Norwood High School’s $5 million renovation project will not be completed by the time classes are scheduled to resume on September 3, the project contractor informed town officials. Thomas Boyle, owner of Anchor Construction Co. of Lowell, stated during a joint meeting that the facility will not be ready for occupancy until October 15 at the earliest, citing persistent subcontractor issues and late material deliveries.
Major construction work remains incomplete on corridor floors and ceilings, heating and electrical systems, and critical safety infrastructure, including fire alarms and sprinkler systems, though most classroom work is finished. School Superintendent James Savage told the building committee that officials face costly decisions regarding temporary student housing, noting that the strongest alternative is utilizing the vacant Junior High School North. When building committee member Edward McDonough asked Boyle if he would bank on a September 3 opening, Boyle candidly replied, “No, in my opinion, if you can put those kids someplace else, put them someplace else.”
While construction supervisor Daniel Egan noted that 108 workers remain on site, missing key shipments—such as fire doors and heating ventilators—prevent building inspectors from granting occupancy. Committee members and project architect Richard Heydecker, along with high school Principal John Piccirilli and school committee Chairman Richard Kief, reviewed options including early dismissals or partial occupancy. However, Superintendent Savage cautioned that construction noise and uncompleted cafeterias would severely disrupt instruction, while Heydecker warned that environmental controls on the new heating system might remain unstable through January. The school committee scheduled a follow-up meeting to determine final student placement.
(Reporting by Bernie McEvoy, The Patriot Ledger).
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
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School Officials Seek $62,700 from Town Meeting to Fund Classroom Computers-September 10, 1982
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Norwood School Committee Narrows Superintendent Search to Three Finalists, Including Junior High North Principal James R. Savage-August 11, 1982
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Peabody School Graduates Told Of Obligation To Support Education-June 25, 1982
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Superintendent Taris Seeks to Curb Rising Costs of After-Hours School Building Use-September 4, 1981
Superintendent of Schools Louis J. Taris is pushing to rein in the surging volume of outside organizations utilizing school facilities during evening and weekend hours, citing mounting financial burdens on the school department. Dr. Taris informed the school committee that dozens of local organizations currently utilize school buildings after hours, frequently without paying any rental…
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Norwood School Committee Votes Eliminate Youth Hangout-July 31, 1981
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School Committee Awards New Transportation Contracts-July 16, 1981
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