Gardner City Council to select next Ward 3 councilor

GARDNER ― The City Council will select the next Ward Three councilor during their meeting on Monday, Feb. 6.

The next person to hold the seat will fill out the remainder of Nathan Boudreau’s term. Boudreau, who held the seat for nearly a decade stepped down from the position in December to take the Town Administrator job in Hubbardston.

According to the city charter, if a vacancy occurs in the position of ward councilor, the city council would appoint the person from the same ward who received the next highest vote total in the most recent municipal election to fill the vacancy for the unexpired term. But because Boudreau ran unopposed in 2021, the remainder of his unexpired term will be filled by a Ward 3 resident selected by the council via a majority vote.

Four candidates filed paperwork with the City Clerk’s office to become eligible to fill the vacancy.

More:Gardner City Councilor Nathan Boudreau to step down

MICHAEL CORMIER

Cormier, who lives on Jean St., noted in his letter of interest to the City Clerk’s office that he was a highly accomplished Corrections professional with more than 21 years of experience with the Massachusetts Department of Correction.

Cormier, who served for over 20 years in the US Air Force Reserve, said that he was a proven leader with 16 years of supervisory experience, along with exceptional people skills.

“(I) can perform under any/all conditions, as proven by stressors of both prison/combat settings,” Cormier wrote.

Cormier received an Associate of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Mount Wachusett Community College, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology from Fitchburg State University.

JEFFREY PALMIERI

Palmieri, who lives on Greenwood St., said he gained the trust of many of Ward 3’s residents when he ran against Boudreau three years ago. He added that he had held the Councilor-at-Large position from 2015 to 2017.

“My experience as a councilor was a great and humbling experience to see the way city government is run,” Palmieri wrote in his letter of interest to the City Clerk’s office. “I have lived in Ward 3 for 35 years with my wife and children, who both went through the Gardner school system. My grandparents lived in the city for 60 years. I know the neighborhood.”

Palmieri wrote that he felt he was best suited and qualified to be the next councilor from Ward 3.

“To be a leader of integrity, transparency, honest, compassion and above all common sense and treat people as I would like to be treated.”

ANTHONY RICHARD

Richard, who lives on Parker St., in his letter of interest submitted to the City Clerk’s office, noted that his experience growing up with a single mother who fell into a life of addiction had made him uniquely qualified for a role to serve others in the ward.

“Had I never moved (to Gardner), I more likely than not would be in an extremely poor position in my life,” Richard wrote. “I have changed my whole life and perspective for the better in Gardner, and hope to help others in the community.”

Richard thanked the staff at Gardner High School with helping him find meaning and purpose in the act of helping others.

“I give loads of credit to the community and people of Gardner for everything they’ve done for me both physically and emotionally, and I believe it is my turn to help and give back in any and every way I possibly can.”

PAUL TASSONE

Tassone, who lives on Church St., noted in his letter of interest submitted to the City Clerk’s office that he had recently reached out to nearly all members of the City Council to personally express his interest in serving as Ward 3 councilor.

“I have worked with many of the council members in the past as the former Ward 2 city councilor and as a member of the school committee for six years,” Tassone wrote. “I believe my pas experience understanding how we work together as a council would assist me in a smooth transition into the position.”

Tassone added that he continued to stay involved with what was going on in the city as a current member of the Gardner Redevelopment Authority and as a member of the Greater Gardner Chamber of Commerce legislative committee.

Whoever is appointed by the City Council will serve until the next municipal election, which will take place in November 2023.

This article originally appeared on Gardner News: Gardner City Council pick Ward 3 Councilor on Monday