Council confirms Michael Budwig to Golf Commission and a conservation-commission appointment

The Gardner City Council on May 19 confirmed two mayoral appointments: Michael Budwig to the Gardner Golf Commission and a candidate to the Conservation Commission.

Councillor Heath reported the appointments committee had met on the Golf Commission item and recommended confirming Michael Budwig, describing him as a Gardner native, a local business owner, a long-serving Golf Commission member and an unpaid volunteer; the committee noted that appointees receive complimentary access to the golf course per ordinance. The council confirmed Budwig; the motion passed with two abstentions noted in the record.

The council also confirmed a mayoral appointment to the Conservation Commission. The appointments committee reported that the appointee had previous conservation-commission experience in another town, has a background as a vegetation ecologist and has served on watershed and open-space committees. The committee moved to confirm a three-year appointment (after an initial 60-day temporary appointment) to ensure a quorum following two resignations; the council approved the confirmation on voice vote.

The transcript identifies the conservation-commission appointee in the committee report as "Bridal Hall Hall" and later refers to him as "Brian"; the committee description notes the appointee worked at the Harvard Forest for over 27 years and volunteered with regional conservation organizations. The council did not discuss additional conditions for either appointment during the May 19 meeting.