The council’s approval of transferring $102,447 from the completed Main Street demolition project to the Greenwood Pool demolition was a key decision. This reallocation was necessary to finalize the demolition phase and secure approval from the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities. The council was informed that a portion of the Greenwood Pool structure had already been demolished, with remaining funds important to completing the project. The transfer passed unanimously following a voice vote.

In a related agenda item, the council discussed reallocating $618,200 from the School Street School demolition project to fund the Greenwood Pool Pavilion project. This decision involved canceling the School Street School demolition in favor of the pavilion. The assistant director highlighted the need for revised budget estimates to comply with the Build America by America Act, which requires using domestically produced materials for federally funded projects over $250,000. The council opted to continue the public hearing for this item to allow time for updated estimates.

Another focus of the meeting was the allocation of $158,265.52 in FY2223 funds and $173,142.51 in FY24 funds for new projects, pending approval of previous transfers. Among potential projects was an initiative for St. Paul’s Community Garden, which serves several Gardner’s low and moderate-income residents. The project requested around $50,000 for repairs and enhancements. However, only 91% of the project qualifies for CDBG funding, necessitating additional resources to cover the shortfall.

A debated topic was the use of CDBG funds for a proposed multi-use housing rehabilitation initiative by a private developer. While CDBG funds cannot directly construct new housing, they can support infrastructure improvements around such developments. The discussion revealed that at least 51% of the units must be occupied by low to moderate-income households to qualify for funding, with a per-unit subsidy limit of $175,000. The council expressed caution, with some members questioning the impact of using these funds on housing developments compared to broader public infrastructure projects.

The meeting also addressed the lengthy acquisition process for property at 205-213 Main Street. The timeline for the purchase and sale agreement was highlighted as potentially taking 180 to 200 days due to the property’s location in an urban renewal zone, requiring additional approvals and documentation. The necessity for a land disclosure agreement and an appraisal was underscored, with appraisers currently booked for around two months. The council emphasized the importance of complying with state regulations to ensure proper documentation and facilitate property redevelopment.

Updates on the Greenwood Pool demolition were provided, noting progress by the demolition contractor, Associated Building Records. Above-ground demolition was expected to conclude by the end of the week, with below-ground work to follow. The council discussed whether to proceed with lawn seeding, considering the time of year and potential resource wastage. Budget savings from other projects have allowed for an expedited timeline for the pavilion’s construction, contingent on securing necessary funding and approvals.

The council further considered the future of housing funding, deciding to keep discussions open for subsequent meetings. It was noted that FY2223 funds are set to expire in December, with potential extensions until June 2026. FY24 funds have a longer timeline, expiring in June 2027. The importance of prioritizing fund allocation was emphasized to ensure timely and effective use.

In social services, it was reported that all FY223 funds had been fully expended. The Gardner Emergency Housing Mission provided homeless prevention assistance to 24 individuals, while Voices of Truth reached over 100 people through domestic violence prevention programs. The Gardner Community Action Committee’s food assistance program served over a thousand individuals, highlighting the community impact of these initiatives.