Natick Report

More than you really want to know about Natick, Mass.

Natick turns out to support Boston Marathon 2021 runners

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In a raucous show of support, Natick residents lined either side of the 01760 section of the Boston Marathon course in big numbers to cheer on athletes as they made their way to the Boston finish line.

Runners and para athletes seemed to appreciate the mid-race noise put out by the drummers in front of the Morse Institute Library; the golden-oldies tunes that blared from a speaker system set up in a pick-up truck outside of Dunkin; shouts from front porches and rooftops; along with the clang of many, many cowbells

Over 50 Natick residents were on the list from the Boston Athletic Association for official runners of the 125th in-person Boston Marathon. Some qualified based on speed, some for committing to raise money for charities.

Natick’s fastest overall runner was Dylan Jones, with a time of 2:43:29, according to the Boston Athletic Association. Christine Mcgrory topped all female runners from Natick in 3:18:51.  More results.

Here are some pics of the scene:

Boston Marathon 2021, Natick

 

Boston Marathon 2021, Natick

 

Boston Marathon 2021, Natick

 

Boston Marathon 2021, Natick

 

Boston Marathon 2021, Natick

 

Boston Marathon 2021, Natick

 

Boston Marathon 2021, Natick

 

Boston Marathon 2021, Natick

 

Boston Marathon 2021, Natick

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Natick’s got the trash bag blues again

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Natick’s got a new problem with its blue Pay-as-you-Throw trash bags and for once it doesn’t have anything to do with their quality.

The town says the vendor that makes and distributes the bags “has notified us of supply chain problems related to COVID (raw materials, colorant, spare parts, labor shortage, and shipping limitations) that have impacted their ability to provide a continuous supply of bags for Natick.”

blue trash bag

A fresh run of 15 gallon bags will be delivered to retailers this week, and more large ones (33 gallons) should be available next week. If you get really hard up, swing by the Department of Public Works Offices, 75 West St. They have a stash.

The shortage has set off discussion online, with some begging for the town to go to a sticker system in which people could put a certified sticker on any bag of their choosing.

The Select Board also took up the topic at the end of its Oct. 6 meeting.

“We don’t want people not putting their trash out” if they can’t access bags, Select Board member Michael Hickey said, even asking if an emergency waiver to go without the blue bags might be appropriate. He was reassured that while some retailers have run out, others have them.

Natick Town Administrator Jamie Errickson says he is working with the town’s Public Works Department on a “Plan B” if such shortages happen again.

“We don’t know what the plan is yet, we need to figure that out, talk through what logistically we can do,” he said. “I think this highlights the vulnerability and it’s true across a lot of our things…,” Errickson added, making reference to the recent sodium fluoride shortage warning.

The town went to the current system in 2004 as a way to better manage waste and boost recycling.

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Natick hydrant flushing starts Oct. 11th

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Starting Monday, October 11th, the Department of Public Works Water Division will be conducting its semi-annual water quality hydrant flushing Monday through Thursday during the overnight hours for several weeks.

Natick residents will be notified via email on the day overnight flushing is happening in their neighborhood. Check here for daily updates.

According to the DPW, hydrant flushing is an essential process in the maintenance of all potable water systems, and may result in  the appearance of discolored water. Discoloration can be remedied by running cold water through the faucet closest to your water meter for 20 minutes.

Contact the Department of Public Works Water Division at 508-647-6557 with any questions

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First Church Natick kicks off Capital Campaign

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First Church Natick, that iconic 225-year old congregational church in Natick Center, has launched its Faith in Our Future Capital Campaign with the goal of raising $750,000 toward a $1.5 million restoration and renewal project.

First Congregational Church, Natick

The congregation plans to refurbish the building’s 1876 steeple and refresh indoor spaces. Church leadership hopes the updates and enhancements will lead to increased use of the building’s large worship space and fellowship hall, especially for performance, educational, civic and social events in the community.

The balance of the project costs will be offset by a refinance of the church’s mortgage and a withdrawal from the church’s endowment fund.

Known as Natick’s front porch, you can’t miss the historic structure. Currently Adirondack chairs just outside the massive front doors beckon passers-by to take a break; Natick artist-in-residence Amy Adams’ side-lawn installation “Am I Here” encourages conversations about support and treatment of those with mental illness; and last month hundreds of purple and red flags fluttered in the breeze to bring awareness to the opioid epidemic.

While work to preserve the safety and integrity of the church steeple was begun early last spring in advance of fundraising, the bulk of the improvements will center on the second-floor sanctuary, the church’s large worship space. A design team, composed of 13 church members and architect Ann Vivian of GVV Architects, plans for updated lighting, enhanced audio/visual capabilities and improved internet connectivity for virtual programming. New flooring in the space will improve the sanctuary’s acoustics. A redesign of the chancel, or raised stage area, will create improved accessibility for program participants and leaders alike.

FCN Interim Pastor Jonathan New says new lighting, fresh flooring, upgraded sound and ramps for the chancel “will make the sanctuary much more useable and also strongly convey the kind of welcome and inclusion that we value as a congregation, specifically for persons who are mobility-impaired. This work will allow us to live into our full embrace of them as worshipers and worship leaders to make that aspect of church life as available to them as anyone. That’s what this congregation has aspired to do and to be with regards to different kinds of people whom the church has historically forgotten or sometimes consciously omitted.”

FCN’s Faith in Our Future Capital Campaign will include visits to about 100 church member households and direct outreach to key community stakeholders. It will conclude in November with a culminating celebration at the church. Work on the interior projects is likely to begin in summer of 2022. Community members who would like to contribute to the campaign or inquire
about the use of space at FCN may contact the church office at: admin@firstchurchnatick.org or (508) 653-0971.

Learn more about the project here.

Friends of the Morse Institute Library book sale, Oct. 9th & Marathon poster-making party

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In celebration of Boston Marathon weekend, the Friends of the Morse Institute Library invite you to run over to their special pop-up sale on the Morse Institute Library lawn on Saturday, October 9, 10am-1pm. Take your pick from carts of mystery, fiction, puzzles, and DVDs, as well as books for children and tweens.

Adult books and puzzles $1, children and tween books $0.50, DVDs $2.

Morse Institute Library, Natick

All proceeds from sales help the Friends support Library programs including museum passes, Speed Reads, purchase of the curbside materials return boxes, funding assistance for improvements to the Children’s and Teen Rooms, and more.

EVENT: Friends Pop-up sale
DATE: Saturday, October 9 (weather permitting)
TIME: 10am-1pm

Popcorn & Marathon poster-making party

While you’re in the area, join the SPARK Kindness Crew and make a poster that will inspire runners on Boston Marathon Monday. Pop by Paper Fiesta (known on Marathon Day as Mile 10), where there will be an outdoors set-up of paper, markers, sidewalk chalk, and more. Popcorn too, to keep everyone fortified. SPARK’s goal: to connect communities through kindness.