Gardner MA

Gardner MA Local News and Community Information

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• WGAW 12-7

  

  WGAW Plans Excellent Show for Saturday December 7, 2024

  Gardner’s WGAW Radio is the home of the HIT interview show, “Hotline Radio” which airs every Saturday beginning at noon. Show runs until 2pm. It is heard on AM 1340, 98.1 FM, and is streamed to anywhere in the world. 24/7 stream, CLICK HERE.

  Hotline Radio has been hosted by Steve Wendell for years and features local newsmakers such as Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson, Council President Elizabeth Kazinskas, candidates for office, non-profit representatives, public safety officials, and other exciting guests on many subjects. WGAW maintains an archive of Hotline shows, CLICK HERE.

  Our original song page features the WGAW Hotline Radio Barbershop Quartet song, CLICK HERE to go directly to the song.

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• Council 12-2-24

  

  

  Publisher’s Note: In this meeting, taxpayers learn about a loan paid off in full 3 years early, a crane which lasted 53 years, lease agreements coming to fruition at Waterford, a Mayor spending the time to update ordinances, a Council President spending the time to update Council rules, and confirmation that Gardner’s beloved Rachael Roberts will be around another couple years at least. A day to be proud of the Chair City.

  Agendas and Packet: Finance City Council

  City Finances, Ordinances, and Rules Subject of Finance Committee and City Council Meeting

  The Finance Committee of the Gardner City Council met prior to the regular December 2, 2024 meeting. Good news from Mayor Nicholson: More FREE cash available. Lease agreement ready with Growing Places at Waterford Community Center. Lease agreement ready with Gardner CAC for Waterford Community Center. Parking meter fees proposed to be waived for month of December.

  Fiscal Responsibility Showcased

  Great Fiscal news: Mayor proactively asking City Council to completely pay off the remaining $356k principal of original $550k loan for Waterford and proactively asking City Council to set up a revolving account for Waterford to easily track money in and out.

  
  Bad news from DPW: They need $100k for a new $129k crane. However, the current one is 53 years old so the City of Gardner got it’s money’s worth. Dane Arnold explains further and states DPW found $29 k from another account to go towards the tab.

  Listen to the Finance Committee Meeting on any device. CLICK PLAY.

  The Finance Committee recommended approval by the full City Council.

  Gardner City Council met and approved the Finance Committee recommendations. So, parking at the meters is FREE in Downtown for the month of December. Waterford loan is to be paid off 3 years early. Dane Arnold DPW gets its badly needed crane. Updated ordinances which the Mayor spent so much time revising and revising again were approved. Updated rules of the City Council credited to hard work by Council President Elizabeth Kazinskas were approved. (City Councilors had helped too on both) Listen to the City Council meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY

  
  Other good news: Mayor Nicholson communicated that Gardner favorite Rachel Roberts has been appointed again to serve as Executive Secretary until January 1, 2026

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• Mobile Home Fire

  

  Gardner Fire Department Battles Mobile Home Fire

  While no injuries were reported, the RV sustained tens of thousands of dollars in damage and is a total loss.

  Gardner Firefighters responded to a fuel fed fire in a motor home across from 164 Manca Drive on December 1, 2024. Group 4 was the on-duty shift.

  The owners and their pet dog were not in the RV at the time of the fire and reportedly obtained temporary housing through the American Red Cross.

  

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• Lighting 2024

  

  Gardner Kicks off Christmas Season with Music, Merriment, and Lights

  Gardner Magazine’s Collage of Photos is due to the picture and video taking efforts of Gardner’s Queen of Fun Patti Bergstrom and Merry Mayor Michael Nicholson who were both on hand with scores of people on Sunday, December, 2024.

  Mayor Nicholson posted, “It’s officially Christmas Time in the City – with the lights all on in Monument Park, Lafayette Square, Downtown, City Hall, and in South Gardner.” Listen to the song “Officially Christmas in Gardner” on any device. CLICK PLAY.

  Festivities began at 4pm at Gardner City Hall with Music and Caroling. A parade brought event goers to Monument Park where there was more music and Santa Claus recited “The Night Before Christmas”. Triple T Family Farm provided FREE carriage rides to those attending. Gardner High Band and Gardner Middle School Chorus delighted the crowd.

  Mayor Nicholson posted that carriage rides will be back during a horse drawn carriage Christmas Light Tour of the Downtown on December 19th from 4-6pm. Cost: FREE.

  Gardner Magazine has a special “A Chair City Christmas” page with 31 versions of an original tune. CLICK HERE.

  

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• Crisis Intervention

  

  
  CIT also supports police departments in Central Massachusetts in establishing their own CIT teams, comprising trained officers who collaborate with local providers. This week-long program is an innovative training model designed to equip first responders with crisis intervention skills.

  Gardner PD in another Proactive Effort to Assist Individuals with Mental Health and Substance Disorders

  Area police departments including the Gardner PD took part in Open Sky’s Week-long Crisis Intervention Training. Training covered suicide prevention, mental illness, runaway assistance, intellectual and developmental disabilities, substance use disorders, homelessness and officer self-care

  Gardner PD posted, “The Gardner Police Department extends its gratitude to the CIT staff, Open Sky, and all the guest speakers who shared their experiences and expertise throughout the week. Your contributions were greatly appreciated. (Sorry about the picture, the projector should have been turned off)“

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• Gardner Engine 2

  

  Gardner Fire Department Reveals Engine 2 – Sutphen Heavy Duty Custom Pumper

  There’s nothing like a beautiful new fire truck! This machine has a wheelbase of 180 inches, a travel height of just under 10 feet, and a travel length of more than 30 feet. It has a Heavy-Duty Custom Chassis, a 56 inch extended cab which can hold 4 firefighters and has a 10 inch raised roof. The engine is 450 horsepower. There’s a 1000 gallon water tank and a 30 gallon foam tank. Design sheet is below. CLICK IMAGE for larger view.

  

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• Mike Rock Opera

  

  Explanation: Lyrics are original. Music and Vocals generated by very sophisticated AI. Enjoy whatever version is to your liking.

  EDITIORIAL SPECIAL: Gardner Magazine with a “Rock Opera” on Mike the Champion

  Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson has paid his dues and taken some abuse along the way. He’s made a few mistakes, but his willingness to think outside of the box has helped to propel Gardner forward. Nevertheless, he’s endured ridiculous made-up lies from some of Gardner’s Rogue elements via Social Media and otherwise. Being right 99% of the time has made Mayor Mike a champion of Gardner’s success. In 4 1/2 years, the City’s Chief Executive and his Team have spruced up the City via municipal, State, and Federal funding; precipitated revitalization of Downtown Buildings by private investors, taken abandoned City-owned buildings and put them back on the tax rolls, and worked to strengthen Gardner’s fiscal posture, all while welcoming new businesses and residents. The following “Rock Opera” is both a recognition and a thank you for the achievements, and a repudiation of the few naysayers who don’t appreciate the enormity of the turnaround. Listen on any device. CLICK PLAY.

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• Hotline 11-30-24

  

  WGAW Hotline Show with Split Themes Hour 1: Holidays, and Hour 2: Various Reports

  WGAW Hotline Host Steve Wendell runs down some Holiday Events. Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson speaks about Holiday events in Gardner including the Holiday Tree Lighting on Sunday, December 1st which starts with lining up at Gardner City Hall at 4pm. MVOC’s Stephanie Marchetti speaks about a Holiday Gift Award and on help for veterans. Listen to the show on any device, CLICK PLAY.

  Library Director Stephanie Young reported on the Levi Heywood Memorial Library. Werner Poegel reported on Presidents of the United States since 1885. M.L. Altobelli from Good Earth Farm and Garden Center gave a comprehensive report on Tree Health in an interview with host Steve Wendell.

  Hotline Radio is heard every Saturday from noon to 2pm on AM 1340, 98.1FM and on the 24/7 LIVE STREAM.

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• GAAMHA Trees

  

  The Joy of a Christmas Tree Found at the GAAMHA Lot on Route 140

  For the 2nd year in a row, GAAMHA is operating a popular Christmas Tree Lot at the farm on Route 140. With attractive trees, easy parking, and cordial help and assistance, GAAMHA says it’s the Number 1 Christmas Tree lot in the area. Proceeds benefit GAAMHA programs. Gardner Magazine says it’s fit for a song called “A GAAMHA Christmas Tree” Listen on any device. CLICK PLAY.

  Christmas Tree prices range from $30 for a 3 to 4 foot tree all the way up to $90 for an 8 to 9 foot tree with various prices for other sizes in the middle. The Lot is open Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday: Thursdays and Fridays from 3 pm to 7 pm and 8 am to 5 pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

  GAAMHA is also selling some unique Christmas Tree Ornaments and has a Horse Calendar available.

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• GFD Ban Lifted

  

  GFD Lifts Outdoor Open Fire Ban, Reminds of GFD Cooking-Camp Fire Policy and Outdoor Brush and Yard Debris Prohibition

  Gardner Fire Chief Gregory Lagoy’s Press Release states “Due to the recent transition to a more normal, seasonal weather pattern, the open fire ban is lifted” Lifting of ban applies ONLY to contained fires for cooking, recreational, ornamental, or camping purposes. Lagoy reminded that the open brush burning season only runs annually from January 15^th through May 1^st, and only by permit even during that time. “All residents are also asked to continue to use caution with any type of open fire. The risk, while now significantly lowered, is never at zero.”

  Complete Press Release of November 29, 2024, CLICK HERE.

  Cooking/Camp Fire Policy, CLICK HERE.

  Not in Gardner? Check with your local community Fire Department for current information.

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