Town Meeting approves $1.24 million for river parks

In this report: Key decisions · Full report · Sources

What happened

Town Meeting approved $1,243,500 in Community Preservation Act funds for South Natick riverside parks after rejecting motions to refer or postpone. Members also approved $150,000 for Murphy Park conceptual design, established a sidewalk snow removal study committee, and advanced a home rule petition for hybrid town meetings 78-6. A zoning amendment on off-street parking was referred back to the Planning Board rather than approved.

Key decisions

• 💰 South Natick Parks CPA Funding. Approved $1,243,500 in Community Preservation Act funds for riverside parks construction at Grove Park and multipurpose area on Pleasant Street, after rejecting referral (34-70) and indefinite postponement (19-88) motions. (Vote 89-17). Read case details
• 📜 Home Rule Petition for Hybrid Town Meetings. Approved home rule petition authorizing hybrid town meetings, incorporating Munich amendment for expanded Select Board scheduling timeline. DeMaio amendment requiring implementation by bylaw failed 16-70. Petition will be submitted to the Legislature for consideration. (Vote 78-6). Read case details
• 📜 Off-Street Parking Zoning Amendment. Voted to refer the article back to the Planning Board sponsor; the parking-flexibility provisions do not take effect. The amendment would have eliminated undefined 'half parking spaces' and allowed developers to submit parking studies to justify reduced on-site parking. (Vote 71-21). Read case details
• 💰 Murphy Park Conceptual Design Funding. Approved $150,000 in Community Preservation Act Undesignated General Reserve funds for conceptual design work. Funding will cover existing-conditions review, community engagement sessions and cost estimates. Any renovation funding would require a future town meeting vote. (Vote 101-1). Read case details
• 📋 Hybrid Town Meeting Committee Report. Voted unanimously to hear and discuss the committee's report on hybrid town meeting framework. The report recommended defaulting to strong in-person preference while preserving remote participation, pursuing a competitive RFP for a technology vendor, and requiring multi-factor authentication and audit-trail safeguards. (Vote unanimous). Read case details
• 📜 Non-Binding Resolution on Hybrid Pursuit. Adopted a non-binding resolution expressing general support for continuing to explore hybrid town meeting implementation. The resolution carries no funding or binding commitment but signals to town staff that pursuing hybrid further is worth continued investment. (Vote unanimous). Read case details
• ● Sidewalk Snow Removal Study Committee. Established a seven-member study committee, appointed by the moderator, to research sidewalk snow removal policy options. No funding or policy change approved; the committee will research other municipalities' policies and hold a public forum before reporting back. (Vote passed by hand vote). Read case details

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Full meeting report

The complete, section-by-section account of the meeting, 3,671 words, for members.

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