Templeton MA

Templeton MA Local News and Community Information

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• Phillipston Crash

  

  Multi-vehicle Collision with Lumber Truck Closes Route 2

  On September 15, 2025, a late morning collision involving at least 6 vehicles and a lumber truck closed Route 2 near Exit 79 at the Phillipston – Templeton line. As of 1pm, the westbound lanes were closed and drivers were advised to seek alternate routes. By 3pm, the westbound lanes reopened.

  Injuries: 6 people were transported to local hospitals for serious injuries. One person was transported to a Worcester hospital with life-threatening injuries.

  Vehicles: Besides the large lumber truck, a Honda CR-V, 2 pickup trucks, 2 commercial vans, and a dump truck were observed at the scene by a Boston TV helicopter.

  UPDATE 9-15-25 10PM: Here is the official Press Release from the Phillipston Fire Department, CLICK HERE.

  From the Press Release: Phillipston Fire Chief Jeffrey Parker stated that “Phillipston Fire arrived on scene and immediately started fire suppression. One patient was removed from the burning vehicle by a bystander prior to Fire & EMS arrival. The motor compartment of the logging truck was also on fire…..One patient was transported to the landing zone at Athol Hospital and was airlifted to UMASS for traumatic injuries. Five patients were transported to local hospitals. Two patients signed refusals and remained on scene...” The Chief thanked the various responders and named them in the Press Release.

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• Templeton Municipal Light

  

  Templeton Municipal Light GM Refutes Bennett Claims

  The General Manager of Templeton Municipal Light, John Driscoll, took the unusual step of responding publicly to claims made on Social media by Jeff Bennett. According to Driscoll, Bennett inaccurately stated “every water customer pays $353.64 per year just to receive a water bill, plus cost of water used.” Driscoll writes “The $353.64 is actually the quarterly customer charge” and he explains how those funds are spent on paying off capital costs. See the entire response on pdf, CLICK HERE. Gardner Magazine also has a “Deep Dive” with the Chair Man and Chair Lady analyzing the situation, CLICK PLAY.

  Templeton Municipal Light website, CLICK HERE.

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• Weather Center Upgrade

  

  Access the Greater Gardner Weather Center, CLICK HERE.

  Gardner Magazine Upgrades Greater Gardner Weather Center

  Gardner Magazine is pleased to announce that the Greater Gardner Weather Center has been upgraded. Here’s what you’ll find:

  1. Weather Forecasts from multiple sources including Forecast 7, Meteo Blue, Tomorrow Weather, Booked.net, Meteored, Weather Rx, and a detailed forecast from the National Weather Service.
  2. Fire Risk for multiple locations including Athol, Gardner, Ashburnham, Westminster, Fitchburg, and Worcester.
  3. Air Quality and Pollen Conditions
  4. Interactive Weather Map from Meteo Blue
  5. National Weather Service Map
  6. Worcester County Drought Conditions

  The Greater Gardner Weather Center can be found right here.

  

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• Hotline 6-7-25

  

  Gardner – Templeton – Hubbardston Featured on WGAW Hotline Radio

  Listen to the entire program on any device, CLICK PLAY.

  The WGAW Hotline Radio Show of June 7, 2025 features a Huge Update with Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson including the regular weekly update in the first hour and a more comprehensive half hour extended update in the second hour.

  Host Steve Wendell spoke with newly elected Templeton Select Board member Candy Graves on Templeton recreation and other items.

  Hubbardston Town Administrator Nathan Boudreau and Town Clerk Melody Green were on the Hotline speaking of what’s going on in the town of Hubbardston.

  There was a very interesting ABC Update on the Chinese Fungus Plot. As Host Steve Wendell put it “We are at war with China.”

  Gardner Magazine Publisher Werner Poegel provided details on the 3 Summer Concert series coming to Gardner this year including the concerts at Monument Park, Polish American Citizens Club, and the Lithuanian Beach Club.

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• Templeton ATM 5-14-25

  

  Gardner Magazine presents “AUDIBLE” Templeton Town Meeting

  The Templeton Annual Town Meeting of May 14, 2025 as presented on YouTube contained out-of-focus video and extremely noisy AUDIO. Gardner Magazine was able to electronically remove much of the background crowd noise to produce AUDIO you can understand. Listen to the nearly 5 hour meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY.

  The Templeton Town Administrator’s Office advised us that the Town Clerk is in charge of releasing written meeting results. We will post the written results here when available.

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• Templeton 2025

  

  Town of Templeton: Town Meeting and Annual Election

  The Templeton MA Town Meeting is May 14, 2025 at 6pm. Location: Narragansett Regional Middle School, 460 Baldwinville Road, Baldwinville. There are 29 articles on the warrant. View the complete warrant and voter’s guide which has a brief description of the reasons for and impact of the article with comments and recommendations of the Advisory Committee, CLICK HERE.

  The Templeton MA Town Election is Monday,May 19, 2025. Polls will be open from 11am to 7pm> Most races are actually uncontested. However, Lisa Basso is running against Faith Curcio for a 1 year unexpired term on the Select Board. And Candace Graves is running against Robert May for a 3 year term on the Select Board. 4 open offices did not have any candidates as seen on the specimen ballot

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• Hotline 3-22-25

  

  Projects – Events – Veterans – Budgets – Pets Focus of WGAW Hotline Radio Show

  The WGAW Hotline Radio Show of March 22, 2025 was filled with great interviews. Listen to the entire show on any device, CLICK PLAY.

  1^st Hour: Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson on projects in Gardner including the Rome Building at Willow and Main, Gardner Spray Park, the Mayor speaks about a large number of events in Gardner. — Jim Benton, Vietnam Veterans of America about various programs and events such as annual Memorial Ride — Abbott and Costello with famous baseball routine “Who’s on First”

  2^nd Hour: Big budget problems Winchendon and Templeton. —- Templeton: interview with Matthew Rivard who is resigning from the Templeton Board of Selectmen. Rivard speaks on his reasons for resigning and concerns about the Templeton budget. Rivard criticizes the mentality of the people of Templeton with respect to funding the town and “their inability to be forward looking”. Winchendon: Deep Dive with Jack and Jill: Winchendon School Budget —- Werner Poegel Commentary on People and Pets in the Chair City.

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• Templeton 3-15-25

  

  
  View the proposed Templeton Budget, CLICK HERE.

  Templeton Holds Budget Hearings – a Select Board member steps down.

  The Town of Templeton held its budget hearings on March 15, 2025. While the entire budget hearing is available on You Tube, Part 1 view here, – Part 2 view here, Gardner Magazine has chosen to highlight AUDIO of Templeton Police Chief Bennett who explains various budget issues. Many area cities and towns are experiencing the same challenges and the Chief explains matters very clearly and very frankly. Listen to the Chief’s testimony and interaction with the Selectmen before the Budget Hearing on any device, CLICK PLAY.

  Templeton Police Chief Michael Bennett explained some of the budget issues of making arrests and why summons are often issued instead of arrests requiring suspects to be placed in custody. The Chief also stated that Templeton should have 1.5 officers per thousand but barely has 1. Chief Bennett explains the challenges of the budget stating several times “We will make it work.”

  After the Budget hearing it was reported that the acting Chair, Mathew Rivard submitted his resignation as a member of the Board of Selectmen. Town Administrator Lamontagne’s resignation was effective 3-18-25 as his last day as 3-17-25. Holly Young is serving as Interim Town Administrator. The Board of Selectmen will reorganize at its meeting of 3-26-25

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• Templeton Select 3-12-25

  

  A number of topics and some resolutions at nearly 4 hour Templeton Select Board Meeting.

  Summary: During the lengthy (nearly 4 hour) Select Board Meeting, the following occurred: Citizen comment was heard, Selectman Tim Toth criticized the media including Mass Live and Gardner Magazine for our inquires into the Adam Lamontagne – Chris Casavant – Select Board situation, —- Selectman Jeff Bennett explained his proposed action to remove Mike Currie as Chair of the Select Board for cause including the alleged mishandling of meeting agendas and his demeanor with others — the consideration of the Town Administrator Letter of Resignation resulted in the acceptance of the resignation on a 3-2 vote with members Bennett and Griffis voting against, —- the appointment of Holly Young as an interim Town Administrator for a six month period after a lengthy discussion with both positive and negative comments,—– funding issues with Templeton Community TV, —– discussion of concerns regarding the environmental impact of the Gardner Landfill to the Town of Templeton including a lengthy statement by Gardner abutter Alan Rousseau, —– and other matters detailed on the agenda, CLICK HERE. Listen to the entire meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY.

  Moving forward: Vice Chair Mathew Rivard will serve as Chair until a reorganization of the board at the next meeting March 26th. Holly Young will serve as interim Town Administrator for a period of 6 months from March 18th through 9-17-25. A written agreement will be entered into as well.

  Publisher’s Editorial Note: Gardner Magazine obtained the Casavant complaint and Lamontagne response through appropriate channels. Selectman Toth’s criticism of both Mass Live and WebTech Online – Gardner Magazine is unfortunate as America is built on the foundation of a FREE PRESS. In my opinion, asking questions so the actual facts can be presented to the public is always a good thing, especially as in our email, we stated we would publish any of the Select Board members comments. That is why Gardner Magazine publishes complete Press Releases, complete AUDIO of meetings, and various other documents including agendas, packets, and reports, so you the public, can see and hear the raw facts rather than get just our take on it.

  
  For future reference: Templeton Community Television has a Facebook Group, CLICK HERE. Many Templeton meetings are available through TCTV.

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• Templeton 3-12-25

  Update: 3-12-25 8:56pm: During the Templeton Select Board Meeting. a motion to remove Board Chair Michael Currie was discussed and Currie resigned as Chair prior to a vote. Vice Chair Mathew Rivard will serve as Chair until a reorganization of the board at the next meeting March 26th. The resignation of Adam Lamontagne was accepted on a 3-2 vote with members Bennet and Griffis voting against. After a discussion with both positive and negative comments, Holly Young was appointed unanimously as interim Town Administrator for a period of 6 months through 9-17-25. A written agreement will be entered into as well. As of this update, the meeting which started at 6:30pm was still ongoing after more than 2 hours. Gardner Magazine will publish the complete AUDIO when available. Meeting Agenda, CLICK HERE.

  

  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 Responds to Casavant Interview

  

  
  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.

  Gardner Magazine Publisher Reaches out to Select Board for further answers:

  The following email was sent to the entire Templeton Select Board just before 2pm on 3-12-25: “Dear Select Board,  I did an interview today with Town Administrator Adam Lamontagne and with School Superintendent Chris Casavant.    In the Casavant interview, Chris stated he didn’t get a heads up about the working group.  However, I have published an email in which not only he, but members of the Select Board were informed. Can somebody tell me why this thing has so evolved?  It appears you are losing a very good Town Administrator who is simply watching out for the taxpayers.  Anyone have a comment?  Am I missing something?  Apparently Lamontagne was concerned about his family after interacting with Casavant.  Please help me understand what is going on.    I will publish any of your statements on my platform.  I also plan to publish the AUDIO of the meeting this evening.”

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• Various Links to Various Content

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  Here is something we are working on: A new and improved Greater Gardner MA Photo Gallery.

  

  

  
  All Sports Page features 8 categories of sports – Major League Baseball, NFL Football, NBA Basketball, National Hockey League, College Football, College Basketball, Professional Golf. CLICK HERE.

  

  
  Here are the State News pages on Gardner Magazine: — Massachusetts 1, — Massachusetts 2, — New Hampshire, — Connecticut, — Vermont, — Rhode Island, — and Maine. — Plus, California, — New York

  

  
  Here are the various news pages on various U.S. Topics including: Capitol Hill — , Lifestyle — , Financial — , Technology —, Showbiz —, Top U.S. Stories —, U.S. Debt Clock — , Economy —, United States News. —

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

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