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Gardner starts first master plan and a hazard mitigation plan to unlock state and federal grants
Summary
The mayor said the city held its first master plan meeting and received a state grant to produce a 20-year master plan; the city is also preparing a hazard mitigation plan to identify infrastructure vulnerabilities and qualify for additional funding programs.
Gardner City has launched its first comprehensive master plan and a hazard mitigation planning process, the mayor said, after receiving a state grant to fund the effort. The master plan is intended to guide the city’s projects and priorities for approximately 20 years, covering topics such as economic development, housing, historic preservation and natural conservation.
Why this matters: Both the master plan and hazard mitigation plan are prerequisites for certain state and federal grant programs, the mayor said; completing them opens funding opportunities and helps the city identify infrastructure vulnerabilities and priorities.
The mayor said a volunteer master-plan committee will work with the Barrett Planning Group consultant to draft the plan’s chapters. Jason Stevens, named in the update as the director of community development and planning, is the city contact for details and public information about the plan. The mayor characterized the hazard mitigation plan as a way to identify where Gardner’s infrastructure is most vulnerable and to reduce the risk of storm-related failures like those other nearby communities experienced.
Officials encouraged residents interested in planning work to contact Jason Stevens for meeting schedules and materials. The mayor said the plans will help the city position itself for grants and to make more strategic long-term decisions.
