The Natick Select Board, which has been spending lots of quality time in Executive Sessions behind closed doors of late, will do so again at the start of its Wednesday, Nov. 9 meeting, which will be called to order at 5:30pm. The topic this time: “To discuss strategy with respect to litigation where an open meeting will have a detrimental effect on the litigating position of the public body and the chair so declares – South Natick Dam.”

Later in the meeting will be more discussion, and possibly a decision on whether to repair the dam and spillway, or get rid of the spillway.

The town has said the cost of getting rid of the spillway will be less than repairing it, especially when you consider possible liability if the dam were to be breached by a storm. Though others question whether removing the spillway could lead to higher-than-expected costs, including from legal actions.

A citizen petition asking for the town to pay for repairs, based on past appropriations approved by Town Meting, failed to gain approval at the recently concluded Fall Annual Town Meeting.