Gardner
Upcoming
City Council
The City Council will vote on multiple financial and administrative measures, including a $205,127 transfer from the Mayor's salary reserve to other salary accounts. They will also consider adopting a Hazard Mitigation Plan, authorizing an animal control agreement with Hubbardston, and approving changes to the Waterford Community Center lease. Additionally, the council will address two Open Meeting Law complaints filed by a resident.
- Transfer $205,127.08 from Mayor's Unclassified Salary Reserve to various General Fund salary accounts
- Adopt the City's Hazard Mitigation Plan
- Authorize intermunicipal animal control agreement with Hubbardston for July 2026–June 2029
- Authorize Growing Places to make changes to Waterford Community Center per lease
- Transfer $4,016 from City Council Salary to Greenwood Memorial Pool for signage
Historical Commission
The Gardner Historical Commission is meeting to update the Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System (MACRIS) Database. No other agenda items are listed.
- Update of MACRIS database
License Commission
The License Commission will hold hearings on a one-day liquor license for Moon Hill Brewing for the Food Truck Festival on July 11, and an amendment for the Gardner Lodge of Elks to extend premises outdoors. In old business, they will consider amendments for South Gardner Hotel (transfer/manager change) and Hannaford Supermarket (officer changes). The meeting also includes approval of June 9 minutes.
- One-day license for Moon Hill Brewing at Food Truck Festival on Pleasant St, July 11, 2026
- Amendment for Gardner Lodge of Elks #1426: extension of premises to outside area
- Amendment for South Gardner Hotel, 8 East Broadway: transfer of license and change of manager
- Amendment for Hannaford Supermarket, 21 Timpany Blvd: change of officers/directors
- Approval of June 9, 2026 meeting minutes
Board of Assessors
The Board of Assessors will meet to approve minutes and sign June 2026 motor vehicle abatements. They will then enter executive session to discuss and vote on the FY27 Chapter Land application for Smith Street, and will not return to open session.
- Review and sign June 2026 MV Abatements
- Executive session: discuss, review, vote on FY27 Chapter Land Application for Smith Street
Last 30 days
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee will consider ordinances to increase oversight of professional development travel and establish new requirements for revenue projections and financial reporting. The body will also review several fund transfers, police department donations, and a tax exemption agreement.
- Ordinance 11870 to mandate annual revenue projections and quarterly spending reports
- Ordinance 11862 requiring Mayor and department head approval for professional development travel
- Tax Increment Exemption (TIE) agreement for 94 Pleasant Street
- Transfer of $30,530.88 from City Clerk salaries to Auditor Department professional services
- Acceptance of $5,000 donation for Police Department community policing
Airport Commission
The Gardner Municipal Airport Commission will approve prior meeting minutes and receive updates on the Environmental Assessment, Obstruction Analysis, Vegetation Management Plan, and Avigation Easement. The Airport Manager will report on monthly guard counts, fuel gallons, and expenditures. New business includes a proposal to move future meetings to City Hall.
- Gales Associates Environmental Assessment and Obstruction Analysis update
- Vegetation Management Plan update
- Avigation Easement update
- Monthly expenditures report (budget spreadsheet)
- Proposal to move meetings to City Hall
Gardner Redevelopment Authority
The Gardner Redevelopment Authority discusses financials, the Urban Renewal Plan including specific projects (Rear Main North/South, Orpheum Park, 205-213 Main Street, Summit Industrial Park), and board changes. Property parcels at Linus Allain Avenue, 155 Mill Street, and 85 Winter Street are also on the agenda.
- Discussion of Parcel W17-15-1 @ Linus Allain Avenue
- Discussion of properties at 155 Mill Street and 85 Winter Street
- Urben Renewal Plan updates for Rear Main Project North and South
- Orpheum Park and 205-213 Main Street projects
- GRA Board Changes and Administrative Update
Golf Commission
The Golf Commission will hold a routine meeting to approve meeting minutes from June 1, 2026, and review financial reports. Updates will be provided by the superintendent and pro manager.
- Approve meeting minutes from June 1, 2026
- Review and approve financials
- Update from Superintendent Bill Frank
- Update from Pro Manager Dan Berry
Retirement Board
The Gardner Contributory Retirement Board will review and approve the actuarial valuation as of January 1, 2026, by Stone Consulting. They will also approve retirements, acknowledge deceased members, and consider a member buyback of previously refunded time. Financial approvals include the pre-close trial balance, general ledger, bank reconciliation, and payroll warrants. The board will discuss disability retirements, an upcoming board election, and RFPs for actuarial services.
- Approve Actuarial Valuation as of 01/01/2026 by Stone Consulting
- Approve retirement(s) and acknowledge deceased member(s)
- Member seeking buyback of previously refunded time
- Approve Pre-Close Trial Balance, General Ledger, and Bank Reconciliation
- Updated Insurance Rates as of 7/1/2026 to be mailed to retirees & survivors
Gardner Housing Authority
The Gardner Housing Authority will discuss several maintenance projects and a financial assistance contract. The board will also review the agency's service animal policy and approve the May 2026 invoice report.
- Contract for Financial Assistance #17
- Garwest stove replacement
- Forrest Park airsource heat pumps installation
- Kitchen and bath renovations
- Highrise elevator maintenance
Economic and Community Development Committee
The Economic and Community Development Committee will discuss the Housing Production Plan, which sets annual affordable housing production goals of 47 to 94 units. They will also receive updates on the Waterford Community Center, including roof solar installation, ADA compliance, and asbestos remediation. Additionally, the committee will review the Municipal Surplus and Property Plan.
- Housing Production Plan sets annual affordable housing goals of 47-94 units
- Waterford Community Center asphalt disturbance requires asbestos remediation
- Concrete ramps bid package anticipated by end of June
- GETV begins move to Waterford Community Center, possible service interruptions
- Lease agreements with Growing Places and CAC require City Council approval
Community Development Block Grant Steering Committee
The committee reviewed updates on several CDBG-funded projects, including demolition of 205-213 Main St., Greenwood Pool demolition, and construction of a pavilion. They also discussed downtown improvement phases and a federal funding request for Phase 7 that was cut to $550,000. No new votes were taken beyond approving previous meeting minutes.
- Approved April 28, 2026 meeting minutes 4-0
- Greenwood Pool demolition nearly complete; change order needed for collapsing drain
- Greenwood Pavilion project out for bid; includes bike racks, lighting, and sidewalk alternates
- Downtown Phase 6 design on hold awaiting slum/blight inventory results on 900+ parcels
- Congressional request for Phase 7 cut from $1.2M to $550K; approval still pending
Conservation Commission
The commission will hold hearings on several enforcement orders and a cease-and-desist notice. They will also continue discussions regarding a proposed contractor building and site improvements at 170 Mill Street.
- Enforcement orders for 36 Nicole Terrace and 282 Brookside Drive
- Cease-and-desist hearings for 86 Linwood St. and 9 Crawford St.
- Public hearing for contractor building construction at 170 Mill St
- Water and wetland treatment permit for Kendall Pond
- Enforcement order for Sludge Landfill
City Council
The City Council will hold a Committee of the Whole and a Special Meeting to consider and adopt the FY2027 budget. The total budget includes $15.1M for salaries, $31.3M for expenses, $38.1M for schools, plus enterprise funds and revolving funds. New business items include appropriations for snow and ice removal, police overtime, and a software contract.
- Appropriate $573,186 from free cash to cover snow and ice deficit
- Appropriate $285,802 from free cash for police overtime
- Transfer $50,000 from ambulance services to fire overtime
- Authorize up to 5-year contract for permitting and licensing software
- Establish FY2027 revolving funds for airport, recreation, and other programs
Public Service Committee
The Public Service Committee will review four water and sewer tax abatements for specific Gardner addresses. The group will also discuss a National Grid proposal to install and relocate a utility pole on Betty Spring Road. Department updates from DPW, Engineering, and Conservation will be provided. The meeting concludes with standard councillor concerns and procedural items.
- Water and sewer abatements for 64 Snake Pond Road, 34 Carlson Lane, 221 Regan Street, and 164 Logan Street
- National Grid utility pole installation and relocation on Betty Spring Road near Linus Allain Ave
- Department updates from DPW, Engineering, and Conservation
- Review of prior committee minutes
City Council
The City Council will consider adopting the FY2027 operating budget totaling $84,506,414, which includes salary, expense, and school department budgets. Several fund transfers, a water rate ordinance amendment, and multiple board and commission appointments are also on the agenda. A public hearing on a pole relocation on Betty Spring Road and a communication about the Olde Burial Ground master plan are scheduled.
- Adoption of $15,084,200 salary budget, $31,278,525 expense budget, and $38,143,689 school department budget for FY2027
- Public hearing on National Grid pole relocation on Betty Spring Road
- Ordinance to amend water rates (Chapter 625, Section 8)
- Transfer of $573,186 from Free Cash to DPW Snow and Ice account
- Transfer of $355,000 from Free Cash to Fire Department overtime