# Gardner Economic and Community Development Committee Meeting Oct 30 2026

The Gardner Economic and Community Development Committee met on November 5, 2026 (the meeting title references October 30). The committee received a Waterford Community Center update. The city may contribute approximately $122,000 in CDBG funds toward asbestos abatement. A review panel has evaluated submissions for the project’s Owner’s Project Manager (OPM); once the OPM is selected and awarded, the construction work will proceed to bidding. The senior center’s move remains dependent on completing the abatement. For the Waterford site’s roof repair and solar installation, National Grid and Select Energy, the installation contractor, are arranging a site visit needed for final permit steps. Growing Places’ generator work is complete, while condenser work continues. No contract awards were reported. The committee voted to place the Waterford update on file.

The department also reported delays on the rear main project: about 10% of the work had been completed after four weeks, with unforeseen underground utilities and an incorrectly sized transformer cited as issues. The project had received an earlier $800,000 appropriation, and the department said available funds could cover additional costs, but the city is discussing responsibility for delay-related expenses with National Grid and other project parties. Completion before winter is uncertain; temporary generator service to open the site was not considered safe for residents. No procurement vote was taken on this project.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Construction & Infrastructure, Energy & Utilities
**Topics:** Physical Infrastructure, Grants & Funding
**Published:** November 05, 2026

### Sources
- [Gardner Economic and Community Development Committee Meeting Oct 30 2026](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sr0Fg28ISmE) - City of Gardner Massachusetts