Charles River Dam Mobilization Begins; Select Board to Hear Main Street, Tree Removal Plans

Mobilization has started on the long-awaited Charles River Dam Removal and River Restoration Project, the Department of Public Works confirmed Monday — a milestone that sets the table for a busy Select Board session Wednesday night, which will also take up a Main Street improvements report and a contested MassDOT proposal to remove public shade trees near Boden Lane Bridge.

TOWN HALL

The Department of Public Works announced June 22 that crews have mobilized for the Charles River Dam Removal and River Restoration Project. The DPW will brief the Select Board on the project's progress at Wednesday evening's meeting, June 24.

That same meeting agenda is packed. The Select Board is scheduled to hear from the Main Street Improvements Working Group and will take up MassDOT's proposal to remove public shade trees as part of the Boden Lane Bridge reconstruction. Tree removal along a well-traveled corridor is the kind of item that draws public comment, and residents who want to weigh in should plan to attend or watch Wednesday's session.

On a lighter note, the town lifted its cyanobacteria advisory for the Middle Pond basin of Lake Cochituate on June 23. Water activities may resume there. An advisory for other portions of Lake Cochituate had already been in effect; residents should check the town's News Flash page for the current status of any remaining advisories before heading to the water.

ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS

"Big Box Home Goods Retailer Partners With Other Chain, Opening Natick Location" — Bed Bath & Beyond appears to be returning to the local retail landscape, with a Natick store announced as one of only two Massachusetts locations in a new partnership. Per Natick Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/natick/big-box-home-goods-retailer-partners-other-chain-opening-natick-location).

"MassDOT and Fundación Mapfre Announce Winners in Road Safety PSA Contest" — Natick High School juniors were among the student winners recognized in a statewide road-safety public service announcement competition run by MassDOT and Fundación Mapfre, according to a Mass.gov announcement surfaced via Google Alert forwarded by Dave Watkins (read it at https://www.mass.gov/news/massdot-and-fundacion-mapfre-announce-winners-in-road-safety-psa-contest).

"Suzanne Vega Adds New Dates To 'Flying With Angels Tour'" — Singer-songwriter Suzanne Vega has added an Oct. 21 date at The Center for Arts in Natick to her expanded North American tour, per Pollstar News (read it at https://news.pollstar.com/2026/06/23/suzanne-vega-adds-new-dates-to-flying-with-angels-tour/).

"Man convicted in 1983 MA state trooper's death is denied parole" — A man convicted of fatally shooting State Trooper George Hanna, who was originally from Natick, has been denied parole again, MetroWest Daily News reports (read it at https://www.metrowestdailynews.com/story/news/crime/2026/06/22/jose-colon-who-fatally-shot-ma-state-trooper-george-hanna-auburn-ma-denied-parole/90646921007/).

COMING UP

**Wed., June 24** — Select Board meeting; agenda includes the Charles River Dam project update from DPW, the Main Street Improvements Working Group report, and MassDOT's proposed shade-tree removal at Boden Lane Bridge. Check natickma.gov for time and location.

**Wed., June 25** — Stress Free & Healthy Living With Inner Engineering, per the Natick Patch calendar.

**Sat., June 27** — Charles River Rotary Scoopapalooza 2026 Ice Cream Fundraiser.

**Sat., June 27** — Amateur Radio Field Day.

**Wed., Oct. 21** — Suzanne Vega, "Flying With Angels Tour," The Center for Arts in Natick.