Gardner, Massachusetts — week of 2026-07-06 · all Gardner meetings

Gardner's $84.5M budget tops a busy two weeks of city meetings; most outcomes still pending

Gardner's City Council had an $84.5 million FY2027 budget package on its June 22 agenda — the largest financial item across two weeks of city meetings — but minutes have not yet been published, so the outcome of that vote is not confirmed. The budget, as presented, included $15.1 million for salaries, $31.3 million for expenses, $38.1 million for schools, plus enterprise and revolving funds. New business items on the same agenda included $573,186 from free cash to cover a snow and ice deficit, $285,802 from free cash for police overtime, a $50,000 transfer from ambulance services to fire overtime, and authorization of up to a five-year contract for permitting and licensing software.

Community Development Block Grant: One vote confirmed

The CDBG Steering Committee met June 23 and approved its April 28, 2026 meeting minutes 4-0 — the only confirmed vote across the recent meetings. The committee reviewed several project updates: Greenwood Pool demolition is nearly complete but needs a change order for a collapsing drain; the Greenwood Pavilion project is out for bid and includes bike racks, lighting, and sidewalk alternates; and Downtown Phase 6 design is on hold pending results of a slum/blight inventory covering more than 900 parcels. A congressional funding request for Downtown Phase 7 was cut from $1.2 million to $550,000, with approval still pending.

Conservation, housing, and redevelopment agendas

The Conservation Commission's June 22 agenda included enforcement orders for 36 Nicole Terrace and 282 Brookside Drive, cease-and-desist hearings for 86 Linwood St. and 9 Crawford St., a public hearing for contractor building construction at 170 Mill St., a water and wetland treatment permit for Kendall Pond, and an enforcement order for the Sludge Landfill. Outcomes are not yet published.

The Economic and Community Development Committee's June 24 agenda included discussion of a Housing Production Plan setting annual affordable housing goals of 47 to 94 units, updates on the Waterford Community Center including roof solar installation, ADA compliance, and asbestos remediation, and review of the Municipal Surplus and Property Plan. The agenda noted that GETV would begin moving to the Waterford Community Center with possible service interruptions, and that lease agreements with Growing Places and CAC require City Council approval.

The Gardner Redevelopment Authority's June 30 agenda covered Urban Renewal Plan updates for the Rear Main Project North and South, Orpheum Park, 205-213 Main Street, and Summit Industrial Park, plus discussion of parcels at Linus Allain Avenue, 155 Mill Street, and 85 Winter Street.

Finance, retirement, housing, airport, and golf

The Finance Committee's July 1 agenda included Ordinance 11870, which would mandate annual revenue projections and quarterly spending reports, and Ordinance 11862, requiring Mayor and department head approval for professional development travel. The agenda also listed a Tax Increment Exemption agreement for 94 Pleasant Street, a $30,530.88 transfer from City Clerk salaries to Auditor Department professional services, and acceptance of a $5,000 donation for Police Department community policing.

The Gardner Contributory Retirement Board's June 25 agenda included approval of an actuarial valuation as of January 1, 2026, by Stone Consulting, retirement approvals, a member buyback of previously refunded time, and updated insurance rates effective July 1, 2026. The Gardner Housing Authority's June 25 agenda listed Contract for Financial Assistance #17, Garwest stove replacement, Forrest Park air-source heat pump installation, kitchen and bath renovations, and highrise elevator maintenance. The Airport Commission's July 1 agenda included updates on a Gales Associates Environmental Assessment and Obstruction Analysis, a Vegetation Management Plan, and an Avigation Easement, plus a proposal to move future meetings to City Hall. The Golf Commission's June 29 agenda was routine: approving June 1 minutes, reviewing financials, and updates from Superintendent Bill Frank and Pro Manager Dan Berry.

Coming up

**City Council, July 6:** Vote on a $205,127.08 transfer from the Mayor's Unclassified Salary Reserve, adoption of the City's Hazard Mitigation Plan, an intermunicipal animal control agreement with Hubbardston for July 2026–June 2029, and a $4,016 transfer for Greenwood Memorial Pool signage.
**License Commission, July 7:** One-day liquor license for Moon Hill Brewing at the Food Truck Festival on Pleasant St., July 11, plus amendments for Gardner Lodge of Elks #1426, South Gardner Hotel at 8 East Broadway, and Hannaford Supermarket at 21 Timpany Blvd.
**Board of Assessors, July 8:** Executive session to vote on the FY27 Chapter Land Application for Smith Street.
**Historical Commission, July 7:** Update of the MACRIS database.

Earlier weeks

week of 2026-06-29 — CDBG committee approves minutes as Gardner panels advance budget, housing and license items

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.