Meeting to draft financial recommendations for the upcoming special town meeting, the Finance Commission postponed action on a proposal to purchase Ellis Pond for municipal conservation use, requesting a formal recommendation from the Board of Selectmen first.
Conservation Purchase Proposals and Cost Concerns
Conservation Commission members reported that property owner Robert A. Fairbairn delivered an ultimatum giving the town the option to purchase Ellis Pond, Guild Pond, and surrounding lands for $140,000, lease them for future consideration, or watch the owner develop the acreage. An additional article requested $5,000 to cover professional appraisals and boundary surveys.
Debate among FinCom members and town officials revealed deep skepticism regarding the project:
- Sizing Up the Costs: FinCom member George T. Mahoney criticized the proposal, claiming the owner was “trying to get rid of an albatross around his neck and get $140,000 in the bargain.” Conservation Commission member John J. Kinnaly noted that developing Ellis Pond for full recreational use would cost triple the purchase price, citing an engineering study by Fay, Spofford and Thorndike estimating total development costs at $770,000, alongside a dam repair estimate of $150,000.
- Environmental Value: Conservation Chairman Bettina Cottrell and member Charles J. Strumski defended the acquisition, emphasizing the ponds’ vital role as water storage areas protecting South Norwood from flooding. Strumski noted the property’s assessed development valuation was $230,000.
A study committee led by Selectman Walter J. Dempsey prepared the Ellis Pond proposal for presentation to the town meeting, while grant coordinator Bernard Cooper noted that 50 percent matching funds might be secured from the state Department of Natural Resources.
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
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Selectmen Authorize Water Main Connection and Space Transfers for Phased-Out Schools-June 26, 1974
Shaw Street Infrastructure Upgrades Approved While Winslow and Shattuck Buildings Repurposed for Town Services The Board of Selectmen enacted a series of municipal infrastructure and real estate management decisions during last night’s executive session. In a unanimous vote, selectmen approved a formal request to seek a $16,000 budget transfer from the Finance Commission to construct…
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Town Meeting Approves Historic Ellis Pond Purchase by a Dramatic Single Vote—October 12, 1973
After a tense four-year battle, Norwood Town Meeting approves the $140,000 acquisition of Ellis Pond for conservation and recreation by a dramatic one-vote margin.
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Finance Commission Delays Decision on Ellis Pond Conservation Purchase-September 11, 1973
The Finance Commission postpones a vote on acquiring Ellis Pond for $140,000, awaiting a formal recommendation from selectmen amid debates over high development costs.
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Traphole Brook Protection Association and Developer Meet to Discuss Proposed Union Street and Route 1 Shopping Center Project-September 11, 1973
Lanning Corp. meets with the Traphole Brook Protection Association to discuss stormwater runoff and environmental safeguards for a proposed Route 1 shopping center.
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Ellis Pond Planning Committee Established-July 11, 1973
On July 11, 1973, the Norwood Board of Selectmen authorized the formation of a special committee to develop a multiphased action plan for the acquisition and development of Ellis Pond. ⠀ This decision followed a lengthy and contentious debate involving pond owner Robert A. Fairbairn, local neighbors, the Norwood Sportsmen’s Association, and engineers from Fay,…
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Neponset River Regional Anti-Pollution Study Committee Sets Public Hearing-August 31, 1966
In an ongoing regional effort to combat industrial waste discharge, the Neponset River Regional Anti-Pollution Study Committee—representing Norwood, Canton, Sharon, Walpole, and Foxboro—announced that a public meeting will be held on Monday, September 19, at 7:30 p.m. inside the Norwood Town Hall. Created in February to help local manufacturing firms identify and implement effective methods…
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Selectmen Consider Abandoning Willett Parkway Amid Discussions on Gravel Removal, Industry, and Conservation-July 29, 1965
Norwood selectmen discussed abandoning Willett Parkway to clear access roads, while Barcolene Inc. proposed a new Lennox Street plant amid local zoning debates.
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Norwood Historical Society Presented With Gown And Gavel-This Day in Norwood History-January 30, 1964
New plans and ideas were formulated and discussed at the quarterly meeting of the Norwood Historical Society, held Sunday afternoon, January 26, at Day House, Society Headquarters. Mrs. Frederick P. Penard, President, conducted the business meeting at which Mrs. Clara W. Berwick, the organization’s only living charter member, presented a gavel. The gavel, made of…
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What a Conservation Commission Would Mean-This Day in Norwood History-January 25, 1962
Article 9 of tonight’s Special Town Meeting is to see if the town will vote to accept the provisions of Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 40, Section 8C, which authorizes the town to establish a Conservation Commission for the promotion and development of the natural resources and for the protection of watershed resources of the town.…
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