Council splits compensation ordinance, postpones vote on mayor’s chief of staff and amends youth‑center positions

The Gardner City Council on June 1 divided a proposed amendment to the city’s non‑union compensation schedule, postponed a vote on the mayor’s proposed chief‑of‑staff position and adopted an amendment to correct a citation and preserve youth‑center positions.

Councilor Hegley told the council the finance committee believed the chief‑of‑staff item required more consideration and noted the committee’s 2–1 recommendation; he asked for more time because the position included added duties and a modest pay increase. Councilor Heglin moved to postpone the chief‑of‑staff approval until the council’s June 15 meeting so members could evaluate budget cuts to offset the position; the motion to table until June 15 passed on a voice vote.

The council then divided the compensation ordinance into Part A (sections 1, 2 and 5) and Part B (sections 3, 4 and 6). During debate on Part B, Councilor Heglin said a numbering error in previous ordinances (1692–1694) incorrectly cited provisions that affected the youth center; he proposed an amendment that (1) corrected the ordinance citation and (2) removed a sunset clause on an assistant youth‑center director position so the role would continue past June 30. The amendment was seconded by Councilor Kazinskus, adopted, and Part B was sent to first printing as amended.

Why it matters: the council’s actions delay final approval of a mayoral staffing change until budget offsets can be shown and preserve an assistant position at the youth center by removing an expiring clause. Council members emphasized the need to verify ordinance language and cited the oversight in numbering as the cause of the correction.

What happens next: Part B will proceed to first printing as amended; the chief‑of‑staff position will be reconsidered at the June 15 meeting after councilors and staff evaluate budget offsets.