Votes at a glance: Gardner City Council, Jan. 21, 2025

The Gardner City Council recorded and voted on multiple administrative items during its Jan. 21 meeting. The following is a concise roundup of motions and recorded roll call outcomes from the meeting packet and on‑record votes.

- Item 11470 — Communication regarding the fire chief’s appointment of new firefighters: Motion to place the communication on file. Outcome: approved (roll call recorded 11 yes). Related note: a swearing‑in was administered during a brief recess; the packet listed appointees as Jane James Angelopoulos, John Hillett and Matthew Adonisio, while the transcript records an oath by an individual who identified as “James Anapolis.”

- Item 11468 — Communication from the mayor regarding Community Development & Planning Department (introduction of Jason Stevens and project updates): Motion to place the communication on file. Outcome: approved (roll call recorded 11 yes).

- Item 11469 — Proposal to add a Committee on Economic and Community Development to council rules: Motion to place the item on the next council meeting calendar (procedural placement). Outcome: approved to place on next agenda (11 yes). Note: rule change requires placement on two consecutive meeting calendars before a vote on the rule change.

- Item 11458 — Communication regarding the review committee for RFP for grant writing and lobbying services: Motion to place the communication on file. Outcome: approved (11 yes).

- Item 11459 — Communication regarding awarding a contract (up to five years) for grant writing services to Keller Partners Company: Motion to place the communication on file. Outcome: approved (11 yes). Meeting discussion referenced a prior appropriation of $100,000 for the service and noted the selected proposal was below that amount.

- Item (collective bargaining) — Communication regarding execution of a collective bargaining agreement with Teamsters Local 170 covering inspection personnel: Motion to place the communication on file. Outcome: approved (11 yes).

- Item 11461 — Communication from the mayor regarding the FY 2026 budget process and salary study: Motion to place the communication on file. Outcome: approved (11 yes). Councilors requested further information about the internal working group referenced in the communication and flagged potential fiscal constraints on raises.

- Item 11462 — Receipt of prison mitigation funds from the Commonwealth (FY 2025) totaling $149,502.32: Motion to place communication on file. Outcome: approved (11 yes). Councilors credited state legislative support for securing the funding.

- Item 11463 — Snow and ice expense account status as of Jan. 7, 2025: Motion to place communication on file. Outcome: approved (11 yes). Finance Committee noted the account frequently goes into deficit during winter and is typically covered by free cash at season end.

- Item 11464 — Order authorizing creation of a new Human Resources Manager position (consolidating two existing roles): Motion to authorize the order. Outcome: approved (roll call recorded as carried; vote recorded as unanimous in committee and carried in meeting).

- Item 11465 — Measure accepting a donation of land from the Gardner School Committee for Elm Street resurfacing as part of the Safe Routes to School project: Motion to adopt the measure accepting the donation. Outcome: approved (10 yes, 0 no, 1 recusal — Councilor Brooks recused due to a stated property interest).

- Condolence letters: Motion to send letters of condolence to families of Ed Lepkowski and Kathleen Lesniewski. Outcome: approved (11 yes).

- Adjournment: Motion to adjourn. Outcome: approved (11 yes).

Notes: All vote tallies above are taken from roll calls recorded in the meeting transcript. Where the transcript records a recusal, that is noted. Motions described as “place on file” indicate the council accepted and recorded the communication in the public record; placement on file is an administrative council action.

For further detail on any item (full motions, packet materials, or roll‑call transcripts), consult the City Clerk’s office or the meeting packet referenced in the Jan. 21, 2025 agenda.