GARDNER — Mayor Michael Nicholson is resigning at noon on Friday, Jan. 8, 2027, after winning a seat in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. The City Council president in office when Nicholson resigns will serve out the mayoral term, which ends in January 2028.
In a Nov. 12 letter included in the City Council’s meeting packet for Monday, Nov. 16, Nicholson said he was giving city officials time to prepare for the transition. He said he would submit his formal resignation separately.
Council President George Tyros told City Clerk Jennifer Pelavin in a letter dated Nov. 11 that he will step down as president when the council takes up new business on Monday, Nov. 16, 2026. In his letter, Tyros said his resignation applies only to the office of council president, and he will retain his seat on the council.
The Gardner City Council is scheduled to elect a president after Tyros steps down during its meeting on Nov. 16, 2026. The meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. in the City Council Chamber at Gardner City Hall.
Under Section 32 of Gardner’s city charter, the council president succeeds the mayor when a vacancy occurs in the final 12 months of the mayoral term. A vacancy earlier in the term requires a special election. The charter also requires the council to elect its president annually.
Nicholson, a Democrat, defeated unenrolled candidate John D. Reilly Jr. in the Nov. 3 election for the 2nd Worcester District. The district includes Gardner, Ashburnham, Templeton and two precincts in Winchendon.
