First Hotline Radio Show of 2026
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First up on the WGAW Hotline Radio Show of January 3, 2026 is Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson who highlights 2025 with a review of successful projects and grants, advancements in education, the movie in Gardner, and the housing ordinance. As the Mayor put it: “A Diving Board to jump off of to 2026.” Nicholson stated he is always cautiously optimistic about the City’s finances, making sure Gardner is living within its means and able to maintain programs from year to year. The Mayor’s Inaugural Address is Thursday, January 8th at Perry Auditorium and will cover past successes and the road map for 2026. WGAW will broadcast the event live.
The discussion turned to an update of other items. At Rear Main Street, the granite structures have been installed and the completion date is Mid Spring to Early Summer. National Grid is running underground electrical for the project and some other buildings in Downtown. South Gardner will be getting underground electric and will be spruced up with updates such as Victorian light posts. The Greenwood Pool Pavilion work starts in the Spring and in other work, the Spray Park is being repaired and the pool will be resurfaced. Lifeguards will get a higher, more competitive rate of pay this year due to recently approved increases. Pedestrian Bridge construction over Route 140 is projected for 2027. There’s no further update yet on the Sludge Landfill Project. Move ins to the Waterford Community Center will continue, and yes it is safe as multiple air quality tests have come back as clean. As far as other projects, the City and private sector is just waiting for the snow to melt and Spring to arrive.
Other items: Various commentary by Steve Wendell on Festivus Waste. limiting immigration until the recent large influx can be handled, the penalty agreed upon by Dana Farber Institute for obtaining grants with misleading statements and Daycare fraud. Mike Urban with a commentary on Daycare. There are now 4000 centers in Boston MA area when there previously were about 2000. Urban speaks on Covid money getting funneled into spending programs after 2020. Urban’s opinion is that some fraud is going on including parents who aren’t bringing kids to a daycare, but split the money with the business. Report and Commentary – WGAW On-Air Hosts with Werner Poegel. A Complete review of all the WGAW On-air hosts who are “on the radio.”