Environment Archives - Natick Report

Learn about ground-source heat pumps for your Natick home or business

October 18, 2021 by Admin Leave a Comment

SPONSORED CONTENT: Natural gas prices are expected to rise significantly this winter, driven by increased global demand and U.S. shortages in supply, according to Eversource in an email to customers. The energy provider has filed proposed rates with the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) that, if approved, would take effect Nov. 1. An average residential heating customer using 126 therms of gas per month during the winter would likely see a monthly bill increase of $24.64, depending on individual household energy use, the type of rate a customer is on, and weather conditions.

As an alternative to reliance on fossil fuels for heating and cooling needs, many home- and small business owners are moving toward installing ground-source heat pumps. Ground source heat pumps move heat in and out of the ground through pipes buried underground, ending the need to heat and cool with fossil fuels.

Learn more about ground-source heat pumps

Register to join the MetroWest Solar + Clean Heat Challenge team and Achieve Renewable Energy to learn about the basics of ground-source heat pumps, how these systems are installed, and about how you can get your property assessed for this technology at no-cost.

WHEN: Wednesday, October 20
TIME: 7pm-8pm
WEBINAR LINK: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_3WPvw9M1TZicrrw_HyTXGA

It takes far less energy to move heat than it does to create heat, which means ground source heat pumps are very efficient. Typically, a fossil fuel heating system is 80-90% efficient, wasting 10-20% of every dollar you spend on oil, gas, or propane. A ground-source heat pump can be 350-500% efficient, providing 3.5-5 units of heat for every unit of electricity you pay for.

Because the ground is more stable in temperature year-round than the outdoor air, ground source heat pumps are more efficient than air-source heat pumps and air conditioners at heating and cooling, making ground source heat pumps the most efficient heating and cooling technology available.

Natick weekend roundup—Trails Day, Riverbend Fall Festival, Art in the Park, Oldtown Photo Competition

October 15, 2021 by Deborah Brown 1 Comment

If you’re looking for something to do this weekend, Natick has a few fun events going on:

Natick Fall Trails Day

The Natick Trails and Forest Stewardship Committee invites the public to Natick Fall Trails Day on Saturday, Oct. 16, 9am-noon. The goal is to tidy up the trails at Hunnewell Town Forest for all to enjoy.

Pre-register for Natick Fall Trails Day.

Fall Festival, Riverbend School

LOCATION: 33 Eliot School, South Natick

Art in the Park

The Natick Artists’ Association will host Art in the Park at Shaw Park, (that nice green space across the street from the Bacon Free library) on Sunday, October 17, 10am – 3pm.

There will be over 2 dozen local artists enjoying the fresh air and offering up their art for your enjoyment and for purchase.

EVENT: Art in the Park
LOCATION: Shaw Park, Eliot Street, South Natick
DATE: Sunday, October 17
TIME: 10am-3pm

Oldtown Photo Calendar Competition

The 16th annual Oldtown Photo Calendar Competition will feature the work of over forty local photographers. Show visitors vote for their favorites, and winning images will be published in the Oldtown Calendar, a fundraiser for local nonprofit groups. All photographs were taken in “Oldtown” which includes parts of Natick, Dover, Sherborn, Wellesley and Needham. Come vote for your favorites, and check out the just-published 2022 Calendar, featuring the winners from last year’s competition.

The Oldtown Calendar is just one of many community building efforts organized by the Eliot Church. www.oldtowncalendar.org

DATE: October 17, 2021
TIME: 11am – 3pm
LOCATION: Eliot Church, 45 Eliot Street (Route 16), Natick, MA

Fall puts on a show on Main Street, Natick

October 13, 2021 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

It doesn’t get much more autumnal than sushine-yellow leaves against a cerulean sky in mid-October on Main Street, USA. Color is popping all over Massachusetts right now, but you don’t even have to leave town to see the beauty. Natick spots we like for leaf peeping: Natick Common, especially the sugar maple with its long limbs that frame the gazebo, and the blazing-red showstopper adjacent to the Civil War monument; Dell Cemetery, with its decades-old trees; and the South Natick dam area, just to name a few.

Fall, Natick — Tree in full fall splendor at the corner of Main and Court Streets, Natick.

Natick’s got the trash bag blues again

October 9, 2021 by Bob Brown 4 Comments

Natick’s got a new problem with its blue Pay-as-you-Throw trash bags and for once it doesn’t have anything to do with their quality.

The town says the vendor that makes and distributes the bags “has notified us of supply chain problems related to COVID (raw materials, colorant, spare parts, labor shortage, and shipping limitations) that have impacted their ability to provide a continuous supply of bags for Natick.”

A fresh run of 15 gallon bags will be delivered to retailers this week, and more large ones (33 gallons) should be available next week. If you get really hard up, swing by the Department of Public Works Offices, 75 West St. They have a stash.

The shortage has set off discussion online, with some begging for the town to go to a sticker system in which people could put a certified sticker on any bag of their choosing.

The Select Board also took up the topic at the end of its Oct. 6 meeting.

“We don’t want people not putting their trash out” if they can’t access bags, Select Board member Michael Hickey said, even asking if an emergency waiver to go without the blue bags might be appropriate. He was reassured that while some retailers have run out, others have them.

Natick Town Administrator Jamie Errickson says he is working with the town’s Public Works Department on a “Plan B” if such shortages happen again.

“We don’t know what the plan is yet, we need to figure that out, talk through what logistically we can do,” he said. “I think this highlights the vulnerability and it’s true across a lot of our things…,” Errickson added, making reference to the recent sodium fluoride shortage warning.

The town went to the current system in 2004 as a way to better manage waste and boost recycling.

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Enjoy craft beer, learn about clean energy at Exhibit ‘A’ event

October 5, 2021 by Admin Leave a Comment

SPONSORED CONTENT: Interested in clean energy? Like having fun? Join the MetroWest Clean Energy team and installers ACE Solar; New England Ductless; and Achieve Renewable Energy, LLC.; for a fun night at Exhibit ‘A’ Brewing Company on Thursday, October 7. Learn more about about solar, air source heat pump and ground-source heat pump solutions for your home.

Local installers are sponsoring this outdoor event and will be providing free meal tickets for clean energy guests. Volunteers will be available to help talk through potential proposals. There will also be a raffle and you could win a super-cool Jackery solar-powered portable generator.

EVENT: Clean Energy Brewfest
DATE: Thursday, October 7th
TIME: 6pm-8pm
LOCATION: Exhibit ‘A’, 81 Morton Street, Framingham, MA

EXHIBITORS:
Ace Solar;
New England Ductless
Achieve Renewable Energy