Norwood secured a significant legislative victory on July 08, 1988, as the Massachusetts Legislature passed a state budget featuring nearly $400,000 in funding for an array of vital local programs.
The successful funding package was spearheaded by State Representative Gregory Sullivan (D-Norwood) and State Senator William Keating (D-Sharon), who co-sponsored the amendments. Representative Sullivan described the legislative success as “an oasis in the desert for this district,” noting the wide-ranging impact these funds will have on the community’s health, social services, and neighborhood development.
The budget includes several key appropriations designed to address both immediate health concerns and long-term social needs:
- Environmental Health: $3,000 has been allocated to provide free blood tests for more than 50 residents living in proximity to the Grant Gear PCB site off Route 1. The testing, requested by Norwood Health Agent Phyllis Boucher, aims to address resident concerns regarding potential cancer risks linked to the site, which is recognized as one of the most severe cases of contamination in New England.
- Community Services: $35,000 has been secured for the Pulse hotline, a nonprofit organization providing drug, alcohol, crisis intervention, and suicide prevention counseling. The funding will support the salary of a professional tasked with training hotline volunteers.
- South Norwood Development: $100,000 is earmarked for community improvement projects in South Norwood. The South Norwood Improvement group is tasked with making recommendations to Town Meeting on how best to utilize these funds to revitalize the area’s commercial and residential sectors.
- Social and Family Support: A significant portion of the budget focuses on maternal and family care. This includes $165,000 annually for the next three years to support Summerhill House on Vernon Street, a residence for pregnant women. Additionally, $35,000 has been granted for a program for young mothers operated by the Norfolk Human Services Program, and $36,000 is allocated to continue a parent-aid and daycare outreach program aimed at preventing child abuse.
- Spiritual and Reintegration Support: $18,000 will fund the Prison Spiritual Ministry Program, directed by Father Joseph McDermott of St. Timothy’s Church, which provides counseling to inmates to assist in their successful reintegration into society.
While the legislative package provided substantial wins for Norwood, two notable proposals did not advance. A plan to forgive over $2 million in debts for Southwood Hospital in Norfolk was unsuccessful, as was the push to create a bulk Registry of Motor Vehicles office in Norwood to streamline registration work for local car dealerships. While the Registry proposal gained administrative support, it failed to secure funding in this budget cycle, though Senator Keating indicated it could be reconsidered later in the year. Additionally, the budget introduced a law change permitting a pilot daycare program in Norwood, allowing residents to care for up to 12 children in their homes, provided they employ two staff members.
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
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