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Authority confronts 350 percent electrical cost spike on Rear Main North.

Gardner Redevelopment Authority · Meeting of February 25, 2026

GARDNER — The Gardner Redevelopment Authority confronted a sharp cost overrun on its Rear Main Project North. National Grid increased its electrical estimate to $922,357.33 from an original $260,000, a 350 percent jump cited to supply-chain pressures and delayed approvals. Chair Tim Horrigan and members Jon Zlotnik and Magnus Carlberg directed City Planning Executive Director Jason Stevens to obtain a detailed cost breakdown from National Grid before payment and to convene the contractor and electrical engineer within days.

Zlotnik noted the estimate expires in 90 days and the Authority must commit within two weeks to meet construction timelines; the Authority has $447,000 in surplus from the completed Wilkins Road project and an $800,000 bond allocation available to cover the work pending approval.

In the full story:

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Source: the Gardner Redevelopment Authority meeting of February 25, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

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