MassVoter.com← NatickMunicipal votes · 2026–2027 Board
Natick Select Board
How the Natick Select Board voted, from the Select Board’s official minutes. 5 Select Board members elected townwide for three-year terms. Cody Jacobs was elected and Kristen Pope re-elected at the March 31, 2026 town election; Richard Sidney left the board. On April 1, 2026 the board chose Kristen Pope as Clerk, Kathryn Coughlin as Chair and Linda Wollschlager as Vice Chair (each unanimous). Minutes after August 11, 2026 are not posted yet. The end date is a placeholder for the 2027 town election. Covers 10 meetings so far, April 1 to August 11, 2026.
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
What does the Select Board do? It is the town’s executive board. It prepares the Town Meeting warrant (the list of articles voters decide), appoints members of many town boards, hires the town’s top staff, signs warrants to pay town bills, and grants licenses and permits.
Town Meeting, not the Select Board, votes the town budget and town bylaws.
Sources: Massachusetts Select Board Handbook (MMA) · Mass. Division of Local Services: the town budgetVote Transparency Score
Natick Select Board: 5 out of 10 · Partly open
How easy Natick makes it to see, online, how each member votes. It scores the town’s records, not any official. Checked October 12, 2026.
- Minutes postedMinutes are posted for most, but not all, meetings more than three months old.Part points: 1/2
- Each vote namedThe minutes name the members who vote no or abstain, but most votes do not list how each member voted.Part points: 2/3
- Posted quicklySome minutes are still not posted more than three months after the meeting.No points: 0/2
- Past years onlineSelect Board minutes from 2013 to today are online.Full points: 1/1
- Readable textThe minutes are text you can search and copy.Full points: 1/1
- Member photosThe town’s website does not show photos of the members.No points: 0/1
How the town can raise its score
- Minutes posted (+1): Post approved minutes for every meeting on the town website. Don’t require a sign-in to view them.
- Each vote named (+1): On any vote that isn’t unanimous, write how each member voted. For example: “Motion passed 3–2. Yes: Smith, Jones, Lee. No: Brown, Silva.” A roll call on split votes is the simplest way to do this.
- Posted quickly (+2): Post minutes within 30 days. If approval takes longer, post a draft marked “Draft – not yet approved” and replace it later.
- Member photos (+1): Show a photo of each member on the board’s web page, with their name, the date their term ends and how to contact them. A group photo of the members, with everyone named in the caption or on the same page, earns half a point.
How we score · Something wrong, or has the town made a change? Email info@massvoter.com and we’ll re-check.
A monthly email on its votes, starting in November. We'll also tell you if this score changes.
Board years
Coming up
MassVoter can’t read Natick’s meeting calendar automatically yet. See upcoming meetings on the official site →
What Town Meeting decided
In Natick, Town Meeting — not the Select Board — votes the town budget, bylaws and zoning. Here is what it did with each article, in the Town Clerk’s own words. Town Meeting members are elected by precinct; counts are from the town’s electronic voting.
Spring Annual Town Meeting, April 30 session (electronic votes only) · April 30, 2026 10 votes: 10 passed
Sessions: Thursday, April 30, 2026
- Art. 3B FY2027 omnibus budget, Motion B Passed “Pass · Yes 103, No 4, Abstain 1”
- Art. 3C FY2027 omnibus budget, Motion C Passed “Pass · Yes 103, No 4, Abstain 0”
- Art. 3D FY2027 omnibus budget, Motion D Passed “Pass · Yes 89, No 18, Abstain 3”
- Art. 3E FY2027 omnibus budget, Motion E Passed “Pass · Yes 100, No 4, Abstain 1”
- Art. 9A Capital equipment and improvements, Motion A Passed “Pass · Yes 104, No 1, Abstain 0”
- Art. 9B Capital equipment and improvements, Motion B Passed “Pass · Yes 100, No 8, Abstain 0”
- Art. 9C Capital equipment and improvements, Motion C Passed “Pass · Yes 105, No 2, Abstain 0”
- Art. 12 Home rule petition: let the town keep employing Police Chief James Hicks beyond age 65 Passed “Pass · Yes 86, No 22, Abstain 2”
- Art. 13 Home rule petition: let the town keep employing Deputy Police Chief Brian Lawton beyond age 65 Passed “Pass · Yes 77, No 27, Abstain 4”
- Art. 16B Hybrid Town Meeting Committee: report, term extension and/or change of charge, Motion B Passed “Pass · Yes 100, No 1, Abstain 1”
Spring Annual Town Meeting, April 28 session (electronic votes only) · April 28, 2026 2 votes: 1 passed, 1 advisory
Sessions: Tuesday, April 28, 2026
- Art. 3A FY2027 omnibus budget, Motion A Passed “Pass · Yes 87, No 2, Abstain 3”
- Art. 18 Resolution to honor the 1776 Natick Resolve for Independence and uphold the U.S. Constitution in 2026 Advisory “Pass · Yes 100, No 9, Abstain 6”
Fall Annual Town Meeting, Session 4 · October 30, 2025 4 votes: 2 passed, 1 no action, 1 referred
Sessions: October 30, 2025 (session 4 of 4; dissolved)
- Art. 25 Zoning: accessory dwelling unit (ADU) rules Passed “The main motion under Article 25 passed by a 2/3rds vote · 84/6/2”
- Art. 26 Rezone 0 Worcester Street (Map 23, Lot 69A) from RSA to Commercial II Referred “The motion to refer back to the sponsor passed by a 2/3rds vote · 92/1/0”
- Art. 31A Bylaw Article 81 (chemical storage tanks): underground propane tanks Passed “Motion A under Article 31 passed by a majority vote · 91/1/0”
- Art. 31B Bylaw Article 22: add Section 9, special zoning advisory counsel; motion was no action No action “Motion passes by a majority hand vote.”
Fall Annual Town Meeting, Session 3 · October 28, 2025 8 votes: 8 passed
Sessions: October 28, 2025 (session 3 of 4)
- Art. 28A CPA: $236,650 for the Bacon Free Library historic fence restoration Passed “Motion A under Article 28 passed by a majority vote · 117/2/0”
- Art. 28B CPA: $300,000 over two years for Housing for All Passed “Motion B under Article 28 passed by a majority vote · 118/5/0”
- Art. 28C CPA: $115,000 for study and design for the historic Morse Institute Library Passed “Motion C under Article 28 passed by a majority vote · 117/5/0”
- Art. 28D CPA: $40,000 for a Memorial Beach shade structure Passed “Motion D under Article 28 passed by a majority vote · 119/2/0”
- Art. 28E CPA: $82,500 for South Natick Park improvements design and permitting Passed “Motion E under Article 28 passed by a majority vote · 109/11/3”
- Art. 28F CPA: $10,000 to preserve Natick's 1775 Bunker Hill muster roll Passed “Motion F under Article 28 passed unanimously · 122/0/0”
- Art. 28G CPA: $750,000 for 5 Auburn Street (MetroWest Collaborative Development) Passed “The positive main motion under Motion G, Article 28 passed by a majority vote · 83/35/3”
- Art. 29 Zoning: downtown signage and advertising devices (Sec. V-H) Passed “The positive main motion under Article 29 passed by a 2/3rds vote · 84/7/1”
Fall Annual Town Meeting, Session 2 · October 23, 2025 9 votes: 6 passed, 1 no action, 1 referred, 1 other
Sessions: October 23, 2025 (session 2 of 4)
- Art. 33A Bylaw: three-year moratorium on artificial turf fields on town land; motion was no action No action “No Action under Article 33 Motion A passes by a majority hand vote”
- Art. 33B Advisory: ask town departments to follow a three-year moratorium on artificial turf fields (citizen motion) Other “The main motion under Motion A, Article 33 passed by a majority vote · 74/28/3”
- Art. 20 Zoning: amend Sec. V-F (removal of earth products) Passed “The main motion under Article 20 passed by a 2/3rds vote · 68/29/4”
- Art. 21 Zoning: delete Sec. V-G (flooding) Referred “The motion to refer back to sponsor passes by a majority hand vote”
- Art. 22 Zoning: limited site plan review definition (Section 200) Passed “The motion under Article 22 passed by a 2/3rds vote · 93/6/2”
- Art. 23 Zoning: Use Regulation Schedule and related definitions Passed “The motion under Article 23 passed by a 2/3rds vote · 97/3/1”
- Art. 24A Zoning: create the Neighborhood Corridor (NC) district and amend the Limited Commercial (LC) district, Motion A Passed “The positive main motion under Motion A, Article 24 passed by a 2/3rds vote · 75/24/0”
- Art. 24B Zoning map: create the West Central Corridor (WCC) district and subdistricts, Motion B Passed “The positive main motion under Motion B, Article 24 passed by a 2/3rds vote · 79/11/0”
- Art. 24C Zoning map: rezone rear parts of 3 Lowell Road and 1, 3 and 7 Lenox Street from C-II to RSA, Motion C Passed “The main motion under Motion C, Article 24 passed by a 2/3rds vote · 85/5/0”
Fall Annual Town Meeting, Session 1 · October 21, 2025 23 votes: 18 passed, 5 no action
Sessions: October 21, 2025 (session 1 of 4)
- Art. 1 Hear reports of town officers and committees; motion was no action (consent agenda) No action “The consent agenda passed by a majority vote · 106/2/4”
- Art. 2 FY2026 omnibus budget changes No action “The motion under Article 2 passed by a majority vote · 110/2/4”
- Art. 3 Rescind authorized but unissued debt for capital projects no longer needed (consent agenda) Passed “The consent agenda passed by a majority vote · 106/2/4”
- Art. 4 Appropriate $59,907 from FY2026 state aid to pay unpaid bills from prior years Passed “The motion under Article 4 passed by a 4/5th vote · 116/1/1”
- Art. 5 Appropriate $934,000 from FY2026 new growth to the stabilization funds (consent agenda) Passed “The consent agenda passed by a majority vote · 106/2/4”
- Art. 6 Appropriate $310,059.98 from the PEG Access and Cable Related Fund for PEG access programming (consent agenda) Passed “The consent agenda passed by a majority vote · 106/2/4”
- Art. 7 Appropriate $189,767 from Select Board expenses for union contracts (consent agenda) Passed “The consent agenda passed by a majority vote · 106/2/4”
- Art. 8 Transfer unexpended bond proceeds; motion was no action (consent agenda) No action “The consent agenda passed by a majority vote · 106/2/4”
- Art. 9A Capital equipment and improvements, Motion A: borrow $7,605,000 Passed “Motion A under Article 9 passed by a 2/3rds vote · 112/2/0”
- Art. 9B Capital equipment and improvements, Motion B: $1,279,000 from the Capital Stabilization Account Passed “Motion B under Article 9 passed by a 2/3rds vote · 111/3/1”
- Art. 10 Appropriate $2,600,000 for a Memorial Elementary School feasibility study Passed “The motion under Article 10 passed by a 2/3rds vote · 111/6/0”
- Art. 11 Bylaw Article 10: amend the table of Select Board appointments Passed “The main motion under Article 11 passed by majority vote · 66/40/3”
- Art. 12 Bylaw: repeal Article 27 (Information Systems Advisory Board) Passed “The positive main motion under Article 12 passed by majority vote · 66/40/3”
- Art. 13 Accept MGL c. 41, s. 110A (consent agenda) Passed “The consent agenda passed by a majority vote · 106/2/4”
- Art. 14 Bylaw Article 50, Sec. 16.15: replace dog and kennel license fees (consent agenda) Passed “The consent agenda passed by a majority vote · 106/2/4”
- Art. 15 Establish a Hybrid Town Meeting Committee (consent agenda) Passed “The consent agenda passed by a majority vote · 106/2/4”
- Art. 16 Accept Jennifer Circle as a public way (consent agenda) Passed “The consent agenda passed by a majority vote · 106/2/4”
- Art. 17 Accept Graystone Lane as a public way (consent agenda) Passed “The consent agenda passed by a majority vote · 106/2/4”
- Art. 18 Accept Boden Lane as a public way; motion was no action (consent agenda) No action “The consent agenda passed by a majority vote · 106/2/4”
- Art. 19 Establish a stormwater management revolving fund (consent agenda) Passed “The consent agenda passed by a majority vote · 106/2/4”
- Art. 27 Community Preservation general appropriation; motion was no action (consent agenda) No action “The consent agenda passed by a majority vote · 106/2/4”
- Art. 30 Hear a report of the Charter and Bylaw Review Committee (consent agenda) Passed “The consent agenda passed by a majority vote · 106/2/4”
- Art. 32 Bylaws: Town Meeting Time references and related Town Meeting rules (Motions A-D) (consent agenda) Passed “The consent agenda passed by a majority vote · 106/2/4”
Spring Annual Town Meeting, Session 5 · May 8, 2025 9 votes: 4 passed, 1 failed, 2 referred, 2 other
Sessions: May 8, 2025 (session 5 of 5; dissolved)
- Art. 23 Hear a report of the Charter and Bylaw Review Committee Other “The motion under Article 15 passed by a majority vote · 101/2/0”
- Art. 24A Bylaw Article 21-A (Collector of Taxes): add wording on exemptions Passed “Motion A under Article 24 passed by majority vote · 100-5-1”
- Art. 24B Bylaw Article 21-A (Collector of Taxes): replace Section 7 Passed “Motion B under Article 24 passed by majority vote · 105-3-0”
- Art. 24C Bylaw Article 21-A (Collector of Taxes): add descriptions to section titles Passed “Motion C under Article 24 passed unanimously by majority vote · 109-0-0”
- Art. 24D Bylaw Article 41 (contracts, town property and boards): replace Sections 1-12 Passed “Motion D under Article 24 passed by majority vote · (105- 4-1)”
- Art. 24E Bylaw Article 81 (chemical storage tanks): add propane Referred “The referral motion under Article 24 Motion E passed by a majority vote · 108-2-1”
- Art. 24F Bylaw Article 22 (Town Counsel): add Section 9 Referred “The referral motion under Article 24 Motion F passed by a majority vote · 102/7/3”
- Art. 25A Add "any lawful municipal purpose" to the Capital Stabilization Fund purpose Other “The main motion under Article 25 Motion B failed · 29/81/0”
- Art. 25B Add "any lawful municipal purpose" to the Operational Stabilization Fund purpose Failed “The main motion under Article 25 Motion B failed · 25/83/1”
Spring Annual Town Meeting, Session 4 · May 6, 2025 11 votes: 9 passed, 1 passed as amended, 1 no action
Sessions: May 6, 2025 (session 4 of 5)
- Art. 11D Capital equipment and improvements, Motion D: appropriate $497,000 from water/sewer and golf retained earnings Passed as amended “The amended main motion under Article 11 passed by a unanimous vote · 123/0/0”
- Art. 12 Appropriate $77,693 from Select Board expenses for union contracts Passed “The motion under Article 12 passed by a majority vote · 119/2/0”
- Art. 13 Personnel Board classification and pay plan (replace the pay plan table) Passed “The motion under Article 13 passed by a majority vote · 122/2/0”
- Art. 14 Increase the amount credited under the senior/veteran tax work-off program No action “The motion under Article 14 passed by a majority vote · 109/5/3”
- Art. 16 Zoning: height rules in Highway Overlay Districts (Sec. 326.11) Passed “The motion under Article 16 passed by a 2/3 vote · 119/2/1”
- Art. 17 Zoning: replace the Floodplain District rules (Sec. III-A.3) Passed “The motion under Article 17 passed by a majority vote · 107/16/3”
- Art. 18 Zoning: accessory dwelling units and the gross floor area definition Passed “The motion under Article 18 passed by a majority vote · 116/10/1”
- Art. 19 Zoning: repeal the Indoor Recreational Overlay District (Sec. III-L) Passed “The motion under Article 19 passed by a majority vote · 105/22/1”
- Art. 20 Zoning: body art establishment definition and use rules Passed “The motion under Article 20 passed by a 2/3 vote · 115/8/1”
- Art. 21 Zoning: Use Regulation Schedule (professional office and health care facility definitions) Passed “The motion under Article 21 passed by a 2/3 vote · 114/6/1”
- Art. 22 Bylaw: replace Article 80 (water supply protection) Passed “The motion under Article 22 passed by a majority vote · 107/9/1”
Spring Annual Town Meeting, Session 3 · May 1, 2025 10 votes: 6 passed, 2 passed as amended, 2 no action
Sessions: May 1, 2025 (session 3 of 5)
- Art. 15 Appropriate $73,709.15 from the Community Preservation Fund for CPC administrative expenses Passed “The motion under Article 15 passed by a majority vote · 107/11/0”
- Art. 5 Appropriate $41,300.20 from free cash to pay unpaid bills from prior years Passed as amended “The amended main motion under Article 5 passed by a 4/5 majority vote · 106/11/1”
- Art. 6 Set FY2026 spending limits for revolving funds Passed “The motion under Article 6 passed by a majority vote · 117/0/1”
- Art. 7 Appropriate $3,171,178 from free cash to the Capital Stabilization Fund and OPEB Trust Fund Passed “The motion under Article 7 passed by a majority vote · 114/2/0”
- Art. 8 Transfer unexpended bond proceeds No action “The motion under Article 8 passed by a majority vote · 112/5/1”
- Art. 9 Appropriate $340,067.73 from the PEG Access and Cable Related Fund for PEG access programming Passed “The motion under Article 9 passed by a majority vote · 115/0/1”
- Art. 10 School bus transportation subsidy No action “The motion under Article 10 passed by a majority vote · 91/16/7”
- Art. 11A Capital equipment and improvements, Motion A: appropriate $550,000 Passed “Motion A under Article 11 passed by a unanimous vote · 113/0/0”
- Art. 11B Capital equipment and improvements, Motion B: appropriate $544,000 from free cash Passed as amended “The amended motion under Article 11 Motion B passed by a majority vote · 110/1/1”
- Art. 11C Capital equipment and improvements, Motion C: transfer $150,000 of earlier appropriations to elevator work Passed “Motion C under Article 11 passed by a majority vote · 104/2/0”
Spring Annual Town Meeting, Session 2 · April 29, 2025 6 votes: 3 passed, 1 passed as amended, 2 no action
Sessions: April 29, 2025 (session 2 of 5; the April 22 first session had no quorum)
- Art. 1 Authorize the Select Board to acquire, abandon or relocate no-cost easements in FY2026 Passed “The motion under Article 1 passed by a majority vote · 125/1/0”
- Art. 2 Hear reports of town officers and committees No action “The motion under Article 2 passed by a majority vote · 119/5/3”
- Art. 3A FY2026 omnibus budget, Motion A: department budgets ($201,898,699) Passed as amended “The amended motion under Article 3 Motion A passed by a majority vote · 116/7/0”
- Art. 3B FY2026 omnibus budget, Motion B: water/sewer and golf course enterprise funds Passed “The motion under Article 3 Motion B passed by a majority vote · 117/2/0”
- Art. 3C Add $65,000 from golf retained earnings to the FY2025 Sassamon Trace Golf budget Passed “The motion under Article 3 Motion C passed by a majority vote · 107/2/1”
- Art. 4 Rescind authorized but unissued debt No action “The motion under Article 4 passed by a majority vote · 100/4/1”
Fall Annual Town Meeting, Session 4 · October 24, 2024 1 votes: 1 passed as amended
Sessions: October 24, 2024 (session 4 of 4; dissolved)
- Art. 20 Zoning: new accessory dwelling unit (ADU) rules (Sec. III-M) Passed as amended “The amended main motion under Article 20 passed by majority vote · 101-3-0”
Fall Annual Town Meeting, Session 3 · October 22, 2024 24 votes: 20 passed, 1 failed, 1 no action, 2 referred
Sessions: October 22, 2024 (session 3 of 4)
- Art. 1A Hear the Net Zero Committee report Passed “The motion to hear the report passed by majority vote · 94-6-0”
- Art. 1B Hear the Select Board's report on paid family and medical leave Passed “The motion to hear the report passed majority vote · 98-13-0”
- Art. 1C Hear the School Committee's report on paid family and medical leave Passed “The motion passed by majority vote · 87-20-0”
- Art. 1D Hear and discuss the Charter and Bylaw Review Committee report Failed “The motion failed · 19-91-3”
- Art. 26A Hear a report of the Charter and Bylaw Review Committee Passed “Motion A under Article 26 passed by majority vote · 96-12-1”
- Art. 26B Extend the Charter and Bylaw Review Committee through the 2025 Fall Annual Town Meeting Passed “Motion B under Article Passed by majority vote · 106-9-2”
- Art. 26C Let a previously appointed member stay on the Charter and Bylaw Review Committee Passed “Motion C under Article 26 passed by majority vote · 105-12-1”
- Art. 29A Charter petition: rescind Amendment C (Town Meeting quorum) voted under 2023 Fall ATM Art. 25 Passed “Motion A under Article 29 passed by majority vote · 107-11-0”
- Art. 29B Charter petition: update the ballot question to include amendments voted under this article Passed “Motion B under Article 29 passed by majority vote · 113-3-0”
- Art. 27A Bylaw Article 1: replace Section 2 (Special Town Meetings) Passed “Motion A under Article 27 passed by majority vote · 114-4-1”
- Art. 27B Bylaw Article 3: replace Section 11 (motion for the previous question) Passed “Motion B under Article 27 passed by majority vote · 94-18-2”
- Art. 27C Bylaw Article 3: replace the Precedence of Motions table Passed “Motion C under Article 27 passed by majority vote · 111-3-0”
- Art. 27D Bylaw Article 10: replace Section 1 (Select Board powers and duties) Passed “Motion D under Article 27 passed by majority vote · 107-7-2”
- Art. 27E Bylaw Article 11 (Town Clerk): replace all sections Passed “Motion E under Article 27 passed by majority vote · 114-1-1”
- Art. 27F Bylaw Article 28 (Registrars of Voters): add Sections 2 and 3 Passed “Motion F under Article 27 passed by majority vote · 114-1-0”
- Art. 28A Bylaw Article 50: let authorized employees issue licenses for obstructing public ways Passed “Motion A under Article 28 passed by majority vote · 111-3-0”
- Art. 28B Bylaw Article 50: add a $500 fine for an unlicensed commercial kennel and rename personal kennel fines Passed “Motion B under Article 28 passed by majority vote · 113-3-0”
- Art. 28C Bylaw Article 50: amend animal confinement rules (Sec. 16.8) Passed “Motion C under Article 28 passed by majority vote · 105-3-0”
- Art. 28D Bylaw Article 50: add kennel definitions (Sec. 16.11) Passed “Motion D under Article 28 passed by majority vote · 114-1-0”
- Art. 28E Bylaw Article 50: change dog and kennel license fee categories (Sec. 16.15) Passed “Motion E under Article 28 passed by majority vote · 114-1-1”
- Art. 28F Bylaw Article 51 (alarm systems): change "authorized agent" to "designee" in the Police Chief definition Passed “Motion F under Article 28 passed by majority vote · 112-1-1”
- Art. 30 Maintaining a fair quorum at Town Meeting (citizen petition) No action “vote to take no action on the subject matter of Article 30 passed by majority vote · 100-6-5”
- Art. 32 Restrict gas-powered leaf blower use (citizen petition) Referred “The motion to refer the subject matter of Article 32 passed by majority vote · 79-27-1”
- Art. 31 Moratorium on synthetic/artificial turf (citizen petition) Referred “motion under Article 31 passed by a majority vote · 58-31-0”
Fall Annual Town Meeting, Session 2 · October 17, 2024 8 votes: 8 passed
Sessions: October 17, 2024 (session 2 of 4)
- Art. 12 Raise the retiree cost-of-living base from $13,000 to $20,000 over five years (MGL c. 32, s. 103(j)) Passed “under Article 12 passed by majority vote · 96-4-2”
- Art. 18 Accept Graystone Lane as a public way Passed “The main motion under Article 18 passed by a two-thirds vote · 93-4-2”
- Art. 19 Accept Collins Ave, Fairview Ave, Fern St, Green St, Lakeview Ave, Moore St, Whitcomb St and Windsor Ave as public ways Passed “under Article 19 passed unanimously · 104-0-0”
- Art. 21 Zoning: intensity regulations by zoning district (Sec. IV-B) and definitions Passed “under Article 21 passed by a two-thirds vote · 99-1-1”
- Art. 22 Zoning: amend the Use Regulation Schedule (Sec. III-A.2) Passed “The main motion under Article 22 passed by two-thirds vote · 80-19-4”
- Art. 23 Zoning: replace the Aquifer Protection District rules (Sec. III-A.5) Passed “under Article 23 passed by a two-thirds vote · 93-3-3”
- Art. 24 Zoning: MBTA Communities multifamily rules for Downtown Mixed Use (DM) and other districts Passed “The main motion under Article 24 passed · 85-15-1”
- Art. 25 Zoning map: rezone parcels for MBTA Communities compliance (incl. 18 South Avenue) Passed “under Article 25 passed by majority vote · 77-6-1”
Fall Annual Town Meeting, Session 1 · October 15, 2024 18 votes: 17 passed, 1 no action
Sessions: October 15, 2024 (session 1 of 4)
- Art. 2 Amend the FY2025 budget: move $55,000 from Facilities Management expenses to salaries Passed “under Article 2 passed by majority vote · 99-3-0”
- Art. 3 Rescind authorized but unissued debt for capital projects no longer needed Passed “under Article 3 passed unanimously vote · 109-0-0”
- Art. 4 Appropriate $73,712.20 from FY2025 new growth to pay unpaid bills from prior years Passed “under Article 4 passed by a four-fifths vote · 105-2-0”
- Art. 5 Appropriate $217,000 from FY2025 new growth to the stabilization funds Passed “under Article 5 passed by majority vote · 105-1-1”
- Art. 6A Move $135,645 of unspent bond proceeds to park and field renovations Passed “Motion A under Article 6 passed by majority vote · 102-4-0”
- Art. 6B Move $707,941.54 of unspent bond proceeds to the roadway and sidewalk supplement Passed “Motion B under Article 6 passed by majority vote · 107-3-0”
- Art. 6C Move $86,089.81 of unspent bond proceeds to the vehicle and equipment replacement program Passed “Motion C under Article 6 passed by majority vote · 105-3-0”
- Art. 7 Appropriate from the PEG Access and Cable Related Fund for PEG access programming Passed “under Article 7 passed by majority vote · 105-3-1”
- Art. 8A Capital equipment and improvements, Motion A Passed “Motion A under Article 8 passed by a two-thirds vote · 99-5-2”
- Art. 8B Capital equipment and improvements, Motion B ($475,000 from capital stabilization and $150,000 from another source) Passed “Motion B under Article 8 passed by a two-thirds vote · 104-3-0”
- Art. 9 Appropriate Community Preservation Fund money for FY2025 CPC administration and projects Passed “The main motion under Article 9 passed by majority vote · 100-7-1”
- Art. 10 Bylaw: amend Article 43A (tax title payment agreements) to conform with MGL c. 60 Passed “under Article 10 passed by majority vote · 96-1-0”
- Art. 11 MSBA application for the Memorial School No action “no action on the subject matter of Article 11 passed by majority vote · 94-2-0”
- Art. 13 Appropriate $31,222 from FY2025 new growth for union contracts Passed “The main motion under Article 13 passed by majority vote · 94-2-0”
- Art. 14 Home rule petition: create a non-civil service Assistant Fire Chief position Passed “The main motion under Article 14 passed by majority vote · 93-4-1”
- Art. 15 Personnel Board classification and pay plan (replace the pay plan table) Passed “The main motion under Article 15 passed by majority vote · 84-2-2”
- Art. 16 Transfer and dispose of town-owned land on Hovey Avenue (Assessor parcel 04-00000090) Passed “The main motion under Article 16 passed by majority vote · 79-10-2”
- Art. 17 Spring Street bridge: acquire rights of way and appropriate $117,700 Passed “The main motion under Article 17 passed by a two-thirds vote · 86-1-0”
Spring Annual Town Meeting, Session 5 · May 9, 2024 7 votes: 7 passed
Sessions: May 9, 2024 (session 5 of 5; dissolved)
- Art. 21A Zoning: Use Regulation Schedule rewrite, Motion A (replace residential, transient, agricultural and institutional use sections) Passed “Motion A under Article 21 passed by a two thirds vote · 89-2-2”
- Art. 21B Zoning: Use Regulation Schedule rewrite, Motion B (definitions and related sections) Passed “Motion B under Article 21 passed by a two thirds vote · 92-4-3”
- Art. 21C Zoning: Use Regulation Schedule rewrite, Motion C Passed “Motion C under Article 21 passed by a two thirds vote · 92-1-2”
- Art. 21D Zoning: Use Regulation Schedule rewrite, Motion D Passed “Motion D under Article 21 passed by a two-thirds vote · 93-1-3”
- Art. 21E Zoning: Use Regulation Schedule rewrite, Motion E (definitions such as agri-tourism and bed and breakfast) Passed “Motion E under Article 21 passed by a two-thirds vote · 86-1-1”
- Art. 23A Zoning: replace special permit and site plan review rules (Sec. VI-DD), Motion A Passed “Motion A under Article 23 passed unanimously · 93-0-2”
- Art. 23B Zoning: special permit and site plan review definitions and related sections, Motion B Passed “Motion B under Article 23 passed by a two thirds vote · 96-1-1”
Spring Annual Town Meeting, Session 4 · May 7, 2024 2 votes: 1 passed, 1 referred
Sessions: May 7, 2024 (session 4 of 5)
- Art. 18 Bylaw: adopt the Specialized Energy Code (Article 72B) Passed “motion under Article 18 passed by a majority vote of · 103-10-3”
- Art. 28 Accept MGL c. 175M paid family and medical leave for town employees (citizen petition) Referred “motion to refer the subject matter of Article 28 passed by majority vote · 86-24-2”
Spring Annual Town Meeting, Session 3 · May 2, 2024 12 votes: 11 passed, 1 other
Sessions: May 2, 2024 (session 3 of 5)
- Art. 12A Capital equipment and improvements, Motion A: appropriate $13,750,000 (borrowing) Passed “Motion A under Article 12 passed by two thirds vote · 112-5-0”
- Art. 12B Capital equipment and improvements, Motion B: appropriate $500,000 Passed “Motion B under Article 12 passed by majority vote · 115-2-0”
- Art. 12C Capital equipment and improvements, Motion C: appropriate $1,160,000 for Sassamon Trace Golf Course Passed “Motion C under Article 12 passed by majority vote · 105-2-0”
- Art. 15 Bylaw: delete Article 42, Section 1 (fuel oil licenses) Passed “under Article 15 passed unanimously · 114-0-1”
- Art. 16 Transfer 99 South Main Street (Johnson School) from the School Committee to the Select Board Passed “under Article 16 passed by a two thirds vote · 98-14-3”
- Art. 17 Bylaw: change the list of committees appointed by the Select Board (Article 10) Passed “under Article 17 passed by majority vote · 113-3-0”
- Art. 19 Home rule petition: let the town keep employing Police Officer John Haswell past the age limit Other “The main motion under Article 18 passed by majority vote · 108-3-2”
- Art. 20 Accept MGL c. 43D expedited permitting and apply for priority development sites Passed “under Article 20 passed by majority vote · 109-4-1”
- Art. 22 Zoning: off-street parking and loading tables (delete footnotes on parking credits) Passed “The main motion under Article 22 passed by a two thirds vote · 97-4-3”
- Art. 24 Zoning: add North Main Street to the Center Gateway rules (Sec. III-EE.2.f) Passed “under Article 24 passed by two-thirds vote · 97-2-1”
- Art. 25 Rezone 5 Commonwealth Road from Residential Single A to Industrial II Passed “under Article 25 passed by a two thirds majority vote · 90-2-1”
- Art. 26 Bylaw: amend Article 79 (wetlands protection, Conservation Commission) Passed “under Article 26 passed by majority vote · 84-3-1”
Special Town Meeting #1 · April 30, 2024 14 votes: 14 passed
Sessions: April 30, 2024 (held during the Spring Annual Town Meeting)
- Art. 1A Hear a report of the Charter and Bylaw Review Committee Passed “Motion A under Article 1 passed by majority vote · 109-3-2”
- Art. 1B Appropriate $75,000 from free cash for special legal counsel for the Charter and Bylaw Review Committee Passed “B under Article 1 passed by majority vote passed by majority · 94-19-7”
- Art. 2 · motion 1 Charter petition (2023 Fall ATM Art. 25) addition: ballot question wording Passed “Motion 1 under Article 2 passed by majority vote · 112-6-4”
- Art. 2 · motion 2 Charter petition (2023 Fall ATM Art. 25) addition: Sec. 3-10(c), Town Moderator appointment powers Passed “Motion 2 under Article 2 passed by majority vote · 87-31-1”
- Art. 2 · motion 3 Charter petition (2023 Fall ATM Art. 25) addition: Sec. 4-4, removal and suspension of the town manager Passed “Motion 3 under Article 2 passed by majority vote · 105-10-2”
- Art. 2 · motion 4 Charter petition (2023 Fall ATM Art. 25) addition: Secs. 4-2, 4-3 and 5-2 (town manager powers, acting manager, school budget) Passed “Motion 4 under Article 2 passed by majority vote · 111-3-1”
- Art. 2 · motion 5 Charter petition (2023 Fall ATM Art. 25) addition: Sec. 6-1, organization of town agencies Passed “Motion 5 under Article 2 passed by majority vote · 111-3-0”
- Art. 2 · motion 6 Charter petition (2023 Fall ATM Art. 25) addition: transition rules for comptroller, treasurer-collector, town clerk Passed “Motion 6 under Article 2 passed by majority vote · 107-4-1”
- Art. 2 · motion 7 Charter petition (2023 Fall ATM Art. 25) addition: Secs. 3-2(c), 6-3, 6-4 (Select Board and town manager appointments) Passed “Motion 7 under Article 2 passed by majority vote · 104-1-1”
- Art. 2 · motion 8 Charter petition (2023 Fall ATM Art. 25) addition: Sec. 7-5, number and gender Passed “Motion 8 under Article 2 passed by majority vote · 109-3-0”
- Art. 2 · motion 9 Charter petition (2023 Fall ATM Art. 25) addition: Sec. 7-10, notice of vacancies Passed “Motion 9 under Article 2 passed by majority vote · 111-1-0”
- Art. 2 · motion 10 Charter petition (2023 Fall ATM Art. 25) addition: Sec. 3-2(b), Select Board powers and duties Passed “Motion 10 under Article 2 passed by majority vote · 104-2-0”
- Art. 2 · motion 11 Charter petition (2023 Fall ATM Art. 25) addition: Sec. 4-1, town manager appointment and review Passed “Motion 11 under Article 2 passed by majority vote · 99-3-1”
- Art. 2 · motion 12 Charter petition (2023 Fall ATM Art. 25) addition: Sec. 7-7(e) Passed “Motion 12 under Article 2 passed by majority vote · 103-0-0”
Spring Annual Town Meeting, Session 2 · April 25, 2024 19 votes: 12 passed, 7 no action
Sessions: April 25, 2024 (session 2 of 5; the April 23 first session had no quorum)
- Art. 1 Authorize the Select Board to acquire, abandon or relocate no-cost easements in FY2025 (consent agenda) Passed “The Consent Agenda passed by a two thirds vote · 104-4-1”
- Art. 2 Hear reports of town officers and committees No action “The motion to take no action passed by majority vote · 99-6-3”
- Art. 3A FY2025 omnibus budget, Motion A (town departments and schools) Passed “Motion A under Article 3 passed by majority vote · 104-7-0”
- Art. 3B FY2025 omnibus budget, Motion B (enterprise funds) Passed “Motion B under Article 3 passed by majority vote · 109-2-0”
- Art. 4 Rescind authorized but unissued debt for capital projects no longer needed Passed “under Article 4 passed unanimously · 98-0-0”
- Art. 5 Appropriate $5,170 from free cash to pay unpaid bills from prior years Passed “under Article 5 passed unanimously · 95-0-0”
- Art. 6 Set FY2025 spending limits for revolving funds (consent agenda) Passed “The Consent Agenda passed by a two thirds vote · 104-4-1”
- Art. 7 Appropriate $347,525.11 from the PEG Access and Cable Related Fund for PEG access programming (consent agenda) Passed “The Consent Agenda passed by a two thirds vote · 104-4-1”
- Art. 8A Ratify union contracts and appropriate $126,184 from free cash for FY2025 wages Passed “Motion A under Article 8 passed by majority vote · 97-1-0”
- Art. 8B Ratify union contracts and appropriate $30,745 from water/sewer user fees for FY2025 wages Passed “Motion B under Article 8 passed by majority vote · 93-1-2”
- Art. 9 Transfer unexpended bond proceeds to other capital projects (consent agenda; motion was no action) No action “The Consent Agenda passed by a two thirds vote · 104-4-1”
- Art. 10 Appropriate $500,000 from free cash to the Capital Stabilization Fund and OPEB Trust Fund Passed “The main motion under Article 10 passed by majority vote · 93-1-0”
- Art. 11 Appropriate $429,844 from the tax levy for the school bus transportation subsidy (consent agenda) Passed “The Consent Agenda passed by a two thirds vote · 104-4-1”
- Art. 13 Personnel Board classification and pay plan (replace the pay plan table) Passed “The main motion under Article 13 passed by majority vote · 96-7-1”
- Art. 14 Bylaw: dates of Spring Annual Town Meeting and submission of fiscal documents (consent agenda; motion was no action) No action “The Consent Agenda passed by a two thirds vote · 104-4-1”
- Art. 27 Speen Street and West Central Street (Route 135) improvements (consent agenda; motion was no action) No action “The Consent Agenda passed by a two thirds vote · 104-4-1”
- Art. 29 Rezone 0 (R) East Central Street and 0 Dorset Lane, option one (consent agenda; motion was no action) No action “The Consent Agenda passed by a two thirds vote · 104-4-1”
- Art. 30 Rezone 0 (R) East Central Street and 0 Dorset Lane, option two (consent agenda; motion was no action) No action “The Consent Agenda passed by a two thirds vote · 104-4-1”
- Art. 31 Zoning: create a Conservation Assisted Living and Memory Care (CALM) Overlay District (consent agenda; motion was no action) No action “The Consent Agenda passed by a two thirds vote · 104-4-1”
Not here yet: Natick's 2026 Spring Annual Town Meeting has no Town Clerk minutes posted yet, so only its electronic votes from April 28 and April 30, 2026 are here; the 2026 Fall Annual Town Meeting starts October 20, 2026.
Titles are short descriptions of each article from the official record; the quoted words are the Town Clerk’s. A vote at Town Meeting is not the final word on everything: some articles also need a ballot vote (such as a tax override) or the Attorney General’s approval (bylaws).
Members
ChairKathryn M. CoughlinChair · At-large · at 10 of 10 meetings
Vice-ChairLinda WollschlagerVice-Chair · At-large · at 10 of 10 meetings
Bruce T. EvansMember · At-large · at 10 of 10 meetings✓ Every meeting 2026
Cody J. JacobsMember · At-large · at 10 of 10 meetings
Kristen L. PopeClerk · At-large · at 9 of 10 meetings"At X of Y meetings" counts the members the minutes list as present at the start of each meeting in this record. Members who step out are listed on each meeting page.
Attendance
21 full-board meetings so far this year, through August 11. Ties share a rank.
1Bruce T. Evans21 of 21 meetings Every meeting100%1Richard Sidney11 of 11 meetings · served until Mar Every meeting100%1Cody J. Jacobs10 of 10 meetings · served from Apr Every meeting100%4Kathryn M. Coughlin20 of 21 meetings95%4Kristen L. Pope20 of 21 meetings95%4Linda Wollschlager20 of 21 meetings95%37 full-board meetings in 2025. Ties share a rank.
1Bruce T. Evans37 of 37 meetings Every meeting100%1Richard Sidney37 of 37 meetings Every meeting100%1Linda Wollschlager37 of 37 meetings Every meeting100%4Kristen L. Pope32 of 37 meetings86%5Kathryn M. Coughlin31 of 37 meetings84%33 full-board meetings in 2024. Ties share a rank.
1Richard Sidney33 of 33 meetings Every meeting100%1Linda Wollschlager27 of 27 meetings · served from Mar Every meeting100%3Bruce T. Evans32 of 33 meetings97%4Kathryn M. Coughlin30 of 33 meetings91%5Kristen L. Pope29 of 33 meetings88%6Paul R. Joseph5 of 6 meetings · served until Mar83%28 full-board meetings in 2023. Ties share a rank.
1Bruce T. Evans28 of 28 meetings Every meeting100%1Paul R. Joseph28 of 28 meetings Every meeting100%1Michael J. Hickey9 of 9 meetings · served until Mar Every meeting100%4Kathryn M. Coughlin27 of 28 meetings96%4Richard Sidney27 of 28 meetings96%6Kristen L. Pope18 of 19 meetings · served from Mar95%48 full-board meetings in 2022. Ties share a rank.
1Bruce T. Evans33 of 33 meetings · served from Mar Every meeting100%1Karen Adelman-Foster17 of 17 meetings · served until Apr Every meeting100%1Richard P. Jennett15 of 15 meetings · served until Mar Every meeting100%1Susan G. Salamoff15 of 15 meetings · served until Mar Every meeting100%5Michael J. Hickey46 of 48 meetings96%6Paul R. Joseph45 of 48 meetings94%7Richard Sidney11 of 12 meetings · served from Sep92%8Kathryn M. Coughlin28 of 33 meetings · served from Mar85%42 full-board meetings in 2021. Ties share a rank.
1Richard P. Jennett42 of 42 meetings Every meeting100%1Paul R. Joseph34 of 34 meetings · served from Mar Every meeting100%1Jonathan H. Freedman8 of 8 meetings · served until Mar Every meeting100%4Michael J. Hickey41 of 42 meetings98%4Susan G. Salamoff41 of 42 meetings98%6Karen Adelman-Foster40 of 42 meetings95%39 full-board meetings in 2020. Ties share a rank.
1Richard P. Jennett39 of 39 meetings Every meeting100%2Karen Adelman-Foster38 of 39 meetings97%2Susan G. Salamoff38 of 39 meetings97%4Jonathan H. Freedman37 of 39 meetings95%5Michael J. Hickey36 of 39 meetings92%44 full-board meetings in 2019. Ties share a rank.
1Jonathan H. Freedman43 of 44 meetings98%1Michael J. Hickey43 of 44 meetings98%1Susan G. Salamoff43 of 44 meetings98%4Karen Adelman-Foster26 of 27 meetings · served from Mar96%5Amy K. Mistrot16 of 17 meetings · served until Mar94%6Richard P. Jennett41 of 44 meetings93%47 full-board meetings in 2018. Ties share a rank.
1Michael J. Hickey46 of 47 meetings98%1Amy K. Mistrot46 of 47 meetings98%1Susan G. Salamoff46 of 47 meetings98%4Jonathan H. Freedman44 of 47 meetings94%4Richard P. Jennett44 of 47 meetings94%From the official minutes: full-board meetings only (committee meetings are not counted). Members are counted only for meetings held while they served, and arriving late counts as attending. The minutes rarely say why a member was absent.
A monthly email on its votes and who was there, starting in November.
Meetings
About missing minutes
Loaded: Natick Select Board minutes from January 16, 2018 through August 11, 2026: 339 meetings and 2,671 votes. The town posts the board’s minutes on yearly pages (2013–2026) linked from its Minutes page; MassVoter loaded January 2018 on. The board was the Board of Selectmen until 2020; its minutes are headed “Select Board” from July 15, 2020. The minutes are typed documents with searchable text. A few files carry the wrong date: two 2026 files are titled “February 25, 2025” and “February 4, 2025,” and others repeat an earlier meeting’s date in the heading (the May 27, 2026 minutes are headed May 13; the July 9, 2026 minutes are headed July 8). MassVoter dated each meeting from its contents and the town’s meeting list. Not here: executive-session minutes (27 released executive-session files on the yearly pages are not loaded); the votes of the School Committee and other boards at joint meetings; and meetings on the town’s video and agenda list (Granicus) with no minutes posted – about 150 sessions from 2018 to September 2026, some of them executive-session-only meetings, site walks or events where no business was done, and, since July 2025, the meetings of July 14 and October 7, 2025 (a workshop on the Johnson School), March 9 and May 6, 2026 (board retreats) and June 24, 2026. MassVoter is asking the town for the missing minutes. Minutes after August 11, 2026 are not posted yet (July 22, August 18, August 19, August 24, September 2 (two sessions), September 9, September 16 and September 30, 2026). Natick’s minutes name the mover and seconder; most votes read “The motion passed unanimously” or give a count (“Motion approved 5-0-0”), shown as every member present voting yes when the count equals the members present. Roll calls by name (the 2020–2021 remote meetings and many 2025–2026 votes: “Roll call vote: Ms. Coughlin: Yes, Mr. Sidney: Yes, …”) are shown by name; split votes usually name the members who voted no or abstained (“Motion passed 4-1-0 … with Ms. Coughlin opposed”), shown with the other members present voting yes. Where the count does not fit the members present or the minutes do not say who voted no or abstained (“4-0-1”), we show the count only (23 votes); where the minutes give no count and no unanimity wording, and for choices between candidates by ballot, we show the result only (51 votes). Failed motions are shown member by member when the minutes name the voters (6 failed votes). Members who arrived late or left early are not shown in the votes they missed. A motion with no recorded outcome is not counted as a vote. We will ask the town to confirm any noted vote.
Votes where members disagreed
Most board votes are unanimous. These are the ones where at least one member voted no or abstained, newest first.
Jul 9Appoint Gerald Hartwell to the Keefe Tech School Committee…Motion: Vote: The Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to appoint Gerald Hartwell to…Passed Unanimous, 5 present · see note
July 9, 2026: Appoint Gerald Hartwell to the Keefe Tech School Committee for a term expiring June 30, 2029
Vote: The Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to appoint Gerald Hartwell to the Keefe Tech School Committee for a term expiring June 30, 2029.
The minutes do not say who made this motion. The minutes do not name a seconder.
From the minutes
“Vote: The Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to appoint Gerald Hartwell to the Keefe Tech School Committee for a term expiring June 30, 2029..”
May 13Appoint Raymond Douglas Powell as Associate Planning Board member…Motion: Motion to appoint Raymond Douglas Powell as Associate Planning Board Member…Passed · see note
May 13, 2026: Appoint Raymond Douglas Powell as Associate Planning Board member (written ballot)
Motion to appoint Raymond Douglas Powell as Associate Planning Board Member for a term expiring March 2027 was made by the Board via written ballot vote. The motion carried 3-2, with Mr. Evans, Ms. Pope, and Ms. Coughlin voting for Mr. Powell, and Mr. Jacobs and Ms. Wollschlager voting for Mr. Lucenta.
A choice between two candidates by written ballot, so it is shown as the result only. The minutes say it “carried 3-2, with Mr. Evans, Ms. Pope, and Ms. Coughlin voting for Mr. Powell, and Mr. Jacobs and Ms. Wollschlager voting for Mr. Lucenta.” The minutes do not say who made this motion. The minutes do not name a seconder.
From the minutes
“Motion to appoint Raymond Douglas Powell as Associate Planning Board Member for a term expiring March 2027 was made by the Board via written ballot vote. The motion carried 3-2, with Mr. Evans, Ms. Pope, and Ms. Coughlin voting for Mr. Powell, and Mr. Jacobs and Ms. Wollschlager voting for Mr. Lucenta..”
May 13Sustain the written objection to the removal of the…Motion: Motion to sustain the written objection to the removal of the…Passed 4–1 · No: Coughlin
May 13, 2026: Sustain the written objection to the removal of the public shade tree at 9 Lincoln Street Extension
Motion to sustain the written objection to the removal of the public shade tree at 9 Lincoln Street Extension was made by Mr. Jacobs and seconded by Ms. Wollschlager. The motion carried 4-1, with Ms. Coughlin in opposition.
Yes: Evans, Jacobs, Pope, WollschlagerNo: CoughlinThe minutes give the count as 4-1 and name the exception (“Ms. Coughlin in opposition”); the other members present are shown voting yes.
From the minutes
“Motion to sustain the written objection to the removal of the public shade tree at 9 Lincoln Street Extension was made by Mr. Jacobs and seconded by Ms. Wollschlager. The motion carried 4-1, with Ms. Coughlin in opposition..” (Motion: Jacobs, second: Wollschlager)
From the Natick Select Board’s official minutes, posted on the yearly minutes pages linked from the town’s Minutes page. We check every vote against the Select Board members present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Photos (the town’s website has no Select Board photos): Natick Report — Kristen Pope and Cody Jacobs (March 2026), Bruce Evans (March 2025) and Linda Wollschlager (March 2024 swearing-in, captioned); Natick Patch — Kathryn Coughlin (March 2022, courtesy of the candidate). Cropped by MassVoter. Former members show initials.
How to read these pagesWhere the votes come from, how we check them against the official minutes, what isn't included yet, and how to report a mistake.About city pages →