Goodyear Store Approved for Nahatan Street Alongside Town School and Church Updates-October 20, 1967

Board of Appeal Approves Goodyear Tire and Service Store-October 20, 1967

The Norwood Board of Appeal voted unanimously to approve a special permit requested by 153 Realty Trust to construct a $135,000 Goodyear Tire and Rubber sales and service store at 153 Nahatan St., subject to final review and approval by the Board of Selectmen.

Board Chairman James J. Drummey outlined strict conditions governing the development, designed to protect pedestrian safety and residential abutters:

• Construction & Exterior: No construction will be permitted above the foundation level, and the exterior of the building must be finished in brick.
• Traffic Flow & Access: A 24-foot-wide entranceway on Nahatan Street will allow passenger cars only, while all commercial vehicles must enter and be serviced exclusively via the rear entrance.
• Safety Measures: Plans include a six-foot-wide safety island between the service bays and the sidewalk to prevent vehicles from backing out onto pedestrian walkways.
• Operations: Operating hours will run from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday, with granite curbing installed and no open storage of merchandise permitted.

Selectmen stipulated that vehicles exiting toward the Norwood Armory and turning left onto the existing access road must make a mandatory right turn onto Nahatan Street. Town Manager Walter Blasenak agreed to review whether enforcing such a turn restriction falls strictly within selectmen’s legal authority.

Junior High and Willett School Construction Updates-October 20, 1967

In municipal education news, architect Robert J. Searson reported to the permanent building committee that more than eight general contractors submitted bids for the new Junior High School, marking the largest bidding pool for a municipal project in the area over the preceding four years. Sub-bids were slated to be received by Thursday, with general bids due by November 2. The committee also authorized the architect to narrow 22 applicant files down to the top five candidates for the position of clerk of the works.

Regarding elementary education, School Superintendent Dr. Philip O. Coakley reported that 95 percent of construction on the new George F. Willett Elementary School was on track for completion by June. Dr. Coakley predicted the roof would be installed by Christmas, with contractors wrapping up work on-site by August.

Meanwhile, School Committee Chairman Francis X. Sheehan warned that teachers’ salary requests for the upcoming year would reach historic highs, noting that union proposals far exceeded the new state minimum wage of $5,750 and reflecting a militant bargaining stance necessary to remain competitive with surrounding communities.

Community Briefs: Father Ahearn Reception-October 20, 1967

In local church events, a public reception welcoming The Rev. William Ahearn, a Maryknoll Missionary serving in Korea and a former Norwood resident, was scheduled at St. Catherine’s School hall on Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m.

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