Norwood Greenhouse Resident to Relocate to Quincy-July 02, 1981

Faced with a lack of affordable housing, Poles had been maintaining a precarious existence, sleeping on a wooden bench covered by a sheet of plastic, a foam pad, and two wool blankets. His daily routine involved using the facilities at a gas station located on Route 1A and dining in local delis and restaurants.

The turning point for Poles arrived following a report regarding his situation published in the Monday edition of The Patriot Ledger. Pat Faiella of 117 Centre St. in West Quincy read of his predicament and contacted the owner of a South Norwood gas station, a location Poles frequented, to extend an offer of lodging. George Thomas, the town’s veterans’ agent, facilitated the connection, accompanying Poles to Quincy on the evening of July 1, 1981, to inspect the accommodations. Thomas expressed optimism regarding the offer, stating, “This woman read in the paper about the man living in the greenhouse and got in touch with him. She didn’t like the situation.” Thomas further noted, “We went to see her at 6:30 this evening. She is a very nice woman and said she would be willing to share her place with him.“

Under the arrangement, Poles was to have a private bedroom with access to kitchen and bathroom facilities. Thomas, who had been instrumental in securing the temporary placement, remarked, “It’s a hell of a lot better than sleeping in the dirt in the old greenhouse. At least he can sleep in a bedroom. It’s 100 percent better. I’m very pleased.” Poles confirmed his intention to accept the offer, though he maintained a desire to return to the local area. “I intend to stay in Quincy for three months and then come back to Norwood,” Poles stated. “I still want a room in Norwood, Walpole or Dedham, on the bus line.” He remained resolute about his departure from the greenhouse, adding, “I will never move back into the greenhouse.“

Selectman William F. Butters, who had been actively involved in the search for suitable housing for Poles, assisted in coordinating the move to Quincy. Poles expressed his appreciation for the aid he received, stating, “I sincerely thank Mr. Butters and Mr. Thomas for their sincerity to me.” Despite the relief provided by the Quincy offer, both Butters and Thomas pledged to continue their search for permanent housing within Norwood. They acknowledged the significant difficulty of the local market, with Thomas noting, “The way the housing situation in Norwood is, it’s impossible to find a place to live.” Poles, who struggled with various health challenges including asthma, polio, cataracts, and equilibrium issues, relied on a monthly disability check of $380, which made finding affordable local housing a persistent struggle.

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