USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1963-1964 > Part 31
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February 25, 1964
Dear Town Meeting Member:
As you are well aware, "that" business rezoning in District 3 comes up again in the pending Town Meeting.
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TOWN OF NORWOOD
So much has been said before, it seems unnecessary to belabor the facts, so we won't.
We merely thought you would appreciate being brought up to date.
At November (1963) Town Meeting: following the granting of ample time for Mr. Donahue to present the case for the proponents; following the Moderator's ruling that the Articles was on the warrant legally and properly; and following the denial of opportunity for opposing neighbors and Town Meeting Members to present new facts to the floor, the motion was passed by a margin of three votes.
That was that.
The Massachusetts Attorney General, however, became extremely agi- tated when the matter came before him for a "rubber stamp" approval. As you know, he ruled that the whole procedure was out of order. This is not something lightly done. For the State Attorney General to "wrap the knuckles" of Town Officials (with whom his office has almost daily com- merce), it must indeed have been a serious matter. It was.
There was an air of secrecy around the "Old Town Hall" on this matter, and the Norwood newspapers were obligingly silent or brief in their comments. Things like this don't happen very often. Aren't you curious ?
Somehow, the Private "Public" Meetings between the Planning Board and representatives of the investors, taking place in August and/or Sep- tember were "forgotten". To appearances, they had never happened. Odd.
Somehow, the Planning Board Meeting (all neighbors welcome at this one) which took place in June 1963 appeared to be the Meeting properly preceding the November Town Meeting. Curious.
For Heaven's Sake! How deceptive can you get?
Naturally, the Planning Board is peeved at us (because they were caught out by the A.G.), naturally, the Town Officials involved are put out, now they too look bad. The A.G. has his eye on them.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the groggy neighbors of District 3 are trying to figure out whether everybody in the world is against them. All they want is a fair hearing.
You would think that we were for SIN and against MOTHERHOOD. All we are trying to do is protect our homes. (This is wrong?).
Tune in for next Thursday's exciting chapter.
Sincerely yours,
The Old Faithfuls from District 3.
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REPORT OF TOWN CLERK
NORWOOD PLANNING BOARD
March 2, 1964
Town Meeting Member:
The Planning Board, serving the Town as elected public officials, feel it is incumbent upon the Board to answer certain alleged inconsistencies according to an "unsigned" letter mailed to a number of town meeting members prior to last week's town meeting. (a copy of the letter is attached.)
Unfortunately, members of the Planning Board were unaware that such a letter, which is not only distorted but, in fact, maliciously untrue, was circulated before town meeting action on the proposed rezoning of the so-called "doctors' land".
The Planning Board has conducted no "private" meetings with any parties directly or indirectly involved in the proposed zoning change. In fact, only on two occasions in the past five years has the Board found it necessary to go into executive session, as our records will attest, and in both instances, problems involving proposed expenditure of funds was the subject of discussion.
The facts relating to the rezoning matter to date are these:
On June 26, 1963, a hearing was held at the Municipal Building to discuss the proposed rezoning of the former Congregational Church property and adjoining Town of Norwood property, with three members of the Planning Board in attendance, two others having been on vacation.
Following the meeting, in which Attorney Charles Donahue spoke in favor of the rezoning, and William Shields, Frank Garner, Mrs. Mary Dunn, Charles Briggs, Theodore Crawford, Mrs. Ruth Carolan, William C. Ken- drick, Philip Riley, and Theresa Flaherty spoke in opposition to the rezon- ing; the Board voted 2-0 to recommend indefinite postponement of the Article at the June 27 town meeting.
At this point, no "deed restriction" had been offered by the petitioners.
At the June 27 town meeting, on a motion made and seconded by the two Planning Board members who had voted to recommend indefinite post- ponement, the town meeting directed the Planning Board to meet with the petitioners to work out deed restrictions.
The Planning Board held an open meeting with representatives of the press in attendance on September 9, 1963, at which time Attorney Donahue, representing the doctors, agreed to every restriction imposed by the Plan- ning Board. The restrictions were to be incorporated in a deed which Attorney Donahue stated the doctors would present to the town.
At the subsequent December town meeting, the majority of the Plan- ning Board recommended approval of the rezoning. Town Meeting voted to approve the zoning change.
However, Assistant Attorney General Carter Lee ruled that the action was not valid because the Planning Board had changed its recommendation from "opposition" to "in favor" of the proposed change.
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TOWN OF NORWOOD
Another public hearing was conducted by the Planning Board on Jan- uary 27, 1964, at which time Attorney Donahue and Ludovic O. Fournier spoke in favor of the proposed change, and William Shields, Frank Garner, Mrs. Ruth Carolan, Peter Sarnie, and William C. Kendrick spoke in opposition.
The Planning Board subsequently voted, 4 to 1, to recommend a change of zone, primarily because of the voluntary agreement made by the doctors of placing restrictions on a deed to 'be offered to the Town of Norwood.
AT NO TIME did the Planning Board hold "private" meetings of any nature.
The unsigned attached letter would suggest that the Planning Board has conducted public business in a "deceptive" manner. If this was true, the authors of the letter would seem to have a course of legal recourse against the Planning Board.
It is apparent that because the authors have distorted beyond any sense of decency the actual facts relating to the zoning matter that the letter was "unsigned".
Very truly yours, NORWOOD PLANNING BOARD James T. O'Sullivan, Chairman J. Edward Bamber Paul M. Murphy Francis Wisgirda John F. Lydon, Clerk
Attached is copy of letter referred to in Planning Board statement.
ARTICLE 1. On motion of Philip Gahm, duly seconded by Herbert Wiggin, it was
VOTED: To reconsider Article 1.
On voice vote, declared carried.
ARTICLE 1. On motion of J. Edward Bamber, duly seconded by Fran- cís Wisgirda, it was
VOTED: To amend the zoning by-laws and zoning map by altering the district boundaries with respect to that portion of the present Single Residence area namely, that area bounded as follows:
Beginning at a point in the northwesterly line of Walpole Street said point being at the point of curvature of a curve of a radius of 40.00 feet leading to Winter Street; thence running southwesterly and northwesterly by said curve of a radius of 40.00 feet a distance of 45.74 feet to a point in the northeasterly line of Winter Street; thence running N 38-56-00 W by the said northeasterly line of Win- ter Street a distance of 104.72 feet; thence turning and running N 60-35-40 E a distance of 92.35 feet; thence running N 60-37-20 E
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REPORT OF TOWN CLERK
a distance of 98.79 feet; thence turning and running N 36-35-00 W a distance of 30.22 feet; thence turning and running N 60-38-00 E a distance of 98.78 feet; thence turning and running N 36-35-00 W a distance of 39.43 fect; thence turning and running N 53-25-00 E a distance of 141.72 feet to a point in the southwesterly line of Beacon Street; thence turning and running S 31-51-00 E by said southwesterly line of Beacon Street a distance of 277.94 feet to the point of curvature of a curve of 20.00 feet of radius leading to Walpole Street; thence running southeasterly, southerly and south- westerly by said curve of 20.00 foot radius a distance of 31.67 feet to the northwesterly line of Walpole Street; thence running S 58- 52-00 W a distance of 10.70 fcet; thence running S 67-11-00 W a distance of 45.24 feet; thence running S 69-39-00 W a distance of 68.16 feet; thence running S 72-13-32 W a distance of 56.37 feet; thence running S 73-47-45 W a distance of 34.36 feet; thence run- ning S 75-33-05 W a distance of 161.70 feet to the point of beginning; the last six bearings and distances being by the said northwesterly line of Walpole Street, by withdrawing said portion from Single Residence and establishing same as Business.
On roll call vote, voting Yes, 108, voting No, 44. Motion declared carried.
ARTICLE 3. A motion was made by John A. Abdallah, duly seconded by Francis Sheehan, that the following motion be substituted for the recommendation of the Finance Commission: Be it hereby moved that the Moderator be and hereby is authorized and directed to appoint a committee of seven to procure plans, specifications and estimates for the construction of a sixteen room elementary school, and be it further voted that there be raised by transfer from available funds the sum of $500 and appropriated for the use of said committee for the above purpose.
MOTION LOST on voice vote.
ARTICLE 3. On motion of Stephen T. Hefferan, duly seconded by Kenneth Webber, it was
VOTED: Indefinite Postponement on Article 3.
On voice vote, declared carried.
ARTICLE 4. On motion of Stephen T. Hefferan and duly seconded, it was
VOTED: Indefinite Postponement on Article 4.
On voice vote, declared carried.
ARTICLE 5. On motion of Stephen T. Hefferan, duly seconded by William Dunn, it was
VOTED: That the Moderator appoint a committee of seven to procure plans, specifications and estimates for the construction of an addition to the Balch for the construction of an addition to the Balch School; and be it further voted that the sum of $5,000.00 be raised by taxation and appropriated for the use of the committee for the above purpose.
On voice vote, declared carried.
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TOWN OF NORWOOD
ARTICLE 6. On motion of Stephen T. Hefferan, duly seconded by Maurice S. Baker, it was
VOTED: That the Moderator appoint a committee of seven to procure plans, specifications and estimates for the construction of an eight class- room addition to the Cleveland School; be it further voted that the sum of $1900.00 be raised by taxation and appropriated for this purpose, and that the Elementary School Housing Study Committee be and hereby is in- structed to return with an up-to-date report on the need and location of additional classrooms at a town meeting prior to Febraury 28, 1965.
On voice vote, declared carried.
ARTICLE 7. On motion of Robert Rizzo, duly seconded by Frederick R. Valentine, it was
VOTED: That the Selectmen be and hereby are authorized, for valuable consideration, to abandon all rights and interest the Town may have in a right of way in the "Former Old Leading Way," running easterly about 1161 feet from Sumner Street and Boston-Providence Highway across lots 1, 31, 32, 33, 34, 36, 37 and 38, between the stone walls as shown on plan entitled "Plan of Land in Norwood Mass.," September 24, 1963 Norwood Engineering Co. Inc., Civil Engineers, filed with Norfolk County Registry of Deeds as No. 1157 of 1963 in Plan Book 215, and with the Land Court with Petition to Register, No. 29781.
On standing vote, voting Yes, 89, voting No, 4.
Motion declared carried.
ARTICLE 8. On motion of Robert Rizzo, duly seconded by Frederick R. Valentine, it was
VOTED: That the Selectmen be and hereby are authorized on behalf of the Town to accept a grant of easement of right of way in, over and along certain private ways shown as "Plymouth Drive", "Bristol Drive" and the thirty (30) foot right of way over and across Lot 38 as shown on a plan entitled "Plan of Land in Norwood, Mass.," September 24, 1963, Norwood Engineering Co., Inc., Civil Engineers, filed with Norfolk County Registry of Deeds as No. 1157 of 1963 in Plan Book 215 also filed in Land Court with Petition to Register No. 29781.
On voice vote, declared carried.
Meeting Adjourned.
A True Record
Attest; BARTLEY W. CONNOLLY
Town Clerk and Accountant
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REPORT OF TOWN CLERK
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS SPECIAL TOWN MEETING WARRANT (SEAL) TOWN OF NORWOOD
Norfolk, ss.
To either of the Constables in the Town of Norwood in said County, Greetings:
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby required to notify and warn the inhabitants of the Town of Norwood qualified as the law requires to vote in elections to meet in Memorial Hall, Municipal Office Building on Nahatan Street in said town on Monday, the 9th day of March, 1964 at 1:00 O'clock in the afternoon, to vote on the following question:
Shall the town accept the provisions of sections sixteen to sixteen I, inclusive of chapter 71 of the General Laws, providing for the establishment of a regional school district together with the towns of Avon, Braintree, Canton, Holbrook, Randolph, and Westwood, and the construction, mainten- ance and operation of a regional school by the said district in accordance with the provisions of a proposed agreement filed with the Selectmen?
The Polls shall be open at 1:00 o'clock in the afternoon and shall be kept open until 8:00 o'clock in the afternoon when they may be closed.
And you are directed to serve this warrant by posting attested copies thereof in ten public places in this town seven days at least before the day of said meeting. Hereof fail not and make due return of this warrant with your doings thereon to the Selectmen on or before the time and day of said meeting.
Given under our hands at Norwood this 18th day of February, A.D. 1964.
THOMAS K. McMANUS MARTIN J. LYDON WALTER J. DEMPSEY CHARLES L. RICH Selectmen of Norwood
Norfolk, ss.
March 2, 1964
By virtue of the within warrant, I have posted the same as directed. The posting was completed Friday, Feb. 28, 1964 at 3 P.M.
JAMES F. LYDEN (Signed) Constable, Town of Norwood
A True Record
Attest:
BARTLEY W. CONNOLLY
Town Clerk and Accountant
46
TOWN OF NORWOOD
March 9, 1964
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Town of Norwood
Norfolk, ss.
In pursuance with the foregoing warrant, the inhabitants of the Town of Norwood qualified to vote in elections and town affairs met in the Memorial Hall of the Municipal Building on Monday, the 9th day of March 1964 at 1:00 o'clock in the afternoon. The meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Walter J. Gotovich. The warrant calling the meeting, and the service of the same upon the inhabitants of the town, signed by James L. Lyden, Constable of Norwood, to the effect that the posting was completed as required by the by-laws on February 28, 1964 at 3 P.M. was read by Town Clerk and Accountant, Bartley W. Connolly.
The following election officers were sworn by the Moderator to the faithful performance of their duty:
Wilfred Turene, James Flynn, Julia Rau, Mary Hayes, Neil G. Hawley, Michael Nugent, Charles H. Brown, Ellen A. Cotter, Doris C. Dauksis, Edna Hunter, Margaret C. Lewis, Mae Atwood, Helen Coakley, Helen M. Blair, Catherine M. Griffin, Elizabeth E. Donovan, Harold E. Ritchie, Francis I. Cuff, Jennie McNally, Edward Campbell, Edward A. Flaherty, Arthur Rodgers, Mary Wilfred, John Folan.
In accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts governing elections, the Memorial Hall of the Municipal Building was fitted up as a polling place, a place railed off and compartments provided for the convenience of voters, in marking their ballots and each compartment was supplied with cards of instruction and other necessary facilities.
Cards of Instruction and specimen ballots were posted in the five different parts of the polling place outside the rail. The Town Clerk and Accountant delivered the ballot clerks sealed packages marked "Official Ballots, March 9, 1964" and their receipts therefor.
The Ballot Clerks were provided with duplicate sets of registered voters of the Town, as prepared by the Registrars of Voters for use at this election. They were supplied with the Official Ballots taken from the packages received from the Town Clerk and Accountant and were sta- tioned by the entrance and exits of the polling place with instructions to deliver such ballots only to voters whose names were found and checked on the voting list. The Ballot Boxes used in elections were opened in public meeting, examined by the Moderator and other officials and found to be empty. The registers were then set at zero.
The polls were declared open for the reception of ballots at 1:00 o'clock in the afternoon, and were declared closed at 8:00 o'clock p.m. At the close of the polls, an actual canvass of the ballots showed that nine hundred and forty (940) ballots were cast.
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REPORT OF TOWN CLERK
The names checked on the voting list by the Ballot Clerks at the entrance of the Polling Place and by the Checkers of the Ballot Boxes at the exits of the polling place were counted and found to agree and the total number of names so checked was nine hundred and forty (940).
Shall the Town accept the provisions of section sixteen to sixteen 1 inclusive of Chapter 71 of the General Laws, providing for the establishment of a regional school district, together with the towns of Avon, Braintree, Canton, Holbrook, Randolph and Westwood, and the construction, maintenance and operation of a regional school by the said district in accordance with the provis- ions of a proposed agreement filed with the Selectmen?
YES
812 NO 128
A True Record
Attest: BARTLEY W. CONNOLLY Town Clerk and Accountant
ADJOURNED ANNUAL TOWN MEETING TOWN OF NORWOOD
Pursuant to the provisions of the by-laws of the Town of Norwood, notice is hereby given that at the Annual Town Meeting of the inhabitants of the Town of Norwood held on Thursday evening, March 19, 1964, it was voted that the meeting stand adjourned to meet at 7:30 o'clock on Thurs- day, April 16, 1964 at the Junior High School Auditorium.
It was further voted that Article 2 through Article 19 be laid on the table and acted upon at the adjourned session of this meeting.
BARTLEY W. CONNOLLY Town Clerk and Accountant
Norfolk, ss.
March 24,1964
By virtue of the within warrant, I have posted the same as directed. The posting was completed Saturday, March 21, 1964 at 5:00 p.m.
JAMES F. LYDEN Constable, Town of Norwood
A True Copy
Attest: BARTLEY W. CONNOLLY Town Clerk and Accountant
ADJOURNED ANNUAL TOWN MEETING TOWN OF NORWOOD
Pursuant to the provisions of the By-Laws of the Town of Norwood, notice is hereby given that at the Adjourned Annual Town Meeting of the inhabitants of the Town of Norwood held on April 16, 1964 it was voted
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TOWN OF NORWOOD
that the meeting stand adjourned to meet at 7:30 o'clock in the afternoon on Thursday, April 23, 1964 in the Junior High School Auditorium.
It was further voted that Article 2 through Article 19 be laid on the table and acted upon at the adjourned session of this meeting.
BARTLEY W. CONNOLLY
Town Clerk and Accountant
Norfolk, ss.
April 21, 1964
By virtue of the within warrant, I have posted the same as directed. The posting was completed Saturday, April 18, 1964 at 11:30 a.m.
JAMES F. LYDEN Constable, Town of Norwood
A True Copy
Attest: BARTLEY W. CONNOLLY Town Clerk and Accountant
April 16, 1964
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS SPECIAL TOWN MEETING WARRANT (SEAL) TOWN OF NORWOOD
Norfolk, ss.
To either of the Constables in the Town of Norwood in said County, Greetings:
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby required to notify and warn the inhabitants of the Town of Norwood qualified as the law requires to vote in town affairs to meet in the Audi- torium of the Junior High School on Washington Street, in said Town on Thursday, April 16, 1964 at 7:00 o'clock in the afternoon, to notify and warn the Town Meeting Members to meet and act at said time and place on the following articles, namely:
ARTICLE 1. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Selectmen to acquire by purchase or take by eminent domain for municipal purposes, certain parcels of land of William F. Lovell within the Town of Norwood being shown on Assessors' Plans as Lot No. 65B on Map 12, Sheet I-L containing 23,181 square feet and Lot No. 65 on Assessors' Map 12, Sheet I-L containing 10 acres 27,685 square feet, said parcels being intended for dump purposes, or take any other action in the matter.
ARTICLE 2. To see what sum of money the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for the purpose of constructing a permanent Honor Roll for the Veterans of World War II and Korean Conflict to replace the one now located at Veteran of Foreign Wars Square, commonly known as Town Square, or take any other action in the matter.
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REPORT OF TOWN CLERK
ARTICLE 3. To see what sum of money the Town will vote to raise and appropriate to cover the expense of a study of expansion and extension of the Municipal Light Department under a ten (10) year plan, or take any other action in the matter.
ARTICLE 4. To see what sum of money the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for the purpose of procuring an oil painting of the late George F. Willett to be hung in the Memorial Municipal Office Building, or take any other action in the matter.
ARTICLE 5. To see what sum of money the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for the purpose of providing a memorial to the late James E. Pendergast, or take any other action in the matter.
ARTICLE 6. To see what sum of money the Town will vote to raise and appropriate to cover the cost of renovating the Memorial Municipal Office Building, or take any other action in the matter.
ARTICLE ". To see what sum of money the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for the erection of a flag pole on the D. A. V. Park com- monly known as "Winslow Park", or take any other action in the matter.
ARTICLE 8. To see what sum of money the Town will vote to raise and appropriate by transfer and/or borrowing or by taxation for the purpose of Electric Light Department Construction, or take any other action in the matter.
ARTICLE 9. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Selectmen to appoint a permanent building construction committee, or take any other action in the matter.
And you are directed to serve this warrant by posting attested copies thereof in ten public places in this town seven days at least before the time and day of said meeting. Hereof fail not and make due return of this warrant with your doings thereon to the Selectmen on or before the day and time of said meeting.
Given under our hands at Norwood this 24th day of March, A.D. 1964.
THOMAS K. McMANUS HARRY B. BUTTERS MARTIN J. LYDON Selectmen of Norwood
Norfolk, ss.
April 1, 1964
By virtue of the within warrant I have posted the same as directed. The posting was completed Tuesday, March 31, 1964 at 4:30 p.m.
JAMES F. LYDEN Constable, Town of Norwood
A True Copy
Attest:
BARTLEY W. CONNOLLY
Town Clerk and Accountant
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TOWN OF NORWOOD
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS SPECIAL TOWN MEETING April 16, 1964
Norfolk, ss.
Town of Norwood
In pursuance with the foregoing warrant, the inhabitants of the Town of Norwood, and the Town Meeting Members qualified to vote in elections and town affairs met in the Auditorium of the Junior High School on Washington Street in said Town on Thursday, April 16, 1964, at 7:00 o'clock in the afternoon. The meeting was opened with a prayer by Rev. Francis Hardiman.
The meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Walter J. Gotovich. The warrant calling the meeting was read by Town Clerk and Accountant, Bartley W. Connolly. Tellers being appointed and sworn, the following action was taken on the articles of the foregoing warrant:
ARTICLE 1. On motion of Stephen T. Hefferan, duly seconded by Thomas K. McManus, it was
VOTED: That the Board of Selectmen be and hereby are authorized to acquire by purchase or take by eminent domain, land of William F. Lovell being shown on Assessors' Plan as Lots 65 and 65B, Map 12, Sheet I-L, and being shown as Lots 1 and 2 on a plan entitled "Town of Norwood, Mass., Plan Showing Land of William F. Lovell to be Acquired for Municipal Purposes, R. A. Hamilton, Town Enigneer, March 30, 1964," and being bounded and described as follows:
LOT 1. Easterly by Winter Street, ninety (90) feet; Southerly by land of Eva B. Webber, two hundred forty-six (246) feet; West- erly by Lot 2, ninety-eight and 49/100 (98.49) feet; and Northerly by Mary R. Bateman, two hundred and forty-six and 39/100 (246.39) feet. Containing 23,181 square feet.
LOT 2. Easterly by Mary R. Bateman, one hundred seventy- five (175) feet, and by Lot 1, ninety-eight and 49/100 (98.49) feet; Southeasterly by Eva B. Webber, one hundred and sixty-five and 49/100 (165.49) feet; Southerly by land of Town of Norwood, nine hundred ninety and 81/100 (990.81) feet; Westerly by land of Town of Norwood, two hundred and sixty-three and 47/100 (263.47) feet; Northwesterly by other land of the grantor, nine hundred ninety- nine and 52/100 (999.52) feet; Easterly by land of Town of Norwood, two hundred eighty-one and 08/100 (281.08) feet; and Northerly by land of Town of Norwood, four hundred five and 31/100 (405.31) feet; Containing ten acres, 27,685 square feet, and be it further voted that the sum of $23,850.00 be raised by taxation and appropriated for the above purposes, of which amount the sum of $350.00 shall be for appraisal of the land.
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