Natick Wins Sixth Straight Budget Award From GFOA
Natick's finance team notched a sixth consecutive national budget award even as the town imposed a mandatory ban on all nonessential outdoor water use, underscoring a week of fiscal recognition paired with tightening summer restrictions.
TOWN HALL
The Town of Natick received the Government Finance Officers Association's Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its fiscal year 2027 Town Administrator's Budget, marking the sixth straight year the town has earned the honor, according to a News Flash release posted August 3.
Separately, the town issued a mandatory ban on all nonessential outdoor water uses effective August 4, tightening prior restrictions amid ongoing dry conditions. Residents can review specifics of what is and is not allowed at the town's water use restrictions page.
The town also released its Interim Use Report for the former Johnson Elementary School on August 3, summarizing public input on temporary uses for the site. Residents can preview the report ahead of the Select Board's discussion at its meeting Wednesday, August 5.
Additionally, Natick is United and partner organizations are collecting responses through August 31 for an Immigrant Community Health Survey aimed at better understanding health needs, challenges, and strengths among the town's immigrant community members.
ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS
"Almost 1,400 Massachusetts Layoffs Expected In August": Patch reports that the state's unemployment rate has already surpassed the national average, per Natick Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/natick).
"🌱 Patch AM: How a Natick couple won a $56 million fight with eBay": Natick Patch's morning roundup flags a legal outcome involving a local couple and the online retail giant, according to Natick Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/natick).
"🌱 Patch AM: How new state zoning rules could reshape development in Natick": Patch's newsletter points to potential shifts in local development driven by new state zoning requirements, per Natick Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/natick).
"Natick ZBA, Planning Board grappling with 'massive upheaval' of state zoning law": The Natick Report, flagged via a Google Alert forwarded by a reader, describes local zoning and planning boards working through significant changes tied to a new state law (read it at https://www.natickreport.com/2026/08/natick-zba-planning-board-grappling-with-massive-upheaval-of-state-zoning-law/).
"Get yer Natick Fall Annual Town Meeting articles in by Aug. 20": Per the Natick Report, residents wishing to submit citizen petitions for the fall Town Meeting must send them to the Select Board's office by 5 p.m. on August 20 (read it at https://www.natickreport.com/2026/08/get-yer-natick-fall-annual-town-meeting-articles-in-by-aug-20/).
"Tropical Downpours Close Highways, Cause Flash Floods: See Latest Forecast": Natick Patch's weather brief covered heavy Monday storms bringing up to two inches of rain per hour across the region, per Natick Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/natick).
"Former Harvard professor opens artisan chocolate shop in Natick Center": WCVB, via a Google Alert, reports a former Harvard Portuguese instructor has opened a Brazilian-inspired chocolate shop in Natick Center after a career change (read it at https://www.wcvb.com/article/handcrafted-chocolate-shop-natick-massachusetts/73346123).
COMING UP
The Select Board is expected to discuss the Johnson Elementary School Interim Use Report at its meeting Wednesday, August 5, per the town's News Flash release. The Immigrant Community Health Survey from Natick is United remains open through August 31. Citizen petitions for the Fall Annual Town Meeting are due to the Select Board by 5 p.m. on August 20, according to the Natick Report.
Compiled from official town feeds, community organizations, and local press. Outside reporting is attributed inline.