South Norwood Homeowners Voice Fears of Pollution and Flooding Near Hawes Brook as Public Hearing Pushes Back Against Rick’s Auto Body Plan
Outspoken and angry South Norwood residents packed a conservation commission meeting last night to fiercely oppose a proposed auto body shop at the corner of Washington Street and Alandale Parkway. For nearly two hours, roughly 20 neighborhood residents and the commission locked horns over environmental and flood hazards tied to Richard Spicer’s plans for Rick’s Auto Body on East Hoyle Street. The project calls for a 52-by-52-square-foot shop with 17 parking spaces on a vacant half-acre corner lot situated well within 100 feet of Hawes Brook, which runs behind Alandale homes and flows east beneath Washington Street.
Representing the applicant, Donald B. Myers of Norwood Engineering Co. outlined built-in safeguards, including a six-inch perimeter berm to prevent runoff and gas traps in drainage basins. Commission Chairman Bettina S. Cottrell noted similar engineering features had succeeded elsewhere, while member Maurice S. Baker recommended mandating holding tanks for solvents. However, residents remained deeply unconvinced. District 6 Town Meeting members Frances A. Phipps and William F. McCoy urged the commission to outright reject the project, with McCoy testifying, “I’ve lived with this flooding.” Resident Anna Fahrenholt echoed those fears regarding backyard water problems, while attorney Philip H. Macchi—whose office sits across the street—was applauded when he reminded the panel that the Wetlands Protection Act empowers them to prohibit hazardous uses. Although commission members assured the public they were sympathetic, Chairman Cottrell indicated the board would need an “extremely good reason” to completely ban the shop and will likely vote on a formal order of conditions at its next meeting on August 21.
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
More Norwood Business History
-
Norwood Plastics Firm Starts Full Operations-This Day In Norwood History-July 21, 1969,
The dawn of a new era in Norwood’s industrial landscape unfolded on July 21, 1969, as the Gamma Platics Corporation embarked on its full-scale manufacturing operations. Nestled at 370 Lenox St., this pioneering plastics firm was poised to revolutionize the industry with its custom injection molding services. At the helm of this innovative venture stood…
-
Polaroid Begins Production At Norwood Complex-July 9, 1969
In 1969, Polaroid began producing goods in their newly constructed facility on the former Forbes Estate in Norwood.
-
Polaroid Corporation Conducts Site Studies on 220-Acre Forbes Estate in Norwood and Westwood-August 8, 1967
Partnering with landscape architects Sasaki, Dawson and Demay, the Polaroid Corp. is actively surveying its 220-acre Forbes Estate in Norwood and Westwood to draft revised facility and manufacturing plans.
-
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.