The Swellesley Report

Since 2005: More than you really want to know about Wellesley, Mass.

Nearby in Natick: Flock license plate reader pilot nixed; Latest police doings; Successful book & bake sale

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The latest news from Natick, Mass.:

Natick Select Board quashes Flock license plate reader pilot; Police chief apologizes & explains

After being blindsided by a Natick Police pilot of Flock Safety license plate reader technology, the Select Board this past week voted unanimously to end the trial and have the town set up a working group to explore the topic going forward.

Camera in front of Natick Community Center

 
For its part, Wellesley has one stationary Flock camera at the intersection of Rtes. 9 and 16. The rest of Wellesley’s cameras are from Motorola and are used on vehicles.

According to Wellesley Police Chief Scott Whittemore, the department has used LPRs (License Plate Readers) since 2014. Commercial and educational institutions in town also use this technology, he says.

LPRs have contributed to Wellesley Police cracking cases, including burglaries and mail thefts.

What ELSE the Natick Police Department is up to

Natick Police Chief James Hicks spoke of hiring challenges, possible adoption of drones, and more during his briefing with the Select Board.

Friends of Morse Institute Library beat the snow for successful book & bake sale

 

     

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black & blue, Wellesley
Olive Tree Medical, Wellesley
Haskins Automotive, Wellesley
MIT Museum, Cambridge

Nearby in Natick: New pastor, photo exhibit, sushi

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The latest from Natick, Mass.:
 
Historic Eliot Church has new pastor

The Eliot Church of Natick has called Reverend Adam Isbitsky to be its next minister after a search process that wound up last fall.
 
A tasty lunch at new Tama restaurant

Sushi and hibachi joint is located in space occupied for years by Oga on Rte. 9 west, not far over the Wellesley line.

Tama sushi
 
Gateway Camera Club photos on display at Morse Institute Library

About 40 photos from members can be seen through February in Lebowitz Meeting Hall.
 

 

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Page Waterman, Natick
London Harness, Wellesley
Longfellow, Wellesley

Levitate Music & Arts Festival reveals line-up headlined by Alanis Morissette and Caamp

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Elovators beach balls levitate

Nothing warms up a winter day like the release of a summer concert line-up: The annual Levitate Music & Arts Festival in Marshfield, Mass., has revealed its bill.

Topping the two-day line-up are singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette of Jagged Little Pill fame and Caamp, a banjo-strong folk band from Ohio.

Also on the roster are Australia’s Royel Otis (they can rock), reggae star Ziggy Marley, New Orleans legend Trombone Shorty (first saw him opening for a tech conference down south), Brooklyn’s Sammy Rae and the Friends (my goddaughter swears by them), and Bebe Stockwell, who boasts Boston roots and performed last year at Boston Calling in front of many family and friends.

The Levitate festival takes place at the Marshfield Fairgrounds, about 45 minutes from Wellesley by car.

Tickets go on sale Jan. 9.

levitate music & arts festival

We’ve covered the Levitate Music & Arts Festival in recent years , including last year:

Among the things that sets Levitate apart from other festivals is its blend of music with the arts, including a crunchy and expansive marketplace where you can get everything from hemp hats to braids. Nearly a dozen artists will get to make their presence felt with big murals or other pieces that they will work on during the event.

Levitate circle songwriter stage
Fans circle up near the Songwriter’s Stage

In addition to the national and international acts on multiple stages is the Levitate Foundation Songwriter’s Stage, which this past year was located in the center of the action. Four previously unsigned artists will be selected to perform and get funding to record an album. The Levitate Foundation is a big supporter of local arts opportunities.

Levitate attracts many families, and includes a Kids Zone with various activities. A plethora of food trucks and booths will keep attendees nourished at this 14th edition of Levitate.

While all this might sound exhausting, one nice thing about Levitate is that you can bring in a folding chair to take a load off and chill.

Interested in having Swellesley cover your music festival or concert? Reach out at theswellesleyreport@gmail.com

More music coverage:

Nearby in Natick: NYE on rail trail; Plunging into Dug Pond; Why 100s of blue, pink & white flags are displayed

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The latest Natick, Mass., news:
 
2025 hits the trails with New Year’s eve event

5th annual NYE on CRT brings out crowds.

nye crt 2025
 
Brrr-ing in 2026 with Dug Pond polar plunge

Only for the brave and…
 
Why hundreds of blue, pink and white flags are displayed on the FCC lawn in Natick

Members of First Congregational Church of Natick installed hundreds of pink, blue, and white hand-held style flags symbolizing transgender pride on the church’s front lawn.

Nearby in Natick: New TCAN director; NYE on rail trail; Deer culling at Broadmoor

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The latest Natick, Mass., news:
 
Meet The Center for the Arts in Natick’s incoming executive director

When Associate Director Erin Basile unlocks the doors of The Center for Arts in Natick each morning, she’s never quite sure who will fill the red-cushioned seats that night…

erin basile tcan
Photo by Yasmine Chang

 
5th annual NYE on Cochituate Rail Trail event on tap

The Friends of Natick Trails is organizing the fifth annual New Year’s Eve event on the Cochituate Rail Trail, complete with fire pits, spectacular lighting, food trucks, music, and best of all, your fellow community members. This is a family friendly event.
 
Natick’s deer population slightly culled at Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary

Nearby in Natick: Where’d the gazebo go?; Town-wide office candidates signing up; Frosty 5K races on

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The latest Natick, Mass., news:

Where’d the gazebo go? (and other winter pics)

The gazebo, recently painted white, got a fresh coat from Mother Nature…

gazebo white winter

Town-wide office candidates signing up

Incumbents, newcomers in the mix for 2016 election

Frosty 5K races on

Annual road race benefits high school cross country and track teams, plus local charity.

Nearby in Natick: 116-unit assisted living complex proposed; Pearl Harbor Day event; Zero Empty Spaces closing at Mall

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The latest Natick, Mass., news:
 
116-unit assisted living complex proposed

Benchmark at Natick would be located between Lake Cochituate and the Stop & Shop plaza—and abutting a residential neighborhood.

Benchmark at Natick
 
Pearl Harbor Day ceremony being held on Dec. 7

The free event will take place at Morse Institute Library from 2-4pm.
 
Zero Empty Spaces closing at Mall

Offered low-cost art gallery rent in relatively high profile space.

Nearby in Natick: Girls & Boys soccer teams win state titles; Top taxpayers; Exploring hybrid Town Meeting

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The latest Natick, Mass., news:

Twin Triumph: Natick High girls & boys soccer teams win state titles

The Natick High School girls & boys soccer teams won D1 state titles just hours apart over the weekend in Leominster. The girls have won three of the last five, while this was the first for the boys.

nhs girls soccer celebrate

Natick releases list of top 10 taxpayers

The names remain the same, including the Natick Mall’s owner, though the order is slightly different.

Natick begins exploration of hybrid Town Meeting

Seeks Town Meeting members to volunteer for new committee.

Read more Natick news on Natick Report.