Natick Report

Since 2020: More than you really want to know about Natick, Mass.

Natick Select Board going back to back: Johnson public input update on Tuesday; Main Street Improvement Project discussion/vote on Wednesday

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A sampling of Natick town government meetings and agenda items for the week of Aug. 17, 2026 (Review all meetings &  agendas):

Select Board (Aug. 18, 6pm, town hall & online)

Confirm Appointment of Collector/Treasurer Janine Smith; Public hearing on Georgio’s Liquors all-alcohol off premise package store license; Annual Update on Opioid Settlement Funds; Johnson Interim Uses (Report of Public Input); Fall Annual Town Meeting warrant articles; Middlesex Regional Emergency Communications Center Update

Personnel Board (Aug. 19, 10am, town hall & online)

Full Time Pay Plan Job Description Review Adjustments, Additions, & Removals  Community Planner  Finance Coordinator  Budget & Finance Analyst; Classification & Pay Plan Project Update; Town of Natick By-Law – Article 24 Update; Non-Union Personnel Board Employee Sick Leave Bank Discussion

Main Street Improvement Project Discussion and Vote; Discussion of 2026 Fall Town Meeting Warrant Articles

Town Meeting Public Hearings  Amend Zoning Bylaws: Non-residential Uses within Residential Mixed-use Development   Amend Zoning Bylaws: Off-street Parking; Development Review – Public Hearings: 0 Pleasant Street; 1235 Worcester St. (Chick-Fil-A)

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Natick gets state backing in fight vs. kratom

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As Natick Report first reported last month, the town’s Board of Health has been readying regulations regarding kratom, an herbal substance that can have opioid- and stimulant-like effects. In line with that effort, the state’s Department of Public Health has issued an emergency order that designates kratom as a Schedule I Controlled Substance under Massachusetts law.

That emergency order gives local boards of health and other municipal officials the authority to remove kratom products from retailers. This order takes effect on Aug. 28, following a 14-day notice period, and will be in effect for up to a year.

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With fitness firm out, Georgio’s Liquors looks to move in at Natick’s 9/27 Plaza

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The departure of the F45 Training fitness studio at Natick’s 9/27 Plaza has opened the door for a new liquor store to open in the 3,221 sq. ft. space at 213 North Main St.

F45, closed in 2026
F45 has been shuttered

The Natick Select Board at its Aug. 18 meeting is set to vote on Georgio’s Liquors’ application for an all alcohol off-premises package store license. It would seem to be a handy location for those perhaps looking to buy booze to go with their food from Stop & Shop or take-out meals from the Wonder restaurant.

The police department has recommended the board approve the license if a public need is found.

Update: The Select Board approved Georgio’s license request at its Aug. 18 meeting.

Georgio’s Liquors has two other stores, one in Billerica and another in Waltham.

Fannon’s liquor store used to be across from the 9/27 Plaza entrance/exit, though in 2023 moved to 319 North Main St., about a mile away from where Georgio’s would operate if it’s license application is approved.

F45 Training, recently including one of its large franchiser’s, has been struggling on the financial front, and numerous studios have closed.

The last new Natick package store, Mile 10 Provisions, only lasted a couple of years.

Notice businesses coming or going in Natick? Let us know: natickreport@gmail.com

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Oh $#&! Natick Select Board discusses possible Fall Annual Town Meeting articles

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The Natick Select Board discussed possible Fall Annual Town Meeting articles during a tidy 24-plus-minute meeting on Aug. 11 (well technically the meeting went longer, but in executive session not open to the public to cover sensitive legal issues).

One article would address Article 50 Section 13 under Police Regulations, which is titled “Indecent or Profane Language” and that reads: “No person shall use any indecent or profane language in any public place in the Town or near any dwelling house or other building thereon.”

Board Chair Kathryn Coughlin explained that this rule is unconstitutional. “The Board will be moving to have Section 13 struck from the Police Regulations,” she said, adding that the police chief has confirmed this rule is unenforceable.

Not to say civility isn’t appreciated…

The Select Board has been looking at bylaw cleanups, and the same applies to Article 54 on Sex Offenders. Outdated language and citations no longer consistent with current law are included in this bylaw, so need to be addressed.

On a completely different topic, there’s a move to prep an article for Select Board sponsorship regarding establishment of a revolving fund that would support a sustainable electricity program for income-qualified individuals.

The board is also looking at an article for Town Meeting to hear the final report from the Natural and Synthetic Turf Field Study Group.

Articles for Fall Annual Town Meeting, slated to start on Oct. 20, must be submitted by Aug. 20. Some will come from town bodies, while others could come from individuals.

Also at the Select Board meeting, the body voted in favor of Natick joining with Walpole and other communities that are banding together to try to get a better solid waste disposal contract. Joining the group, which includes some much larger communities, doesn’t bind Natick to take part in such a contract, but does give Walpole and its counsel support for negotiating. This would fit into Natick’s broader evaluation of its trash and recycling program (see our recent RATS update)

During its consent agenda, the Select Board accepted resignations of two Natick Cultural Council members. So the council is looking for new blood.

 

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Spirit Halloween creeping back into Natick

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Spirit Halloween knows it’s never too early to get ready for the spookiest of all holidays, and is readying to open soon at Sherwood Plaza in space formerly occupied by The Christmas Tree Shop. The space, at 1318 Worcester St., is next to Skechers and marks a return of Spirit to Sherwood Plaza.

Last year, Spirit operated in the former Joann fabric store, another Rte. 9 east space.

Joann spirit rte 9
The Spirit of 2025 in Natick

SNL last year poked fun at the ubiquitous Spirit Halloween stores.

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