Winter storm 2022—sticking close to home

January 31, 2022 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

Natick was gifted with over a foot of light and fluffy snow that hit Friday night and kept up into late Saturday. The hazardous conditions convinced residents to stay home, and many businesses to close through Saturday, and houses of worship to go to online worship.

We hunkered down, heading out every couple of hours to clear snow off our driveway and sidewalk. Every time we went back out, it was like we hadn’t so much as lifted a shovel. That’s what happens when the snow comes down at a rate of 1″ – 2″ per hour. Just call us Sisyphus.

South Natick dam, winter 2022 — South Natick dam, after the blizzard. Even windy conditions during the blizzard couldn’t move the log from its spot atop the spillway.

Winter storm 2022, Natick — Blizzard, a hot mug of tea, oatmeal & raisins, and the sage advice of Stephen King in his classic, “On Writing.”

Blizzard 2022, Elm Bank, XC skiing — Our reward for staying off the roads during the storm: cross-country skiing at Elm Bank Reservation in the morning…

Blizzard 2022, Leo J. Martin XC ski track — …followed by more of the same at Leo J. Martin Ski Track in Weston, late afternoon.

Natick declares snow emergency, parking ban

January 28, 2022 by Bob Brown 2 Comments

Natick has declared a snow emergency this weekend that includes a parking ban on all roads in town beginning at 10pm on Friday, Jan. 28 until noon on Sunday, Jan. 30.

The town warns that any vehicle parked on any roadway after 10pm will be towed. Parking will be allowed in the town municipal lot between Pond and West Central Streets.

The Town Recycle Center will be closed on Saturday, Jan. 29 and re-open for regular hours on Sunday, Jan. 30.

The Farmer’s Market will be cancelled for Saturday

If you lose power, that’s Eversource’s problem. Call 800-592-2000.

More: Where to sled in Natick

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Natick snow scenes

January 7, 2022 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

Scenes from Natick’s first big snowstorm of the season.

Johnson sledding — Snow day at Johnson school

trees on sidewalk pickup — Christmas trees chilling on the sidewalk

snow plows 135 27 natick center — Snow plow parade

wreathes snow 135 — Things get real for these holiday decorations

shovel man natick center — A man and his shovels

climate protesters snow — A little snow didn’t stop these environmental advocates

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Natick Public Schools make the call: Snow Day on Friday

January 6, 2022 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

Natick Public Schools has called off school on Friday, Jan. 7 due to the impending snowstorm.

Due to a major storm arriving in our region early tomorrow a.m.and lasting into the school day, school will be cancelled, Friday, January 7, 2022.

No school buildings will be open and cleared until tomorrow at 4pm.

Given the large increase in COVID cases and close contacts in the community, it is advisable that families watch for symptoms over the long weekend and get tested if COVID symptoms emerge. If your child has symptoms, do not send him/her/them to school on Monday, work with your physician and school nurse to address. If your child becomes COVID positive over the weekend, please email the nurse at your school. Emails are located HERE. More in-depth guidance about the state’s changing protocols will be shared in tomorrow’s Engage newsletter.

benhem school sign winter — Snow-covered Ben-Hem, 2021

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Nonstop rain giving South Natick Dam a workout

July 13, 2021 by Bob Brown 1 Comment

If the town is to get rid of the South Natick Dam and spillway, as Natick town officials are mulling amidst public feedback, at least the structure is getting in some good last workouts. The dam has received less-than-stellar marks from the state on its sturdiness, prompting the town’s review of whether to fix it or ditch it.

Charles River raging at South #Natick Dam https://t.co/FWzlZFC2QJ #wetjuly #floodwatch #charlesriver pic.twitter.com/y77KWHwNuP

— Natick Report (@NatickReport) July 13, 2021

The gushing waters at the dam are attracting the public and news cameras, as flooding hits homes and yards in the area. Tropical Storm Elsa dumped 2.6 inches of rain on Natick, and other storms have added to that total during this epically rainy July.

flooded basketball court pleasant st — Natick’s least pristine park, on Pleasant Street near the dam, is at least getting a bath from all the recent rain

swan warning at south natick dam — As if the flood threat isn’t enough, signs at the South Natick Dam warn of aggressive, boat-tipping swans

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