Former Finance Commissioner Ambrose J. Kelly re-ignited local debate over the Norwood Civic Center, charging that selectmen “sold a bill of goods” regarding its sale to Norwood Hospital.
Dispute Over Replacement Facilities and Valuation
Norwood Hospital is currently working out details to purchase the civic center adjacent to its property for $2 million to expand medical facilities. Kelly contends that town meeting only approved the 1977 sale because selectmen promised the multi-facility recreation center—featuring a pool, gymnasium, meeting rooms, and playing fields—would be fully replaced elsewhere in town.
With a study committee unable to find a viable replacement site, Kelly argued that the agreement should be re-evaluated and the purchase price doubled to match changing real estate values. Kelly, who has been quiet on the issue for 18 months following an aneurysm operation at Norwood Hospital, emphasized, “I am not against the hospital… I am just against the loss of the Civic Center.”
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
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