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Gardner says salt supply is secure; mayor urges resident cooperation on sand pile and hydrants
Summary
Mayor Nicholson said Gardner's road salt inventory is sufficient, explained a collaborative purchasing arrangement, warned against contractors emptying the public sand pile, and asked residents to shovel out fire hydrants and check smoke-detector batteries when clocks spring forward.
Gardner’s public works operations have adequate road salt supplies, Mayor Nicholson said, and the city will finish constructing a new salt shed next year to increase storage capacity.
The mayor explained Gardner buys salt through a regional purchasing group led by Oxford (the “Oxford Collaborative”), noting communities sometimes share salt in shortages; he said Gardner previously borrowed salt from Leominster. For now, he said, the city’s salt stock is sufficient.
The mayor also warned residents that the public sand pile at the DPW garage on West Broadway is intended for residential use only and not for contractors filling truck beds. He said signs limit quantities and ask that contractors not use the pile so residents have access during storms.
Public-safety reminders: The fire department asked residents to shovel out fire hydrants near their properties so firefighters can access them quickly during emergencies. The mayor also reminded residents to “spring forward” for daylight saving time (Sunday, March 9 at 2 a.m.) and use the clock change as a prompt to replace batteries in smoke detectors.
Why this matters: Salt inventory affects the city’s ability to keep roads and sidewalks clear; misuse of the public sand pile reduces resources for residents; cleared hydrants and working detectors save time in emergencies.
Ending: The mayor thanked DPW crews for snow clearing and businesses for patience during downtown operations.
