERE.

  2nd: Regular City Council Meeting – The Council authorized the loan for the Gardner Middle School Roof Replacement Project. The $6.9 million dollar project will get up to 80% reimbursed by the Massachusetts School Building Authority. The measure required a 2/3 vote to pass and did pass with 11 Yeas, (unanimously).

  Complete Agenda and Packet CLICK HERE.

  Listen to the meeting on any device, CLICK HERE.

  The meeting also featured a comprehensive update from Councilor Elizabeth Kazinskas regarding Economic Development and Planning, outlining the progress of several major projects such as the Rear Main Street initiative, the Maki Park accessibility upgrades, the Master plan and Hazard mitigration projects, the status of various property sales, and the demolition and historic preservation efforts regarding the Greenwood Pool (indoor pool building) building which above-ground demolition was completed October 31st. Below ground demolition to be completed in November. Finally, Councilors discussed upcoming community events, including an election and a food drive, while honoring Veterans Day and a local business milestone.

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