Ten things to know about the 2021 Natick Town election:

1) Mar. 30, 2021: Natick will hold its 2021 annual Town election

2) Tue., Jan 12, 2021, by 5pm: Last day to return nomination papers for town-wide office. A minimum of 25 signatures is needed. Nomination papers for Town wide offices and Town Meeting are now available in the Town Clerk’s Office. The Town Clerk’s office is open by appointment only. Call (508) 647-6430 x4 to arrange an appointment to pick up nomination papers.

3) Natick will be electing the following Town wide officers:

• One member to the Select Board for a 3-year term
• Two members to the School Committee for a 3-year terms
• One member to the Planning Board for a 5-year term
• One member to the Board of Assessors for a 3-year term
• One member to the Board of Health for a 3-year term
• One member to the Recreation and Parks Commission for a 3-year term
• One member to the Natick Housing Authority for a 5-year term
• One member to the Morse Institute Library Trustees for a 2-year term
• One Constable for a 1-year term

4) Natick’s Town Meeting consists of 180 members, with 18 representatives from each of Natick’s ten precincts.

5) The Town will be electing the following Town Meeting Members:

• Precinct 1: Vote for 11 members
• Precinct 2: Vote for 7 members
• Precinct 3: Vote for 6 members
• Precinct 4: Vote for 7 members
• Precinct 5: Vote for 6 members
• Precinct 6: Vote for 7 members
• Precinct 7: Vote for 6 members
• Precinct 8: Vote for 6 members
• Precinct 9: Vote for 9 members
• Precinct 10: Vote for 7 members

6) How to find out which precinct you’re in.

7) Tue., Feb. 2, 2021, 5pm. Last day for incumbent Town Meeting Members to give written notice to Town Clerk for re-election at the Annual Town Election

8) Tue., Feb. 9, 2021, 5pm: Last day to submit nomination papers for NEW Town Meeting Members. There must be a minimum of 10 signatures from voters in the candidate’s precinct.

9) Tue., Apr. 3, 2021: Town meeting begins. 7:30pm, at the Natick High School Auditorium.

10) More important dates can be found on the Natick Political Calendar.

During this free presentation, mindfulness expert, author, and much admired teacher, Sebene Selassie will offer techniques to supporting a path back to belonging. ASL interpretation will be provided for this program.

REGISTER HERE.

Natick kids could use some help crossing the street. There are multiple crossing guard vacancies in town for the 2020-2021 school year. The NPD seeks dependable individuals to assure the safety of school children crossing the streets as they go to and from school. Interested individuals need not be Natick residents.

Natick crossing guards responsibilities:

-Monitor the sidewalk and vehicular traffic around a designated area.

-Assist pedestrians in crossing the street by safely stopping vehicular traffic.

Details, details:

Natick Report’s Summer Camps & Programs page lists over 75 camps and programs in Natick and beyond. It’s time to sign your child up for a great summer experience. Whether they’re into coding, arts and crafts, sports, drama, or nature, the perfect camp is out there for them.

Natick’s Summer Camps & Programs page is sponsored by LINX. “Over 40 premier camps. Perfect for your family.”

Please be aware that of the camps and programs listed, some are going forward, some have substantially re-worked their offerings, while others have canceled for 2020.

Contact Deborah to update your summer listing, or for advertising on Swellesley. Camp parents and guardians: Please let camps know that you found them here, if you did…thanks.

Flag Day, celebrated nationally on June 14, is a ceremonial time when a community collects worn and damaged flags from residents, area cemeteries, and those in use in local government capacities for appropriate disposal.

It’s a duty that Natick Director of Veteran Services and Korean War veteran Paul Carew takes seriously. But he also takes the need for social distancing during a time of pandemic seriously, and has decided this year to postpone the usual controlled burn that is a centerpiece of the flag retirement ceremony.

“Every year there are a lot of groups involved in Natick for Flag Day,” Carew said. “The Natick Elks Club is involved, and the Amvets Post by Lake Cochituate is there. Scouts troops are always involved too, and it’s just a great educational experience for them and a great way to keep Flag Day going.”

Carew hopes that Natick residents and businesses will bring to Flag Day the same spirit they brought to Memorial Day. With no Memorial Day parade through town or service on the Common this year Carew, in partnership with a committee, challenged residents to display flags in their windows.

“I hope residents will do this again, for Flag Day this time,” Carew said. He suggests that the flags be drawn by children or grandchildren or a talented adult.

Of course, displaying American flags outside on flag poles or hanging horizontally or vertically on a wall is always appropriate on Flag Day or at other times. Here are the guidelines for doing so.

A date for a postponed ceremony in Natick is to be announced. “We will be doing something,” Carew said. “We just have to wait until we can get others together.”

MORE:

Memorial Day ceremony in Natick Center, 2020

Natick war memorials tour