Town Meeting takes up $2.55 million capital appropriation in second session

NATICK — April 30, 2026 — Natick Town Meeting weighs $2.55M capital plan and $200K generator design in second session. Finance Committee Chair Todd Gillenwater's committee recommended favorable action on a $2,554,000 pay-as-you-go appropriation listed on page 69 of the recommendation book, with members told the town "will not go out to borrow for those items until we are ready to move forward with them." Several members questioned whether dollars from the roughly $8 million override approved three years ago are being applied as represented, and whether equipment purchases were being "double voted"; a committee member replied, "No, you are not double voting on these things." A separate $200,000 design-and-engineering item for a public safety building generator drew questions from member Sidney before Coffey moved to refer the article, seconded by Gillenwater. Moderator Jeff Alderson, Town Clerk Andrew Gobriel, Town Counsel Peter Mello, Select Board Chair Catherine Coughlin and Town Administrator Jamie Erickson were present.