Gardner City Council confirms five appointments to Council on Aging and bandstand committee

The Gardner City Council confirmed five mayoral appointments during its April 21 meeting, approving new and reappointed members to the Council on Aging and the bandstand committee.

Councilor Heath introduced the council’s recommendations for the Council on Aging, urging certification of multiple nominees who she said bring long‑standing community ties and relevant experience. About Stanley Letzko, Councilor Heath said, “Mr. Letzko is a lifelong Gardner resident and a Marine Corps veteran…he has spent his life in service to others, including 20 years as a firefighter for the city of Gardner,” and recommended confirmation. The council approved Letzko’s appointment by voice vote.

The council similarly certified Christy Livingston, whom Councilor Heath described as having “an impressive professional background,” including a genealogy certificate from Clark University and a leadership role at Haywood Wakefield Commons, and Cheryl House, noted as a retired registered nurse active at the senior center. Mary Shaffer was also confirmed; Councilor Heath described Shaffer as a long‑time Gardner resident with decades of community service. Each appointment was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote.

Separately, the council approved the reappointment of Denise Marriott to the bandstand committee for a term expiring Aug. 22, 2028. A councilor emphasized Marriott’s long experience helping manage the city’s summer concert series and Monument Park logistics; the reappointment was approved by voice vote.

Why it matters: The appointees will advise the city on senior services and community events. Councilors framed the confirmations as steps to strengthen programs for older residents and support a longstanding summer concert tradition.

The council handled these confirmations as routine business and took no further substantive action on the items at the meeting.