Finance Committee recommends five major expenditures and contract authorizations.
Gardner Finance Committee recommends $236,200 in free cash appropriations for public safety. The committee unanimously voted to recommend $35,200 for the Fire Department's federal grant match on portable radio replacement and $201,000 for three new police vehicles to the full Council. Mayor Michael
Finance Committee · Meeting of February 10, 2026
Gardner Finance Committee recommends $236,200 in free cash appropriations for public safety. The committee unanimously voted to recommend $35,200 for the Fire Department's federal grant match on portable radio replacement and $201,000 for three new police vehicles to the full Council. Mayor Michael Nicholson also secured committee backing for a $10,643.67 gift from Public Works to the Gardner Community Action Committee food pantry, sourced from scrap metal proceeds; the committee clarified that all future donations must follow municipal approval procedures.
Two compensation ordinances and six donation acceptance orders remain with the committee pending standard review requirements. The committee further recommended Council authorization for five-year contracts covering curbside waste collection and website hosting services.
In the full story:
- The complete report — 554 words
Source: the Finance Committee meeting of February 10, 2026, compiled from the official minutes.
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