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Council approves snow-and-ice, police overtime, and multi-year permitting contract
Summary
In new business the Gardner City Council appropriated $573,186 for snow-and-ice, approved a $285,802 police overtime free-cash appropriation, authorized a permitting software contract of up to five years, and approved a $50,000 transfer to cover fire overtime.
After completing FY2027 budget orders, the Gardner City Council took several operational steps under new business on June 22.
Councilor Durnell Owitz moved to appropriate $573,186 from free cash to the Department of Public Works snow-and-ice account to cover winter maintenance needs; the clerk’s roll-call entry in the transcript is inconsistent (it records "9 nays" then records "The motion passes") and the council adopted the appropriation. Councilors noted the long-standing appropriation level and urged future budget adjustments to reflect rising costs.
The council authorized a contract of up to five years for permitting and licensing software services, allowing the executive branch greater negotiating leverage for longer terms. Councilor Durnell Owitz described this as a routine authorization to permit longer-term negotiations to secure better contract terms.
Councilors also approved a $285,802 appropriation from free cash to the police department to cover overtime due to staffing shortfalls, and a $50,000 transfer from ambulance professional services to fire department overtime salaries and wages.
All new-business financial measures passed as recorded in the meeting; departments were asked to track reimbursements and provide follow-up reporting when appropriate.
