View this email in your browser

Hi friend,

How are you doing?!

I’ve missed you and I’m sorry I haven’t written recently. (Ahem I won’t be *too* offended if you didn’t notice.)

Believe it or not, I’ve been thinking about you all summer - and at the weirdest times!

I thought of you when: my compost bin got taken over by maggots, I sat through the last dam committee meeting (hopefully?!), I discovered a beach in East Natick, and when I heard this song.

That song (Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows) made me think of you because it is SO. DARN. CHEERFUL.

And while it is almost sickeningly sweet, that song reminds me of the importance of positive thinking and how we get hope and joy from the people and information we surround ourselves with. It also reminds me that we have to be real with each other - after all, it takes rain to make a rainbow.

These are such important lessons for us all to remember as we work to prepare for climate change. Sometimes it’s hard to bring the sunshine, but it is so necessary and you inspire me to do just that.

On this cloudy day, this newsletter is dedicated to the sunshine.

With love and lollipops,

Jillian Wilson Martin, Natick Sustainability Director

☀️🍭🌈

Here’s the postcard we sent to eligible businesses and nonprofits in August

Last week Natick and Framingham launched a special program to help small businesses and nonprofits save energy and money. This is so important because energy prices are rising and this winter costs are expected to be especially high.

OK, so I know you are most likely a resident and not a business, but guess what? I bet you shop at, work at, eat at, exercise at, play at a Natick business or nonprofit. If there is a business or nonprofit you love, I invite you to please share this opportunity with them!

During the month of September, your fav organizations are eligible to receive extra special incentives to complete energy reduction projects, such as insulation, LED lighting, programmable thermostats, refrigerator controls and more!

To get started, the organization needs to schedule a a free energy assessment and can do so by emailing or calling our Eversource and AECOM representative, Irene Petruzzelli at irene.petruzzelli@aecom.com / (617-371-4512).

Thanks for spreading the word!

Related, this is the project that led me to the discovery of Beach House (photo from their Facebook page below), an indoor beach volleyball court that made me feel like I was in Aruba when I walked in. It reminded me how many cool local businesses there are in Natick. Help them be successful by sharing this information with them!

You know me, I love the outdoors! I also love a good book! (Side note: I am currently reading Braiding Sweetgrass and I HIGHLY recommend it.) So, I am super excited to share a project I have been working with the Morse Institute Library on!

In celebration of the Morse Institute Library’s 150th anniversary, the Town of Natick and the Morse Institute Library have issued a call for artists to design, construct, install and maintain three (3) original, temporary Outdoor Reading Rooms in public green spaces across the community next summer.

What are Outdoor Reading Rooms? What do you want them to be? 😜

We see them as open-air ‘rooms’ where anyone may sit and read—no library card needed! The Morse Institute Library’s Bookmobile and Book Bike will support each Outdoor Reading Room with pop-up programming such as children’s story times, author talks, book clubs, and historical programs. The spaces will also be available to support public programming led by other municipal departments, nonprofits, and community groups. We just need artists to make them!

Check out the call for artists and consider applying! Responses are due Friday, October 21, 2022.

Related to energy, I am jazzed to share that Framingham and Natick are hiring a part-time Energy Advocate!

This is super news, you guys, because it means we will have the ability to support you on your energy reduction and clean energy journey. We know it isn’t always easy to participate in programs like Mass Save, and we want to make it easier!

The job is an up-to 18 hours a week position. The hours are flexible, and we are looking for an organized, people-oriented individual who is passionate about expanding access to beneficial energy-saving programs in our communities and who wants to work as a part of a diverse, intermunicipal team to have a measurable, positive impact locally.

Apply today!!

The dam, the river and a large algae bloom during this summer’s drought.

ICYMI, Natick has a dam problem. The Charles River Dam in South Natick is nearing the end of its useful life, and the Town has to decide whether it should repair the dam or restore river.

I had the honor of serving on the Charles River Dam Advisory Committee, an 18 member body representing diverse perspectives, which was tasked with researching options and recommending a path forward.

Over the course of 18 months, the Committee studied this issue deeply and worked hard to engage the public. The Committee met with experts; visited dam repair and dam removal sites; sought public input; took counsel from indigenous representatives; advanced technical analysis; and more. I’ve been so impressed with this Committee and am so proud of our work.

It is tough to imagine South Natick without the dam, but ultimately, the Committee found that removing the spillway and restoring the Charles River is the right thing to do - for environmental, social and economic reasons.

The Committee’s recommendation and rationale are spelled out in its final report and will be presented to the Select Board tomorrow (Wednesday) night (here’s their agenda).

I was also personally moved by the thoughtful public comment and Committee members’ statements at its deliberation meeting on July 19. The Committee heard from residents who grew up by the river, people who live there today, wildlife organizations and experts, religious leaders and more. Everyone’s feedback was heard and considered, and it felt great to be part of such an inclusive process.

Give the report a read, check out that July 19 meeting (Pro tip: try listening instead of watching) or join us tomorrow night.

I am also happy to answer questions and welcome your thoughts.

It was almost hard to keep up with all the new climate legislation this summer! (A good problem to have!)

At Natick Days, the Sustainability Committee sought to get the word out about state and local climate funds that are available to you. A great source for information about new national funding is RewiringAmerica.org and their cool savings calculator.

There is also a TON of new Mass Save funding available. If you’ve completed a Mass Save home energy assessment, now is the time to do it again! You can complete an audit every two years and the program now offers a ton of new benefits. Visit masssave.com/metrowest to schedule your audit!

On September 8, we officially named the Erica Ball Community Garden and held a lovely ceremony to honor ‘Ricky’ Ball.

It was a fun celebration and we were pleased to host Senate President Karen Spilka, State Representative David Linsky, and MAPC Executive Director Marc Dreisen, who all shared lovely remarks about Ricky’s work here in Natick and the garden. It was a great night and we are grateful to Ricky for her leadership and legacy in Natick!

Below are a few photos from The Natick Report, who covered the event.

Thank you to everyone involved in this project!

Ricky Ball, the woman of honor

Amy Adams, the artist who designed the tree carving, explaining its meaning to guests

Thanks for reading this newsletter!