Two Local Communities Honored by Executive Office of Technology Services and Security
On September 18, 2025, the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security held the 31st annual Digital Government Summit in Boston. City of Gardner IT Chief Bob O’Keefe got the Cybersecurity and Risk Management Award. O’Keefe is known to be on top of appropriate computer and server updates to include the operating system and the latest and most effective anti-virus software and other cybersecurity measures. Other communities have been known to call O’Keefe for advice. O’Keefe has been instrumental in helping City of Gardner residents use technology to better access City services electronically, with particular help to the City Clerk’s office. Examples: Online Business Certificates , — City of Gardner Online Payment Center, CLICK HERE. — City of Gardner openGov Online services, CLICK HERE.
The Town of Hubbardston got the Excellence in Municipal Service Award for their platform, HubCONNECT. Hubbardston Town Administrator Nathan Boudreau collaborated with others in the town to create HubCONNECT completely in-house, creating a unique user experience which is visible on the town’s website, CLICK HERE. –
Other Massachusetts Excellence in Technology Awards which were presented included: The Secretary’s Leadership & Innovation Award went to Matthew Joseph of City of New Bedford. Excellence in Service Award was presented to the IT Team of the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC). The Collaboration & Partnerships Award goes to the City of Chelsea, Metropolitan Area Planning Council for their WiFi Initiative. The Spirit of Massachusetts Award goes to the Town of Orleans for their program, Device Advice. The OneGov Partnership Award goes to EOTSS own Mass Digital. Last but not least, the Gov’s Citations – Municipal Cybersecurity Award was presented to Central Massachusetts Collaborative Technology Team’s Alden Thompson, Town of Arlington Information Technology Department, Town of Easton, Information Technology Department’s Mike Deltano, Barnstable County Sheriff’s Office’s Joshua Straughn and the Barnstable County Sheriff’s Information Technology Department, Town of Shrewsbury Public Schools and SELCO (Shrewsbury Electric & Cable Operations) Team, and Holbrook Public Schools’s Robert King.