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Select Board votes 4-to-1 to remove South Natick Dam & waterfall

November 10, 2022 by Bob Brown 2 Comments

The Natick Select Board, after yet one more round of discussion and public comments, voted on Wednesday night against repairing the South Natick Dam and spillway (aka, waterfall) and in favor of removing the iconic structure.

The tally went 4-to-1, with only Michael Hickey voting against removal of the town-owned property, which he described as the “fabric of the community.”

“I think this is a place you really can’t undo,” Hickey said. “There’s hundreds of years of a community that’s built up around this location. Life decisions have been made for decades and beyond about this location, where streets are, where homes are built, where foundations are poured, where additions are added on…to me, that built environment is not something we can just take lightly and change after this amount of time.”

But he was outnumbered on this issue during the 2-plus hour meeting (see Natick Pegasus recording embedded below).

Among those voting for removal was Select Board member Bruce Evans, who acknowledged how this is an “emotional issue for pretty much anybody in this town.” But he took to heart the thorough work of the Charles River Dam Advisory Committee and its recommendation to remove the spillway.  Financial—including unclear liability issues—played a big factor in his decision. So did reviewing other dam removals that have worked out well.

Even having voted for removal, Evans stressed that “this is the first step in a long process,” and that as permitting takes place and new information emerges, the decision could be revisited by the town.

Board member Rich Sidney acknowledged that “one of the keys here is that aesthetics count,” but also pointed out that the look of this area would be changing under either scenario given the work that would have to be done for a repair. Responsible stewardship, he said, “is not only about the current state, it’s also about what’s good for the future of the town.”

Since 1934, when it was built to give people jobs and create a beautiful park on the Charles River, the dam and spillway have attracted people seeking recreation, relaxation, and great wedding or holiday photos. The town even recently gave its blessing to a TV film crew to shoot at the site.

By ditching the dam, the town expects to save money by avoiding ongoing maintenance and eliminates its liability if the high hazard dam were to be breached by a natural event as climate change takes its toll (the board early during its meeting held a closed-door session to discuss litigation related to the dam decision).

The numbers bandied about during this process have been roughly $2.6M for repair, plus ongoing maintenance costs, vs. $1.5M for removal, and detailed estimates were shared during this week’s Select Board meeting. There would be additional and likely similar costs for park construction and renovation under either scenario. While who knows how much any of this will cost by the time work takes place, grants are more readily available for removal. Spring Annual Town Meeting next year can expect to hear a plea for funds to get design going as soon as the summer of 2023.

South Natick dam, spillway

 

The town’s gut wrenching decision has been years in the making. It initially looked as though Natick would repair the structure, with Town Meeting voting in favor of funding such work twice in recent years. Much to the frustration of dam supporters, the town chose not to fund repairs when a possible alternative approach arose. Annual Fall Town Meeting recently shot down a citizen petition to get the town to revive that repair funding.

Once the prospect of removing the dam and spillway was raised at a public meeting in 2019, it became increasingly clear that the town would likely choose that option. Financial and environmental arguments gained momentum. We heard about all the other dam removals that have been happening in the name of river restoration (not that the public had much of an attachment to most of these). Impassioned pleas were made over the cultural significance of the river and dam, with questions raised by some about whose history mattered most. Such issues were discussed throughout a public process in 2021 and 2022 centered around the Charles River Dam Advisory Committee appointed by a former town administrator.

Residents—both abutters and not— as well as consultants, advocacy groups, and town officials all had their voices heard (disclaimer: we are river neighbors). A “Save Natick Dam” contingent became more vocal in making its case over the summer.

save natick dam

In September, the Committee issued its recommendation for spillway removal to the Select Board, which took things from there.

Over the past few months the Select Board has fielded countless emails and patiently listened to public comments at a handful of  meetings both from those in favor and against removal, and even a few who were on the fence. Those living above the dam fear how removal of the dam could leave them looking at mud flats and shallow water for parts of the year. Others in the area hope removal won’t turn into an aquatic version of the North and South Main Street construction project. All in all, the public discourse has been civil. Sometimes educational, sometimes repetitive, but civil.

This area of the river already teems with wildlife, from herons and kingfishers to turtles, muskrats, bass, and dragonflies. Those favoring dam and spillway removal pledge that even more animal species and plant life will thrive as water quality improves, and that unsavory blue-green algae won’t stand a chance. They also envision a more accessible park that will have its own attractions for years to come assuming that funding can be raised (maybe the town can sell off commemorative chunks of the spillway?).

For those of you who enjoy the sounds and sights of the dam and waterfall, you’ve got about another 6 years to do so, according to an estimated timeline issued by the town.

South Natick Dam Park, 9 Pleasant St. S

Download (PDF, 99KB)


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Filed Under: Charles River dam, Environment, Government

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Charles River Dam back on Select Board agenda

November 7, 2022 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

The Natick Select Board, which has been spending lots of quality time in Executive Sessions behind closed doors of late, will do so again at the start of its Wednesday, Nov. 9 meeting, which will be called to order at 5:30pm. The topic this time: “To discuss strategy with respect to litigation where an open meeting will have a detrimental effect on the litigating position of the public body and the chair so declares – South Natick Dam.”

Later in the meeting will be more discussion, and possibly a decision on whether to repair the dam and spillway, or get rid of the spillway.

The town has said the cost of getting rid of the spillway will be less than repairing it, especially when you consider possible liability if the dam were to be breached by a storm. Though others question whether removing the spillway could lead to higher-than-expected costs, including from legal actions.

A citizen petition asking for the town to pay for repairs, based on past appropriations approved by Town Meting, failed to gain approval at the recently concluded Fall Annual Town Meeting.

South Natick dam, spillway

More: Bon appétit! Julia Child to meet the South Natick Dam at HBO filming

Latest Natick dam forum featured history & nature lessons—plus the guy who broached the breach question


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Filed Under: Environment, Government



Natick has a question of its own on Nov. 8 state election ballot

November 5, 2022 by Bob Brown 5 Comments

While incessant ads have argued the pros and cons of ballot Questions 1-4 leading up to the Nov. 8 state election, Question 5 is expressly a local issue for Natick voters.

This question asks Natick voters to muddle through its wording and decide whether the the town should adopt the Community Preservation Act (CPA), established in 2000 in Massachusetts.

CPA

During Spring Annual Town Meeting, a motion to adopt CPA passed overwhelmingly by a vote of 104-16-1.

If adopted by Natick, the CPA would result in a local property tax surcharge (1% is proposed, with a $100K exemption) to establish a fund used to support investment in historic preservation, open space, recreation, and affordable housing (some who qualify as low or moderate income will be exempted from paying the surcharge). More than half of the state’s cities and towns have adopted CPA, and Natick is among 6 communities voting Nov. 8 on whether to join those ranks. (See more about the process for accepting the CPA on the Secretary of State’s website.)

Natick did not opt to become a CPA community when the issue was on the 2006 ballot, but this time around an organized effort has tried to make a stronger case. Postcards went to all Natick address, a couple hundred lawn signs are displayed across town, and an online forum was held recently on the topic. The Natick Nest, Natick High School’s student-run newspaper, recently published an op-ed piece in support of voting “Yes” on Question 5.

Possible uses for money raised that are listed on Natick’s pro-CPA website include easements to complete a major trail network and acquiring key riverfront parcels. Perhaps CPA funds could back improvements at the Charles River Dam park.

There doesn’t appear to be an organized group against Question 5, but arguments for voting “No” on it have surfaced on popular online discussion forums in town, such as Natick Talks on Facebook. The main argument is that this is an additional tax at a time when many are struggling with rising costs of just about everything, and a possible override looming.

Proponents of CPA point out that the town can get matching funds on its CPA dollars, providing a big benefit to the town overall.

See the town’s website for more on where and when to vote.


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Filed Under: Environment, Government

Natick residents urged to compost their pumpkins at recycling center

November 2, 2022 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

While hungry squirrels took care of our pumpkins well before Halloween, those of you with decorative pumpkins that survived the holiday are encouraged to compost them at the Recycling Center at the corner of West Street and Rte. 27.

pumpkin destroyed

You should first remove any candy or candles, and not include pumpkins if they’ve been painted with anything other than water-based paint.

Natick High School’s Earth Club has partnered with Natick’s Sustainability Committee  to host the event on Nov. 5-6 from 8am-3:30pm.

Weekly curbside composting is also available in Natick at a discounted rate.


green natick ad

Filed Under: Environment, Holidays

Our special Natick-themed Halloween costume

October 31, 2022 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

Hey, it’s probably not obvious, but it’s a home made Halloween costume.


dam costume


More: Charles River dam news

Filed Under: Charles River dam, Environment, Government, Holidays

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