UPDATED: Natick Resident Fights for Block Party Approval

After living for seven years in Natick, Tasker Smith and his wife realized they hardly knew any of their neighbors. The Smiths live on Rockland Street, and know very few of the people around them. Smith wants to change that.

“We decided a block party was the most effective way to get people together,” said Smith, who wants to hold this party on Saturday, Oct. 31, from 3-6 p.m. Loosely Halloween-themed, the intent would be to draw neighbors of all ages for the entire length of Rockland Street and include tents and tables, a bouncy house, food, cider, bike riding, a parade and haunted golf cart rides.

But Smith says he’s struggling to get approval to throw the party, and it has been been met with some concern and opposition from town officials.

“The effort has been excruciatingly difficult,” he said.

Smith said his effort to gauge the idea with his neighbors has been positive, even enlightening in some cases. Recently, he met a resident of 54 years who had lost touch with neighbors and most people she had known, as well as young couples with infants who would love to connect, “but get overwhelmed by parenthood and the challenges of maintaining a suburban home and work life.”

On Sept. 8, Smith went before the Board of Selectmen to argue the appropriateness of a road closure, citing a strong precedent of shutting down major streets in Natick for events such as Marathon Monday, Fourth of July and Restaurant Week.

“I have knocked on more than 30 doors to solicit feedback and meet neighbors,” said Smith, “and received nothing but enthusiastic support. A block party hasn’t been denied in nine years.”

Before the board could officially vote on approval of the block party, it asked to speak with the officer who recommended against allowing the road closure.

“This is entirely reasonable,” said Smith, “but they had expressed staunch opposition to the idea, stating concerns that diverting traffic would be inconvenient.”

“Members of the board had several concerns that were expressed at the Sept. 8 meeting, and asked the petitioner and police to identify what conditions would be appropriate if the request were approved,” said Selectman Josh Ostroff, who added that he’s supportive of block parties as a way to strengthen community connections.

“My view also includes the observation that this particular request would send traffic onto a street that is as dangerous for pedestrians,” added Ostroff, “if not more so than Rockland, and that the concerns of residents on Farwell should be considered as well, regardless of how many people sign a petition. The applicant is correct in that we often close roads for community events, but those closures come with a traffic plan, unlike the routine neighborhood block party which is not significant for through traffic.”

Still, Smith said he hopes to appeal to the board that there is a strong precedent for closing roads for community events, and that they can be held safely.

The Board of Selectmen meets on Monday, Sept. 28, at 7 p.m. in the Edward H. Dlott Meeting room of Town Hall. This session will be broadcast live by Pegasus, Inc.

“I believe this is a great opportunity to connect our neighbors locally,” said Smith, “and I am requesting an opportunity to work directly with the Natick Police Department to insure that we can hold this event safely.”

The selectmen’s online agenda includes police recommendations with the comment that this may help the board with similar future requests. That agenda is available here.