Goodbye Santa, Homeless Vigil, Voting Deadline: Monday Manual

FRAMINGHAM, MA — Welcome to the Dec. 20 edition of Monday Manual, where we highlight important events coming up during the week (plus a local fact) in seven Patch communities between Framingham and Worcester.

This week we're starting in Framingham, which has had one of the wildest elections in the state so far this year. The leader in the District 3 race was ahead by two votes on Nov. 2, prompting his challenger to seek a recount. The recounted ended in a tie. Both sides went to court over the results, leading to a judge setting a new election for January.

Monday Manual will be taking a holiday break next week. The feature will return on Jan. 3.

1) Framingham

The special election in Framingham's unprecedented District 3 City Council race is coming up on Jan. 11. The final day to register to vote is on Wednesday. The election is only open to District 3 residents.

2) Natick

If you haven't visited the Natick Mall Santa yet, you'll get a chance on Thursday and Friday. Appointments to take pictures with St. Nick have all been booked, but the mall will offer walk-in hours on the two days before Christmas.

3) Wayland

The Board of Public Works will have a pretty important meeting on Tuesday about the town's water supply. Wayland may hook into the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) system as a long-term solution to the town's PFAS problem. The board on Tuesday will review a study into the pros and cons of an MWRA conversation.

4) Milford

The vax bus is back. A mobile coronavirus vaccine clinic will return to Stacy Middle School on Monday afternoon. Residents should register in advance.

5) Sudbury

If you see someone taking a photo of your house, don't worry — it's most likely just a town employee. The Sudbury Assessing Department has begun an update of its property photo inventory, which means town employees will be out snapping pictures of houses.

6) Marlborough

The fourth annual holiday lights contest concludes on Monday, which is also when the city will reveal the best-decorated homes.

7) Worcester

An event to remember homeless people who died in 2021 will be held on Monday. The National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day is observed each year on the winter solstice, which is the longest night of the year. The vigil will begin at 5:30 p.m. Monday behind Worcester City Hall, 455 Main St.

If you have an event or activity you want included in Monday Manual, email neal.mcnamara@patch.com.