Chris, a city staff member, told the Gardner City Block Grant committee that the Greenwood Pool demolition and pavilion construction project passed the conservation commission and will move next to engineering and permitting before separate demolition and construction bids are issued.

"I'll start with the Greenwood Pool, demolition, and construction of the pavilion. So it was, passed successfully, through the conservation, commission for the project to continue forward," Chris said, adding the conservation commission recording is available online.

The project must complete a stormwater submission with the city engineer, identified in the meeting as Ronald Hall, before the city can proceed to bidding. Chris said the stormwater packet is "about 28 pages" and that the engineer must review and submit required forms to the PEP website to notify the permitting authority. Chris said the city decided to separate the Greenwood Pool work into two contracts: demolition first, then construction of the pavilion.

City staff discussed site logistics for demolition, including pedestrian protections and traffic control. A committee member said the city will coordinate with police on lane closures, noting the likely need to close one lane of Willow Street and one lane of Main Street during work and inspections.

On a separate demolition (project 205213), Chris said the contractor requested a contract amendment and an additional week for abatement. "They are expecting an extra week of abatement, and they did send a, amendment request for the contract," Chris said. Staff reported the contractor is coordinating required building permits with Tom in the building department and that the city will meet with the contractor before establishing pedestrian protections and other historic safeguards.

Chris also reported crews found about 12 badly conditioned mattresses on site; the city will work with a contractor to recycle and dispose of them.

On social-service payments tied to earlier grant cycles, Chris said all FY22–23 awards have been paid except one: the Boys and Girls Club. He said he is still waiting for appropriate documentation from the club’s contact, whom the staff member described as the club’s staff member who also handles grant writing. "He's just he's working on it. He just hasn't been able to get it to me yet. So still working on that with them, and we'll definitely update the committee," Chris said.

Chris said the state approved the environmental review for the FY24 projects and the city is waiting for an official release-of-funds letter; when that letter arrives the mayor will sign contracts and staff can begin submitting funds. He said the city presented proposed FY25 projects to the economic development committee and the city council; staff are working with state contacts to ensure the proposal is ready for the full application, which is due April 14.

The meeting concluded with Chris making a motion to adjourn; a second was recorded and the meeting closed.