Natick Select Board Preview: Holiday Parking, 2026 Override Coming?

NATICK, MA — The Natick Select Board will meet on Wednesday with a number of items on the agenda ranging from alcohol policy, alcohol violations, free holiday parking and more.

Patch has sifted through the agenda, picking out three items worth reviewing before the 6:30 p.m. meeting.

Here's what to know:

Potential Override

A memo from Town Administrator Jamie Errickson revealed that Natick may be on the verge of an override for Fiscal Year 2026.

An override has been discussed multiple times over the past 10 years and Errickson said a budget deficit that's been bandaged over with pandemic relief funds and free cash is about to break the proverbial levy.

Town and school officials have been meeting over the past several weeks to go over financial trends and forecasting, with those suggesting that the FY2026 budget will come with more expenses than revenue.

"While the details are still being worked on, Town and School administrations continue to analyze our finances in order to present the scale of a probable override, which is projected to be in the $7-$8 million range based on current estimates of revenues and expenses," the memo said.

"This figure is not final and comes with impacts, the details of which will be shared with the Select Board, School Committee, Finance Committee and the broader community in the coming weeks and months ahead."

Read the full memo here.

Holiday Parking

The Natick Center Cultural District is requesting the Select Board to approve temporary free two-hour parking during the holiday season.

This would start on Nov. 29, or Black Friday, and continue through Jan. 2.

Free two-hour parking is a regular fixture in the district, which is done to encourage residents and those in the area to shop locally.

AMVETS Post 79 Liquor License Violation

Ahead of the Wednesday meeting, the Select Board made available an email from Deputy Police Chief Brian Lauzon regarding an inspection of AMVETS Post 79 from September.

In short, it appears that AMVETS is in violation of their liquor license because their manager on record isn't properly listed with the town.

The post's liquor license was suspended in 2023 while Jamie Sheridan was the manager. Sheridan, according to the email, hasn't been the manager for at least two years and is even suspended from being on the premises.

Now in 2024, Sheridan remains listed as the manager.

Lauzon recommended the Select Board call a hearing on this matter, which is now on the schedule for Wednesday.

For the full agenda, click here.