Overview:
Adam Lamontagne, the chief administrative officer of Phillipston, has accepted a new role as town administrator for Acushnet. Lamontagne was attracted to the position as the town oversees its own education system, unlike Phillipston, which partners with Templeton to make up the Narragansett Regional School District. He will be earning nearly double his current salary of approximately $80,000. His final day in Phillipston will depend on completion of contract negotiations with the Acushnet Selectboard. The Phillipston Selectboard will hire an interim to ensure a smooth transition.
PHILLIPSTON – After a little less a year on the job, Chief Administrative Officer Adam Lamontagne has accepted a new role as town administrator for the Cape Cod community of Acushnet.
The Acushnet Selectboard voted on Feb. 17 to offer the position to Lamontagne.
Lamontagne told the Athol Daily News he was attracted to the job in part because the town oversees its own education system, unlike Phillipston, which partners with Templeton to make up the Narragansett Regional School District. Lamontagne said he’s worked with local school districts in past roles.
“Quite frankly, the [Phillipston] board here has been really good; they’ve been a great team to work with,” Lamontagne said. “I think we got some things accomplished – the town common study, work that’s been done in the gym at Phillipston Memorial Building, the library project.
“But it’s always been my goal,” he continued, “to retire on the Cape or near the Cape.”
Lamontagne said his final day in Phillipston will depend on completion of contract negotiations with the Acushnet Selectboard. His new position will pay “nearly double” his current salary of approximately $80,000, he said, adding that the new job will begin on April 1.
Lamontagne had also interviewed for the position of town manager for the community of Harwich also on the Cape.
Phillipston Selectboard member Nicole Gough said of Lamontagne, “He has really helped make the town run a lot better and smoother. So losing him will be a pretty big change for us. We wish him best of luck.”
Gough also wanted to assure residents “we will have someone come in as an interim to make sure things continue to go smoothly in town. We’ll continue to do our job and hire the best person for the job to make sure everyone in town is taken care of. I don’t want people in Phillipston worrying about things falling through the cracks.”
Selectboard Xhair Bernie Malouin said he and his fellow board members had been made aware of Lamontagne’s interest in the Acushnet job, so his departure isn’t a complete surprise.
“We were aware he was a finalist,” said Malouin. “Obviously, it’s a lot more money. And he has to do whatever he thinks is best for him and his family.”