City Council Approves FY2027 Budgets, Rejects School Spending Cut
Gardner City Council approved FY2027 budgets totaling $97.1 million, including the full $38.1 million school budget after rejecting a $1 million reduction. Councillor Calvin Brooks' amendment to cut school spending failed 6-2-1, with Councillors Kazinskas and Mack warning against relying on future
City Council · Meeting of June 22, 2026
Gardner City Council approved FY2027 budgets totaling $97.1 million, including the full $38.1 million school budget after rejecting a $1 million reduction. Councillor Calvin Brooks' amendment to cut school spending failed 6-2-1, with Councillors Kazinskas and Mack warning against relying on future free cash to restore funding. The Council unanimously approved the $15.1 million Salary and Labor Budget and the $31.9 million Expense Budget after adopting three amendments reducing spending by $46,100, primarily in professional development.
Supplemental appropriations approved included $573,186 from free cash for snow and ice deficit expenses and $285,820 for police overtime staffing shortfalls.
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Source: the City Council meeting of June 22, 2026, compiled from the official minutes.
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