Business View Civil and Municipal | March 2021

56 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL MARCH 2021 population growth by creating more community gathering spaces over the next three to five years. Communal meeting places have a new importance as a result of COVID-19’s impact. Once the new elementary school welcomes students in fall 2022, the existing school will be repurposed into a community center. Bringing together the city’s residents, while simultaneously highlighting Gardner’s uniqueness is exactly what Nicholson wants to encourage. He shares, “People outside of Gardner hear about it because it’s a dot on the weatherman’s map. Most likely because it’s the city with the most snow in Massachusetts. We need to build upon the different opportunities we have to maximize the unique aspect that makes our city stand out from everywhere else in north central Massachusetts. I’d like to create different spots that people find special. Especially in a post-pandemic world, once people are out and about again, what did they miss the most, and how can we do that here in Gardner?” PREFERRED VENDORS/ PARTNERS n Moura’s Cleaning Service hwww.mourascleaningservice.com n Waste Management www.wm.com “Waste Management of Massachusetts has had the privilege of partnering with the City of Gardner for many years, providing solid waste and recycling services for residents, schools and area businesses. Together WM and the City are making Gardner a more sustainable community for the generations to come.” n W.B. Mason Contact info coming soon! Mayor Nicholson touring Gardner business Garlock Printing, looking at Southwest Airlines peanut bags