Industrial Development Chairman Reports Strong Local Business Climate in Norwood-November 5, 1964

Committee Survey Reveals High Satisfaction Among Norwood Manufacturers and Businesses

A comprehensive survey conducted by the Committee for Industrial Development has revealed that executives and industrial leaders across Norwood are exceptionally well satisfied with the town’s local business climate.

Announcing the results of the recently compiled questionnaire, Committee Chairman Matthew B. Connolly noted that 36 local industries—representing both long-standing establishments and recently arrived firms—were surveyed on various municipal factors. Out of the 36 companies queried, 21 rated Norwood’s location as excellent for business operations, eight described it as good, and two termed it fair. Connolly added that several newly established companies submitted unsolicited compliments praising the fine cooperation received from Norwood municipal authorities.

Industrial Survey Findings Breakdown

Town Services & Municipal Infrastructure Ratings

Local Authority Cooperation: 22 firms rated town official cooperation as excellent, while six described it as good.
Light and Power Utilities: Three company heads rated the municipal light and power situation as excellent, and 12 others judged it as good.
Road Conditions: Nine firms rated local road infrastructure as excellent, 12 judged it as good, and five rated it fair.
Water Supply Concerns: One corporate officer noted poor water conditions, while 12 others found water meeting their business standards.

Tax Rate Perception & Economic Outlook

Business leaders were somewhat less enthusiastic regarding local property tax rates:

Tax Rate Ratings: Seven rated the tax rate as excellent, 13 as good, four as fair, and 11 declined to answer.
Chairman’s Goal: Chairman Connolly expressed optimism that these overall positive survey findings would generate “far-reaching echoes to other industries so that they might share the benefit of locating in Norwood.”

Police Log: Theft Investigated at Windsor Gardens

In local police news, Norwood Police Sergeant Arthur Groh is investigating the reported theft of several valuable glassware and silver items from an apartment at the Windsor Gardens complex on Walpole Street.

The report was filed by former resident Mrs. Joseph Cassis of Braintree, who stated the items were taken from a spare bedroom sometime after May 21. No financial estimate for the missing property was provided to police.

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

More Norwood Business History

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Downtown Norwood loses its primary Washington Street retail anchor as Kline’s Department Store begins liquidation, leaving 30 employees displaced and local officials working to preserve commercial vitality.
Washington Street Partnership Discusses Future of Downtown Anchor Kline’s Department Store-October 27, 1994

Facing the potential year-end closure of longtime anchor Kline’s department store, the Norwood Washington Street Partnership and landlord Donald Malkin discussed downtown revitalization strategies.
Downtown Norwood Anchor Kline’s Department Store Faces Imminent Closure by Year’s End Without a Buyer-October 26, 1994

Kline’s Department Store, a 20-year downtown Norwood anchor employing 30 workers, faces closure by the end of 1994 unless a buyer emerges for the 26-store chain.
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