Gardner City Council authorizes $6.9 million loan order for middle school roof project

On Nov. 3, 2025, the Gardner City Council authorized a $6,911,028 loan order to fund an accelerated roof replacement project at a Gardner middle school under the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA).

The vote authorizes the city to borrow to cover its share of the roof replacement at 297 Catherine Street; councilors said the MSBA will cover the bulk of the cost and city staff will monitor project expenses. Councilor Brooks said she planned to support the measure but expected the city would not actually draw on the loan and that the order would be rescinded when the project is complete. "My expectation is that no money would be borrowed on this order and that it will be rescinded when the project is complete," Brooks said.

Why it matters: The council's authorization clears a financial path for work the city and MSBA have identified as necessary to address a failing roof. Councilors noted the city previously appropriated $1,200,000 toward its share and that the project budget includes a roughly $500,000 alternate to replace failing HVAC units on the roof that may not be eligible for MSBA reimbursement. Councilor Brooks asked the mayor to present an order at a future meeting to rescind loan order number 11480 to avoid duplicative funding; she noted the council had approved a $100,000 loan order on Feb. 3 for a feasibility study.

Details: Councilor Durnell Owitz made the motion to authorize the loan order; a second was recorded and the council took a roll‑call vote. The clerk recorded affirmative votes and the motion passed by voice and roll call (all present councilors answered in the affirmative). No dissenting votes were recorded in the council's transcript for the measure.

What councilors said: Councilor Durnell Owitz thanked finance committee members and council colleagues for questions that provided clarity and said he would support the authorization. Councilor Brooks emphasized fiscal caution, reiterating her expectation that the city would avoid borrowing unless necessary and that the mayor and school department would carefully monitor costs.

What happens next: The authorization allows the city to borrow up to the stated amount for the MSBA project. Councilor Brooks asked for a later council order to rescind the prior loan order (11480) to prevent duplicated spending; the transcript records that request but does not show a subsequent action on rescission at this meeting.

Vote: The clerk conducted a roll call and the motion passed; the transcript records unanimous affirmative responses during the roll call.