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’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

Natick’s total COVID-19 cases number at 75 active confirmed cases as of April 13.

Cases removed from quarantine/isolation number 43. The total number of cases since March 1 is 118.

The total number of confirmed cases in Middlesex County since March 1 is 5,983. The total number of Massachusetts confirmed cases is 26,867.

Keeping things tidy

Curbside recycling and trash/composting pick-up remains operating on a regular schedule.

Bulk pick-up and pink bag pick-up are currently suspended.

The Recycling Center, located at 75 West St., will extend its hours beginning April 16th to Thursday – Sunday, 8am – 3:30pm.

Spring hydrant flushing schedule is down the drain

Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Natick Department of Public Works Water/Sewer Division has implemented precautionary measures to protect the health and safety of essential staff that operate and maintain the public drinking water supply and sanitary sewer systems. These actions are intended to mitigate potential exposure to employees and customers and maintain continuity of operations.