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Natick’s ARPA Bill earmarks include support for remote meetings, mental health services, accessibility, housing authority

December 28, 2021 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

While much of the funding appropriated under the nearly $4B ARPA Bill (formally, Chapter 102 of the Acts of 2021) signed this month by Gov. Charlie Baker goes to underserved communities, Natick has not been left out, and that includes those in town most negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding comes from the state revenue surplus and federal programs.

ARPA bill

Natick’s $500,000-plus chunk includes the following:

  • not less than $200,000 shall be expended for the town of Natick to improve the town’s website, enhance the town’s remote meeting capabilities and provide technological upgrades within the town hall building and other town buildings for remote meetings and remote participation
  • not less than $150,000 shall be expended for the town of Natick to conduct a study on improving the integration and accessibility of human services in the town
  • not less than $100,000 shall be expended for the Natick Housing Authority to provide upgrades at housing facilities, including improvements related to kitchens, generators emergency management, and accessibility
  • not less than $150,000 shall be expended for the Natick public schools for after-school tutoring support and mental health services

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Filed Under: COVID-19, Government


Indigenous Peoples’ Day: Coming to a Natick calendar near you?

December 22, 2021 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

Even as we speed toward Christmas and New Year’s, the holiday talk raised at the past two School Committee meetings has focused on the possibility of recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Day (and its various spellings) rather than Columbus Day going forward.

The School Committee’s review of 2022-2023 Natick Public Schools calendar has in part raised the issue, which is one that communities across the state and country have grappled with in recent years upon closer review of history.

Nearby, the town of Wellesley this year, after lengthy and often contentious debate, formally switched from recognizing Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day on the second Monday of October. Opponents to the change argued for celebrating Italian heritage on the second Monday in October and honoring Indigenous People on the Friday after Thanksgiving.

Natick has made numerous moves in recent years to address how Native Americans are depicted and acknowledged in town, from the mural at the downtown post office to the town seal, which is being reconsidered via a formal committee now. That Natick Historical Society has documented and promoted the history of Native Americans in this area.

Natick’s Select Board has been keeping its eyes on activity at the state level to formally acknowledge Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

natick school calendar

The issue of formally recognizing Indigenous Peoples’s Day was discussed at both the Dec. 15 (about 30 minutes into the Natick Pegasus recording) and Dec. 20 Natick School Committee meetings. Currently, school calendars list “Columbus Day/Indigenous People’s Day” (being changed to “Peoples'”), though School Committee member Dr. Donna McKenzie proposed at the Dec. 15 meeting that the schools “just get rid of the Columbus Day and go with Indigenous Peoples’ Day. If the library does it, the School Department can do it, and there are other departments in town that do it too. It seems like it’s high time.”

McKenzie did raise the issue of what sort of reaction Natick’s Italian community might have to such change. On a related note, she proposed that land acknowledgement could be the subject of future discussion.

School Committee Henry Haugland asked Natick Public Schools Supt. Dr. Anna Nolin during the Dec. 15 meeting if the committee might be able to get a presentation at some point from the schools on “the kind of information presented to our students on New England Indigenous Peoples and our history…” His concern is that students are unaware of Natick’s tragic history involving Native Americans sent to Deer Island. Nolin said genocide and Indigenous Peoples are subjects of the schools’ history curricula, and added at the Dec. 20 meeting that a summary of the teachings will be shared with the committee.

As noted at that meeting (about 32 minutes into the Natick Pegasus recording), a letter drafted by McKenzie is being finalized for discussion and possible approval at the next School Committee meeting, slated for Jan. 10. The intention is to send it to the Select Board if approved.

One member of the public, a longtime Natick resident and full tribal member of the Patawomeck Indians of Virgnia, called in during the Dec. 15 meeting to encourage Natick to take action on Indigenous Peoples’ Day, acknowledging that “these conversations aren’t easy.”

More comments from the public and discussion among committee members could ensue at the Jan. 10 School Committee meeting. Committee Chair Julie McDonough proposed that the letter be posted on the next agenda so that the public can view it.


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Filed Under: Government, Holidays, Schools



Bruce Evans to run for Natick Select Board in 2022

December 16, 2021 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

With the decision of two experienced Natick Select Board members to step down at the end of their terms—neither Rick Jennett nor Sue Salamoff will run for re-election—the March 29, 2022 spring election will bring change to the 5-member makeup of the town’s chief executive office holders.

Bruce Evans, Natick

Three residents have announced that they will run for the two open positions. Kathryn Coughlin, Cody Jacobs, and now Bruce Evans have turned in their nomination papers and announced their candidacies.

Evans reached out to us, and we spoke briefly by phone about his goals for the town, should he be elected.

The computer software executive and Natick Finance Committee member told us he has extensive professional experience with team building and as a project leader. “I have an MBA and have some financial acumen, I’d say.”

During his 12-year tenure on the Finance Committee, he has served on many sub-committees such as Education & Learning; Department of Public Works; Capital; and Governance committees. Evans is currently secretary of the Finance Committee.

“I understand the town budget very well and have worked with four different town administrators,” he said.

Evans identifies affordable housing and examining the town’s charter and bylaws with an eye toward today’s needs as two of Natick’s most important issues.

“We have to make strides to make Natick more affordable. People are getting priced out either by how much it costs to buy or rent here, or when they can no longer afford their property taxes. The Planning Board has done some good work, but it is a regional problem. We need to work with our state reps. There’s more incentive for a builder to tear down a house and put up a bigger house than to build a house that’s more affordable and achievable for a wider range of people. We do luxury housing and lower income housing well. The part in between is where we’re terrible,” Evans said.

The town’s charter and bylaws are a nuts-and-bolts governing issue he’d like to help tackle. “We need to look at the charter and the bylaws,” Evans said. “Do they still work efficiently? For example, the Select Board is calling for the formation of a Governance Study Committee,” to work on this very topic.

Evans also cited diversity, equity, and inclusion work as very important. “There are steps in the right direction,” he said. “Following through is essential.”

Evans grew up steeped in the value of community involvement. His father was on their town’s Planning Board and served in various other town government roles. “I saw the benefit of volunteerism at an early age.”

Evans also coaches basketball and baseball, and is involved with the Friends of the Morse Institute Library, and The Center for Arts in Natick (TCAN).


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Filed Under: Election, Government, Natick Election 2022

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Congresswoman Clark visits South Natick dam to outline future water quality improvements

December 8, 2021 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

Congresswoman Katherine Clark (MA-5) stopped by the South Natick dam earlier this week to promote the clean water infrastructure provisions in the recently signed Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

Natick, PFAS

Local Natick town government representatives were in attendance as Clark spoke about how Massachusetts is poised to receive $12.5 billion dollars through the law, with just over $1 billion dollars dedicated to improving water infrastructure. She said the Act will provide funds related to detecting and removing toxic PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) from Natick’s, and the country’s, water.

PFAS is a group of fluoridated organic chemicals widely used in consumer products and firefighting foams because of their ability to repel water and oil. Teflon, stain resistant fabrics, dental floss, and more all contain these toxic chemicals, which are often referred to as forever chemicals because they do not break down. PFAS chemicals have been linked to cancers, thyroid disease, reproductive disorders, and more.

Elevated levels of PFAS were detected in Natick’s water just over a year ago.

“Access to drinkable water is a health issue and a racial and environmental justice issue…ensuring that everyone has access to clean, lead-free water is non negotiable,” Clark said.

The law, the largest investment in clean drinking water and waste water infrastructure in American history, includes a $55 billion investment to eliminate lead service lines and pipes nationwide, and help to clean up dangerous PFAS chemicals. $10 billion will go toward eliminating and detecting PFAS chemicals from water—$23 million will be distributed this year and will be targeted toward underserved and disadvantaged communities. In addition, $1.1 billion in funding has been set aside for Massachusetts over five years to improve water infrastructure across the state.

Emily Norton from the Charles River Watershed Association noted, “The Charles has greater than 50 parts per trillion levels of PFAS. The limit set by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection is 20 parts per trillion”

Most environmental experts say that the rate should be no more than 1 part per trillion.

Natick Select Board member Paul Joseph said “It’s not lost on me that we’re standing in front of the sacred river of the native peoples from which Natick was founded…government is in service of the people, and we’ve had a reckoning of sorts over the past year,” while Rep David Linsky called the Act “incredibly important legislation.”

You can see the video in its entirety here.

Filed Under: Community, Environment, Government, Health

Natick Select Board’s Rick Jennett makes ‘very difficult decision’ not to seek re-election

December 3, 2021 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

Rick Jennett, who has served on Natick’s Select Board for the past 9 years, announced this week he will not seek a fourth term. See and hear his announcement a little past the 17-minute mark of the Natick Pegasus recording from the Dec. 1 Select Board meeting.

“It’s a very personal decision, it’s been a very difficult decision, I love this community…” he said. “It’s the right time.”

Jennett has compiled 20-plus years of service to the community between Finance Committee and Select Board.

This follows the recent announcement by fellow Board member Sue Salamoff that she won’t seek re-election either during the spring election on March 29.

Kathryn Couglin and Cody Jacobs have announced they will run for the Board.

Jennett made his announcement on the day on which nomination papers for public office became available at Town Hall, and he encouraged people to run. “Please, go pull papers…Show us that you care as well,” he said.

Jennet called being a Select Board member an honor with great responsibility. “It is not an easy job, it’s one that you commit so many hours serving our community above and beyond the TV time that everybody sees or sitting at Town Meeting. It’s an investment.”


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Filed Under: Government, Natick Election 2022

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