Set Hearing Date For October 27th; Houghton Chairman
Folan, Houghton, Smith Take Over Seats Of Brady, Mutch, Nelson
Before members of the press and with William C. Kendrick, who had been called in, the newly elected Norwood Board of Selectmen made public their action taken last night of reconsidering the suspension of Mr. Kendrick and voting that he forthwith reassume his duties as General Manager subject to a decision to be rendered later on the removal proceedings.
The Board also announced action setting October 27th as a date for a hearing on the charges made against Mr. Kendrick by the three recalled members of the Board. Specifying the hour as 7:30 p.m., the motion left the matter of place open but designated that it be set not later than October 19th.
Charles E. Houghton sat in the chairman’s seat as the press entered, and John E. Folan occupying the chair formerly held by John M. Mutch, immediately moved that Mr. Houghton be permanent chairman of the Board. Seconded by Harry B. Butters, the motion was unanimously carried. At the far end of the selectmen’s table, Francis W. Smith replaced Herbert V. Brady on the Board.
Election Results
The three new members of the Board, elected in Massachusetts’ first recall election on Tuesday, were sworn into office at one minute to twelve on that night. The election results were announced by the Town Clerk and Accountant soon after eleven o’clock and found John E. Folan leading the candidates with 2878 votes to his opponent’s, John M. Mutch’s, 2135, with 67 blanks cast. Francis W. Smith polled 2721 votes to Herbert V. Brady’s 2199 with 160 blanks, and Charles E. Houghton, newly elected chairman, polled 2820 to former chairman Sture Nelson’s 2153, with 167 blanks.
Cheers burst from the crowd which had gathered to hear the returns, and a victory parade, formed spontaneously with a long line of cars, their occupants carrying red flares, started off to call first at the General Manager’s home, the homes of the candidates, and to cover the main streets of the town. Fireworks and false alarms blended with the general air of excitement, as the most momentous election in the history of the town came to a close.
The campaign was one of the most vigorous ever waged in the town. On Monday morning, the former board of selectmen met to consider an objection raised by former chairman Nelson, claiming that he had not been properly notified of his affidavit for recall. It was determined, however, that the objection did not stand and could not stop the election, and workers renewed their efforts to get out the Tuesday vote which totaled 5080.
(All articles originally published in the Norwood Messenger)