Gardner committee hears FY2026 CDBG requests as applications exceed available funds by about $203,000

The Gardner City CDBG steering committee opened a public hearing on Jan. 20 to review FY2026 funding requests from local nonprofits and city programs and moved the final funding decision to Feb. 24 after staff said the applications exceed available dollars by about $203,000.

Committee members heard short presentations from applicant groups and city staff. Stephanie Marchetti, standing in for Gardner CAC director Julie Meagan, described a proposal to partially fund a new full-time frontline coordinator to triage emergency walk-ins and immediate rehousing or medical needs; the CAC requested $30,000 and staff said the position would be cost-shared because some clients live outside Gardner.

Dan Porter, athletic director at Carleton High School, told the committee the school’s scholarship program removes user fees so low- and moderate-income students can participate. "We're looking at over 500 student-athlete seasons last year that were in some way supported," Porter said, noting funds pay for equipment, uniforms and officials.

Shauna Nada, representing North Star Families Inc., described the Bonnie Place emergency family shelter in Leominster and said North Star deliberately operates outside the state's emergency-assistance bed-rate system to prioritize Tri‑City-area families. Nada said North Star served 23 families (66 people) last year and rehoused 12 of those families.

Saint Paul's Episcopal Church representatives outlined two requests: a $4,500 Laundry Love program to pay laundromat costs for 20–30 people monthly, and a $50,150 proposal to repair a failing masonry wall, improve drainage and install soil and tree improvements for a community garden that donates produce to the local food pantry. Ted Crown, priest at Saint Paul's, said the garden expanded from nine raised beds to roughly 30 and that most food recipients are Gardner residents.

City and nonprofit applicants described other requests, including $25,000 for a portion of case-management salary and heating oil for an emergency family shelter, $15,000 for domestic violence prevention and survivor support (Voices of Truth), $31,900 for accessibility and window work at a veteran outreach facility, and $50,000 in predevelopment and fundraising support for a 25‑unit affordable housing project on agency-owned land in Leominster.

City staff noted one request — predevelopment and fundraising for housing — was judged by the state reviewer (EOHLC) to be ineligible for CDBG and recommended exploring other state housing programs. Staff also flagged procurement and federal compliance steps for construction or masonry work.

Because the assembled requests exceed the funds available by roughly $203,000, the committee voted to continue the public hearing to Tuesday, Feb. 24, to give members time to review narratives, updated cost estimates and any revised eligibility determinations. Staff reminded the public that written comments on the hearing will be accepted through the next Tuesday and that application materials and narratives are available in the meeting packet.

The committee moved from the public hearing to regular business, reviewed the city’s community development strategy and received updates on FY2023 projects, including radon testing required for certain Worcester County‑funded projects. The meeting adjourned after the continuation motion passed.