Mayor Michael Nicholson elected president of Massachusetts Mayors Association

Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson

Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson has been unanimously elected as the President of the Massachusetts Mayors’ Association.

Mayor Nicholson, who has served as the Mayor of Gardner since 2020, and had served as the Massachusetts Mayors’ Association District 2 Representative, brings a wealth of experience and a strong track record of leadership to his new role.

Mayor Nicholson has been instrumental in bringing significant developments to Gardner, including the Gardner Elementary School project that came in $8 million under budget, the creation of two vacant storefront revitalization districts, an increase of double the amount of grant awards over the last two years, and increased private investment across the city.  Mayor Nicholson’s dedication to improving the City of Gardner and creating lasting partnerships that will lead to increased investments in the future have earned him respect among his peers and widespread recognition across
the state.

As President of the Massachusetts Mayors’ Association, Mayor Nicholson will lead advocacy efforts around housing, economic development and other issues facing municipalities across the Commonwealth.  In this role, Mayor Nicholson will work with state leaders, industry experts and his colleagues to advocate for the needs of municipalities and to promote efficient, effective and thriving
local government.

“I am honored to have been elected by my peers as the President of the Massachusetts Mayors’ Association,” said Nicholson. “I look forward to continuing a collaboration with my fellow mayors and state leaders as we continue to advocate for the many pressing issues facing municipal government.  Local government plays a significant role in increasing the quality of life for residents throughout the Commonwealth and I look forward to working together to ensure our cities thrive.”

The Massachusetts Mayors’ Association, established in 1945, provides opportunities for mayors to network and share ideas, pursue educational opportunities, meet with state leaders and subject-matter experts, and participate in the advocacy work of the Massachusetts Municipal Association. Its membership is made up of the 48 mayors of the cities of Massachusetts.

Mayor Nicholson was nominated by Mayor Dean Mazarella of Leominster and Mayor Nicole LaChapelle of Easthampton at the association’s annual business meeting held in Boston on January 25, 2025.

Massachusetts Mayors Association Meeting

Left to right Front row: Jeannette McCarthy of Waltham, Ruthanne Fuller of Newton, Outgoing MMaA President Nicole LaChapelle of Easthampton, Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, MMaA President Michael Nicholson of Gardner, Breanna Lungo-Koehn of Medford, Katjana Ballentine of Somerville Middle Row: Kassandra Gove of Amesburty, Gine-Louise Sciarra of Northampton, Virginia Desorgher of Greenfield, J. Christian Dumais of Marlborough, Dominick Pangallo of Salem, Patrick Keefe of Revere, Melinda Barrett of Haverhill, Michael McCabe of Westfield, Jared Nicholson of Lynn, Dean Mazarella of Leominster Back Row: Paul Coogan of Fall River, Robert Sullivan of Brockton, John Vieau of Chicopee, Carlo De Maria of Everett, Gary Christiansen of Malden, Joshua Garcia of Holyoke, Charles Sisitsky of Framingham, Samantha Squalia of Fitchbug, Greg Verga of Gloucester, Peter Marchetti of Pittsfield, Michael Concannon of Woburn *Note other mayors attended the association’s annual meeting but were unable to attend when the picture was being taken.