Ask Town Meeting on Industrial Park-September 7, 1966

Representatives of the development firm Cabot, Cabot & Forbes (CC&F) urged the Board of Selectmen last night to place an article before an early October special town meeting to pave the way for major infrastructure development at the Norwood Industrial Park.

C. Brooks Dodge, representing CC&F, asked the board to initiate town meeting action and secure $15,000 for the town’s share of constructing a rail underpass at Canton Street—a crucial prerequisite for extending rail service from the Westwood Industrial Park across Canton Street into the Norwood park. The underpass project is estimated at $125,000 total, split under a county formula where the state covers roughly 50 percent, the county 25 percent, and Norwood, Westwood, and Canton share the remainder. However, Canton selectmen recently notified the county that their support for the park plans does not extend to financing.

The development hinges heavily on a proposed 30-acre warehousing complex by Star Market on a 55-acre site. Dodge noted that CC&F will not contribute to road construction costs, and warned officials that cooperation from local abutters may be difficult to secure. To accommodate the Star Market facility, selectmen will also be asked to consider seven zoning bylaw changes, which would permit on-site incineration, a food preparation kitchen, an employee cafeteria, a vehicle repair garage, and modified parking requirements.

“Road A” Costs and Land Valuation

The primary cost article involves “Road A,” an extension running 7,200 feet from Canton Street to American Way, carrying an estimated price tag of $620,000. While selectmen previously hesitated to build infrastructure on speculation, Selectman Walter Dempsey argued that construction costs will only rise, noting, “It is never going to be any cheaper than it is now.”

The planning board report highlights that prepared land in the Westwood park sold for about $35,000 per acre three years ago and now commands upwards of $50,000 per acre, while valuation for the 417 acres in the Norwood park totals $29,950. Selectmen authorized Town Manager Walter Blasenak, Town Engineer Robert Hamilton, and municipal consultants to meet with CC&F engineers to review road layouts, utility costs, and land assessments.

Additional Municipal Actions

In other business, the board:

• Agreed to insert an article in the warrant for $995 to purchase a radar traffic control unit following a recommendation by Police Chief James M. Murphy, who also requested new speed limit and warning signs near Neponset Street, Route 1A, and I-95 approaches.
• Voted to ask the town personnel board to consider a 6 percent cost-of-living increase for all municipal employees, following a request by Highway Superintendent William E. McCarthy.
• Proposed installing traffic control lighting at the Neponset and I-95 street circles and the Wilson Street intersection to mitigate traffic hazards.

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger