- Update 1-30-26 (1/29/2026)
End of January Update with Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson
Listen to the Update on any device, CLICK PLAY.
Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson spoke at length about the storm which blanketed the Chair City with snow.
The Update contains timely and essential information about city operations, public safety, and upcoming events. Here is information about the key happenings in Gardner.
Spotlight on Public Works: Understanding Gardner’s Snow Removal Operations: DPW crews worked a continuous 42-hour shift, from 9:00 a.m. Sunday to 3:00 a.m. Tuesday, to manage the storm. A team of 30 DPW plow drivers was deployed, each assigned to a specific, pre-planned route. Crews are responsible for plowing and maintaining all 100 miles of city roads. It takes an average of three hours for a plow to complete its assigned route one time..
Thanks to the new salt shed, the city currently has 1,500 tons of salt on hand. Unlike several surrounding communities that issued advisories after running out of salt, Gardner’s new shed ensures a consistent supply, keeping our roads safer. A single, city-wide salt application requires approximately 100 tons of salt.
Based on feedback from the plow drivers, here are two critical ways you can help ensure safety for everyone during snow removal operations: • Do Not Pass the Plows: Driving behind a plow means the road ahead has not yet been cleared and is not safe for travel. Passing is dangerous for you and for our drivers, who are focused on the difficult task of clearing the road. • Do Not Throw Items at Plows: We understand the frustration of having a freshly shoveled driveway blocked by a passing plow. However, throwing shovels or other objects at the trucks is extremely hazardous and puts drivers at risk.
On January 29th, the Gardner Fire Department demonstrated its professionalism and skill during a two-alarm fire at the 123 Grow Daycare on West Broadway. Thanks to their prompt and effective response, the situation was handled as safely as possible. While the building was unfortunately a loss, we are profoundly grateful that no one was injured. This positive outcome is a direct result of the dedication and expertise of our Gardner firefighters.
Deadlines: Excise tax bills will be mailed to residents during the month of February. Per Massachusetts state law, you are responsible for paying the bill even if you do not receive it due to a change of address. I Dog licenses for 2026 are now available and must be registered by March 31st to avoid fines.
Community Calendar & Engagement Opportunities: “Love to Empower” Gift Card Drive ◦ Date: February 1 – 14 Help reduce financial barriers for domestic violence survivors. The Gardner Police Department, Gardner Community Action Team, and partners are collecting gift cards of $10 or more. ◦ Drop-off Locations: Gardner Police Department, City Hall Health Department, Sculpt Studio. —-• Holy Family Academy “Super Bowl” Soup Contest ◦ Date: Sunday, February 1 | 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. ◦ Location: Lower Church Hall of Holy Rosary Church ◦ Cost: $10 for adults, $5 for students. ◦ Description: Sample a variety of soups and vote for the winner in this fun community contest.• School Vacation Week Activities ◦ Date: Week of February 16 A wide range of activities will be available for students, including programming at the Levi Heywood Memorial Library, free skate times at the Gardner Veterans Skating Arena, and outdoor opportunities at The Lodge at Dunn Pond. The Gardner Community Youth Center will also offer extended hours (12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.) for youth in grades 7-12. ————- • Peace Corps Through the Decades Presentation ◦ Date: Tuesday, February 25 | 6:00 p.m. at Levi Heywood Memorial Library Local resident Arthur Young, one of the first Peace Corp volunteers, will share his experiences in honor of the organization’s 65th anniversary.• Theatre at the Mount: “Young Frankenstein” ◦ Dates: February 27-28 & March 6-8 Gardner Museum Season Reopening ◦ Date: Wednesday, March 4 | 1:00 p.m. ◦ 2026 Flower Pot Sponsorship Program ◦ Deadline: Sponsorships are $150 until March 1, after which the price increases to $200. Contact: For more information, please contact Iris in the Community Development department at imesser@gardner-ma.gov or 978-991-5840.
An Update on the Recent City Hall Closure: The Mayor addressed the recent unexpected closure of City Hall following last week’s snowstorm. This decision was made to ensure the safety of all city employees and the public. Following the storm, a carbon monoxide detector was found to be going off inside the building. The Gardner Fire Department and the City Building Commissioner were immediately called to investigate. Their investigation revealed a significant safety hazard: a natural gas leak caused by a crack in one of the building’s boilers and a separate issue with a second boiler .To protect employees and the public, the decision was made to keep the building closed until all necessary repairs were completed by the city’s contractor. The building remained closed until it was fully vented and had passed all necessary safety checks to confirm there were no further gas leaks.
- Caroling with the Mayor 2025 (12/23/2025)
Caroling with the Mayor 2025 Caroling with the Mayor 2025 – Available is VIDEO and AUDIO of this beloved Gardner tradition.
Caroling with the Mayor 2025 is Released
Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson has released the 2025 “Caroling with the Mayor”, the annual virtual caroling event to celebrate the 2025 holiday season. Listen to the AUDIO on any device, CLICK PLAY.
Caroling with the Mayor 2025 Or if you wish, play the video right out of this page so you can see all the performers. Greater Gardner Community Choir opens it up with a performance from Handel’s Messiah “Unto Us a Child Is Born”. There’s a diverse array of musical performances from local schools, church groups, and community choirs showcasing the city’s artistic talent. Interspersed between the songs, the Mayor highlights various festive decorations within Gardner City Hall, including a tree honoring military members and entries from a departmental door-decorating contest. Mayor Michael Nicholson acknowledges the contributions of local organizations such as a task force dedicated to domestic violence awareness and prevention. The program concludes with a community-wide sing-along and a message of gratitude toward the citizens and staff who made the celebration possible. This annual program serves as a communal tribute to Gardner’s spirit and local traditions during the Christmas week.
If you watch Caroling with the Mayor on your phone, you can orient the phone so that you can view it wide screen. If you watch on the computer, you can make it go full screen for a better view. Or listen to the AUDIO we have provided.
- Mayor’s Pre-Christmas Update (12/22/2025)
Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson reviews holiday schedules: City Hall closed at noon on December 24th and closed Christmas Day and December 26th, closed at noon on December 31st and closed New Year’s Day and January 2nd. See infographic below for more information.
A Pre-Christmas Update from Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson – IMPORTANT Holiday Schedules
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Mayor’s December Update 12-22-25 Mayor Nicholson provides essential holiday information regarding City operations and special events, addressing holiday closures for City Hall and the local transfer station while also outlining an adjusted trash and recycling collection schedule for the final weeks of the year.
Residents are encouraged to register for the Code Red emergency alert system to receive accurate winter parking ban notifications following technical upgrades.
Mayor Michael Nicholson outlines several community traditions including a televised caroling program, the upcoming inauguration ceremony in January, and a discounted early-bird sponsorship for the City’s Downtown flower pots.
The Mayor concludes with a call for year-round charity and a preview of family-friendly library activities scheduled for the winter break.
- Mayor’s November Update (11/28/2025)
Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson provides a City of Gardner update and also features a special guest: Dr. Frank Sweeney of Heywood Hospital.
A November Mayor’s Update with a Very Special Guest
Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson provides an update covering end of November and December events for the City of Gardner. Get all the details about the annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Parade and find out about dual donation drives for toys, needed spices, and canned goods. As far as City operations, the Mayor goes over the Code Red issue, revealing that a cyber hack crashed the database, forcing the City to rely on a backup system until the vendor rebuilds. Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.
Mayor Michael Nicholson November Update with Special Guest: Dr. Frank Sweeney of Heywood Hospital Also included is an interview featuring a special guest, the Chief Medical Officer Dr. Frank Sweeney of Heywood Hospital who discusses Heywood Healthcare’s financial independence after bankruptcy, confirms a return to full function following a separate recent cyber event, and clarifies that a poor quality Leapfrog rating was unjustly applied because Heywood opted not to participate in a voluntary reporting survey. “It’s like getting a “D” on a test that you never took”. Gardner Magazine previously had an editorial on the subject, calling out Leapfrog for literally unjustly sticking it to Heywood Hospital, CLICK HERE.
- Update 11-7-25 (11/7/2025)
Events, Operations, and a Holiday Preview Focus of Mayor’s Update of November 7, 2025
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Monthly Mayor’s Update – 11-7-25 Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson goes over a variety of upcoming community events and city operations for November and December. Key announcements include the annual Veterans Day ceremony on November 11th and the Thanksgiving farmers market on November 22nd, both at Perry Auditorium at Gardner City Hall.
The Mayor speaks about hazardous waste collection day and yard waste collection schedule for residents. The update also highlights holiday activities, such as the 20th-anniversary Festival of Trees, the annual holiday stroll and Christmas tree lighting ceremony, and various musical and theatrical performances. Finally, the Mayor concludes with news of a recent website refresh. The Mayor is shown at the new DPW Salt Shed.
- Mayor’s Update 9-26-25 (9/26/2025)
Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson Updates the City of Gardner
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Mayor’s Update 9-26-25
- Update 8-29-25 (8/29/2025)
Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson Updates the City of Gardner
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Nicholson Monthly Update 8-29-25
- Update 7-31-25 (7/31/2025)
Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson Updates the Chair City.
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Nicholson Update 7-31-25 In this jam-packed updates, Mayor Nicholson goes over many events and projects in the City of Gardner.
- Nicholson Update 4-25-25 (4/25/2025)
Gardner Mayor Nicholson Delivers Monthly Address and Update to the Chair City
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Nicholson Monthly Update 4-25-25 Covered in the Update: A run down of Weekend Events for the last weekend in April —Future Events taking place in May and June — Yard Waste Pickup — Volunteers at the Animal Shelter — novel by Timothy Crellin — City-wide Yard Sale – Outdoor Pool Facelift and Pool Opening Date — Parking Meters Active —- Rome building demo and road closures — Bids on Greenwood Bldg. Demo — Congrats to new Pres. Of Fitchburg State — Gardner’s Small Business Saturday and Sidewalk Sale — MVP Program Ribbon Cutting — Gateway Fiber Internet Ribbon Cutting — GMS Moveup Night — National Day of Prayer Service — May Young Artists Contest — Central Mass Dental Ribbon Cutting — Greater Gardner Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting — GES Concerts – Special Olympics – Motorcycle Ride “Edward’s Memorial” — Gardner Music Boosters — GMS Band Concert — Memorial Day Concert —- Vietnam Veterans Memorial Ride – Memorial Day Parade — Various graduation ceremonies. Contrary to the update, the Food Truck Festival is taking place on Saturday July 12th. – Website
- Update 3-29-25 (3/29/2025)
Gardner Mayor Nicholson Gives Monthly Address and Update
Gardner Mayor Nicholson Gave an update to the City of Gardner at the end of March 2025. A Nice recap. Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.
Monthly Address March 2025 Flower Pot Sponsorships — Gardner Monthly Farmer’s Market — Dog Licenses — Purple Paws Event —- Gardner Health and Wellness Fair — Veterans — Various Events —- Drought —- Yard Waste Pickup — Businesses — Gardner Museum — Programs at the Library — Williams Rockwell Grants —
2026-02-13