Natick Report

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

Natick Report: Helps us help you in ’22

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Thanks for all of your Natick Report support in 2022.

We appreciate the news tips, from the quirky to the really important. We appreciate the photos. We appreciate you sending along memos from town officials that the rest of the community might care about. And we appreciate organizations, businesses, town officials, and residents who have given us a heads up on things and answered our questions.

As a two-person, independent journalism operation, we need all the help we can get, and we want to make Natick Report an even more useful resource for you in ’22. Reach us at natickreport@gmail.com as well as on social media, including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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Looking back: Memorable Natick photos from 2021

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Some of the most memorable photos that help tell Natick’s 2021 story….

We love it when readers share Natick slice-of-life and other photos with us. Please do: natickreport@gmail.com

beach house volley

 

town hall covid signs

 

natick center winter

 

John F. Kennedy Middle School, Natick

 

natick runners dug pond new years day

 

Trout stocking, Dug Pond, Natick

 

stop the hate rally

 

Natick, maple tree tapping

 

natick community farm fire

 

Hot Doogy NY style hot dog

 

Natick streets project

 

Gazebo, Natick Common

[Read more…]

Natick school COVID closures: Could be like snow days

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With rising COVID-19 cases across the state during the school holiday break, administrators have a real challenge in figuring out what shape students and staff will be in upon the planned reopening on Jan. 3.

“Assume school is on as usual unless I call to close it—just like a snow closure. This call would come to you Sunday evening by 8pm,” writes Natick Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Ann Nolin in her latest dispatch.

The state’s governing education body will allow school closures if too many staff or students are out. It’s possible some schools could be closed in Natick while others carry on based on the data.

“Any cancellation of school, however, will mean a make-up day for instruction in June, just like a snow day. I will seek to minimize closures but ask you to understand that we will all have to be flexible in the coming weeks,” Nolin says.

The state is supplying take-home test kits and KB-95 masks to all school employees in advance of their return to schools. Staff will take tests early Sunday to allow the schools to get a read on the health situation.

Nearby, Wellesley Public Schools has suspended its winter sports season due to a spike in COVID-19 cases, particularly among student’athletes.

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Natick businesses that came & went in 2021

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First, let’s give a virtual round of applause to any business that braved the pandemic and started up in Natick in 2021. If they’ve gotten through this, you have to figure they’re only going to be stronger going forward.

Surprisingly, quite a few businesses opened their doors in Natick during 2021.

Natick Mall, which has been bleeding anchor tenants like Neiman Marcus last year and Lord & Taylor this year, welcomed a fun new attraction in interactive gaming venue Level99, which paired up with a Night Shift Brewing taproom.

Level99

 

Other new mall tenants have included Endangered Hobby and eyeglasses vendor Warby Parker.

Across Rte. 9 from the Mall, we saw Hot Doogy, a Brazilian-style hot dog seller, open its doors. Why so many feel compelled to compare it to local favorite Casey’s, we’re not sure… they’re different. Also, the Paper Store shuffled over the line from Framingham. PGA Superstore—all 34,000 sq. ft of it— also opened its doors on Rte. 9 East.

PGA Tour Superstore, Natick

 

Tech Circle off Rte. 9 West also welcome new tenants, which couldn’t be more different. The Beach House scooped up a ton of sand and invited young and old to escape the cold and play indoor beach volleyball. Later in the year, Kaycha Labs opened its cannabis testing facility at Tech Circle.

On the food front, Maggie & Milo’s ice cream and hot dog shop nestled into the South Natick space previously occupied by Little Lola’s. Natick Nutrition opened its energizing smoothie/tea/coffee shop in Natick Center in a space formerly home to Java’s. And for all your pickled vegetable, dried beans, and Greek olive oil needs, look no further than the new Cilicia Mediterranean market downtown.

Maggie & Milos, South Natick

 

Other newcomers included needle maker Vita, Milch Motors (which was humming along when I visited for a pre-inspection checkup), and UbreakiFix, a gadget fixing shop.

Also new on the scene is KidStrong, the first New England location for this outfit, which focuses on kids’ physical and mental well being, and their character development. Natick’s Joe Attia, area developer for KidStrong, says the Natick location on West Central Street already has 500-plus members.

Businesses that we have or will say farewell to in 2021 include longtime seafood restaurant Dolphin, Trend Pure Asian Cuisine on Rte. 9, and homestyle brewery Kells.

Kells brewery & tap room

 

Also moving on was Papa Wheelies, which set up its bike shop in Wellesley, and Neighborhood Wrench, gone from Natick after 20 years but consolidating its auto repair and maintenance business in Medway. Lemon Tree Goods consignment shop will live on online, making room in Natick Center for Calliope’s to move in.

The 7-11 on East Central closed, but it looks like convenience will stay in style with the Natick General Store filling the gap.

Who are we missing? Got a great Natick business story to share? Please let us know: natickreport@gmail.com

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Natick’s ARPA Bill earmarks include support for remote meetings, mental health services, accessibility, housing authority

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While much of the funding appropriated under the nearly $4B ARPA Bill (formally, Chapter 102 of the Acts of 2021) signed this month by Gov. Charlie Baker goes to underserved communities, Natick has not been left out, and that includes those in town most negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding comes from the state revenue surplus and federal programs.

ARPA bill

Natick’s $500,000-plus chunk includes the following:

  • not less than $200,000 shall be expended for the town of Natick to improve the town’s website, enhance the town’s remote meeting capabilities and provide technological upgrades within the town hall building and other town buildings for remote meetings and remote participation
  • not less than $150,000 shall be expended for the town of Natick to conduct a study on improving the integration and accessibility of human services in the town
  • not less than $100,000 shall be expended for the Natick Housing Authority to provide upgrades at housing facilities, including improvements related to kitchens, generators emergency management, and accessibility
  • not less than $150,000 shall be expended for the Natick public schools for after-school tutoring support and mental health services

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