PHILLIPSTON – Following his departure from Templeton as its town administrator, Adam Lamontagne recently started work in a similar position for the neighboring town of Phillipston.

Lamontagne resigned from his post in Templeton after 4 ½ years on the job, citing what he called a “hostile work environment,” and was soon chosen as Phillipston’s new chief administrative officer. He takes over for interim CAO Peter Morin, who assumed the position in November 2024, following the resignation of Melanie Jackson, who still serves as treasurer for the town.

Lamontagne told the Athol Daily News he has no concerns about having to work with officials in Templeton, Phillipston’s partner in the Narragansett Regional School District. Templeton also oversees an intramunicipal agreement with Phillipston for operation of the local 911 emergency call system.

“In all the positions I have held,” said Lamontagne, “obviously, in Templeton, I focused on their best interests, and in Phillipston I’m going to focus on their best interests, budget-wise. Those are my responsibilities.”

Asked about his priorities moving forward, Lamontagne cited plans to turn the former Baldwinville Elementary School into a mix of 54 housing units, the majority of which will be set aside as affordable housing. Lamontagne said MPZ Development and the town officially closed on the sale in recent weeks.

“When I first came here, I took a tour of the (Phillipston Memorial) elementary school here and I’ll tell you, that’s a nice building. It’ll have some of the challenges faced in the Baldwinville School, but I think that’s a very marketable site,” he said. “I’ll obviously be working with the Selectboard on their plans and what they want to do with that building. These things take time. It took us a few years to where they’ve finally closed on it.”

Asked if he foresees the town selling the Phillipston Memorial Elementary School to a private developer, Lamontagne said, “I’m going to come up with options to bring to the board. I want the board to vote on a plan, then I’ll take each step appropriately.”

Lamontagne said he plans to speak with Athol Town Manager Shaun Suhoski about the Bates Powers Dam, which is owned by Athol. Earlier this year, Phillipston’s Community Preservation Committee voted down a proposal to commit up to $750,000 to purchase the dam for potential recreation and public safety purposes. Selectboard member Nicole Gough told the Athol Daily News recently that no proposal for purchasing the dam will be finalized before the upcoming Annual Town Meeting on May 5.

The Athol Selectboard had agreed to give Phillipston until then to come to a decision on the dam.

“I have a good working relationship with Shaun,” said Lamontagne. “So I’ll speak with him see where the board is at here and get a read on where he thinks his board is on the issue.”

Lamontagne said one of his priorities for Phillipston can be summed up in one word – electricity.

“We’re looking at different options. When I heard what the electric rates are here, I was concerned,” he said. “I’ve worked for three municipalities – this is my first without a municipal light board. I have to say, municipal rates are great, they’re affordable for the residents. So, that’s one of the things I want to work on with the board, to provide the best rates for Phillipston residents. Looking at a municipal system, that could be one option – setting up a consortium. All those things are on the table.”

Before becoming town administrator in Templeton, Lamontagne had served as the town’s assistant town administrator. He also served on the Chicopee City Council from 2014 to 2017, and on that city’s School Committee from 2008 to 2014.

Lamontagne earned a master’s degree in public administration from Westfield State University in 2019, where also previously earned a bachelor’s degree in 2014. In 2021, he received a certification in local government leadership and management from the Moakley Center for Public Management.

Greg Vine can be reached at gvineadn@gmail.com.