Natick volunteers thirsty for historic water fountain on Common

 
The Natick Select Board at its Nov. 12 meeting (see 56 minutes into recording) received an update from volunteers behind an effort to install a refurbished version of an historically significant water fountain on the Common. Ultimately, backers would seek Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds next year to support the project.

Vincent Vittoria, co-chair of the Natick Historical Commission and a passionate supporter of celebrating the town’s history, shared an update on an idea introduced about a year ago that we reported on (See “Move afoot to return Iron Mike water fountain to Natick Common decades later”). Fellow residents Andy Meyer and Jeff Buccacio (a sculptor who would work on the project and whose claims to fame include crafting the Tom Brady statue at Gillette Stadium) also took part in the pitch. Buccacio recalled drinking from the original fountain and said he would love if his kid could one day do the same.

The fountain was originally installed on the Common in 1911 thanks to a handful of women’s groups, led by Olive Augusta Cheney, who raised funds to bring a source of clean drinking water to the space and to discourage people from drinking booze.  The fountain, which later became known as “Iron Mike,” seemed to be doing fine in the center of the common, but it was moved in the 1940s to the corner near Main and Central Streets, and that’s where it got nailed by a vehicle in 1979. The base had been shattered and the fountain was removed.

According to Vittoria, the fountain was assumed to have been tossed, but a couple of years ago someone who knew of his interest in local history told him they’d heard a Department of Public Works employee had saved the fancy bowl and had it in his backyard. Vittoria’s sleuthing led him to the widow of that employee and he learned from her that they’d given away the fountain bowl about 10 years ago. He then tracked down the new owner, who was willing to return it to the town given interest in restoring it and re-installing it at the Common.

“I thought it would be kind of neat to have this little piece of Natick history back where it came from,” Vittoria told the Select Board this week.

Select Board members were supportive and thanked the volunteers for work they have done over the past year to come up with estimated costs and to work with town officials to address health issues and a possible location. To avoid digging up the streets, the supporters said the most likely location would be on the west side of the Common toward the middle where it can connect to existing water infrastructure. They also spoke to the benefits of having the piece serve as a water refill station rather than a full-blown drinking fountain that would require a sewer hookup. The refurbished fountain would need to support accessibility.

Meyer referred to the fountain as “a truly feel-good project.” The fountain, he said, “is not a dam discussion or 5 Auburn or an override,” citing recent town decisions that have had their supporters and detractors.

Documentation shared with the board included estimates that the project would cost between $32k and $41k depending upon how elaborate the restoration is. An historical plaque would be part of the project.

While the board voted to support the project, the volunteers will take things from here. The next move would be for them to come to the Community Preservation Committee with their proposal in hopes of having Fall Annual Town Meeting next year approve CPA funding. Ongoing maintenance is estimated to be minimal.

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