FinCom and Selectmen Remain Opposed to Converting Aaron Guild School into Civic Center-August 20, 1981

Even as the state Bureau of Accounts certified Norwood’s “free cash” surplus at a robust $2,561,473 as of July 1—an increase of more than $1 million following the close of the June annual town meeting—majorities of the Finance Commission and Board of Selectmen remain firmly opposed to spending $2.2 million to convert the former Aaron Guild School into a new civic recreation center.

Meeting in a joint session, the boards conferred on strategy to urge voters to overturn a 66-50 town meeting vote from June during an upcoming September 15 referendum. The boards authorized FinCom Chairman Peter Bamber to compile comparative operational costs, revenue loss estimates, and swimming pool wing maintenance projections for a voter information pamphlet to be printed and mailed to residents at an estimated cost of $1,500.

Officially, the opposition commands a 3-1 majority on the FinCom and a 4-1 majority among selectmen. Selectman Thomas DiFrancia argued that the town should look to sell the former school building—located across the street from the site of the old Civic Center—rather than commit $2.2 million primarily to construct a new pool, locker rooms, an elevator, saunas, and four lighted tennis courts to complement the existing gymnasium. Selectman Walter J. Dempsey and FinCom member Joseph R. Adakonis clashed heatedly during the session, with Adakonis accusing selectmen of playing “a game of charades” by rejecting the Guild plan without offering an alternative replacement strategy. Dempsey fired back, “I’m not playing games with the thing… As far as I’m concerned, we can’t make it go.”

Selectmen William J. Plasko and Thomas A. Riolo voiced opposing views on the town’s obligations. While Plasko deemed converting the Guild a costly “mistake,” Riolo countered, “We do have an obligation to replace what we gave up. It’s the ‘only place’ right now… I’m for the Aaron Guild.” Bamber echoed that while a replacement is needed “within reason,” a separate modern facility might be preferable.

Adding a critical legal layer to the debate, Town Counsel Justin C. Barton issued an opinion reminding officials of a probate court ruling governing the use of proceeds from the sale of the old Civic Center to Norwood Hospital. Barton noted that the funds include $118,200 from a veterans fund originally used to construct the $368,400 Veterans’ Memorial addition in 1967 (which was demolished alongside the rest of the facility the previous month). “Therefore, in my opinion,” Barton advised, “the new Civic Center should contain a portion which substantially complies with the addition made to the old Civic Center.” (Reporting by Rick Moriarty, The Patriot Ledger).

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger