[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6099788,"mediaKeyId","2815948-db1d69cbe037447b5099ea243f3d372a","parentId",2815948,"title","Committee approves prior minutes, recommends motor‑vehicle license and refers transit meeting to Council of the Whole","audioSeconds",2071,"startMs",29780,"endMs",2101550,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2815948-db1d69cbe037447b5099ea243f3d372a&start=29&end=2101","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2815948-db1d69cbe037447b5099ea243f3d372a/thumbnail_29780.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6099788/Gardner-City/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/Committee-approves-prior-minutes-recommends-motorvehicle-license-and-refers-transit-meeting-to-Council-of-the-Whole","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6099788-b2b31e6801732a59c7ce44e68ae3505d/orig.mp4?Expires=1773698956&Signature=mhamTWnFtj9uSKesgaHf8xwGjDcBz4qnyZgoqhXAZm8aLCYnYicd-Z5WfxoK29Uf1vKm4KfaJpTW0aoAHmnr-l0TDF4QGX6g19VNFIWIPK8rpKGfNfyf~uHWidnmgx~rcGdd~u~VdNBmGgZyyxjOV7CzirdFbMojDOVtar0pPxkw7uIo6JVZKws9TpmcnL86rr7fGeKF50se-9VK5vCAYHn-poO5j4EU6XVzuHY5GPt5VLo~JCbh1osaHKN0fS3HQNB9SOBhD1JDdcSBQWoLaEGmPQAZqv3LAXoSm2lAPyjINRu6RqCg~W-7IniSVkg5idLTCeV3lI-RQaEZzX5Blw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Gardner City, MA","date","2025-03-28T13:56:06Z","article","The Gardner City Public Safety Committee handled several brief actions at its March 28 meeting: it approved minutes from December meetings, recommended a new motor vehicle dealer license to the full council and referred a transit service and pedestrian safety discussion to the Council of the Whole.

The committee voted to waive the reading and accept the minutes of Dec. 6, 2024 and Dec. 16, 2024. Motion to approve the minutes was made by Councilor Karen Hardin and seconded by Councilor Brooks; the chair called the vote and the motion carried.

On agenda item 11478, an application for a Class 2 motor vehicle dealer license for MCM Auto at 207 East Broadway, the committee heard that police, building and other staff had no outstanding issues. Councilor Hardin moved and Councilor Brooks seconded a motion to recommend approval to the full council; the committee voted in favor and the recommendation will be forwarded to council.

On agenda item 11466, Councilor Karen Hardin asked that the committee schedule an informal meeting with the Montachusett Regional Transit Authority (MART) to discuss bus driving behavior, pedestrian safety and low ridership in Gardner City. Hardin said she has observed empty buses and safety incidents and sought an opportunity for councilors to ask MART questions directly. She moved to refer the item to the Council of the Whole with the recommendation an informal meeting be scheduled; Councilor Brooks seconded and the motion carried.

No recorded dissents were taken on these items at the committee level. The committee adjourned after routine business.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Gardner Public Safety Committee Meeting Mar 28 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Gardner City Public Safety Committee approved prior meeting minutes, recommended a Class 2 motor vehicle dealer license be sent to the full council and referred a request to meet with the Montachusett Regional Transit Authority to the Council of the Whole.","taxTitle","Gardner City, Worcester County, Massachusetts","taxId",60679,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6099793,"Gardner fire officials report high overtime, federal and state grants for new equipment",533,1097890,1631850,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2815948-db1d69cbe037447b5099ea243f3d372a&start=1097&end=1631","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2815948-db1d69cbe037447b5099ea243f3d372a/thumbnail_1097890.jpg","/articles/6099793/Gardner-City/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/Gardner-fire-officials-report-high-overtime-federal-and-state-grants-for-new-equipment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6099793-ee8e56d0320b61424010622db210f5c8/orig.mp4?Expires=1773698956&Signature=JFqzgtiY4XQlXmRYvVBfN7fhQl8Gs7a8RiiANyBaXq1NZYF3VM-QFoK~3Sm976VkWGlrHXcZrPckxysTS6fLrwvhZfSFyE1qYfwgTHI2x4ay5DeH3YmaerDP8Ynmf1-zi-~1RabHl2mqVvMvKUkX6oNRqAkjSzrSMnk8eK2-yQ4s9ynrBl8wLeCNhKwu4fnSLkwcSzHM8MpLnbIihyEAPJ3JpaB1VdoIqTLqFqheetlQd-9v2v3VFvwgbTDT7iq0J6NLpf7i6GNHJU3GYLpSIlXdmNodM2bliPuzr8H6L59vJDreGwwOQNY69VmFqD1u6Ypqs2DA2r-bQJq1gcvEuw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Gardner City Fire Department told the Public Safety Committee on March 28 that staffing shortfalls have driven overtime spending well above budget while the department pursues state and federal grants to replace aging equipment.

“As of this week's payroll, the overtime expenditures are at ... just under $577,000 for the year,” the Fire Chief said, noting the original budgeted amount was $200,000. The ambulance overtime line was reported at about $84,000 against a $70,000 budget. The department said most overtime is contractual and required to maintain apparatus staffing.

The department reported three new hires are scheduled to start April 7 and will enter a four‑week in‑house program followed by field training and then recruit training at the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy. Several firefighters are on modified duty and one is deployed with a military unit until October, the department said, which contributes to current staffing pressures.

On grants, the department said it received $15,355.19 through the FY2025 Massachusetts Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant and is purchasing attack hose, a multi‑gas meter, a thermal imaging camera and two electric vehicle emergency plugs. The chief said the department also has applied in a subsequent round for protective gear, including structural helmets and ballistic helmets for firefighter/EMT response in active‑shooter scenarios.

On federal funding, the department applied under the FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program this cycle for roughly $360,000 to replace 40 portable radios that the chief said are 16 years old and beyond life expectancy.

Fleet updates: a new Sutphen engine purchased with ARPA funds entered frontline service in January; a heavy rescue delivered from the factory is completing final dealer installations and is expected soon; a new tower ladder ordered via bond is scheduled for production in 2025 with delivery expected by the end of 2026 if timelines hold. The roof replacement at Fayette headquarters is near completion and interior repairs remain to be scheduled.

The fire department reported just under 1,600 emergency responses so far in 2025, averaging more than 18 responses per day, and the ambulance transported 367 patients to area hospitals.

Committee members pressed for budget context and the chief explained the bond and vehicle stabilization funds that will affect the final bond draw for a vehicle purchase. No formal committee vote was taken on the report; the department said it will prepare requests to address anticipated deficits before the fiscal year ends.","The Gardner Fire Department told the committee it has high overtime due to vacancies, is buying equipment with a state firefighter safety grant, applied for FEMA AFG radios, and expects new apparatus deliveries tied to ARPA and a bond.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6099798,"Gardner building department shifts to neighborhood inspections, proposes full‑time plumbing inspector",313,729930,1042980,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2815948-db1d69cbe037447b5099ea243f3d372a&start=729&end=1042","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2815948-db1d69cbe037447b5099ea243f3d372a/thumbnail_729930.jpg","/articles/6099798/Gardner-City/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/Gardner-building-department-shifts-to-neighborhood-inspections-proposes-fulltime-plumbing-inspector","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6099798-13d0a3d92c688623b80c457f5cada992/orig.mp4?Expires=1773698956&Signature=I~hs2gC8LAf2kmCgINZewycGhS6CSzgjmac2yeWePM~Gak5aF4220bk9Fk4b~-EnHWnTpqyhsnBakb5Y9Rsrqh2knIpub28ORB48iA3Eum67MyrToRYb9Hx5YSGhccNtLfh6qccK2GbV~ehjlqBbua~2PrZn~7EXJaefDqmQRPaPINNrjNeS1bGXi0hXMsclN4Rmm~J1nIlWjPcCwb1EBOPSVHYBl7~hB2Qjd5t9BdyRPmTxlFxlXQsUi24FuZiXQhemEYoa4c2T2iTQR4KvdHZYc3PcZNiMgRg0v~Rald00RqRBKVidAhKaN3LYoJPWkzfRQqYlZ9Aj9aWHKkResA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Gardner City building commissioner told the Public Safety Committee on March 28 that the city is expanding periodic inspections and shifting to a neighborhood‑focused approach to address longstanding inspection backlogs.

“Over the last several months, we focused primarily on high hazard areas, so areas where large numbers of people congregate,” Building Commissioner said, noting schools, day cares and large assembly spaces have been brought into compliance and that the focus will move to large multifamily properties such as The Hayward Wakefields and The Lofts at 30 Pine.

The commissioner said past practice of issuing notices in alphabetical order created the perception that individual properties were singled out; the new approach groups inspections by neighborhoods so enforcement and education happen across clusters of properties. The department emphasized an education‑first policy and said additional enforcement follows only after outreach and compliance efforts.

To sustain the program the commissioner proposed converting the plumbing inspector position from part‑time to full‑time next fiscal year and shifting the current plumbing inspector to an alternate inspector role. The commissioner said that change would improve capacity and “actually, lower my budget by about a thousand dollars” while allowing more inspections and better documentation.

The department also noted vehicle‑and training‑related needs: one code enforcement vehicle recently failed inspection and may need replacement, and fines collected by the department would be earmarked for inspector training and a possible departmental stabilization fund for vehicle replacement. The commissioner said expanded training would include conflict resolution and building code refresher courses and could be shared with fire officials.

Committee members did not take formal action; the report is intended to inform budget planning and potential personnel changes.","The building commissioner told the committee the city is moving from sporadic inspections to neighborhood-based periodic inspections of high‑risk properties, and proposed moving the plumbing inspector from part‑time to full‑time to meet demand.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6099803,"Gardner police cite staffing shortages, seek grants and training to stabilize force",300,65030,365550,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2815948-db1d69cbe037447b5099ea243f3d372a&start=65&end=365","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2815948-db1d69cbe037447b5099ea243f3d372a/thumbnail_65030.jpg","/articles/6099803/Gardner-City/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/Gardner-police-cite-staffing-shortages-seek-grants-and-training-to-stabilize-force","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6099803-a96113e5784937d9cde090d015f55107/orig.mp4?Expires=1773698956&Signature=L5qpf23Cm22j0Y76EKzoMwR1bUMymvDtsZW0oSJxyoc2sJVKYwM2cr0bbmhiJEmJSFub7p80dB-Gbabl~AUtP4eAgSl~lMWl9XKfuI0-JVSC1B01PdNBCZYTD2U0wOfaZrtiCQpfKaL-smTaAxUo9jJjvNBf-CDpvMvEs0rhYzJGOHmHuhxmb6mMKXNkijLA8mcJNuX~e4620D7pwS66FBo-NtzSj2VNgNeWH0k2ooBSgiHhVAxAvnjYvhw8zvb1WlwpXqNgmB68x9D~T0Xb4gVFSNhxfp9ZxkuHrrPc2ImfrtzwrXkkUKyQTirLXh6pd9auTjAr-vTH6Rid6tg~nw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Staffing shortages and turnover are the biggest challenges facing Gardner City’s Police Department, the department told the Public Safety Committee at its March 28 meeting.

“The staffing is probably the biggest thing we’re working on right now,” Police Chief said, reporting one recent resignation and three anticipated retirements and noting the department is actively recruiting and vetting candidates. “We have one student officer currently in the academy. He’s about halfway through. He graduates mid June.”

The department said it has identified additional candidates at various stages of the hiring process and is aiming to send two recruits to the June academy and another to a July academy, but added that academies run months and full staffing changes will lag. The chief said the department is hiring proactively so new officers complete testing, academy training and field training before vacancies take effect.

Budget pressures are tied to overtime and extended sick leave, the department said. Two officers are on extended sick leave and dispatch has three vacancies; the chief said overtime has been “in the red since January.” The department said it expects salary savings from vacancies will offset some overtime but that costs remain elevated.

On grants and programs, the department reported recent and pending awards. The chief said the department was approved for the Shannon Grama, “about $47,000,” which supports youth programs including junior police academies as well as overtime tied to drug investigations, and that the department participates in a Tri‑City Shannon initiative with Fitchburg and Leominster. The department also holds a municipal road safety grant that funds several traffic enforcement deployments and said it plans to reapply for a body‑worn camera grant after an earlier unsuccessful request; a pilot program and a negotiated policy with the union are complete and ready for implementation if funding is secured.

Mental‑health/crisis intervention training is underway: the department said roughly two‑thirds of officers have completed a 40‑hour critical incident training program and aims to have most staff trained by year end.

The chief reported recent turnover in animal control — a senior animal control officer filed retirement intentions — and described persistent turnover among shelter attendants and dispatchers. He said the 9‑1‑1 funding that helps offset dispatch and technology costs comes through the state and that the department is watching federal and state grant streams closely for any conditions that could affect funding for a part‑time domestic violence advocate funded by a Violence Against Women program.

The department answered committee questions about overlap in hiring and said the city is shifting to more proactive hiring so recruits are further along when incumbents depart, a move expected to reduce overtime over time.

The report closed with facility and maintenance concerns for police headquarters, including a need for stucco repairs and other medium‑term capital work.

The committee did not take formal action on the police report; updates were provided for committee review and future budget planning.","Police officials told the Gardner City Public Safety Committee that the department is short-staffed, expects multiple retirements, is recruiting candidates and pursuing several grants and training programs including a body‑worn camera plan and juvenile outreach funding.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee approves prior minutes, recommends motor‑vehicle license and refers transit meeting to Council of the Whole

Gardner fire officials report high overtime, federal and state grants for new equipment

Gardner building department shifts to neighborhood inspections, proposes full‑time plumbing inspector

Gardner police cite staffing shortages, seek grants and training to stabilize force