By Beth David, Editor
At its meeting on 2/17/26, the Acushnet Selectboard voted to offer the Town Administrator position to Adam Lamontagne.
The board interviewed three finalists at its 1/29/26 meeting, but failed to make a decision. At the time the board said they wanted to talk to members of the screening committee. Mr. Lamontagne had been the fourth finalist, but he withdrew before the meeting.
After the board failed to make a decision, Mr. Lamontagne expressed interest in being interviewed, although it is unclear if he reached out to the town or if they reached out to him. The board interviewed Mr. Lamontagne at its 2/10 meeting, when he thanked them for reaching out to them, and SB chairperson, David Wojnar, thanked Mr. Lamontagne for throwing his hat back in the ring.
Mr. Lamontagne is currently the Chief Administrative Officer in Phillipston, where he has been for a little over a year. Before that he was the TA in Templeton, and left after some contention with that Selectboard, according to news reports. He is quoted by several news outlets as saying he was subjected to a hostile work environment, incurred private legal bills; and was the subject of a “political witch hunt” (masslive.com).
In his interview, Mr. Lamontagne told the board that he would be willing to relocate.
“So, luckily for me,” he said, his wife wants to move so they will relocate.
The board did not make a decision that night, saying they wanted to meet with the screening committee.
Meanwhile, two of the other three candidates withdrew, leaving only Heather Chew, the former Acushnet Council on Aging Director, in the running.
When asked how he would balance economic development with preserving the character of the town, Mr. Lamontagne told the board that it was really question for the community. He said Town Meeting would decided. He said his job is to be an agent of the board and follow what they want to get done.
His approach to the budget is to plan several years out, he said, noting that health insurance costs are rising.
Mr. Lamontagne said that his obligation as a public servant is to do what is best for the residents.
His most difficult employee situations were during COVID, he said, and he watched more seasoned executives on how to handle things. He said he never initiated a policy, though, where vaccines were required.
When asked if there is any information he feels the board should always get immediately or some that should never surprise them, Mr. Lamontagne said he always tries to update the board on any mater that may arise so they are not blindsided.
As a former member of a school committee, Mr. Lamontagne was asked by Mr. Wojnar how he would balance the “interesting dynamic” of the competing interests by the schools and the town’s overall fiscal health.
Mr. Lamontagne said the school committee is always going to advocate for what is best for students. He said it is easier to work with a local school department than with a regional one, which is what Templeton and Phillipston have together as the Narragansett Regional School District.
After the vote, Mr. Lamontagne posted a thank-you to the Selectboard on his Facebook page.
“I truly appreciate your confidence and trust in my leadership,” he wrote, and thanked the Phillipston Selectboard, saying they got a lot accomplished. “Finally, I would like to thank Town Administrator James Kelley for his years of strong leadership for the Town of Acushnet.”
According to his LinkedIn page, Mr. Lamontagne holds a Master of Public Adminstration degree from Westfield State University.
In another matter, the board voted to accept the Civil Service list for the Police Chief and the Deputy Police Chief positions. Both positions had the same three names: Gary S. Coppa, Jeremy T. Fontes, Danny B. Deamaral.
There was some confusion as to the process, with SB member, Kevin Gaspar, saying he had expected to meet with the search firm before getting the name. But Mr Wojnar said the process is that they get the names first, because they have to come from the list.
The board will hold interviews in a future meeting, but there was also some discussion as to whether or not those interviews will be held in executive session or in open session.
The board also heard from David Davignon for a development at 72 Middle Road, near the police station. The project consists of six buildings with two units each.
Discussion revolved around the sewer connection that will go behind the police station and EMS building.
Mr. Gaspar said he was concerned with the plan and wanted to make sure that the new sewer line will be constructed with expansion in mind. He said eventually the sewer line will go to Nye’s lane. The need to be sure, he said, that the line is going to be compatible with that expansion. He said it needed peer review to be sure.
Mr. Gaspar will work with the engineer to make sure the project is compatible with the town’s expansion and not “just for the developer.”
The board also heard from Fire Chief Thomas Farland with an update on the delivery of two ambulances that have been approved by Town Meeting.
He said one was delayed and one is back on track. The second ambulance that was approved should be delivered next month. The first one will not arrive until next September.
“Different company,” said Chief Farland.
The board also voted to support H.103, an act repsonding to the threat of invasive species.
The board discussed the weeds situation at the Lake Street recreation area with Conservation Commission chairperson Jim Souza.
He told the board they are working with New Bedford to get grant money to clean up the invasive weeds and also make sure the dams are maintained.
Mr. Souza also asked that the board appoint Conservation Agent, Julia Goncalves to be the Stormwater agent, as she is doing the work anyway.
The held off on that decision, citing possible issues with the union, budget, and other concerns.
In other business, the board
• Voted not to exercise the town’s right of first refusal for 134 Nye’s Lane.
• Approved several Reserve Fund transfers, including $1,000 for the Animal Control Officer’s carcass removal budget; $21,000 to repair the heating system in the dispatch area; $11,500 for a new sprinkler unit for the Council on Aging/ Senior Center; $16,000 to upgrade the water server, from the water enterprise funds;
• Announced that the Perry Hill Christian Church is being considered for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places, the board will write a letter of support for.
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Click here to download the 2/19/26 issue: 02-19-26 KoolKids
Click here to download the Atlas Tack presentation: ATWG_2-2-26
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