Call to order the Monday, March 16th meeting of the Gardener City Council. The clerk will now please call the role. >> Councelor Brooks, >> present. >> Councelor Craig Cormier, >> present. >> Councilor Dawitz, >> present. >> Council Hard. >> Council Heath, >> present. >> Council Heglland, >> present. >> Council Kazinskus, >> present. Councelor Mack,
>> Council Tone, >> present. Council Tibbo Mios and President Tyrus >> present. Those who wish may now rise for the opening prayer and pledge of >> allegiance. Almighty God, we thank thee for bringing us together this evening. Inspire us to worthy deeds and sound decisions and
direct us towards the attainment of good city government. We pray thee to bless and protect all the people of our city and our guide and inspire us that we may liberate unity and harmony. Amen. I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic
for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Announcement of open meeting recordings. >> Any person may make a video or audio recording of an open session of a meeting or may transmit the meeting through any medium subject to reasonable
requirements of the chair. as to the number, placement, and operation of the equipment used so as to not interfere with the conduct of the meeting. Any person intending to make such a recording shall notify the chair forth with all documents and exhibits used or referenced at the meeting must be submitted in duplicate to the chair as
it become part of the meeting minutes. Is anyone recording this tonight's meeting? We'll begin with the reading and approval of the November 3rd, 2025, November 17th, 2025, January 5th, 2026, and January 20th, 2026 regular meeting
minutes, and the January 20th, 2026 joint convention with the school committee meeting minutes. >> Councelor Cormier, >> move to wave the reading of the minutes and accept them as printed. >> Second. >> Motion made by councelor Cormier, second by councelor Kazinskus to wave the reading of the minutes and accept them as presented. Is there discussion? Councelor Heg.
>> Thank you, Mr. President. Three to council. I just want to thank the clerk for the quick turnaround on the fixes to the November minutes uh and then for also getting us three new sets of minutes um that were in very good fashion. Thank you, Mrs. Cler. >> Thank you, counselor. Any further discussion? All those in favor? I.
>> All those against? No. Motion passes. >> There are no public hearings. There are no communications from the mayor. Petitions, applications, communications. Item 11802, letter from the Teamsters Union Local 170 regarding union negotiations between
the Teamsters, Department heads, and the city. If the council will allow it, I'd like to add some context to this item. Last Wednesday, the council received this letter from the Teamsters Union Local 170 out of Worcester outlining their objection to the council having a
representative present during negotiations for the newly formed department head union. Almost a month ago to the day, I announced my appointment of councelor Mack as council leazison to department head union matters after receiving a letter requesting exclusion from one of the union members. This letter was the
council's first official communication that a group of managers had formed a union. And at the time, and as I still do, I believed the single point of contact for the council on the matter would be most appropriate and was made in good faith. This was especially important when the city's HR director
sent notification to the council on March 2nd that the city had been notified of the formation of this unit by the Massachusetts Department of Labor Relations and the negotiations were already underway. Among the nine positions in this new bargaining unit is the city treasurer
under our city charter. The treasurer is one of three positions along with the city clerk, city auditor that is elected, managed and overseen directly by this city council. They are by law employees of the legislative branch. The union's letter suggests a narrow
view of who constituates an employer under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 150E. While the executive branch typically leads negotiations, this statute also recognizes the appointing authority and those designated to represent the public entity's interests. Here's the core of the issue. If the
council is the appointing authority responsible for the terms of employment for the treasur, excluding us from the room creates a significant jurisdictional gap. We cannot be expected to manage an employee according to a contract we had no hand in making. My my concern is
simple. Who is representing the city's interest as the employer of the treasur at the bargaining table? We are not looking to overstep. We're looking to fulfill our chartermandated responsibilities. I know I'd rather be criticized for being overdilent in protecting the taxpayers's interests than sit idly by
and claim ignorance. If the council would support it, I believe we should seek an official opinion from the Department of Labor Relations on the council's role in negotiating contracts for council appointed positions. We must ensure that we proceed in good faith and in full compliance of both city charter and
state law. >> Council D allowance. >> Mr. President, I'd like to move to authorize the council president to reach out to the department of labor relations to get an opinion on the matter. >> Second. >> Motion made by councelor D allowance. Second by councel Kazinskus to authorize the council president to reach out to
department of labor relations on the matter. Is there discussion? All those in favor? I. >> All those against no. >> Motion passes. >> Reports of standing committees. Appointments committee. Item 11654.
A measure confirming the mayor's appointment of Duncan Burns to the position of conservation commission member for a term expiring August 21st, 2028. Councelor Heg move the measure be confirmed. >> Second. >> Motion move by councelor Heglin, second
by councelor Heath to confirm the mayor's appointment. Is there discussion? Councelor Heglin. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Through to the council, we met on this appointment uh a little while ago. There was an issue with the certificate missing the mayor's signature. So, we had to wait for that to get fixed before we could bring it uh to the full council. It was a great
interview though. Many of us know Mr. Burns uh and the many years of service and experience he brings to the conservation commission. He was highly recommended by the mayor. We were unanimously in favor of this appointment and so I'll be supporting this this evening. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councelor Heglin. Is there further discussion? All those in favor?
I. >> All those against? No. >> Motion passes. Item 11757, a measure confirming the mayor's appointment of Linda Rice to the position of historic commission member for a term expiring December 11th, 2028. Councelor Heglin. >> Move the measure be confirmed.
>> Second. >> Motion made by councelor Heglin, second by councelor Heath to confirm the mayor's appointment. Is there discussion? Councelor Heg. >> Thank you. I'll mention for this and the next two appointments. Um, all three of them approached the city with their interest in joining the commission, which was great to see. uh and they each
provided a wonderful letter uh along with their appointment which was I think really helpful for us as part of their package for appointment. Um for those of us uh many of us know you know Mrs. Rice, she's a longtime gardener resident. Uh she was a former school principal in town. She was a museum
charter member as well. I think she's going to bring great experience uh and uh insight to the historical commission and helping in the work that they do. So we were unanimously in favor of this appointment. I'll be supporting it this evening. Thank you. Thank you, counselor. Is there further discussion?
All those in favor? I. >> I. >> All those against? No. Motion passes. >> Item 11758, a measure confirming the mayor's appointment of Marshia White to the position of historic commission member for a term expiring December 11th, 2028. Councelor Hegman. >> Move the measure be confirmed.
>> Second. >> Motion made by councelor Hegman, second by councelor Heath to confirm the mayor's appointment. Is there discussion? Councelor Heglin. >> Thank you again, Mr. President. Through you to the council again. We have another lifelong resident who is interested in joining the commission. Uh for those that might not know Mrs. White, she uh has a long-standing love
of genealogy uh and local history. She worked at the library for a number of years as a local historian in that capacity. Uh we were again unanimously in favor of this highly recommended appointee and I'll be starting it this evening. Thank you. >> Thank you counselor. Further discussion.
All those in favor I. >> All those against no. Motion passes. Item 11759, a measure confirming the mayor's appointment of Aavio Canoe to the position of historic commission members for a term expiring December 11th, 2028. >> Move the measure be confirmed.
>> Second. >> Motion made by councelor Heglin, second by councelor Heath to confirm the measure. Is there discussion? Council Heg. >> Uh for the last time for me on this, uh we also met recently on this other lifelong gardener resident. Uh for anyone that doesn't know Mr. Kanu, he was a carpenter for many years. He has a
real love of genealogy. He um when first approached took time to attend some of the historical commission meetings to see what it was about and if it was something he would want to be involved with and having a love of our shared history and wanting to preserve that he very eagerly expressed his interest. He came highly recommended and we are in
support of this unanimously. Uh thank you. >> Thank you counselor. Any further discussion? All those in favor I. >> All those against no motion passes. Item 11770, a measure confirming the mayor's appointment of Jason Stevens to the position of director of community
development and planning for a term expiring January 13, 2029. Councelor Kazinskus. >> Thank you, Mr. President. I make a motion that the well the committee voted unanimously unanimously to recommend this appointment and I move to confirm the mayor's appointment. >> Second motion made by councelor Kazinsk, second by councelor Keith to confirm the
mayor's appointment. Is there discussion? Councelor Kazinskus. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Director Stevens has served as the city's director of community planning. uh community development and planning for just over a year. And in that time, he has made significant improvements within the department. He has addressed
challenges that predated his time as director, restored accountability in the department's operations, and has helped move key city projects forward. His leadership has been a clear benefit to the city, and the department has made meaningful progress under his direction. He stepped into the role without a transition from the previous director,
and at a time when a new city council sitting committee was closely engaged in his department's work. He quickly got up to speed, remained highly responsive, and consistently approached issues with a practical mindset, and focused on solutions. In a very short period of time, he has rebuilt the department's
foundation, established clear systems, improved communication, and built a strong team. He has remained professional, dependable, and positive while setting the strong standard that should be expected of his department. And I fully support this appointment. >> Thank you, counselor. Further discussion.
>> All those in favor? I. >> I. >> All those against? No. No. >> Motion passes. Item 11771, a measure confirming the mayor's appointment of Melissa McDonald to the position of building commissioner for a term expiring January 13th, 2027.
Councelor Gazinskis. >> Thank you, Mr. President. The committee voted unanimously to recommend this appointment and I move to confirm the mayor's appointment. >> Second. >> Motion made by councelor Kazinsk, second by council Heath to confirm the mayor's appointment. Is there discussion? Councelor Kazinskus. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Commissioner McDonald has completed her probationary
period with with the city throughout which time she has made meaningful progress to address and resolve a number of long-standing issues within the building department while also building a capable team of staff to ensure the department operates efficiently. She has also shown effective leadership in
evaluating how the department functions internally and has identified areas where procedures can be strengthened. In doing so, she's offered a number of practical suggestions designed to streamline operations and improve the quality of service that they deliver.
And also before we vote on this, I would like to ask if the mayor can clarify um the change from his previous statement at a previous meeting that appointments had to be for a three-year term as um Commissioner McDonald's appointment is for a one-year term. Um, with that being
said, I'd also request that the explanation be provided in a letter which councelor Hegland had actually previously requested. Um, but we haven't received it yet. So, I did want to follow up with the request for that letter. >> There are no objections. I' like to ask the mayor to come to the podium. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you,
council. Uh, just to clarify, uh, because that was brought up earlier in these council meetings, uh, I did confer with the city solicitor on this. Now the language that was in question in this is the uh language in the ordinance that says an appointment shall be uh 3 years unless otherwise stated. Uh and the interpretation that I had brought to
that originally was unless otherwise stated in ordinance in law otherwise. But it doesn't state that in the language of the ordinance itself. It doesn't say unless otherwise stated in ordinance unless otherwise stated in the code unless otherwise stated by law other subject. Uh therefore so long as there's a written justification for that appointment not being a full three-year
term. uh that allows for there to be a term of up to three years, but it can be anywhere in between. Uh once that opinion was uh received from the law department uh with the appointment that you see in front of you here, we went back uh my I I went back uh to the original system that we had where uh the
mayor can give up to a 60-day temporary appointment for a department head or up to a 90-day for a non-depart head. Uh and then as we did with director Stevens uh and as you saw with our new uh veterans director after the initial temporary appointment doing an appointment for one year and then going
for an appointment of up to three years based on uh evaluation since there is no legal way to do a temporary period or probationary period uh for those appointed type positions. So that's what you have before you here today and happy to answer any other questions if they may come up. Thank you madam. >> Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> Is there further discussion? All those in favor I. >> All those opposed, no. Motion passes. Item 11755, a measure confirming the mayor's appointment of Christopher J. Black to the position of gardener police officer permanent. Councelor Heath.
>> Thank you, Mr. President. Uh the appointments committee unanimously voted to move the appointment to the full city council for the appointee to be certified. >> Second. >> Motion made by councelor Heath, second by councelor Heglin to confirm the mayor's appointment. Is there
discussion? Councelor Heath. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Um, the committee met with the mayor along with Chief Mcavein and Deputy Chief along with the officer Christopher Black to discuss his appointment as a permanent police officer. Officer Black is a gardener resident and the first
graduate of the Fitchburg State Police Academy to join the department through the new hiring process. Chief Mcave and Chief De I'm sorry, Deputy Chief Moroni provided stellar recommendations, noting his excellent performance during field training and his current assignment to
overnight shifts. >> Thank you, councelor. Any further discussion? All those in favor? I >> I. >> All those against, no. Motion passes. >> Item 11 1787, a measure confirming the mayor's appointment of Michael King to the position of gardener police officer
permanent. Councelor Heath. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Uh the appointments committee unanimously voted to move the appointment to the full city council for the appointee to be certified. >> Motion made by council Heath, second by council Hegland to confirm the mayor's appointment. Is there discussion? Council Heath. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Uh the
committee met with the mayor along with Chief Mcavee, Deputy Chief along with the officer Michael uh Michael King regarding his confirmation as a police officer. A Garner resident and a graduate of the Western Mass Police Academy, Officer King was praised for
his stellar performance during field training. He expresses commitment to serving the community where he lives and the department leadership noted he has a high bar set for himself. >> Thank you, counselor. Any further discussion? All those in favor? I.
>> All those against, no. Motion passes. Item 11788, a measure confirming the mayor's appointment of Ryan Coats to the position of sergeant permanent. Council Heath. Thank you, Mr. President. The appointments committee unanimously voted to move the appointment to the full city
council for appointee to be certified. >> Motion made by councelor Heath, second by councelor Hegeland to confirm the mayor's appointment. Is there discussion? Councelor Heath. >> Thank you, Mr. President. and the committee met with the mayor along with chief magavine deputy chief Moroni along with the officer
uh Ryan Coats to discuss his promotion to sergeant. Uh Ryan Coats is a 12-year veteran of the department and a guard of gardener native. Sergeant Coats was highly re commended for his unmatched work in the narcotics unit and his leadership traits. Department leadership
noted that his experience and passion for the job would be invaluable in the in mentoring the next generation of officers. >> Thank you, councelor. Further discussion. >> All those in favor? I. >> All those against no. Motion passes.
Item 11789, a measure confirming the mayor's appointment of Derek White to the position of gardener police officer permanent. Councelor Heath. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Appointments committee unanimously voted to move the appointment to the full city council for the appointee to be certified. >> Second.
>> Motion made by councelor Heath, second by councelor Heglin to confirm the mayor's appointment. Is there discussion? Councelor Heath. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Um the committee met with the mayor along with Chief Makaveine, Deputy Chief Moroni along with officer Derek White to review his appointment. Officer White is a
graduate of the Boilston Marboro Police Academy and an active member of the US Army National Guard. The mayor and the chief reported receiving consistently positive feedback from the community regarding his work. Officer White highlighted his interest
in community oriented policing and his background working with youth at the Boys and Girls Club. Um just to let you know, Officer White is unable to attend tonight's um um full city council meeting for his formal confirmation as
he will be away. Um he's in active duty right now with the uh National Guards. So he's there on drills. That's all. Thank you. >> Thank you, counselor. Any further discussion? >> All those in favor? Oh, council. >> Yeah. Um, actually in closing, um, with these appointments that we just had, I
just wanted to go ahead and say by moving away from the, um, civil service process, the city of Garnet has successfully streamlined our police hiring, allowing us to recruit highly quality, um, candidates directly from localmies like Fitchburg State and
Western Mass. in this situation. Um, this shift has not only filled vacancies more quickly, but has ensured we are appointing officers, many of whom are local residents who are specifically committed to the Gardener community policing model. The stellar performance
of our recent appointees such as officer Black, King, and White serves as a direct proof of concept that this localized approach is working to build a stronger, more invested department. >> Well said, counselor. Further discussion. All those in favor I. >> I.
>> All those against? No. Motion passes. We'll now take a brief recess for the clerk to swear in the appointees. and repeat after me. >> I state your name. >> Do you saw me swear >> swear >> that truth, faith, and allegiance,
faith, and allegiance >> to the United States of America. >> United States of America >> and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts of Massachusetts >> and will support the Constitution. >> We will support the Constitution >> and the laws thereof. >> the laws thereof. What's
Oh. Um, Michael. >> I'm going to have you raise your right hand and then repeat after me. I state your name. >> I, Michael K. do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear >> that I will bear truth, faith, and allegiance >> that I will bear truth, faith, and allegiance >> to the United States of America
>> to the United States of America >> and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts >> and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts >> and will support the Constitution >> and will support the Constitution >> and the laws thereof >> and the laws thereof. Yeah. >> Next time you bring I don't think so.
>> I state your name. >> I Ryan. >> Do so swear. do solemnly swear >> that I will bear true faith and allegiance >> that I will bear true faith and allegiance >> to the United States of America >> to the United States of America >> in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts >> the Commonwealth of Massachusetts >> and will support the Constitution
>> and will support the Constitution >> and the laws thereof >> and the laws THEREOF I have Jason. you raise your right hand to repeat after me. >> I state your name. >> I Jason Stevens >> do so swear >> do solemnly swear
>> that I will faithfully and impartially >> that I will faithfully and impartially >> perform the duties of community development director >> perform the duties of community development director >> according to the laws >> according to the laws >> and the best of my abilities >> and the best OF MY ABILITIES.
THANK YOU. That's It is Finance Committee. Item 11776, an ordinance to amend exhibit F of attachment one of chapter 8 of the code of the city of gardener thereof entitled primary non-union compensation schedule
by adding a new section 10 to cover temporary positions. Council journal. >> Thank you uh Mr. President with this item item 11776 and item 1177 an ordinance to amend exit exhibit F of attachment one of chapter 8 of the code of the city of Gardner. Therefore
entitled primary non-union compensation compensation schedule. Um I'd with no objections I'd like to ask for more time on the both of them. >> Are there any objections? >> The council will take more time on item 11776 and 11777 as council allowance
state. Item 11782 donation acceptance order gardener community action team. Council Dowitz. >> Thank you council president. Um, also with this item, with no objections, I'd like to ask for more time. We have received the um opinion from the law
department. It's uh on our desk here, but just to give everyone time to review it, see if there's any questions. Um, an item like this isn't a rush. I think it's prudent just to take more time and we'll take it up at our next meeting. >> Thank you, councelor. Are there any objections? Council will take more time.
>> Item 11790, a measure accepting the FY 2027 capital improvement plan. Councelor Heglin. Thank you, Mr. President. Move the measure be accepted. >> Second. >> Motion made by councelor Heg, second by councelor Heath to accept the measure.
Is there discussion? Councelor Heglin. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Through to the council. Uh this item was before the finance committee twice for our new rule. At our first meeting, we noted uh this list is something the city is recommended to have each year. It creates a priority list as many of us know of projects for when money is
available. Uh, councelor Dolawitz at our first meeting also advocated for the committee to, if time allowed, consider adding the light at Tony Boulevard, which has been a temporary one for some time now and does cost the city money each month. So, by our second meeting, the CIP committee head happened to meet
again and uh they added both that um project as well as some design work for the north central pathway or the bike path to the list of recommended projects. Further discussion around this item included the desire to see actual budgeting for these projects to be included in the upcoming city budget so that we can make some progress on the
list as well as the line item related to this plan. And I noted in my cons uh my concern about the cost of the plan as well. If you look at the budget, there is a line item for capital improvement plan usually spending somewhere between 30 and 50,000. I raised the point that
as we move into the budget season, anticipated financial constraints, we look closely at the line item to determine really how necessary it might be or not. Uh, and that spending could be. So, with that, the finance committee really did want to thank the CIP committee for all their hard work and the time that goes into uh the many
hours really that go into forming this list, reviewing all of the projects and options, getting all the information that they need, and putting this list forward. I'll be supporting this item. Thank you. >> Thank you, councelor. Any further discussion? Councelor Kazinskus. Thank you, President Tyros. Uh, I had watched
the finance committee meeting and I appreciate councelor Hegeland bringing up the line item this evening because um, there are two members of the council who are part of the CIP committee. I'm being a member of the CIP committee from the council. Uh, the the line item or
the budget was not discussed at our meetings. It's really not something that's the purpose of those meetings or or that it wasn't part of it. Not that it couldn't be. Um so when I had seen the counselor's comment and you know bring it up again this evening um I would like more information about that line item because we don't discuss a
budget of the committee. It is a committee of uh members of uh uh department heads and uh staff members from the city. Uh it's two city councilors and um you know there's a chair of the committee and we meet to formulate this list. There's a lot of work that does go into getting the
different requests from the different departments. Uh and that is done by the chair of the committee. Um, so I I am also confused by what this line item is and um, you know, why we don't discuss it in committee and kind of where it falls in the budget. So I would like to
to pursue this further um, and just kind of raise that question. Thank you. >> Thank you, councelor. Further discussion, >> councelor Brooks. Uh, thank you, Mr. President. Uh, I will be supporting the capital improvement plan presented here, but want to express a concern I have.
During the discussion of this item in finance committee, councelor Mack expressed her disappointment with departments that do not put in any capital requests. She said it is hard to be sympathetic with those departments who don't advocate and speak up for themselves.
I agree with her. The capital improvement plan is a tool for prioritizing future city projects and their funding requirements and it needs to cover the entire city. Something that is not included in the plan but pops up later either is not going to be funded
or is going to be funded at the expense of other approved projects from the list. As councelor Mack was speaking, I was looking at the list and wondering where were the capital requests for the Waterford Community Center. At a minimum, I assume we are going to have
to do some remodeling of bathrooms, doors, and walls for the Council on Aging move. Um, so I would have assumed that that something would have been presented to the capital improvements committee uh in that regard because
isn't that enough for it to be included in the plan? As I stated at the beginning of my remarks, I will be supporting this plan. However, next year I will be looking at uh a more thorough and complete plan. Thank you. >> Thank you, councelor. Further discussion. Council Kazinskus.
>> Thank you, Mr. President. I would say that uh with the new template and kind of the streamlining of the submissions. I think the chair did a great job of making these meetings much more efficient this time around. Um I know the council president was previously part of the committee um as the council
designate and um had submitted that template and had conversations with the chair. Um but I think uh I do think that it will be different next year. Um and I I I share the same concern that there isn't any type of uh request from some
of the departments. I I and I do think we should request that they give us a reason if they don't submit any, not that they just were a non-response. Um, but I I would just like to speak to that because I do think that there was the timeline was moved up. It was it was
done in line of of how it should be to get these in um this time of year so that for next year it can the process can start earlier because the chair does spend a significant amount of time following up with the departments to make sure that they get the requests and they have what they need from them. Um so I I think there was improvement this
year but I think there is room for improvement as well. Thank you. >> Thank you councelor. Further discussion. The motion's to accept the measure. Is there uh any further discussion? If not all those in favor I. I. All those against no. >> Motion passes.
Item 11791 a measure accepting donations to the executive department. Councelor Hegman. >> Move the measure be accepted. Second. >> Motion made by councelor Heglin. Second by councelor D allowance to accept the measure. Is there discussion? Councelor Hegel. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Through to the
council. This was another item before the finance committee uh for two different meetings. Again, it's just some very standard uh donations that came into the executive department. We had no concerns. Uh they were for the horse carriages at Christmas time, a mass mayor's event that was held here in
the city of Gardener and Hispanic Heritage Month, uh the evening of celebration for that. So again, we had no questions or concern and we're unanimously in support of this item. Thank you. >> Thank you. Any further discussion? All those in favor? I. >> I. >> All those against? No. Motion passes.
Item 11792, an order appropriating $51,200 from free cash to engineering department bridge state grant account. Council journal outs. >> Thank you, Mr. President. This is a grant match uh for the city's portion um of a mass trails grant for the
engineering plans for the pedestrian bicycle bridge over 140. um project will further connect the trail from downtown Gardner uh to Winchen. Again, this is just for the engineering portion, not for the construction uh portion. The finance committee was in favor and I move the order. Second. >> Motion made by councelor journal out
second by councelor Hegin to move the order. Is there further discussion? >> This be a roll call vote. Clerk may please call the roll. >> Councelor Brooks, >> yes. >> Councelor Craig Cormier, >> yes. >> Council General, >> yes. >> Council Heath, >> yes. >> Council Hegland,
>> yes. Council Kazinskus, >> yes. >> Council Tiso, >> yes. >> And President Tyrus, >> yes. >> Eight years. >> Eight. The motion passes. >> Item 11793, an order appropriating $100,000 from Water Enterprise Retain earnings to the
Water Enterprise James Street pump station repair account. Council Dowitz. Mr. president. This is this again a city's portion of a a grant that or a federal earmark for a it was actually for 1 million uh $18,200 uh to replace the James Street water
pump station. The earmarks only cover roughly 92% of the project and this will cover the remainder. The pump station was originally constructed in the 1980s and requires significant upgrades. Finance committee was in favor and I move the order. >> Second. >> Motion made by councelor journal. Second
by councelor hegin to move the order. Is there discussion? This be a roll call vote. Clerk will know. Please call the role. >> Council Brooks, >> yes. >> Councelor Craig Cormier, >> yes. >> Council Jawitz, >> yes. >> Council Heath, >> yes. >> Council Heg, >> yes. >> Council Kazinskus, >> yes.
>> Council Tony, >> yes. >> And President Tyrus, >> yes. >> 8. The motion passes. Item 11795, a measure accepting donations from the 2025 flower pot sponsorship program. Councelor Heglin. >> Move to accept the measure. >> Second. Motion made by councelor Heglin,
second by council allowance to accept the measure. Is there discussion? Councelor Heglin. >> Thank you again, Mr. President. Through the council, we met on this item twice as well. Again, just an update on donations received to the 2025 flower pot sponsorship program. Uh it lists all the generous donations for both the
small and large planters throughout the city. Uh we again want to thank all of those generous donors uh as volunteers as well for planting um all of the flowers and of course councelor Mack and uh Iris and the econ economic development for all their work on this item. Uh we are unanimously in favor of
it. Thank you. >> Thank you councelor. Is there further discussion? All those in favor I. >> All those against no motion passes. Item 11796, an order appropriating $15,000 from
water enterprise retained earnings surplus to water enterprise professional services account. Council D allowance. >> Thank you, Mr. President. This is additional part of that James Street uh pump station project. This is to contract uh with a consultant um for the project. These services will be used to manage the project for the city and make
sure it meets all requirements and benchmarks um as it goes through um the steps to be completed. Uh this portion is ineligible to be covered by the grant but this is very common for municipalities to hire such a contractor for projects of this size and scope. Finance committee was in favor and I move the order.
>> Second. >> Motion made by councelor journal allowance. Second by councelor heglin to move the order. Is there discussion? >> The clerk will now please call the role. >> Councelor Brooks. >> Yes. >> Councelor Craig Bormier. >> Yes. >> Councelor Dawis. Yes. >> Council Heath. >> Yes. >> Council Hegman. >> Yes. >> Councilor Kazinskus. >> Yes.
>> Council Tisone. >> Yes. >> And President Tyrus. >> Yes. >> Eight. The motion passes. Economic and community development committee. Item 11772, an ordinance to amend the code of the city of Gardner, chapter 675, thereof
entitled zoning, to remove article 9, thereof entitled signs and advertising devices, and move it to a new non-zoning chapter to be numbered chapter 665. Councelor Kazinskus. >> Thank you, Mr. President. As at our last meeting on March 2nd, the um motion was
um made and approved to refer this item to the planning board and schedule a public hearing. I'd ask that we get more time on this because we still need to have our public hearing. >> If there's no objection, the council will have more time. Council have more. >> There's no unfinished business. There's
no new business. Councelor comments and remarks. Are there any council comments or remarks this evening? Council Brooks. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Um, on Sunday I attended the Gardener High School Musical, the Adams family. There was a lot of amazing talent among
the students. And I think it carries on a tradition that goes back now about 60 years. Uh, this community should be very proud of this production and the students that were in it. And, uh, congratulations to all of those who participated. Thank you. Thank you,
councelor. Further council comments and remarks. Councelor Kazinskus. >> Thank you, Mr. President. >> Reflecting on the council president's remarks at the last meeting, I want to express my support for the approach and actions taken by the president, the finance committee, and the city council
as a whole to strengthen oversight, particularly with respect to financial matters in the city. I nominated councelor Tyrros at the time to serve as council president Tyrros precisely for this reason because I believed that he would bring this kind of thoughtful attention and leadership to the role
which he has. It is appropriate for the city council to ask questions especially when there are areas where processes or outcomes could be improved. Thoughtful oversight is an important part of our responsibility as city councilors. What I value most and what I
will always commend is when issues are acknowledged openly and meaningful work is undertaken to address them. That effort is what the council and gardener residents, the people we represent should expect and I am confident that the people who work on behalf of the community are more than capable of
meeting that expectation. Thank you. >> Thank you very much, Council Kazinskus. Any further council comments or remarks? Building on the financial concerns I've raised previously, we are starting our budget process earlier this year to avoid being rushed in June. I'm asking
all standing committee chairs to schedule their public meetings for the budget between April 15th and May 15th. Focus your reviews on the department budget narratives, successes, risks, and long-term outlooks. I realize we
probably won't have a complete budget submitted to us by that point, but where the narratives were due February 20th, I think it's enough time for us to get started. Once the FY27 budget is received by from the mayor, I'll be asking the finance committee to conduct a high level analysis of our overall
city's financial health. Following this, we will meet as a committee of the whole for a full budget presentation and discussion. To ensure a smoother, more transparent debate this year, I'm asking that all budget amendments be submitted in advance. We will number and publish
these amendments in the meeting packet before our formal budget debate begins at our regularly scheduled meeting on June 15th. Preparing these ahead of time will allow us to have a more organized and actionable conversation as we work together on the FY27 budget. With that,
I'll entertain a motion to adjurnn after the closing prayer. >> Second. Motion made by councelor Tony, second by councelor Cormier to adjurnn after the closing prayer. >> All those in favor I. >> All those against no. Motion passes. >> Almighty father overall as we adjourn.
We thank thee for the opportunity to join deliberation and action witnessed during the course of this meeting. Bless lord all who are gathered here and the people whose representatives we are and do thou attend to our commonwealthare until our next meeting. Amen. Stand.