The Open Space Committee has scheduled its next meeting, on May 14, to discuss the feasibility of passing the Community Preservation Act in Natick.  The CPA is a new state law that allows cities and towns, by a vote of the citizens, to collect up to 3 percent additional in local property taxes to be used for open space, historic preservation, and affordable housing.  For more information, see web sites maintained by the Executive Office of Envrinonmental Affairs or the Community Preservation Coalition.

The Board of Selectmen voted on May 5 to seek members for the permanent Open Space Advisory Committee.  Applications are due on May 29.  Details are given in the Notice of Vacancy on the Town of Natick web site.

Natick Town Meeting on April 10, 2003, amended the Town Bylaws to create a permanent Open Space Advisory Committee. (See text of Bylaw below.) The Selectmen originally appointed the committee in July 2001 for a one-year period, and granted several extensions while discussing permanent status. 

The rain ended just in time for the kick-off of Natick Walks on the Natick Common on April 12. Part of the Natick Walks program involves promoting public use of walking trails, most of which are currently  not marked and are not being utilized.  Groups in town are now beginning to work on marking, mapping, and building public awareness of trail.  The Open Space Committee has held two meetings to bring these people together, and we have formed a Trails Subcommittee to continue these discussions.  The Trails Subcommittee is scheduled to meet the fourth Wednesday of each month in Town Hall.

Natick's Open Space and Recreation Plan Approved!

The Massachusetts Division of Conservation Services gave final approval to Natick's Plan on January 30, 2003.  Click here to see the Final Plan, completed December 18, 2002.  (Warning: This file is nearly 2 MB and will take considerable time to download) 

Click here to view PowerPoint Presentation summarizing the Open Space and Recreation Plan presented at the Committee's Public Hearing, June 26, 2002 

Special Town Meeting on December 3, 2002,  passed an amendment to the Zoning Bylaws to offer developers a Comprehensive Cluster Development (CCD) Option.  This proposal was developed by the Planning Board with considerable input from the Open Space Committee.  The CCD Option is designed to protect significant portions of open space in large new developments.  Click here to read the Article on the Town Meeting Warrant .  (Note that the final Bylaw as adopted included many amendments.)

The Open Space Advisory Committee meets on the second Wednesday of each month in Town Hall.  Upcoming meetings are:

• May 14
• June 11
• July 9

In addition a special Trails Subcommittee meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month.  The next meeting is May28.

The public is welcomed to attend all meetings

Upcoming Agendas

Natick's Open Space and Recreation Plan, recently approved by the state, contains a Five-Year Action Plan listing a number of goals, objectives, and action items. One of these goals involves trails, which the Committee has already begun addressing, as mentioned above.  In the coming months, committee meetings will  focus on the following additional actions items (watch here for specific meeting agendas):

• Community Preservation Act: feasibility for passage in Natick
• Conservation Restrictions: what we have now; what more can be encouraged
• Playing fields: how can we meet the increasing needs?
• Zoning and land use tools for open space preservation

• Steve Gartrell, Conservation Commission, Chair
• Michael Caccavale
• Irene DelBono, Vice Chair
• Bob Eisenmenger, Planning Board
• Martin Kessel, Secretary
• Wayne Szretter, Recreation and Parks Commission
• (vacancy)

Your Input

• You may forward input by email here.
• You may also contact the Committee in writing at:

Stephen Gartrell, Chairman
Open Space Advisory Committee 
c/o Community Development Department 
Natick Town Hall 
13 East Central Street 
Natick MA  01760

• Presentation by Open Space Committee at public hearing on June 26, 2002
• Presentation by Open Space Committee at public hearing on February 27, 2002
• Community Setting, an expansion of material presented on February 27, 2002, by Irene Del Bono

Committee Charter

Natick Town Meeting on April 10, 2003 to amend the Town of Natick By-Laws by adding a new Article 32, which reads: 

Open Space Advisory Committee 
Section 1 Composition, Term of Office 

There shall be an Open Space Advisory Committee consisting of seven members appointed by the Board of Selectmen. The Open Space Advisory Committee shall include one member of the Conservation Commission, one member of the Planning Board, one member of the Recreation and Parks Commission, and four at large members. Each person appointed to the Open Space Advisory Committee shall be a resident of the Town of Natick. 

At the initial formation of the Open Space Advisory Committee the Board of Selectmen shall appoint three members to a three year term each, beginning July 1, 2003, two members to a two year term each, beginning July 1, 2003, and two members to a one year term each, beginning July 1, 2003. Thereafter each successor shall be appointed for a three year term. 

Section 2 Powers and Duties 

The Open Space Advisory Committee shall be an advisory body and a resource to the Board of Selectmen in carrying out the major goals outlined in the Natick Open Space and Recreation Plan and in revising the Natick Open Space and Recreation Plan as needed to comply with federal and Commonwealth of Massachusetts requirements and guidelines.  

At lease once during each calendar year the Open Space Advisory Committee shall report to the Board of Selectmen regarding its activities.

Group completes recently marked trail to top of Coolidge Hill