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Council authorizes intermunicipal veteran services agreement with Winchendon
Summary
Gardner authorized an intermunicipal agreement to provide veteran services to the town of Winchendon for fiscal years 2025–2027; councilors said the city’s office has capacity under state guidelines.
The Gardner City Council on May 5 authorized the administration to enter into an intermunicipal agreement to provide veteran services to the town of Winchendon for fiscal years 2025 through 2027.
Councilor Derna Lowitz reported the Finance Committee and Public Welfare Committee reviewed the proposal with the mayor and Director Hasselman. Councilors said Winchendon’s veteran service agent is retiring, Winchendon’s board of selectmen and town manager have approved and signed the contract, and the Gardner office has the capacity to add Winchendon’s population under state guidelines.
Councilor Derna Lowitz said the contract would consolidate veteran services and noted the capacity threshold under state guidelines is a population of 65,000; with Winchendon added, Gardner would serve roughly 53,000, "still 12,000 below the threshold of the state requirements to bring in other communities." Councilor John Laub seconded the measure; the council approved by voice vote.
Councilor Mack said Director Hasselman gave a thorough presentation to the committees and that he supported the item. Councilors also noted that the finance committee asked detailed questions about the intermunicipal contracting process and that the contract is lengthy and detailed.
