Precinct Lines May Change, Splitting Neighborhoods

Natick’s precinct lines may soon change due to changes in population in certain areas of town. The Board of Selectmen heard two plans from Reprecincting Committee chairman Joshua Ostroff Monday night, one of which would more significantly change precinct lines and split neighborhoods.

The selectmen must vote to approve on new precincts by June 15. Ostroff said the selectmen review the lines after each census and when the population in one or more precincts varies from the other by more than five percent, a law he said is not common in many other towns. The challenge, said Ostroff, is predicting the growth in precincts with developments that may cause a precinct to exceed five percent of the average. A maximum number of 4,000 residents is allowed per precinct.

According to the presentation, only four percent of voters in precinct one showed up to vote at the polls this March election, compared to the 13.4 percent voter turnout in the town as a whole. In precincts two through ten, there was a 10.2 to 15.9 percent voter turnout.  Several Town Meeting spots remained vacant after the March election. Option one would, for the most part, maintain current lines in precinct one, whereas option two would split it. Option two would seek to fix the issue of low voter turnout, spreading the apartment complexes throughout several precincts. The Reprecincting Committee voted in preference of option two. According to Ostroff, the Secretary of State’s office has reviewed both options and has no problems with the plans.

The committee will meet Tuesday night at 7 p.m. at to make revisions from public input and the Board of Selectmen’s suggestions.