Interviews Page – Gardner Magazine

Two officials from the Town of Hubbardston explain Hub Connect and the Sandpit Overlay District Project. Town of Hubbardston website, CLICK HERE.

The Hubbardston Interview – with Nathan Boudreau and Leeanne Moses

Gardner Magazine spoke with Hubbardston Town Administrator Nathan Boudreau and Administrative Coordinator Leeanne Moses on July 23, 2025 about HubConnect and the Sandpit Overlay District Project. Complete Interview text on pdf, CLICK HERE. Interview page with text of interview, CLICK HERE. Listen to the entire interview on any device. CLICK PLAY.

Nathan Boudreau explained HubConnect: “It is our currently-in-creation, ever-evolving digital government platform, built using CIVIC-optimized Microsoft 365, Power Automate, and SharePoint to modernize how we serve residents and support staff. It connects services, automates tasks, and centralizes records. It’s not off-the-shelf, and that’s what I like about it. It’s not finished, and that’s what I like about it. It’s actively rolling out, improving week by week. We’re building while using it, and that’s the point. Real work, real feedback, real results. And I couldn’t speak higher on the potential of this project to really allow us to utilize the existence of modern technology to enhance our ability to serve the public. A good example of some of the things we’re going to be doing with this is HubFix, a automated routing system for constituent reporting. We do job licenses. We’re doing HR. I have automated our accounts payable system. We’re going to be using it in almost any way over the next year that used to be a paper form.”

Marketing and Branding Plan in the works for Downtown Gardner MA

Gardner Magazine interviewed Mayor Michael Nicholson on July 17, 2025. We did 8 interviews on that date for the Fiscal 6 Project. The topic of this interview is Downtown Revitalization: Downtown Gardner in 2020 vs 2025 – The efforts made leading to the ability to consider a specific marketing and branding plan. Listen on any device. CLICK PLAY.

Mayor Nicholson spoke about the changed look of Downtown Gardner, “If you drive through downtown and look at like a street view picture on an online map from 2019, and you look at it now, it’s night and day. …There’s really a lot that’s happened downtown, and I’m really proud of the amount of work that’s been done” When asked why people are doing this Nicholson responded, “…They’re seeing what Gardner has to offer. I think they’re seeing that we’re open for business, that we’re a place that’s going to be willing to work with people, and we’re willing to invest in our community, so why shouldn’t they invest in us as well?“

Gardner Magazine Unveils Fiscal 6 Project Documenting Gardner’s 5 Years of Change

So what is the Fiscal 6 Project? It is a project undertaken by Gardner Magazine to document how and why Gardner got to where it is after the last 5 years of unprecedented positive change.

It’s sort of a “look under the hood” and on ongoing living documentary about the City of Gardner, which is increasingly being called called the “Model City for America”

The Fiscal 6 Project is located at Fiscal6.com, CLICK HERE. featuring a series of interviews with Gardner Mayor Nicholson about very specific subjects, relevant embedded videos for each of the previous 5 fiscal years, and important links.

Visit the Fiscal 6 Project at Fiscal6.com, CLICK HERE.

There are dozens of interviews and many resources.

Here are the topics covered so far at fiscal6.com: Aesthetic Improvements, Background and Approach, Basic City Services, Blighted or Private Properties, Blighted or Unused City Properties, Business Vacancies, City Employees, City Transparency, Downtown Revitalization, Education Facilities, Education Improvements, Elder Support, Environment and Energy, Endorsements and Recognition, Fiscal Responsibility, Health-Related, Housing and Real Estate, Industrial Space, Infrastructure Improvements, Internet and Connectivity, Legal Updates for the City, Non-Profits in Gardner, Out-of-the-Box Thinking, Parking in Gardner, Patriotism and Ceremony, People are Policy, Promoting the City, Public Safety, Public Transportation, Recreation and Open Space, Roads and Infrastructure, Veterans Services, and Water & Sewer.

Gardner MA has great weather for Food Truck Festival

Food Trucks serving a wide variety of food and desserts were on hand on Pleasant Street and City Hall Avenue on July 12, 2025. Besides the food, beverages were served ,various vendors sold their wares, and various organizations were represented.

One of the organizations at the event was the Massachusetts Disabled American Veterans. Gardner Magazine spoke with Mike Euvrard (not Mark), the 3rd Jr. Vice Commander, Department of Massachusetts. Listen to our short interview on any device, CLICK PLAY.

Massachusetts Department of Disabled Veterans website, CLICK HERE.

To put Phillipston in context: The nearby City of Gardner is 23.02 square miles in area with a population of over 21,000. Phillipston is slightly larger with a total area of 24.6 square miles and a population of under 2000 people. A little bigger in size with 1/10 the people.

For more information on the Town of Phillipston, MA, please visit the website, CLICK HERE.

“Where Adam Landed” – Interview with Phillipston CAO Adam Lamontagne

Gardner Magazine had the honor to speak with Phillipston CAO Adam Lamontagne on July 2, 2025. Lamontagne has been in the position since April. Listen to the interview on any device. CLICK PLAY.

Some of the Issues discussed:

Lamontagne drafted a letter to the U.S. Postmaster General asking for a Phillipston Post office. See pdf of letter. or click image for larger view. Currently the town shares the Athol zip code.

The Phillipston Chief Administrative Officer spoke of the Phillipston Town Common and a vision for improving the area. Phillipston Memorial building is getting paving due to a $50,000 state earmark. Town Meeting approved $100,000 for new gym at the Memorial School and Lamontagne looks forward to a beautiful basketball floor. He touched on some of the nice places in Phillipston including the well-known Red Apple Farm and the public beach at Queen Lake. Lamontagne is working with other communities to get electric rates down through aggregation. There’s also an effort to improve technology in the community. Lamontagne praised his public safety officials.

Adam Lamontagne noted that the recent Phillipston Town Meeting was very efficient, approving all 32 articles in one hour. Lamontagne was very pleased on how well he was welcomed by the community.

Fiscal 6 – The Interview with Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson

Fiscal 6 is the 6th Fiscal Year Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson has been in office and that started on July 1, 2025. We spoke with the Mayor about various needs and issues, and how things have changed over the last 5 years. Listen to the almost 2 hour interview on any device, CLICK PLAY.

Topics covered included: Mayor’s qualifications, training, and passions – Business – City Properties – Private Properties – Recreation and Open Space – Aesthetics – Fiscal Responsibility – Health – Parking – Education – Internet and Connectivity – Public Safety – Roads and Infrastructure – Veterans and Services – Legal Updates – Transparency – City Employees – Education – Water and Sewer – Industrial – Housing – Non-Profits – Promoting the City – Public Transportation – Patriotism and Ceremony – Recognition – Outreach – Environment –

Small Business Saturday – Happy Birthday Gardner Interview with Patti Bergstrom

Patti Bergstrom is one of Gardner’s Super Heroes who loves Gardner and loves her Downtown. Bergstrom was chosen to help coordinate Downtown Gardner events for June 21, 2025 and we had the honor of conducting an interview. Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.

All the details on the exciting events and activities for the entire family. The shopping. The many vendors. The non-profits. The delicious food. Patti Bergstrom covers it all. It all starts at 10am in Downtown Gardner on Saturday, June 21st. Later in the evening there will be Fireworks at Kendall Pond and FREE CONCERTS at both the PACC and the Lithuanian Beach Club

Krista Sturgeon to Kimberly Blake: “Please Just Stop, Just Stop, I Thought you Were Running on a Fair and Nice Campaign” Claims Blake Lied to FBI

Gardner Magazine interviewed Krista Sturgeon who states she at one point was a friend and supporter of Kimberly Blake. Sturgeon feels differently now. After a number of Facebook message exchanges, Publisher Werner Poegel agreed to meet Sturgeon at a public place for an interview with the understanding that he would record everything and present it in its entirety for the public to hear. Interview was recorded Friday May 23, 2025 at the Walmart Subway in Gardner. Bottom line: Krista Sturgeon had a lot to say about Kimberly Blake. According to Sturgeon, many of Blake’s statements have been made with no factual basis at all. CLICK PLAY.

Background: Krista Sturgeon is a taxpayer who owns a home in Gardner and has lived in Gardner for about a decade. She lives with a partner of 10 years. Due to Parkinson’s Disease and lupus, Sturgeon has a service dog named Daniel Boone who came with her to the interview. He was adorable and well-behaved..

Trained in history, political science, and with a Doctorate in the Law, Gardner Mayor Nicholson has approached the job with a “to do list.” With the experience of actual daily employment with politicians of both parties, and the ability to juggle multiple roles to give visibility to Gardner (President of MA Mayors Assoc.), the Mayor faces challenges with a goal “to solve problems”. This interview explores just some of those challenges & solutions.

Challenges and Solutions – Questions and Answers in an Interview with Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson

Some of the challenges included: Turning around the Economic Development Department – Plans for the School Street School – The Rome Building – Waterford Community Center – Board of Health and the staffing of Boards and Commissions – Antiquated City Ordinances – School Curriculum – Increasing Transparency to the public – Staffing DPW, Fire, and PD – Long-needed renovations and repairs to Municipal and School Buildings – Ever-changing Technology – the Sludge Landfill – Rising Costs – Veterans Support – City Charter Update – Holding the City to a Higher standard of sound fiscal management —– Listen to the interview on any device, CLICK PLAY.

Page with complete text of interview with all questions and all answers, CLICK HERE.

PDF Text of entire interview, CLICK HERE.

Bill McKinney on Running Winchendon Lean – Prop 2/12 Not Keeping Up with Inflation

Winchendon’s Town Manager has taken a sharp pencil to Winchendon’s budget and informed the community last year that the upcoming budget would need an override. Coming up in Winchendon this year is a vote at the ballot box on May 5^th in which voters can choose a $1.9 million or $2.9 million override figure. The larger figure represents about a $65 per month increase to the average property owner. If either item is approved, a subsequent Town Meeting vote will still be held on which budget to approve for Fiscal year 2026. To clear up any misconceptions and to emphasize that this is an actual need, not a want, we spoke with Bill McKinney on April 28, 2025. Listen on any device. CLICK PLAY.

McKinney urged voters to ignore the misinformation that’s out there and get the facts.

Page with complete text of interview, CLICK HERE.

Challenges and Solutions – Interview with Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson

Gardner Magazine Publisher Werner Poegel spoke with Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson on April 24, 2025. The conversation revolved around various challenges and the corresponding solutions. Listen to the numerous questions and answers on any device, CLICK PLAY.

We spoke of some of the bumpy roads involving the Community Development Department and the current greener pastures since the Mayor hired a new Director, Jason Stevens, who as the Mayor put it has done “a year’s worth of work in one quarter.” We spoke of matters involving other Boards and Commissions, various City projects, plans for certain City-owned buildings, technology, staffing, budgets, expenses, the landfill, water, and so much more. The Mayor was very specific and informative in his answers.

PDF Text of entire interview, CLICK HERE.

Adam Lamontagne lands a few miles down the road

Lamontagne posted, “It is official! The Phillipston Select Board voted 3-0 to appoint me as the Chief Administrative Officer. I look forward to representing Phillipston’s best interests. My first day will be Tuesday.”

Adam Lamontagne was most recently the Town Administrator of Templeton MA until he resigned. He will start in Phillipston on Tuesday, April 8th.

Town of Phillipston website, CLICK HERE.

Town Hall: (978)-249-6828

In this article: Interview with Adam Lamontagne on 3-12-25. and original complaint which led to Lamontagne’s resignation, and interview with Chris Casavant on 3-12-25.

Read both complete complaint and response, CLICK HERE.

Templeton Town Administrator and School Superintendent on Issue which led to Lamontagne Resignation.

Gardner Magazine spoke with Adam Lamontagne on March 12, 2025. Listen to the interview on any device. CLICK PLAY.

According to Lamontagne, the Templeton Board of Selectmen have scheduled a hearing March 18 regarding a complaint by Superintendent of Schools Christopher Casavant. However, as Lamontagne resigned effective March 17^th, the status of the hearing is unknown.

According to the formal complaint by Superintendent Casavant, Lamontagne’s creation of a “working group” to examine “efficiencies – restructuring up to and including withdrawal or partial withdrawal from the Narragansett School District” and posting of a related document on Facebook has created “unnecessary angst within the school community.” Casavant’s letter accuses Lamontagne of “inconsistent and unprofessional behavior”.

In response to the complaint, Templeton Town Administrator Lamontagne wrote, “My efforts to advocate for increased involvement and transparency should not be mischaracterized as erratic but instead recognized as a necessary step to ensure that the town’s interests are adequately represented… I strongly reject the assertion that my actions constitute erratic behavior.”

Read both complete complaint and response, CLICK HERE.

This is what School Superintendent Chris Casavant said about this issue. Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.

Templeton Town Administrator Adam Lamontagne responded to the Chris Casavant Interview stating, “I listened to your interview with Chris Casavant. He stated he was not aware that the working group was going to be started. See email from February 8^th below showing that he was told. The working group was formed on February 10^th.” See Image of that email in which Casavant and members of the Select Board were included, CLICK HERE.