The most noteworthy development was the appointment of Melissa McDonald as building commissioner. Her temporary appointment is set to begin on September 4, 2023. This appointment is part of a broader effort by the city to streamline its hiring process and expand its outreach to a more diverse pool of applicants, spearheaded by Director Morris and HR Manager Megan Graves. The council expressed its support for McDonald’s appointment, recognizing its significance in terms of representation and leadership within the city’s administrative framework.

In addition to McDonald’s appointment, the council addressed several other personnel changes. The resignation of Director Hasselman from the veteran services department, effective the following day, was a notable point of discussion. Hasselman will be taking up a new role as the veteran service director in Lemonster. In his place, Christopher Davis, currently the veteran service director for Lancaster, has accepted a temporary appointment in Gardner, beginning September 8, 2023. Davis is familiar with Gardner’s veteran services office, having interned there while pursuing his master’s degree. The council acknowledged the transition and welcomed Davis to his new role.

The meeting also highlighted other resignations, including Katie Jablonsky from the city office, who has accepted a new opportunity in Richmond, Virginia. The building department saw the departures of local inspectors Dalen Dominguez and Scott, with Dominguez citing family changes and Scott approaching retirement-related work hour limits. Timothy Scott has been appointed as a new local inspector and is undergoing a 60-day probationary period. Another inspector position remains open as the city awaits candidate acceptance.

The council confirmed the appointment of Russell Counts as a police officer, following the mayor’s recommendation. Officer Counts, who previously served for 14 years in Jupiter, Florida, completed his probationary period with positive feedback from Gardner’s police leadership. His appointment marks a shift in the city’s hiring practices, as he is the first officer hired outside the civil service system. Officer Counts expressed his appreciation for the opportunity and shared his positive adjustment to the Gardner community.

The council also unanimously supported the reappointment of Mario Guay to the board of registrars. Guay, who has been a Republican member of the board since 2013, was praised for his contributions and experience, which are essential for maintaining political balance on the board. Although unable to attend the meeting, the mayor vouched for Guay’s performance and collaboration with the city clerk during election processes.

Further measures addressed by the council included confirming police officer assignments to polling locations for upcoming elections. This step was necessitated by new legislation aimed at enhancing accountability and transparency in election operations. The council approved these assignments for the preliminary election on September 16 and the general election on November 4 without opposition.

The council also reviewed and confirmed the appointment of approximately 95 election officers for the 2025-2026 election cycle. The city clerk expressed gratitude for the dedication of these workers, acknowledging their ongoing support over the years.