Natick depends on the active participation of its citizens in governance of the Town. Natick voters on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, will cast their ballots for candidates, including those running for Select Board.

There are two candidates running for two open three-year terms on the Select Board, which serves as the chief executive board of the Town. The five-member board is vested with all the municipal authority not specifically retained by the Town’s legislative body, Town Meeting.

The Select Board candidates, in ballot order, are:

• Kristen Pope
• Cody Jacobs

Natick Report invited the candidates to inform voters about their priorities for the Town of Natick. We thank both candidates for participating.

Kristen Pope

 
Natick Report: Please introduce yourself to Natick Report’s readers and share a bit about why you are running for Select Board.

Hello Natick Neighbors — I’m Kristen Pope. Serving on the Natick Select Board for the past three years has been one of the greatest honors of my life. Together, we’ve expanded representation in town government, brought new voices to the table, strengthened fiscal stability, supported economic development, advanced thoughtful policy, and kept civic engagement at the center of our work. I believe that together, there is more we can accomplish to keep Natick strong and united—and that’s why I’m running for a second term.

Serving Natick is personal. Nearly nine years ago, my family chose this town because of its welcoming spirit—from Peace Flags to Natick Days to a deep culture of service. After serving on the Personnel Board for three years, I stepped forward to bring collaborative leadership and broader representation to the Select Board. In addition to my Select Board service, I’m a leader at Harvard University, an entrepreneur, a mom, a wife, and Board Chair of United Way Tri-County. These roles—combined with my experience on the Select Board—have strengthened my ability to think strategically, steward public resources responsibly, and stay grounded in what matters most: people.

Like many of you, I understand the challenges we face—affordability, housing, financial stability, infrastructure, and long-term planning. These issues require thoughtful leadership and unity. I remain committed to fiscal responsibility, accessibility in town government, and preserving the spirit that makes Natick special. On March 31, I ask that you cast one of your two votes for Select Board for Kristen Pope.

Natick Report: Natick is partnering with Framingham on a regional dispatch center to achieve operational and cost efficiencies. What other opportunities, if any, do you see for Natick to partner with nearby communities?

Kristen Pope: Beyond Natick’s partnership with Framingham, we already currently participate in a number of successful shared-service arrangements. Natick provides Veterans Services to Dover; we engage in regional public health initiatives, we participate in mutual aid agreements for public safety, and collaborate on sustainability efforts and infrastructure projects such as the sewer connection with Sherborn.

Looking ahead, there may be additional opportunities worth exploring. One area that’s often discussed across the state is regionalization of assessor services. As the pipeline of certified assessors continues to shrink due to retirements and private-sector competition, municipalities are facing increasing cost pressures and recruitment challenges. A shared professional assessor model—where each town maintains its own Board of Assessors for policy oversight while sharing professional staff—has been implemented successfully in parts of the Commonwealth.

With that in mind, any new regional arrangement needs thoughtful analysis. Here are some factors to consider: compatibility with potential partner communities, cost allocation, governance structure, and service quality impacts. Most regional agreements require Town Meeting approval, and some may require legislative action. We should remain open to studying opportunities where they could enhance both efficiency and service delivery.

Natick Report: Traffic analyses for individual housing and other projects typically conclude that impacts will be minimal. The lived experiences of neighbors often suggest otherwise, as they point to cumulative traffic increases from multiple projects in Natick and nearby communities. How should the Select Board and town account for cumulative traffic impacts when evaluating growth across town?

Kristen Pope: Project-specific traffic studies are conducted as part of the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals review processes, and the Select Board does not oversee those analyses. However, the Select Board does serve as Roadway Commissioners and has a broader responsibility to consider long-term infrastructure needs across the community.

Over the duration of my first term, I’ve learned that traffic in Natick is not solely driven by individual developments. A significant portion is regional through-traffic, influenced by state highways, commuter patterns, and development in surrounding communities.

In my observation, the appropriate approach is twofold. First, it’s important that we continue to ensure that local boards are asking thoughtful questions about traffic mitigation and cumulative impacts during project review. Second, at the Select Board level, a part of our focus needs to be on long-term corridor planning and infrastructure investment. The Main Street Corridor work is one example of this broader view—planning for how we want our downtown to function decades from now.

We also need to advocate for regional and state investments in multimodal transportation—rail, bus, bicycle, pedestrian, and roadway improvements. Strengthening non-automobile transportation options will be helpful to address congestion in a sustainable way. One of the things I love most about Natick is how we plan for generations ahead, and mobility is one of those ways.

Natick Report: What new steps would you like to see the Select Board take to help boost economic development in Natick?

Kristen Pope: As it relates to economic development the Select Board’s most direct influence on economic development is through policy, zoning support, and the overall regulatory environment we help shape. In recent years, the Board undertook a comprehensive rewrite of Natick’s alcohol licensing policies, working closely with members of the business community. The Board has also supported zoning amendments adopted by Town Meeting that encourage greater investment in Natick Center, West Natick, and the Golden Triangle.

The Select Board appoints an Economic Development Committee and supports professional staff within the Community and Economic Development Department who focus on business retention and attraction. We also review policies related to parking, traffic, and infrastructure that affect the business climate.

Looking forward, I would support a review of peer communities that have experienced notable commercial revitalization—like Hudson or Marlborough— to better understand which strategies may be applicable to Natick. This could include examining zoning reforms, permitting practices, corridor investments, and licensing frameworks. The goal would not be to replicate another community, but to identify best practices that align with Natick’s character and long-term vision.

Natick Report: Town Meeting currently votes on an Omnibus budget via one or several motions. What do you think of the concept of breaking out some of the larger departmental budgets into their own articles or motions to give Town Meeting an opportunity to perhaps dive deeper into spending and revenue? (Wellesley this spring, for example, is splitting its town and school budgets at Annual Town Meeting.)

Kristen Pope: After some research, I learned that Natick Town Meeting voted on multiple separate budget motions by department pre-pandemic. Following recommendations from the Town Meeting Practices and Rules Committee—created around 2017–2018 to evaluate how Town Meeting could operate more efficiently—the Town transitioned to a consolidated omnibus budget motion beginning in 2021. That process was undertaken by Town Administration in coordination with the Finance Committee and legal counsel.

Under the current structure, Town Meeting votes on a consolidated operating budget motion, with separate articles for capital and library funding. Also, Town Meeting Members retain the ability to move to divide the question if they wish to separate out specific departments for deeper discussion.

I see both sides of this issue. A consolidated motion improves efficiency and reflects the detailed vetting already conducted by the Finance Committee. At the same time, some communities—such as Wellesley—choose to separate major components like town and school budgets to allow for more focused debate.

If Town Meeting expressed interest in revisiting either the previous or Wellesley structure, it would be best to do so through a deliberate process that considers efficiency, transparency, and governance norms. In my view, the format should serve the needs of Town Meeting while maintaining clarity and fiscal discipline.

Natick Report: How should voters reach you if they want more information?

Kristen Pope: krislpope@gmail.com

Cody Jacobs

 
Natick Report: Please introduce yourself to Natick Report’s readers and share a bit about why you are running for Select Board.

Cody Jacobs: I live in West Natick with my wife and two kids (one at Brown, one at Kennedy). I’m an experienced town government volunteer, most recently serving as Secretary of the Finance Committee. I’m running because I love this town. Like others before us, my family chose Natick to raise our kids because it’s a place with wonderful neighborhoods, great schools, a vibrant local business community, and beautiful open spaces. I know these things didn’t happen by accident—Natick has a tradition of people stepping up to volunteer their time to serve and make our community better for the next generation. I’m excited for the opportunity to do my part in that tradition.

My priorities include: 1) real affordable housing options, 2) a thoughtful approach to the future of the Johnson School and Cole Center properties grounded in a long-term vision for our community, 3) a flexible approach to governance that helps innovative businesses thrive, and 4) advancing equity and inclusion.

I also want to hear from voters about their hopes and concerns, and if I’m elected, I will always be willing to listen to you. I look forward to working with—and learning from—other members of the Select Board and getting things done for Natick.

Natick Report: Natick is partnering with Framingham on a regional dispatch center to achieve operational and cost efficiencies. What other opportunities, if any, do you see for Natick to partner with nearby communities?

Cody Jacobs: I’d like to see us continue to collaborate with neighboring communities on economic development opportunities. I’m excited about the continuing reinvention of the Golden Triangle area and the West Natick corridor along 135. Both of those areas could benefit from working with Framingham to create opportunities for community-serving businesses to succeed.

We already are part of a collaborative with other Metrowest communities to purchase healthcare for town employees, but healthcare costs have risen much faster than inflation and are a key Town budget driver that we need to get under control. I’d like Natick to work with the other communities to identify additional options for pooling our resources to bring costs down.

Finally, and I know we’ve done this in the past, we need to work together on ways to help residents save on energy costs. Especially with threatened cuts to the MassSave program, municipalities need to get creative and be intentional to help save our residents money and also meet our Net Zero goals.

Natick Report: Traffic analyses for individual housing and other projects typically conclude that impacts will be minimal. The lived experiences of neighbors often suggest otherwise, as they point to cumulative traffic increases from multiple projects in Natick and nearby communities. How should the Select Board and the town account for cumulative traffic impacts when evaluating growth across town?

Cody Jacobs: Traffic is a real issue and while we need more housing and commercial development, we cannot close our eyes to the impacts these developments can have on our communities. We need to be thoughtful about distributing development opportunities throughout Natick so these burdens aren’t disproportionately placed on any one area. We also need to prioritize making our streets safe for all users. Finally, we need to encourage development patterns that give people necessary services and amenities within walking distance from where they live so we can spend less time in traffic.

Natick Report: What new steps would you like to see the Select Board take to help boost economic development in Natick?

Cody Jacobs: I’m looking forward to helping the Select Board on its continuing modernization of town policies—that’s key to attracting businesses. We must continue to support the work of our Community and Economic Development staff and the Planning Board to update and simplify our zoning by-laws. These steps will allow more diverse kinds of economic development in Natick. The Board can also support economic growth by making our economic hubs more walkable, which will increase foot traffic and make these areas more attractive for the kinds of restaurants and other services people want.

Natick Report: Town Meeting currently votes on an Omnibus budget via one or several motions. What do you think of the concept of breaking out some of the larger departmental budgets into their own articles or motions to give Town Meeting an opportunity to perhaps dive deeper into spending and revenue? (Wellesley this spring, for example, is splitting its town and school budgets at Annual Town Meeting.)

Cody Jacobs: If we are serious about affordability, it is important that we carefully vet every budget so we are not putting more pressure on taxpayers than necessary. This is why the Finance Committee scrutinizes every department budget, including through sub-committee meetings that take a deep dive on each one. I’ll take that lens with me to the Select Board, which has its own review of the budget and helps the Town Administration set budget priorities.

As far as the workings of Town Meeting, I think it’s squarely within the province of the Moderator and, ultimately, Town Meeting itself to decide how to structure its votes. A little background here is that, until relatively recently, the budget was voted in the way that this question suggests—in separate motions department by department. Starting a few years ago, Town Meeting has been voting the omnibus budget as one motion in order to make Town Meeting run more efficiently, and most members have reacted positively to the change. That said, members are always free to make motions to separate out any (or all) individual department budgets if a separate debate and vote is desirable.

Natick Report: How should voters reach you if they want more information?

Cody Jacobs: My website is codyfornatick.com and my e-mail is codyfornatick@gmail.com; I would love to hear from you!

More: Meet Natick’s School Committee candidates