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Resolving a sticky and prolonged site debate, the permanent Building Committee voted unanimously last night to approve the relocation of two softball fields at the Endean Park site of the new Junior High South project. The adjustment was proposed after the Recreation Department requested that the ball fields be lengthened from 250 feet to 275 feet to meet official regulations for slow-pitch softball.
Project architect Vincent A. Iannone of Korslund, LeNormand & Quann Inc. explained that one field will be shifted 25 feet and the other 100 feet to prevent the outfields from overlapping. While substantial cutting and filling will be required for one of the fields, Iannone noted that the expenses would be offset by savings on subsurface drainage.
The committee also investigated potential state review requirements, with Building Committee Chairman Ernest S. Paciorkowski confirming that Town Manager John P. Mogan assured officials the revised plans would likely avoid delays through Norwood boards regarding Hatch Act compliance, while state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) review would proceed concurrently. Meanwhile, deliberations over a name for the planned new elementary school at the burned-out junior high site remained inconclusive. Paciorkowski announced that committee straw votes yielded scattered results across a list of prominent local figures and historical names—including Harry Butters, Alec Abdullah, Shattuck, Winslow, John J. Corcoran, John F. Cavanaugh, Louise Nugent, Mary A. Dean, and Central Elementary School—prompting a redistribution of ballots for a future vote.
In other municipal and school developments:
- High School Addition Review: The building committee discussed the status of the senior high school addition project following a meeting with John Blackhall Smith of the state School Building Assistance Bureau (SBAB), with school officials and Superintendent Philip O. Coakley strongly opposing the removal of auditorium-gymnasium stadium seating.
- Special Town Meeting Warrants: Town boards reacted favorably to scheduling a public hearing for September 7 at the high school ahead of the September 25 special town meeting, which will feature warrant articles for high school preliminary planning funds and a zoning article for elderly housing along Washington Street advanced by Planning Director Charles Thomas.
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
More…
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Strikes And Weather Delay North Junior High School Construction-June 17, 1969
Superintendent Warns Of Possible Double-Session Classes If Washington Street Facility Openings Fail A steel strike at the end of last summer halted installation of metal decking for the roof and delayed the roofer. Snow and freezing weather further hampered the project before the roof could be completed at the new school site. Without a roof,…
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Parents Challenge Junior‑High Redistricting Plan-June 12, 1969
In June 1969, furious Cleveland School families took their grievances directly to town leaders, sparking a tense debate over school enrollment, modern facilities, and neighborhood identity.
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Willett School Wiring Dispute Adds $9,000 to Construction Costs Ahead of September Opening-July 28, 1968
⠀ The Norwood Permanent Building Construction Committee last night voted to approve the installation of additional circuit breaker panels so that the Willett School can open on schedule in September. The cost of the electrical installation is estimated at approximately $9,000. William J. Kates, supervisor of the Municipal Light Department and inspector of wires, advised…
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Ground Broken for $1.23 Million George F. Willett Elementary School-August 11, 1967
Following a $1.04 million contract award and emergency state borrowing approval, Rocheford Construction Co. broke ground on the 16-classroom George F. Willett Elementary School.
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School Building Committee Votes to Recommend Addition to Cleveland School-August 16, 1963
By a 3-2 vote, Norwood’s Elementary School Building Committee recommended an eight-room addition to the Cleveland School rather than constructing a new facility on Wilson Street.
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School Committee Considers New School Sites-March 22, 1962
NORWOOD, Mar, 22 -Arthur B. Rodgers, chairman of the School Housing Study Committee which is responsible for the long-range projection of the towns future school needs, has requested information from the School Committee on its plans for new schools. Being considered by the School Committee are the possibilities of the construction of a second junior…
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Redecorating Of School Interiors Is Recommended-February 9, 1950
Purchase Of Land For New Stands At High School Also Urged By Supt. Lynch Recommendations for the improvement of the present school plant before the town faced with the problem of new construction were advanced by School Superintendent Lincoln D. Lynch, as principal speaker at the February meeting of the Chamber of Commerce Tuesday night…
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