Phillipston MA

Phillipston MA Local News and Community Information

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• Where Adam Landed

  

  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.

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• Phillipston Common

  

  Town of Phillipston Reviews Town Common Study

  The first draft of the Phillipston Town Common Study was released on June 25, 2025. Here’s a copy on pdf.

  The Town of Phillipston is asking residents for feedback through the month of July. The study itself was funded by the Community Preservation Committee and the expenditure was approved by residents at Town Meeting.

  Gardner Magazine has a “Deep Dive” podcast explaining it all. Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.

  Send feedback to CAO Adam Lamontagne at this email: alamontagne@phillipston-ma.gov.

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• Lamontagne – Phillipston

  

  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

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• Greater Gardner 11-25-24

  

  

  
  News Around the Greater Gardner MA area

  Winchendon: 3 finalists for Winchendon Superintendent position include: current interim Superintendent Dr. Marc Gosselin, Dr. Greg Rosenthal of Douglas Public Schools, and Mark McLaughlin of South Hadley Public Schools. Next step: School Committee will make its selection.

  Westminster: Recent Town Meeting Results – Articles 1,2,3,4,,5, and 6 YES Articles 9 and 10 regarding TIF: NO. Article 11: NO and Voters passed over article 12. Previous article with details, CLICK HERE.

  Ashburnham: Equipment options for the new Winchester Park Playground will be previewed at a presentation by consultants M.E. O’Brien and Sons, Inc. on Tuesday, December 10, 2024 6:30pm at Overlook Middle School, 2^nd Floor Team Room, 10 Oakmont Drive, Ashburnham. A question and answer session will follow the presentation. —– Toys for Tots donations will be accepted through December 6^th at the DPW and Town Hall. —- The Select Board will hold a tax classification hearing on Monday, December 2, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. in the Training Room at the Public Safety Building. The purpose of the hearing is to inform taxpayers and interested persons of the choices open to the Select Board in setting a single tax rate for all real estate and personal property, or two tax rates, one for residential and open space and one for commercial, industrial and personal property. Members of the Board of Assessors will be present to explain the options available in choosing the classification. The public is welcome to attend.

  Templeton: A special town meeting is scheduled for December 6, 2024 at 6pm at the Narragansett Middle School Auditorium. Here is the complete town meeting warrant, CLICK HERE. The Town of Templeton has a construction schedule update, CLICK for DETAILS. The Digital Equity Plan comment period ends on December 6^th. View a pdf of the plan, CLICK HERE.

  Phillipston: The Phillipston Lions have started a soup kitchen. Next Soup Kitchen is Wednesday, December 11^th at the Phillipston Church on the common. For details, CLICK HERE. —- The Ladies Benevolent Society is sponsoring a Holly Berry Fair on December 10, 2024 from 9 AM to 2 PM at the Phillipston Congregational Church. Highlights are: Christmas Vendors, Ladies Benevolent Society Raffle Table, Lion’s Lunch – Soup & Sandwiches Dessert, Cookie Walk Table, Come take a picture with Santa, Pets Welcome! Bring your camera!

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• Durant – Phillipston

  Senator Peter Durant is having office hours at the Phillipston Town Hall on Monday, February 12th starting at 10am.

  

  From town of Phillipston website: “MA Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) is inviting the public to a virtual informational meeting on Tuesday, January 30, 2024 from 7:30PM to 8:10 PM, which will be held via Zoom (link below).  The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the proposed Thousand Acre Reservoir Dam Removal project in the Millers River Wildlife Management Area.  The Project Team will be available to answer questions and to seek input on the project.  Please contact Todd Olanyk (todd.olanyk@mass.gov) with questions or requests for accommodations.”

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• Corrections Officers

  

  Gardner MA and Phillipston MA Residents Among Correctional Officers Sworn In

  On Friday, May 26, 2023, George Cormier of Phillipston and Kierra Caissey of Gardner were among 12 to take the Correctional Officers Oath after having completed the Basic Recruit Training Academy at the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Training Facility. 10 Massachusetts towns are represented. 1/4 of the recruits are veterans or reservists.

  The Sheriff’s Office Academy consists of 12 weeks of both classroom and hands-on instruction teaching a variety of skills involving how to handle inmates at the Worcester County Jail and House of Correction.

  “These men and women have just completed 12 weeks of rigorous training and are now among the best and brightest in corrections today,” stated Worcester County Sheriff Lew Evangelidis. “This class has demonstrated great strength and resolve as they have navigated the academy. They are the next generation of corrections officers that will continue our mission to serve, protect, and create a better, safer community for all.”

  According to the Sheriff’s office: “Since taking office, Evangelidis has made significant changes to the hiring standards to professionalize the department. All correctional officer applicants must have, at minimum, an associate degree, two years of military service, or two years of relevant work experience. They must also pass a written exam, physical fitness test, background check, and psychological screening test. Evangelidis has also implemented a policy that prohibits the submission of letters of recommendation from politicians and gives preference to hiring those who have served our country.”

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• Phillipston Annual Election 2023

  The Phillipston MA Annual Town Election is scheduled for Monday May 15, 2023. Polls will be open at Town Hall from noon to 8pm. NOTES FROM THE TOWN CLERKS OFFICE NOMINATION PAPERS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR 2023 ANNUAL TOWN ELECTION —The Annual Town Election is scheduled for Monday, May 15^th. Polls open at Town Hall from 12 PM to 8 PM. LAST DAY TO REGISTER TO VOTE WILL BE May 5th. For more details, CLICK HERE.

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• Electricity 23

  

  Electric Bill High in Greater Gardner MA? There may be something cheaper…

  EnergySwitchMA.gov allows you to shop for an electric supplier for your home or business. You put in your zip code and a list of suppliers and rates pops out.

  Electric Angst in the Toytown of Winchendon

  For example, the basic service rate in Winchendon MA may be as high as 34 cents. However, at the site there’s a supplier under 17 cents (saving 50%) and several others in the 17 to 20 cent per kilowatt hour range. Click here.

  Electric Frustration in the Chair City of Gardner MA

  In Gardner, basic service has a supply rate of about 34 cents. The City of Gardner negotiated rate is just under 24 cents. However, there’s a supplier for 17 cents and a number well under 20 cents per kilowatt hour. Click here. For example IGS Energy offers a 16.99 cents per kilowatt hour with a 12 month contract or a 17.99 cents per kilowatt hour rate with a 36 month contract. Click here.

  For your community, go to EnergySwitchMA.gov, select Home or Business, put in the zip code, and get the results instantly. CLICK HERE.

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• Mosquitos

  

  Mosquito Control Team Back Again to Greater Gardner MA

  The Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project is sending its team to the area on August 4, 11, 18, 25, and September 1.  Dates are tentative and weather permitting.   Requests for service may be recorded by calling  the CMMCP office at (508) 393-3055 between 7am and 3:30pm weekdays.   For more info visit the website.  CLICK  HERE.

• Storm

  

  Severe Thunderstorm with Tornado Warnings Hit parts of Worcester County including Greater Gardner MA on July 21, 2022

  Orange Airport had a wind gust of 58 miles per hour. Athol MA had a storm producing up to 1 inch hail. Route 2 West near Warwick MA closed due to trees falling across highway. The storm passed over many of the towns in the Greater Gardner area including the City of Gardner. A tornado warning was in effect until 4:15pm, having been issued an hour earlier. Tornado Warning now expired. Severe Thunderstorm Warning Eastern Worcester County and Southern New Hampshire until 4:45pm

  Strong storms are expected in other areas of Massachusetts including Middlesex County and Southern New Hampshire until early evening. It is unknown at the time of this report whether a tornado actually touched down. In Eastern Franklin County there were downed trees and some power outages.

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