A member of the Gardner Glider Club told the City Council that people discharged fireworks on Gardner Municipal Airport property during the Fourth of July and left debris in airport parking and ramp areas, including material found within 50–60 feet of the fueling station.

Alan Plasberg, who identified himself as a glider‑club member, said he observed fireworks being discharged near the airport during the July 4 holiday and found debris on the ramp the following day. Plasberg said city employee Jim Holegraver had already cleaned significant debris and showed photos of the cleanup. Plasberg asked the council to post signage at airport parking areas and near hangars stating that discharge of fireworks on airport property is prohibited, to consider targeted patrols on the holiday and to notify hangar tenants and visitors of the restriction to protect aircraft and reduce fire risk around the aviation fuel pump.

Plasberg told the council he would provide Public Works Director and airport manager Kellen Headley a copy of his remarks and be available for follow‑up. Council members and staff acknowledged the concern and discussed posting signage in parking areas, placing barricades or temporary closure signage for non‑tenants during holiday windows and adding patrols as resources permit.

Action and next step: staff said they can add signage and increase patrols in future years; no formal policy change was enacted at the meeting. Plasberg’s request will be shared with the airport manager for operational follow‑up.

Ending: the council thanked Plasberg for bringing the issue to their attention and asked staff to explore low‑cost, short‑term measures (signs, targeted patrols and tenant outreach) for the next Independence Day.