Bicentennial Commission Dedicates Plaque Honoring Past and Present Town Selectmen in Memorial Hall Ceremony-October 15, 1976

The solemnity of the evening’s intent was set early in the invocation by Rt. Rev. Msgr. Robert J. Sennott, who reminded the gathering in Memorial Hall, “We are here to honor those in the highest office, in whom are our highest hopes.”

The ceremony was also shadowed by news that current Selectman Joseph W. Wall could not attend after heart trouble prompted his admission to University Hospital for evaluation. However, the prevailing tone of last night’s gathering quickly shifted to nostalgia, shared memories, and spirited advice from veteran town leaders as the Bicentennial Commission dedicated a permanent bronze plaque honoring Norwood’s past and present selectmen.

Reminiscences from Former Board Leaders

Sponsored by the Bicentennial Committee and chaired by Olga A. Abdallah—the only woman selectman in the town’s history—the event brought together generations of municipal leadership. Constructed by Allan W. Conrad, the new plaque proudly displays the names of all 60 selectmen who have guided Norwood alongside their respective terms in office.

Among the attendees were several esteemed former board members:

• Sture Nelson: Dubbed the “granddaddy of ’em all,” the 80-year-old former postmaster served six terms between 1935 and 1952. Asked about his proudest achievement, Nelson quipped, “I never wanted those parking meters in town, and we don’t have ’em now, do we?”
• Clement A. Riley: Serving three terms between 1942 and 1953, Riley recalled that the town maintained a stellar tax rate and boasted an active industry committee that successfully attracted 37 new companies into Norwood during and after the Great Depression. Reflecting on board dynamics, Riley admitted, “We used to fight like hell, but then go out to eat together afterwards. We didn’t always agree, but we were always agreeable.”
• Mrs. Mary L. Mulvehill: At 92 years old, the widow of past selectman Thomas B. Mulvehill served as the evening’s matriarch. Recalling her husband’s service from 1919 to 1931, she noted, “When Norwood was a country town—in the horse and carriage day.” She shared how her husband traveled to New York City to gather architectural design ideas for Memorial Hall, operating a local livery business with stables on the town square.

Additional past selectmen in attendance included Charles L. Donahue (1941–1943), Herbert W. Anderson (1941–1943), Martin J. Lydon (1962–1965), and Daniel E. Callahan (1953–1956). Donahue remains actively involved in local governance as special town counsel handling jury cases.

Differing Philosophies on Town Leadership

When the former leaders offered advice to the current board, their distinct personalities shone through once again. Riley urged fiscal discipline: “They should keep the budget tight—if the town doesn’t have the money, that’s it.”

Nelson, offering a chuckle to current Selectman William F. Butters, demurred before offering his classic rule of thumb for local governance: “Keep your feet—and your powder—dry.”

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