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Gardner approves application for FEMA hazard mitigation grant, pledges up to $150,000 in TIF funds
Summary
Council authorized the city manager to apply for a FEMA hazard mitigation grant for Harrison Avenue streambank stabilization and committed up to $150,000 in TIF funds for the 25% local match.
The Gardner City Council voted June 4 to authorize the city manager to submit an application for a hazard mitigation grant to stabilize the stream bank at Harrison Avenue and to commit up to $150,000 in Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds to cover the city's 25% local match.
Finance Director Denise Brown briefed the council on the project, describing repeated slope sloughing at the site during May 2023 and again in December. Brown said the city worked with FEMA, MEMA and engineering consultants and that the mitigation grant would fund repairs and measures to reduce the risk of future slope failures. "We worked with FEMA and, when we worked with the engineers, we also talked with MEMA, and there was an opportunity for an additional grant to not only fix the slope, but to mitigate it from happening again," Brown said.
Brown told the council the FY26 budget already includes $100,000 in Libby Hill TIF funds and $50,000 in downtown TIF funds to cover the proposed match. Councillor Tim Cusick moved to authorize the application and use of up to $150,000 in TIF toward the match; Councillor Cusick's motion was seconded by Councillor Gaye Grant. The council voted unanimously to approve the application and funding commitment.
The mayor closed the public hearing after no members of the public spoke on the item. Staff said they will prepare and submit the required documentation to the state's emergency management agency and continue work with consultants to complete grant application materials.
