The year was 1985, and the town of Norwood was on high alert due to a proposed new jet fuel tax in Boston that threatened to divert planes to their local airport for cheaper fuel.
The selectmen, led by Chairman John Kinnaly, were determined to take action and protect the interests of the town.
As reported in The Patriot Ledger on July 24, 1985, Kinnaly called for a similar local jet fuel tax to keep the small jets away from Norwood Airport. He warned that if no action was taken, the airport would become a hub for planes seeking cheaper fuel, and the noise from these jets could become a nuisance to neighbors.
The Boston financial bailout plan, enacted by the Legislature just last month, had imposed a 5 percent jet fuel tax and a 4 percent increase in hotel rooms tax. These taxes were designed to raise $22 million annually, but they also posed a threat to Norwood Airport’s business. Jet fuel at Wiggins Airways, located within the airport, sold for about $1.83 per gallon compared to $2 per gallon at Boston’s Logan International Airport.
Airport Commissioner Edward McKenna had previously called for close monitoring of jets flying into Norwood to see if their frequency increased as a result of the proposed tax. To avoid an influx of planes, he suggested that the town consider imposing the jet fuel tax. McKenna estimated that this tax could raise about $20,000 for Norwood.
However, not everyone was in favor of the proposal. Hotel owners in Norwood were concerned that the instituting of a jet fuel tax would hurt their business. There are two hotels in Norwood: the Best Western Conference Center and the Howard Johnson’s Motor Lodge, both located on Route 1. Chairman Kinnaly dismissed these fears, stating that he couldn’t see how the tax would negatively impact the hotel industry.
The selectmen decided to contact Town Counsel Justin C. Barton for details on how Norwood might impose a hotel tax as part of levying the jet fuel tax. This move was seen as a necessary step in protecting the town’s interests and ensuring that the airport remained a viable business hub.
As the debate surrounding the proposed jet fuel tax continued, one thing was clear: the town of Norwood was determined to take action and protect its airport from the potential consequences of the Boston financial bailout plan.
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
More…
-
Plane Picking up Tom Brady Slides Off Norwood Runway-June 15, 2005
An aviation mishap at Norwood Memorial Airport leaves a twin-engine charter jet stuck in the mud 400 feet past the runway.
-
Norwood Airport Commission Ratifies “Radically Different” Lease Agreement-July 11, 1986
New Lease Agreement for Norwood Airport On July 11, 1986, the Norwood Airport Commission voted 5–0 to approve a “radically different” lease agreement with Boston Metropolitan Airport (BMA), the firm that manages the municipal facility. ⠀ While the commission has spent at least five years negotiating the contract, they have opted to keep the specific…
-
Airport Commission Plans Study of Airplane Noise for 1986-July 17, 1985
The study, planned for the spring of 1986, will assess flight paths and noise levels in response to persistent complaints from residents.
-
Converted World War II Bomber Prepares for Transatlantic Flight to Athens from Norwood Airport-July 23, 1965
A converted World War II Grumman torpedo bomber is departing Norwood Airport for a 26-hour transatlantic flight to Athens, Greece.
-
10,000 Watch Norwood Air Show-May 25, 1964
On May 25, 1964, the heat soared into the high 90s, but the temperature did nothing to deter the estimated 10,000 spectators who streamed into Norwood Airport for the Norwood Lions Club Educational Air Show. For nearly five hours, the crowd was treated to a sweeping, full‑throttle celebration of aviation—from the earliest days of flight…
-
Airport Investments Here Over Million Dollar Mark-August 2, 1962
This Day In Norwood History-August 2, 1962-Airport Investments Here Over Million Dollar Mark
-
Airplane Crash Costs Milton Youth $800, Judge Rules-This Day In Norwood History-July 9, 1937
Discover the legal aftermath of a 1936 aviation accident involving S. Tudor Leland, whose violation of flight instructions resulted in significant damages to an E. W. Wiggins Airways aircraft.
-
Turn The First Sod For Norwood Airport-This Day In Norwood History-February 3, 1931
Work on the new Norwood Airport started with much activity yesterday morning, when two steam shovels began operations and a fleet of trucks were filling the large stretch of meadow land, off Neponset St. Many citizens, engineers and aviators were present when the ground was broken. After the proposed layout was shown by Robert S.…
Discover more from Norwood Historical Society
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.