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NATICK, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — After months of deliberation, the Natick Select Board opted to remove the longstanding South Natick Dam and its waterfall with a 4-to-1 vote on Wednesday night.
It's a decision that didn't come easy for residents, but following a recommendation from the Charles River Dam Advisory Committee, the majority of Select Board members decided to uproot the landmark out of liability and financial concerns.
The South Natick Dam, constructed in 1934, was estimated to cost the town $2.6 million for repair (not including maintenance expenses) whereas its removal, along with the spillway, would cost about $1.5 million. The locale is a source of recreation for residents, with vistas widely used for wedding and other ceremonial photos.
Select Board member Kathryn Coughlin said during the meeting she surveyed the area and spoke to residents about the prospect of the dam's removal.
"I've spent a lot of time there watching people, and thinking about what the dam means to the town. Here we have a decision with a number of different factors— how do you weigh them? We have a financial factor, I talked to a fifth generation citizen of Natick, she said 'for anyone who wants to restore the dam at any cost, I'd like for them to go look at our senior affordable housing.' Which is in shameful disarray," Coughlin said.
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"One person described it as the soundtrack of our town, it's the fabric of the community. You can't look at an annual calendar or imagery of this community [and not] see the dam as the top three if not number one. It's a park— arguments of mental health were very compelling to me, we heard from veterans returning from war found that place as a place of solitude, reflection and peace," said Select Board member Michael Hickey, who had the lone vote against the dam's removal.
According to a timeline from the town, the dam and its waterfall are expected to be removed in six years or so.
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