The Finance Commission voted 3-1 yesterday to approve an additional $10,000 payment to KL&Q Architects of Norwood to cover extended services on the long-delayed $5 million high school renovation project, whose original contract expired earlier in the spring. Work on the high school playing fields and running track has faced significant setbacks due to an ongoing dispute with the project contractor, Anchor Construction Corp. of Lowell, forcing the architectural firm to remain on-site until construction wraps up later in the year. Commission member William Plasko cast the lone dissenting vote, expressing uncertainty over whether the contract with Anchor Construction legally obliged the town to cover the extra architectural fees. However, Permanent Building Construction Committee Chairman Philip Swain reassured the board that the town retains leverage, noting that officials likely will withhold final payment from Anchor to offset delay-related costs: “They have to pay the money because they ran late with the delays. We just won’t pay if there are problems.”
In other municipal business, the commission received an encouraging update regarding public safety infrastructure from Fire Chief Thomas Barry, who confirmed that every smoke alarm system across town buildings has been thoroughly inspected and verified to be in proper working order. The review followed alarming revelations the previous week indicating that incorrect-voltage smoke alarms had been installed at the Morrill Memorial Library, which would have rendered them useless during a power failure and sparked widespread concern over similar installations in other municipal facilities. (Reporting by local archives).
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
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Norwood Voters Approve Tax Increase To Build New Coakley Middle School-April 10, 2022
Norwood residents delivered a decisive vote, choosing to raise local taxes in order to fund a long‑awaited new middle school. The ballot question passed by a wide margin — 2,365 to 831 — clearing the final hurdle required under Proposition 2½ for the town to take on additional debt. The vote followed a Special Town…
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Voters Approve New Norwood High School-April 12, 2009
Norwood High School Project Faces Delay Despite Overwhelming Voter Support On April 12, 2009, Norwood found itself at a dramatic crossroads — one defined by overwhelming civic unity on the one hand, and a sudden, unexpected construction setback on the other. Just days earlier, Norwood residents had delivered one of the most decisive votes in…
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Norwood School Officials Weigh Alternatives as Renovation Delays Threaten High School Opening-August 8, 1985
Norwood school officials discussed seven alternatives for opening day if $5 million high school renovations are not finished, while firmly rejecting double sessions.
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Completion of Norwood High School Renovation Remains Uncertain-July 18, 1985
Town officials are uncertain if the $5 million Norwood High School renovation will be finished before the start of the fall semester.
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Prospects Improve for On-Schedule Opening of Junior High South-July 26, 1974
Norwood’s Permanent Building Construction Committee received encouraging updates regarding material deliveries, clearing the path for Junior High South to open on schedule.
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Uncertainty Looms Over Norwood Junior High South Opening Date-July 12, 1974
After three years of double sessions following a 1971 fire, Norwood officials faced the possibility of further delays for the new Junior High South.
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Unfinished Junior High To Open On Schedule-July 8, 1974
Discover the construction history of the $4.5 million Junior High South project in 1974, detailing the challenges faced during the transition from the old Washington Street school.
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Gridlock Over $6-Million Junior High Rebuilding Plan and Norwood Arena Noise-This Day in Norwood History-June 27, 1971
A dual crisis hits Norwood in 1971 as a $6-million junior high deficit triggers political warfare and state experts condemn racetrack noise.
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Work Under Way At Junior High North-May 29, 1970
In 1970, Norwood Junior High North saw new fencing, repaving, and drainage improvements while a major school facilities survey moved toward completion, shaping long‑term planning.
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Norwood Kills Funds For School Addition-June 26, 1969
Voters approve a $1,000 Endean Park drainage compromise and reverse a zoning rule to relocate Carl A. Johnson’s Norwood Cadillac Co. along Route 1.
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