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Council authorizes Growing Places lease amendment, council sets budget schedule and hears community updates
Summary
The Gardner City Council authorized a lease amendment to give Growing Places LLC additional clerical space at the Waterford Community Center, set a multi‑stop June budget schedule, and heard councilor updates on a completed emergency operations kitchen, local graduations and scholarships and an elevator repair plan.
The Gardner City Council voted on June 1 to authorize an amendment to the lease between the city and Growing Places LLC for additional clerical office space at the Waterford Community Center.
Councilor Dowitz moved to authorize the lease amendment (Item 11829); the motion was seconded and approved on a voice vote. Councilor Kazinskus clarified on the record that the amendment "has nothing to do with the CAC" and that the CAC had no role in the change; the council approved the lease amendment.
In council remarks, Councilor Brooks announced the completion of an emergency operations kitchen at the police station — work completed with Monty Tech students — which will allow food preparation during emergencies. Brooks also praised the recent high‑school graduation and awards night, saying scholarships awarded to students in the community totaled roughly $600,000, including multi‑year awards.
A council member reported that the city hall elevator is out of service; staff briefed options for residents who cannot use stairs, including phone numbers posted on the elevator door and staff meeting visitors on the basement level while repairs proceed.
Council leadership outlined the June budget timeline: a special budget meeting on June 8, the regular council meeting on June 15, a June 17 deadline for council budget amendments to the clerk's office, a second special budget meeting on June 22 to review compiled amendments, and a reserve date of June 29 in case an override is needed.
What happens next: the clerk will finalize lease paperwork; staff will continue elevator repairs and provide accommodations; and staff and councilors will prepare budget amendment materials for the June meetings.
