Electronic Permit FAQ & Helpful Hints

How to Create an Account:

It only takes a few minutes to register and applying is easy. Go to https://gardnerma.viewpointcloud.com and choose the “Health Department” link. If you’re logging in for the first time:

• Select ‘signup’ • Enter your email address • Create a password

Note: passwords must be at least 8 characters & include 1 upper case letter, 1 lower case letter and 1 digit. If you’ve previously registered for OpenGov (formerly ViewPoint) with our Building Department or with another community, you can use the login from that account for us too!

Start Your Application:

Once you’re logged in, follow the steps on the page to complete the application. Your progress is saved in the cloud so if you need to take a break or get stuck, you can log back in later to continue. If you have any questions or issues, email me at adiprima@gardner-ma.gov or call 978-630-4013 Option #1 during business hours and I will do my best to assist you.

What happens after you submit your application?

Since your application is electronic, you can monitor the status online. We will review the permit application and then if everything looks good, you’ll get a message to make your payment. If the Health Department has any questions or needs additional documents we will message you. You will also receive email notifications as the application is reviewed by all of the city departments, processed and approved.

Paying for your permit

We will review your permit electronically before collecting your payment to ensure that your fees are calculated correctly! Watch your Email for updates. Once reviewed by our staff, permits can be paid in a few different ways for your convenience:

Online - Credit Card or E-Check: Once your permit has been reviewed by our office you can will be notified by email and you can access this option in your permit.

Mail - Check or money order: Mail to “Board of Health, 95 Pleasant St Rm 29, Gardner MA 01440”

Drop Box - Check or money order: Place your payment in an envelope marked “BOH” in the secure payment drop box located on the sidewalk in front of City Hall.

In the Office - Check, money order or cash: During business hours and follow all COVID-19 guidelines and precautions while visiting City Hall. You will need to enter from the front entrance and check in at the desk in the rotunda before coming down to the Health Department.

Please make checks or money orders payable to “The City of Gardner” and please note on your payment the business name and to which permit(s) your payment(s) should be applied. Your permit will not be issued until the Health Department receives your payment.

Permit Deadline 

The permit deadline has been extended to Dec 4th this year. This is 4 weeks longer than in past years to give everyone plenty of time to apply and work out any questions that may arise. License renewals that are still incomplete after the December 4th, 2020 deadline will be subject to a $50 late charge.

Please remember: If we do not receive your application, all required documentation & payment by the December 4, 2020 deadline, we will assume you do not wish to renew your license(s) and you will be asked to cease any operation which would involve a renewed license from this office on December 31, 2020 by midnight.

How do I attach my documents?  

Some permits require certificates or other documents to be added to the permit application before it can be submitted for review by our staff.  Open Gov supports all types of files including Word, Excel, PDF, Gif, JPG, and even photos of your documents taken with a smart phone.  There will be a list of any required documents at the end of your application.  Click "Upload" and locate the file on your computer or phone, select that file and it will be added to your application.  If you choose the wrong file, you can "Delete" the previous one and upload a new file. 

Why can't I find my "Location"? 

The Open Gov software is tied into the City mapping and property cards system, and it will pull property ownership and other needed data directly into all records associated with the property.  Some buildings in Gardner have number range listed in the property cards even though you might use different address for your business.  To locate your "Location" for the beginning of the application, you can try a few different things:  

Go to the Property Cards and try to locate your building by property owner or search by just the street name to see if you can find a building that includes your address in the 'range'.  An example of a building with a 'range' is 28-60 Pearson Blvd, which is the Gardner Plaza.  It's a big building, lots of businesses each with a different address.  In this example, any business located in the plaza would enter 28-60 Pearson Blvd as their "Location".

You can also go right to the GIS Property Map and see if you can find your building by typing in an address near your location and using the building and lot plans to locate the property.  

There are sections inside the application that will ask for mailing and establishment addresses and this is where you can enter the addresses that you more commonly use.  

Any questions? 

Please call the office at 978-630-41013, opt #1. I'm here 8:00 - 4:30 Monday to Thursday, and 8:00 - 1:00 pm on Friday. You can also email adiprima@gardner-ma.gov. I will be happy to assist you! Due to the high volume of permits, other office business and COVID precautions, in person assistance is limited and available by appointment only. We will also have a public kiosk with a computer available soon for anyone who needs computer access. While it is 1st come 1st use, if you’d like to reserve a time, call and let me know. For COVID precautions, we want to help limit people waiting in the building.

Where is the Liquor License Application? 

The License Commission sent out the 2021 Liquor Renewal Packets, which will be done on paper this year. This is the only permit that will be accepted on paper this year.