Natick Report

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

Natick government meetings for week of Sept. 29, 2025: Town meeting prep all around

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A sampling of Natick town government meetings and agenda items for the week of September 29, 2025 (Review all meetings &  agendas):                                          

School Committee (September 29, 6:30 PM, Town Hall/Zoom)

Updates from student, teacher, and METCO reps. Enrollment report, field trip approval, and prior minutes. Reports on Memorial School project, Town Meeting Article 33, and school improvement plans. Policy updates (Title IX, electronic devices, school improvement). Financial report, unpaid bills, and votes on MSBA language and policies.

Zoning Board of Appeals (September 29, 6:30 PM, Town Hall)                                                         
Public speak, then hearings on development projects: 14 Mill St. (storage use), 26 Oak St., 98 West Central, 34 Bacon, 87 Glen, 4 Curtis, and 7 Pleasant View (mostly home rebuilds/garage). Review of meeting minutes.

Select Board (September 29, 6:30 PM, Morse Library/Zoom)

Executive session on bargaining and litigation. Announcements include contract ratification and workshop notice. Public speak. Discussion of water/sewer abatement and Fall Town Meeting articles (stabilization funds, Memorial School feasibility, zoning changes, turf moratorium). License fee discussion and Gatsby’s Chop House hearing. 

Finance Committee (September 30, 7:00 PM, Town Hall/Zoom)                                              

Public speak, then hearings on Fall Town Meeting articles: Memorial School feasibility    (Art. 10), committee article (1), Select Board appointments (11), Hybrid Town Meeting Committee (15), zoning changes (29, 20, 21, 22, 26). Committee scheduling and norms, tax rate study group, recommendation book planning, and minutes approval.

Board of Health – Natick 180 Steering Committee (October 1, 8:30 AM, Zoom)

Public speak, approval of September minutes, and updates on events, fall coalition retreat, and cannabis regulations. Reports from town departments (police, fire, schools, health, Select Board) and community groups (SOAR, SPARK, interfaith, recovery, healthcare). Finance update, action team reports, and next meeting scheduling.

Economic Development Committee (Oct. 2, 8:30am, online)

MetroWest Boston Visitors Bureau Update re: FIFA World Cup Viewing Events (Stacey David); CED Updates – Commercial Occupancy Updates – Additional CED Updates; EDC Discussion – Determination of 2025 Fall Annual Town Meeting Article Support • Article 26 Amend Zoning Map: 0 Worcester Street (Assessor Map 23, Lot 69A • Article 28 Community Preservation Funds: Appropriate Community Preservation Funds for Identified Projects • Article 29 Amend Zoning Bylaws: S. V-H Signage and Advertising – Developing a Natick Economic Development Vision

 

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Natick government meetings for week of Sept. 22, 2025: Regional emergency center; Fall Town Meeting prep; Wellness & Resource fair

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A sampling of Natick town government meetings and agenda items for the week of September 22, 2025 (Review all meetings &  agendas):

Middlesex Regional Emergency Communication Center Board of Directors – In-person (Framingham Memorial Building, Sept. 24, 1:00pm)
Focus: Regional public safety updates and administration
Updates on construction and from the Executive Director. Discussion/action on construction memorandum of understanding, budget modifications, and assessments.

Design Review Board – Virtual (Zoom, Sept. 24, 7:00pm)
Focus: Development projects and zoning
Review of upcoming development proposals and updates on projects under construction. Discussion of Fall Annual Town Meeting zoning bylaw article related to the DRB.

 

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Human Services Wellness & Resource Fair – In-person (117 East Central St., Sept. 25, 1:30–3:30pm)

Focus: Community resources and outreach
Town departments, agencies, and local organizations will provide information and resources for residents of all ages. Participants include Natick Service Council, Police and Fire, Veterans’ Services, MWRTA, Springwell, and others. Refreshments provided; no registration required.

Historic District Commission – In-person (Town Hall, Sept. 25, 7:00pm)

Focus: Solar panel installations and Charles River spillway project
Public Hearings:

  • 70 Eliot Street (Venture Solar) – 14 rooftop panels.
  • 68 Eliot Street (Boston Solar) – 19 rooftop panels with snow guards.

11 Pleasant Street (Town of Natick) – temporary staging site for Charles River spillway removal, involving limited tree removal and site restoration.
Commission business includes approval of August 28 minutes and review of rules and regulations.

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Natick government meetings for week of Sept. 15, 2025: Memorial & Johnson updates; Town Meeting prep

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A sampling of Natick town government meetings and agenda items for the week of Sept. 15, 2025 (Review all meetings &  agendas):

 

Memorial School Building Committee – In-person only (Town Hall, Sept. 15, 6pm)

Committee reviews recent school tours (Hastings, Goodnow, Howard Beal). Updates from Superintendent Spash and Matt Gillis on enrollment projections, extension request, and the start of the OPM (Owner’s Project Manager) bidding process. Discussion of Town Meeting warrant article funding and setting regular meeting days 

 

Finance Committee Capital Subcommittee – Hybrid (Town Hall/Zoom, Sept. 16, 5:30pm) 

Subcommittee organizes and reviews minutes. Overview of capital planning process, followed by discussion of equipment and improvement proposals scheduled for Fall Annual Town Meeting.

 

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Finance Committee – Hybrid (Town Hall/Zoom, Sept. 16, 7pm)

Focus: Warrant articles and committee process

  • Public Speak (15 minutes). Hearings on FATM warrant articles including:
  • Article 19: Revolving Fund for stormwater management
  • Article 30: Charter/Bylaw Review Committee extension
  • Article 31: ByLaw changes (Articles 81, 22, new bylaw)
  • Article 32: Changes in Town Meeting time/bylaws
  • Article 27: CPA funds appropriation 

The committee will also address scheduling, process, and member volunteers for a Split Tax Rate Study Committee. Approval of minutes and updates from members.

 

Select Board – Hybrid (Town Hall/Zoom, Sept. 17, 6pm)

Executive session at 6:00pm on collective bargaining (fire unions) and litigation (DiClemente v. Natick). (*Executive session is not open to the public)

Open session includes contract ratification (Patrol Officers Association), Johnson property updates, dangerous dog hearing, and review of Fall Town Meeting warrant articles (stabilization funds, bond transfers, capital equipment, Memorial feasibility study, CPA funds, zoning amendments). Capital improvement plan update and policy reviews (licenses, parking, police billing, notices). Consent agenda approvals for block parties, Wicked Fun Run, police donations, and business permits. 

For more on Johnson Monthly Speak

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Natick government meetings for week of Sept. 8, 2025: Tax rates; Housing; Community Preservation Act funding

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A sampling of Natick town government meetings and agenda items for the week of September 8, 2025 (Review all meetings &  agendas):

School Committee Meeting – In-person(Town Hall) and via Zoom (September 8, 6:00pm)

Focus: Education, Planning, and Budget

  • Superintendent presents 2025–26 Bridge Plan, annual goals, and student handbooks.
  • Review of capital funding requests and staffing vacancies.
  • Routine approvals (financial reports, technology retirements, field trip approval for Speech & Debate Team to Yale).
  • Committee sets its own goals and meeting calendar for the year.
  • Looking ahead: update on MSBA/FinCom warrant article (9/30/25).

Select Board Meeting – In-person(Town Hall) and via Zoom (September 9, 6:30pm)

Split Tax Rate Discussion Series
  • Discussion with Local Businesses on Potential Split Tax Rate

Continued Hearing – Gatsby’s Chop House, LLC’s S12 All Alcohol On Premise License – License not in use

Affordable Housing Trust Fund Meeting – via Zoom (September 9, 7:30pm) 

Housing Plans and Eviction Prevention  — with direct overlap on projects also before CPC.

  • Subcommittee updates on:
    • 5 Auburn St project
    • 246 N. Main (Habitat for Humanity) build
    • 299/301 Bacon St
    • Wilson Gardens
    • Eviction Prevention / Housing for All
  • Updates on affordable housing vacancies, CPA-related issues, and outreach efforts.
  • Budget update (Brodie Thomas).

Community Preservation Committee (CPC) series of meetings

Two sessions this week reviewing CPA funding applications:

CPC is the funding gatekeeper — reviewing CPA requests tied directly to projects also being tracked by the Housing Trust Fund.

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Natick government meetings for week of Sept. 1, 2025: CPC application hearings; Feedback on draft regs for cannabis social consumption 

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A sampling of Natick town government meetings and agenda items for the week of Sept. 1, 2025 (Review all meetings &  agendas):

Community Preservation Committee (CPC) – Will have a series of meetings September, 2-4 in person and via Zoom (All at 6:45 pm in the Town Hall)

Tuesday: 

  • Preservation of Natick’s 1775 Battle of Bunker Hill Muster Roll
  • Restoration of Historic Fence at Bacon Free Library
  • Study & Design work for the historic Morse Institute Library
  • Design & Permitting for South Natick Park improvements
  • Installation of a Shade Structure at Memorial Beach

Wednesday: 

Public Hearing on CPA Funding Application: Housing for All project (affordable housing initiative) and review of CPC budget

Thursday: 

Public Hearings on CPA Funding Applications: 5 Auburn Street project, and Habitat for Humanity Affordable Home Build at 246 N. Main Street

Board of Health Natick 180 Steering Committee Meeting via Zoom (September 3, 8:30am)

Planning fall 2025 coalition meeting/retreat with Natick Above the Influence (NATI) students. Feedback on Cannabis Control Commission draft regulations for social consumption. 

Reports: Town Department Reports, Community Reports, and Finance Report

Select Board Meeting – In Person (Town Hall) and via Zoom (September 3, 6:30pm)

The Select Board will handle a mix of hearings (utilities, business licenses), policy discussions (marijuana licensing, RFPs, Town Meeting warrant articles), and routine approvals (events, licenses, meeting minutes). The meeting also includes updates from the Town Administrator and Select Board members before adjournment.

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