CDBG committee approves minutes as Gardner panels advance budget, housing and license items
The Community Development Block Grant Steering Committee recorded the only formal vote from recent city meetings, approving its April 28 minutes on a 4-0 count. But larger decisions loomed on agendas across Gardner’s boards and commissions over the past two weeks, with the City Council slated to take up an $84.5 million spending plan and board after board advancing project reviews, policy changes and property dealings.
Budget and finance
The City Council met June 22 as a Committee of the Whole and special session to consider the FY2027 budget. The package totals $84.5 million, including $15.1 million for salaries, $31.3 million for expenses, $38.1 million for schools, and separate enterprise and revolving funds. Agenda items also sought to cover a snow and ice deficit with $573,186 from free cash, fund $285,802 in police overtime from free cash, transfer $50,000 from ambulance services to fire overtime, authorize a five-year contract for permitting and licensing software, and establish revolving funds for the airport, recreation and other programs. Meeting minutes have not yet been published.
On July 1 the Finance Committee considered two new ordinances: one to require annual revenue projections and quarterly spending reports (Ordinance 11870), another to mandate Mayor and department head approval for professional development travel (Ordinance 11862). The committee also reviewed a tax increment exemption agreement for 94 Pleasant Street, a $30,530.88 transfer from City Clerk salaries to auditor professional services, and a $5,000 donation for police community policing.
Development and housing
The Economic and Community Development Committee discussed a Housing Production Plan on June 24 that sets annual affordable housing goals of 47 to 94 units. Updates on the Waterford Community Center noted that asphalt disturbance will require asbestos remediation, a concrete ramps bid package is expected by the end of June, and GETV’s move to the center could cause service interruptions. Lease agreements with Growing Places and CAC will need City Council approval.
Earlier, on June 23, the CDBG committee reviewed the status of several downtown projects. Greenwood Pool demolition is nearly complete, but a change order is needed for a collapsing drain. The Greenwood Pavilion project has gone out to bid, with bike racks, lighting and sidewalk alternates included. Design work on Downtown Phase 6 is on hold pending results of a slum/blight inventory covering more than 900 parcels. A congressional request for Phase 7 was cut from $1.2 million to $550,000 and still awaits approval; no new votes were reported beyond the minutes approval.
The Gardner Redevelopment Authority’s June 30 agenda covered the Urban Renewal Plan, with updates for the Rear Main Project North and South, Orpheum Park, 205‑213 Main Street and Summit Industrial Park. Parcels at Linus Allain Avenue, 155 Mill Street and 85 Winter Street were listed for discussion, along with board changes.
Conservation and environment
The Conservation Commission on June 22 planned hearings on enforcement orders at 36 Nicole Terrace and 282 Brookside Drive, cease‑and‑desist matters at 86 Linwood Street and 9 Crawford Street, a public hearing for a contractor building at 170 Mill Street, a water and wetland treatment permit for Kendall Pond, and an enforcement order for the sludge landfill.
Other meetings
The Golf Commission’s June 29 routine meeting called for approving June 1 minutes, reviewing financials, and updates from the superintendent and pro manager. On June 25 the Retirement Board agenda included the actuarial valuation as of Jan. 1, 2026 by Stone Consulting, member retirements, a buyback request, and updated insurance rates. The Gardner Housing Authority, also June 25, looked at capital improvements: stove replacement at Garwest, heat pump installation at Forrest Park, kitchen and bath renovations, and elevator maintenance.
Coming up
The City Council meets July 6 to vote on a $205,127.08 transfer from the Mayor’s Unclassified Salary Reserve to General Fund salary accounts, adoption of the Hazard Mitigation Plan, a three‑year intermunicipal animal control agreement with Hubbardston, changes to the Waterford Community Center lease, and a $4,016 transfer for Greenwood Memorial Pool signage.
The License Commission on July 7 will hear a one‑day liquor license for Moon Hill Brewing at the July 11 Food Truck Festival on Pleasant Street, an extension of outdoor premises for the Gardner Lodge of Elks, and amendments for the South Gardner Hotel and Hannaford Supermarket.
The Board of Assessors, on July 8, plans to sign June motor vehicle abatements and then go into executive session to discuss and vote on the FY27 Chapter Land application for Smith Street.
Generated from official meeting agendas and minutes — every underlying document is linked from the city page. Read the primary source before you rely on a detail.