A contentious meeting of the Norwood Conservation Commission resulted in the approval of an order of conditions for a proposed auto body shop at Washington Street and Alandale Parkway, but not before more than 20 disgruntled South Norwood residents voiced fierce opposition. Proposed by Richard Spicer of Rick’s Auto Body on East Hoyle Street, the commercial project is slated for a parcel located within 100 feet of Hawes Brook.
Nearby homeowners expressed grave concerns that the development would exacerbate chronic local flooding and introduce severe pollution risks to the adjacent brook. Beyond environmental fears, however, the hearing tapped into a deep reservoir of community resentment regarding municipal planning decisions. “When you don’t want something, you dump it in South Norwood,” one angry resident protested during the session, while another shouted, “It’s about time the people of South Norwood stood up for their rights.”
Board members countered that the property was already legally zoned for business, emphasizing that their statutory duty was strictly to establish stringent environmental safeguards rather than rule on zoning suitability. “We’re not against you guys,” board member Maurice Baker assured the packed room.
To mitigate environmental hazards, the commission incorporated rigorous mandates into the final order of conditions based on plans submitted by Richard Merrikin of Norwood Engineering Co. The approved design for the 52-by-52-square-foot shop and its 17 parking spaces includes:
- A mandatory six-inch bituminous berm surrounding the entire lot.
- Grading contours engineered to completely prevent water runoff onto Washington Street.
- Strict requirements that all oil and gas spillage from vehicles awaiting repair be contained in suitable receptacles.
- Catch basins equipped with specialized “gas traps” to capture petroleum runoff.
- A strict prohibition against adding two feet of landfill to the property.
- A stipulation disconnecting specific catch basins from the existing town drain on Washington Street, unless the municipal drain is subsequently enlarged to handle increased volume.
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
More Norwood Business History
-
Uptown Shoppers Mall Suggested in Norwood-September 7, 1966
Norwood selectmen and parking commissioners discuss urban renewal and the possibility of creating a pedestrian shoppers mall to combat downtown retail vacancies.
-
Norwood Shoe Warehouse To Be Built-July 16, 1964
As the sun rose over the quaint town of Norwood on July 16, 1964, a sense of excitement and anticipation filled the air. The residents of this charming community were abuzz with news that Consolidated Shoe Inc., a prominent manufacturer of several renowned brands, had finally reached an agreement to construct a state-of-the-art warehouse on…
-
Medical Center Plans Expected-July 10, 1964
The development of a proposed medical building on Walpole Street reached a significant milestone on July 10, 1964, as organizers announced that final preliminary plans were approximately one month from completion. ⠀ Once this rough draft is finalized, the project will be handed over to an architect—who had not yet been designated as of that…
-
James H. McManus Ice Cream Company Opens Norwood Pilot Store-July 8, 1964
In June 1964, the James H. McManus Ice Cream Company opened a new pilot location in Norwood, featuring over 40 flavors of traditional ice cream, sherbets, and water ices.
-
Developer Frank R. Simoni Seeks Zoning Change for New Shopping Center Project-August 21, 1963
Developer Frank R. Simoni has petitioned the Norwood Planning Board for a zoning change on Walpole Street to construct a shopping center, prompting a public hearing set for September 9.
-
Sears, Roebuck to Build Store In Norwood Shopping Center-May 22, 1960
On May 22, 1960, a crowd of civic, business, and government leaders gathered beneath a bright late‑spring sky at the Norwood Shopping Center, where a ceremonial shovel of earth marked the beginning of a major new chapter in local retail life. The groundbreaking celebrated the start of construction on a 31,500‑square‑foot Sears, Roebuck and Co.…
-
Norwood’s Thriving Business Scene-August 4, 1955
A look back at Norwood in 1955 reveals a thriving local economy filled with bustling auto dealerships like Boch Nash, popular eateries like Green Jade, and trusted neighborhood hardware stores and beauty salons.
Discover more from Norwood Historical Society
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.