Superintendent Joseph Welch Warns Cemetery Will Be Full in Three Years
The town-owned Highland Cemetery is rapidly running out of available burial space, with Public Works Superintendent Joseph Welch warning the Board of Selectmen last night that the grounds will be completely full within three years. Welch emphasized that the town can no longer delay funding solutions: “Since 1988, I’ve been asking to set aside money for cemetery expansion. It just hasn’t been there.”
Welch announced plans to request approximately $60,000 at the upcoming annual town meeting in the spring to finance expansion efforts. Located off Winter Street, Highland Cemetery has served as the final resting place for 17,107 individuals since its incorporation in 1880. In recent years, the town has averaged between 240 and 250 burials annually, reaching 252 burials over the past year.
Expansion Proposal Targets Veterans Road Section Amid Potential Neighbor Concerns
To address the impending shortage, Welch outlined a development plan to create 400 new burial lots on an undeveloped parcel along Veterans Road that has already been designated for cemetery use. While the plot directly borders eight residential properties, Welch minimized potential friction, remarking, “You couldn’t ask for better neighbors. I wouldn’t mind living there.”
Selectmen Chairman Gary Lee expressed reservations, predicting that nearby homeowners will object to expanding cemetery operations so close to their property lines. However, Selectman Thomas Riolo voiced strong support for the project, maintaining that expanding the cemetery is the best course of action for the town.
Current Inventory and Sales Restrictions
Although 97 percent of the cemetery’s total plots have already been sold, Welch noted that roughly half of those purchased lots remain physically unused, with some plots having sat vacant for up to 30 years. Currently, only 251 burial lots remain unsold:
- 144 lots contain two graves each.
- 87 lots contain up to four graves each.
Due to the severe shortage, selectmen receive purchase inquiries nearly every week, the vast majority of which are denied. Welch confirmed that he routinely recommends rejecting all new plot purchase requests to preserve remaining space for immediate municipal need.
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
-
Ray Martin; Norwood Star Pitched to Babe Ruth, Played for Boston Braves-March 15, 2013
In 1943, Norwood High School senior Ray Martin pitched his team to the state baseball championship and signed a professional contract with the Boston Braves, with whom he made his Major League debut. Later that summer, the tall, 18-year-old righthander faced retired slugger Babe Ruth in an exhibition game at Braves Field to benefit the…
-
Historical Commission Seeks Much-Needed Restoration for 80-Year-Old Highland Cemetery Chapel-October 21, 1983
Citing marked physical deterioration, Norwood Historical Commission Chairman William A. Gifford urged town leaders to restore the 80-year-old neo-Gothic Chapel of Saint Gabriel the Archangel.
-
Public Works Officials Report Surge in Vandalism at Town-Owned Highland Cemetery-October 2, 1982
Public works officials report a sharp rise in vandalism at Highland Cemetery, including damaged water faucets, smashed vigil lights, and upended headstones.
-
Norwood Fire Department Mourns the Loss of Deputy Chief Michael G. Benedetti, 52, Following a Long Illness-August 22, 1978
Lifelong Norwood resident and Deputy Fire Chief Michael G. Benedetti has passed away at age 52 after a long illness, leaving behind a distinguished 24-year career of fearless public service.
-
In Memoriam – Walter Blasenak
Former Norwood Town Manager, Dead At 71 Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 2 p.m. at the United Church of Norwood for Walter A. Blasenak, who was Norwood town manager for more than 14 years, from 1957 to 1971. Mr. Blasenak, 71, of 28 Nottingham Dr., died in Norwood Hospital yesterday after a long…
-
Youth Electrocuted On Utility Pole-September 7, 1976
Seventeen-year-old William Pezwick, a 1976 Norwood High graduate and Boy Scout, is fatally electrocuted while climbing a utility pole near the Raytheon plant on Sumner Street.
-
Callaghan Of Norwood, Played Major League Ball-June 24, 1975
The retired Plimpton Press employee and Norwood High alumnus held a historic major league record from a legendary 1922 highest-scoring game.
-
Norwood Police Chief James M. Murphy Dies At 54-November 23, 1973
Norwood Police Chief James M. Murphy, 54, died yesterday at Norwood Hospital, where he was admitted Thanksgiving Day after a heart attack. Chief Murphy, a Norwood police officer for 33 years and police chief for 10 years, was one of the state’s youngest police chiefs when appointed in 1963. A funeral Mass will be said…
-
Paying Final Tribute To Marine Corporal Richard B Murphy-July 2, 1968
A solemn high mass at St. Catherine of Siena Church drew nearly 1,000 mourners paying final tribute to Marine Corporal Richard B. Murphy, who was killed in Vietnam.
-
A Town Shrouded in Grief for a Fallen Son-This Day in Norwood History-June 28, 1968
A devastating sacrifice hits home as Norwood unites to receive the body of Marine Lance Cpl. Richard Murphy, son of the town’s Police Chief.
Discover more from Norwood Historical Society
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.