Natick Report

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

ADUs catching on in Natick as housing option

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Just five minutes into our interview, Ed Hudson excused himself to relocate to his living room. 

“My daughter and my granddaughter just walked in, so I’m moving rooms,” Hudson explained. “See, that’s one of the advantages of all living on the same property.”

For Hudson, small interactions like that are what made building an accessory dwelling unit (ADU)— a small residence on the same property as the primary home—worth it. As retired Natick residents, Hudson and his wife Mary wanted to “age in place” by keeping their existing home and proximity to downtown. 

So when the Affordable Homes Act passed in 2025, legalizing ADUs statewide, the Hudsons jumped at the opportunity. Natick quickly amended its zoning bylaws to align with the new act, and ADUs have been slowly but surely cropping up around town since: ten permit applications were filed in 2025, and another 8 in 2026.

The legalization of ADUs coincided with Hudson’s daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren deciding to move back to Natick, creating the perfect reason to build the ADU. Construction began in late 2025, and by 2026, their family had moved in. 

“The town was excellent in walking me through the permitting process and answering my questions,” Hudson said. “There were no unnecessary delays in the whole process in terms of approvals and getting to go ahead to start building.”

Hudson said he could see more residents beginning to build ADUs, especially as it makes sense for multi-generational living and allows residents to stay in town. A few people have inquired about the Hudsons’ ADU, leading him to believe others are considering it. 

“Everybody’s ADU journey is going to be a little bit different,” Hudson said. “We had a kind of a challenging project, but we’re very happy with the results.”

Although the Hudsons’ ADU is one of few right now, that may soon change. Since Natick changed its zoning rules, homeowners have increasingly begun exploring their options—and so have architects. 

New England-based architect Jillian Rene “J.R.” Coffin decided to found Dwelly, a company specializing in building ADUs, following their legalization in Massachusetts. The company helps homeowners navigate new ADU bylaws and offers designs tailored for the New England landscape.

Coffin said she has noticed a large increase in projects related to ADUs since they were legalized statewide. 

“Before the new law, I’d regularly hear from homeowners who assumed an ADU wasn’t allowed on their property, so they never looked into it any further,” Coffin wrote in a statement to The Natick Report. “Now the first question isn’t ‘Can I?’ but ‘How do I get started?’”

Dwelly’s own numbers reflect that interest. According to Coffin, roughly 1,000 people visit the company’s website each month to learn about ADUs, with about 20 homeowners per month expressing interest in building one.

The company was also recently selected as a feasibility study provider—a firm that assesses the practicability of a project before construction—for the Massachusetts Housing Partnership. Through the program, a professional study that would normally cost about $800 can be offered to homeowners for $300.

For most homeowners considering ADUs, Coffin wrote that rental income is rarely the primary motivation—rather, they’re trying to “solve a very personal problem.”

“Maybe an aging parent wants to live independently but nearby,” Coffin wrote. “Maybe an adult child has been priced out of the local housing market. Maybe a homeowner wants a little more financial flexibility without having to leave the neighborhood they’ve spent years investing in.”

For Coffin, that personalization is what makes ADUs so compelling. 

“Rather than replacing existing homes with larger developments, they’re a thoughtful way to create more housing choices within the community that’s already there,” Coffin wrote. 

Still, allowing ADUs does not necessarily make them simple to build.

Coffin said one of the biggest misconceptions among homeowners is that statewide legalization means every property can automatically accommodate one. Local setbacks like building codes, stormwater regulations and energy requirements can limit a project’s feasibility. 

Pushback from neighbors can also impact a homeowners’ willingness to build an ADU. Although opponents of ADUs worry that they may alter the character of their neighborhoods, Coffin wrote that most projects aren’t geared toward maximizing development.

“Almost all of the homeowners I work with [are] building for family,” Coffin wrote. “Those kinds of projects don’t change the character of a neighborhood—they strengthen it by allowing families to stay rooted in the communities they love.”

Although ADUs are still relatively new to the East Coast, Coffin thinks they are here to stay. 

“I think Massachusetts is at an inflection point,” Coffin wrote. “Between the new ADU law, state incentives, and growing homeowner interest, ADUs are becoming a practical, long-term housing solution.”

More info on ADUs from the town of Natick.

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Natick Nights celebrated togetherness with Pride theme

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Natick Nights Pride theme
Photo by Isabelle Zhang

 

Families, small businesses and local organizations gathered at Natick Common Thursday night to kick off the first Natick Nights of the summer — and the first Pride-themed installment in the event’s history.

Hosted three times over the summer by Natick Center Cultural District, Natick Nights bring together local vendors, food trucks and family-friendly entertainment, including face painting and balloon art. Local band Max Klau provided live music behind the gazebo, drawing families to sit on the grass.

Many attendees said the Pride theme made the event feel especially meaningful.

Reverend Cindy Worthington-Berry, who leads the First Congregational Church of Natick, said she was excited to hold a booth at the event and visibly support LGBTQIA+ residents.

“For us to be out here tonight to be greeting the community and supporting the community, particularly the queer community, is really important to us,” Worthington-Berry said. “It’s a great opportunity to be connected with other people in the community.”

Worthington-Berry described First Congregational as an “open and affirming” church that fully welcomes LGBTQIA+ people. Given the harm religious institutions have historically caused queer communities, she said churches have a responsibility to show up and offer support.

“If we don’t have the LGBTQIA community with us, we are missing a big aspect of the divine,” Worthington-Berry said. “So we want to make sure that all people know they are welcome in our midst.”

Rich Overton, who leads local LGBTQIA+ organization QMMUNITY, said Natick Nights plays an important role in building community among residents at a time when many feel increasingly divided.

“It creates an environment of community, of friendship, of trust, of safety in our town, and I think it’s crucial to the tone of Natick,” Overton said.

Natick Nights Pride theme
Photo by Isabelle Zhang

 

For Overton, Pride events also play an important role in creating visibility, particularly for transgender residents and other marginalized members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

“Having events like these show that there is support, and there are allies,” Overton said. “And there are fellow queer folk who want to welcome them and make sure that they are as visible as everybody else.”

Several advocacy organizations echoed that message. Standing Up for Natick Students, an organization opposing book bans and restrictions on classroom curriculum, held a booth at Natick Nights for the first time.

Katie Joyce, a member of SUNS, said holding Pride-themed events is especially significant amid legal efforts to restrict Diversity, Equity and Inclusion-related discussions in schools.

“We’re trying … to protect public school educators, public schools that are teaching children things that are historically accurate, teaching things about a diverse range of people and cultures,” Joyce said. “So it is really important that we do that here tonight as well, and I think it says a lot about Natick that so many people have come out to support this event.”

Lily Pearl, program and education manager at OUT MetroWest, a nonprofit providing social and educational programs for LGBTQIA+ youth, said having Pride-themed events beyond June’s usual celebrations sends an important message.

“[It] is really important to show that it’s not just a one-day kind of thing, and to show that the community isn’t afraid to host such events when there’s been book bans, flag bans,” Pearl said. “To really just show up for the community.”

Natick Nights Pride theme
Photo by Isabelle Zhang

 

Businesses bond with community

 

Alongside nonprofit organizations, dozens of local businesses set up booths ranging from art studios to after-school programs.

Kidcasso Art Studio, which recently opened a Natick location, participated to introduce itself to families. Owner Laura-Marie Small said being involved in the community is central to their business.

“We’ve always prided ourselves on being very grounded in the communities that we serve,” Small said. “And what’s important to our communities is what is important to us … and that’s why we’re here.”

For attendees, the event also provided an opportunity to discover local businesses while spending time with neighbors.

“You meet businesses that you didn’t know were around,” said attendee Nicole Powers, who came to the event with her family. “And then I think it’s a nice community, like everyone gathers together.”

Whether they were promoting a business, advocating for a cause or simply enjoying the festivities, many participants said Natick Nights truly brought the town together.

“It’s nice to come here and see this is a loving community, a joyful community,” said Robin Clausen, another member of First Congregational. “People are here in good spirits to support Natick and one another.”

Overton emphasized that a sense of togetherness is especially valuable today.

“We’re all in this together, just trying to make sure that our area sticks together,” Overton said. “And make sure that we can connect in these happier ways, in somewhat unhappy times.”

Maverick at Natick Nights
Maverick Men’s Grooming Center (Photo by Jonathan Cwiok)

 

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Natick receives update on Main Street improvement plans

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The Natick Select Board heard an update on June 10 about the Main Street improvement project from transportation and town officials, followed by a public question-and-answer session with residents and board members.

The update outlined the goals and rationale behind the project — which would affect the corridor between Cottage Street and Middlesex Avenue in Natick Center — and reviewed four potential design concepts. 

Transportation and Economic Development Planner Morgan Griffiths said the project aims to address aging roadway infrastructure while improving sidewalk quality and safety for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers. 

Instead of “simply repaving,” Griffiths said, the town has an opportunity to pursue broader improvements, such as expanding cycling networks, providing better access to the MBTA station and more. 

“This infrastructure need opens up a unique timing window of opportunity,” Griffiths said. “This intentional maintenance strategy effectively buys us the time we need to design and implement a larger, comprehensive project that solves multiple town goals at once.” 

The first design concept, named Mill and Overlay, would focus on repaving the sidewalk. It is projected to cost $2 million, funded entirely by the town. 

“[The Mill and Overlay] completely misses out on safety, pedestrian, bicycle or streetscape upgrades,” Griffiths said. 

The second concept, named Limited Bike, would maximize sidewalk space and add six parking spaces. Because it does not include dedicated bicycle infrastructure, the $11 million project would not qualify for Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) grant funding and largely rely on local funding.

The third option, Hybrid, would fully reconstruct the pavement, add bike lanes and maintain the current parking spots. However, it would reduce sidewalk width in seven of the corridors’ 10 segments, and add about $250,000 annually in specialized snow removal costs. 

The fourth option, named Enhanced Bike, would add bike lanes and wider sidewalks, but at the cost of switching entirely to parallel parking and resulting in a net loss of 14 parking spaces. 

Both the Hybrid and Enhanced Bike concepts are estimated to cost about $11 million and are eligible for full TIP grant funding, which “could scale with any future inflation or cost increases,” Griffiths said. 

After the Select Board directed the project team in June 2025 to focus on the Hybrid concept, officials assembled a 15-member working group of town staff, committee members, residents and business owners to evaluate the proposal.

The group met five times over several months to review the concept before voting on whether to endorse it. The final vote was 8-7 in favor of a refined Hybrid plan.

“This narrow margin underlines the very real competing community priorities along this corridor, because their vote shouldn’t be taken out of context,” Griffiths said. 

Several residents raised concerns about the cost, duration and scope of the project, particularly the addition of bike lanes.

Rick Devereux, a resident present at the meeting, expressed concerns that adding bike lanes would further crowd an already constrained corridor. He urged officials to consider alternatives that would widen sidewalks and preserve parking. 

“These bike lanes, if they’re only five feet, are going to be crowded with vehicles that go different speeds,” Devereux said. “I just think it’s too much stuff to not look seriously at an alternative.”

Residents also took to social media with their concerns. Brian Lucenta, a member of the Natick Talks Facebook group and Town Meeting, shared an email he sent to the Select Board and the Main Street Project Working Group, encouraging other members to send their own. 

“The community is not asking for bike lanes on Main Street,” Lucenta wrote. “They were asking for everything else this project is sacrificing to make room for them.”

A lack — or reduction — of parking space is also a point of concern for residents, with business owners citing the lack of free short-term parking as an issue for customers and delivery truck access, wrote Lucenta. 

In a statement to Natick Report, Griffiths wrote he is “hopeful that the June 10th meeting helped ease concerns” from residents. 

“Ultimately, we do not want to lock into a single path without thoroughly weighing the pros and cons of each approach,” Griffins wrote. 

The working group is expected to present a report detailing its deliberations and recommendations to the Select Board on June 24. Board members and residents will have an opportunity to ask questions and provide additional feedback.

The board could vote on a preferred design as early as its July 8 meeting if members feel prepared to move forward, Board Chair Kathryn Coughlin said.

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