Keep an eye out for these new construction projects in the Gardner area in 2023

GARDNER ― New Year's resolutions aren't just for people. Cities and towns can have goals they want to accomplish in 2023.

Four Greater Gardner community officials shared improvement projects they hope will boost the local economy and residents' standard of living next year.

The projects range from developing vacant buildings in a downtown area to establishing new leadership positions within the local government to allow for more organization.

Here is what three town administrators and the Gardner mayor said their respective communities are aiming to complete next year.

Downtown Gardner to get 260 new parking spots

Construction will start in April in downtown Gardner to add 260 new public parking spots and an events plaza in the vacant lots next to Levi Heywood Memorial Library and behind the Velvet Goose and John's Sports Shop on Pleasant Street. The work should not interfere with traffic flow, said Mayor Michael Nicholson.

Along with more public parking in the downtown area, several renovation projects will occur at the Flat Iron Building at 25 Main St. and the Central Park building on Central Street, which should be completed early in the year, said Nicholson. Other construction will include a new residential complex next to the Gardner Police Department and behind the Cumberland Farms gas station on Main Street.

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The city also plans to demolish the Greenwood public pool and replace it with a new park starting in June. Construction should only take a week, said Nicholson.

"Gardner never really had this much opportunity for growth all at once and I'm excited to see how that continues to develop over the course of the next year," he said.

Templeton hopes to renovate bridge in 2023

The proposed legislative budget package for the fiscal year is released every March but for 2023, Town Administrator Adam Lamontagne said he plans to make the process smoother. He said he will start gathering requests from each department and commission starting in January.

Another goal the town needs to complete in 2023 is to secure funding to renovate the bridge on Main Street over Otter River. Town officials are waiting for Gov. Charlie Baker to release a $3 million award to fund the renovation project. The bridge is crucial not just for Templeton residents to access Main Street, home of Seaman Paper, one of the largest private employers in town, but also for visitors and commuters to have a more positive experience in the area, said Lamontagne. Construction is proposed to start September 2023.

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Finally, officials are looking to tear down the vacant residential properties at 10 Pleasant St., which have been rundown and vacant for many years as the town waits for funding to complete a cleanup program. Two years ago, the town acquired the problem properties through a procurement process, said Lamontagne. Town officials tried to sell the properties, but nobody put in a bid. After the latest Town Meeting, $150,000 was secured to get the project started but town officials hope to double that funding.

The new year could mean a new government position in Westminster

The town's Select Board and Town Administrator Stephanie Lahtinen are in the initial stages of creating a new post of community service director.

Lahtinen said the responsibilities will include supporting the Parks and Recreation Department, which consists of volunteers, acting as communication liaison between the different commissions and departments of local government, facilitating all of the services that the recreation department offers to the public, and organizing community-based activities.

The Select Board will have to make a pitch at the May 2023 Town Meeting for the money to hire the community service director. If the funding is approved, the board can hire someone possibly by July.

The town also has plans to build new athletic fields. Currently, residents only have one set of athletic fields at South Street behind the Westminster Elementary School and Meetinghouse Elementary School.

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At the May 2022 Town Meeting, voters approved spending $77,000 to hire a design engineer to plan the proposed athletic fields. The town is currently looking for that engineer to determine the location, design, cost and construction timeline, said Lahtinen.

Lastly, Lahtinen said Westminster residents will see another major construction project behind the senior center on West Main Street. Funding was obtained through a grant awarded by the governor and the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development. The construction of a 51-unit assisting living facility is expected to break ground in the spring. The facility would be privately owned but the land was provided by the town. The new assisting living housing will benefit the Westminster elderly and disabled community, said Lahtinen.

"The housing construction is a pretty big deal because we've been waiting for several years for funding to come through," she said. "The facility will have parking on site, and it will be within walking distance from our senior and community center."

Winchendon downtown project should be done in 2023

All year long, residents in Winchendon have dealt with the reconstruction of the downtown area, Main Street and Central Street, but early in the new year, residents can expect construction to be done, Town Manager Justin Sultzbach said.

The reconstruction includes a new sewer system, sidewalks, streetlights, park benches, and newly planted trees.

Winchendon shares a water filtration plant with Ashburnham but the main water line that services Winchendon community is more than 50 years old and failing, with cracks in the water line causing up to 40% of the water supply to be lost. This project is a pressing issue that was finally addressed at the last special Town Meeting on Oct. 24, said Sultzbach.

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A two-thirds majority voted to fund $9.56 million for design, construction and equipment to build a replacement water line from the shared water flirtation plant.

The town hopes to also construct a new fire station. At special Town Meeting on Oct. 24, a two-thirds majority voted to spend $618,750 to fund the design services for a new fire station.

"A lot is going on in Winchendon, which is exciting," Sultzbach said. "I think people in Winchendon are excited for a lot of these projects to start and to be completed."

Editor's note: This story has been updated to indicate that the properties at 10 Pleasant St., Templeton are going to be demolished.

This article originally appeared on Gardner News: Gardner, Templeton, Westminster, Winchendon 2023 development goals