Votes at a glance: Gardner City Council approves borrowing for school roof study, adds HR position and confirms two appointments

The Gardner City Council on Feb. 3, 2025 approved a series of motions and confirmations: the council placed a mayoral communication on file, authorized borrowing $100,000 for a middle school feasibility study connected to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), added a Human Resources Manager to the municipal compensation schedule, and confirmed two city appointments.

The Finance Committee reported it reviewed a communication from the mayor about the city’s health insurance payments and trust fund and recommended the communication be placed on file. The council voted to place the communication on file by voice vote; the motion passed unanimously.

The council approved an order authorizing the city to borrow $100,000 to fund a feasibility study and schematic design for a middle school roof replacement project in conjunction with the Massachusetts School Building Authority. The motion to pass the order was made by Councilor Mack and seconded by Councilor Heath. Councilor Eglin abstained from the vote, citing her status as a school employee; the roll call recorded eight “yes” votes and one abstention and the motion passed.

The council also voted to amend the City Code (Chapter 171, Personnel) to add a Human Resources Manager position to the compensation schedule. Councilor Mack moved the ordinance amendment and the council voted to send it to first printing; the Finance Committee had been unanimously in favor.

On appointments, the council confirmed Scott Chatney as local inspector for a term expiring Dec. 19, 2027. The Appointments Committee reported Chatney has construction experience and previously served as a police officer; the committee recommended confirmation, and the council voted to confirm by voice vote. The council also confirmed Jay S. Kumar as Assistant City Clerk for a term expiring Jan. 21, 2028; the Appointments Committee and several councilors praised Kumar’s performance in the clerk’s office and the council voted to confirm the appointment.

Votes at a glance: • Item (Finance communication) — Place communication on file. Motion: place communication from the mayor regarding health insurance payments and trust fund on file. Mover: Councilor Hegland. Second: (not specified). Outcome: placed on file (unanimous voice vote). • Item 11,480 — Authorize borrowing $100,000 for feasibility study and schematic design of middle school roof replacement (MSBA). Mover: Councilor Mack. Second: Councilor Heath. Vote: 8 yes, 0 no, 1 abstain (Councilor Eglin). Outcome: approved. • Item 11,481 — Amend City Code Chapter 171 (Personnel) to add Human Resources Manager to compensation schedule. Mover: Councilor Mack. Second: Councilor Durnallowicz. Outcome: sent to first printing (unanimous voice vote). • Item 11,457 — Confirm Scott Chatney as local inspector (term to 12/19/2027). Outcome: confirmed (unanimous voice vote). • Item 11,471 — Confirm Jay S. Kumar as Assistant City Clerk (term to 01/21/2028). Outcome: confirmed (unanimous voice vote).

All motions and tallies above reflect the council’s recorded actions during the Feb. 3 meeting; where roll-call names were read the clerk’s roll-call results are reflected.