The intermunicipal agreement with Winterton, which has already been endorsed by Winterton’s selectmen and signed by their town manager, was presented by a councilor who highlighted the necessity of the agreement following the retirement of Winterton’s veteran service agent. The agreement is designed to ensure that veteran services remain uninterrupted and effective. The council member emphasized that despite the inclusion of Winterton, the veteran population served would still remain below the state guidelines—an important factor in maintaining compliance with state regulations.

Support for the agreement was widespread among council members, who praised the thorough presentation by Director Hasselman. A councilor remarked on the detailed nature of the contract, noting that substantial discussions had already taken place regarding the intermunicipal agreements. Another councilor echoed this support, highlighting the consensus among members and the potential benefits of the agreement for both communities. The motion to authorize the agreement passed without opposition.

In addition to the intermunicipal agreement, the council discussed amendments to the city’s zoning ordinance. One proposed amendment involved a commercial overlay classification on Central Street. During the discussion, a councilor identified typographical errors in the ordinance regarding parcel numbers, which were promptly corrected through an amendment that passed unanimously. The council further decided to schedule a joint public hearing with the planning board to ensure thorough community involvement and oversight.

Another zoning amendment was introduced by a church and registered voters, aimed at creating a new section on historic preservation projects. The council decided to refer this proposal to the public welfare subcommittee and planning board.

The council also addressed compliance with updated Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requirements through an amendment to the floodplain overlay district zoning code. Following an unrecorded meeting with the city engineer, the public service committee expressed support for the ordinance. The councilor leading this report clarified the necessity of scheduling a joint public hearing to align the city’s zoning with federal standards.

A notable discussion point was the fiscal management of federal grant funds. The mayor’s office provided updates on the fiscal year 2024 single financial audit reports for federal grants, which included funds for various projects such as airport runway improvements, ARPA funds, and FEMA funds. The council expressed confidence in the city’s financial practices, with clean audit reports indicating no findings of concern. One councilor highlighted the substantial federal grants received by Gardner, totaling over $11.8 million in the last fiscal year. He specifically noted allocations for COVID relief, airport construction, and education programs, while also cautioning about potential changes in federal funding policies.

The meeting also spotlighted efforts to enhance community engagement. A councilor announced the addition of a live streaming option for city council meetings on the city’s website.

Community spirit was further exemplified through the “Light the Town Purple” event, part of the Relay for Life initiative. A councilor recounted the significance of this fundraising effort, noting the community’s contribution of approximately $15 million over 32 years for cancer research. The event featured performances by the Gardner High School select choir and was chaired by Cheryl Bossi, with cancer survivor Carlo Roy in attendance. The council expressed appreciation for the community’s dedication to supporting cancer research and acknowledged the importance of such events in fostering unity and resilience.