Gardner Council Advances Personnel Fix, Defers Chief of Staff Vote to June 15

GARDNER — June 1, 2026 — Gardner City Council approves six business licenses and advances an emergency personnel ordinance fix ahead of a June 30 deadline. At the June 1 regular meeting, the council unanimously cleared licensing applications for Gardner Candlepin Bowling, GameStop, Hopeful Boutique, the Salvation Army, Gardner Coins and Cards, and EcoATM LLC, all reported in good standing by the Safety Committee. Councilor Nathan Hagelin then divided a compensation schedule ordinance to separate time-sensitive Youth Center personnel corrections from a proposed mayoral chief of staff position, explaining, "my support for this is contingent on cuts being made in the mayor's budget that would offset and produce savings." The council voted 7-0 to split the question, unanimously adopted Hagelin's amendment correcting a citation error and repealing a sunset clause that threatened the Youth Center assistant position before June 30, and sent that portion to first printing; the chief of staff sections were postponed to the June 15 meeting. Council President Tyros announced a compressed June budget calendar culminating in a June 29 reserve date for a potential veto override vote.