End of January Update with Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson
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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.
