Norwood Hospital Proposes Purchasing Civic Center as Expansion Alternative, Other Selectmen’s Notes-August 6, 1975

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Representatives of Norwood Hospital formally proposed the purchase of the Civic Center as a viable alternative to solving their mounting space constraints during a meeting with town selectmen last night. Appearing before the board, hospital officials indicated that annexing the Civic Center site may be the only realistic means of keeping the vital medical facility rooted in Norwood. For several years, hospital administrator David P. Buchmueller explained, trustees had heavily considered relocating to a 30-acre site in Walpole known as the “Walwood” project. However, the hospital has now decided to hire an independent consulting firm to evaluate three distinct options: total relocation to Walpole, expansion on the Civic Center site if approved by town leadership, or a combined approach keeping certain services operational in Norwood.

Selectmen expressed unanimous reluctance to lose the hospital, which stands as one of the town’s premier employers with a staff exceeding 1,000 workers, many of whom reside locally. Selectmen Chairman Charles L. Rich volunteered to form a dedicated committee to explore potential alternate sites for the Civic Center. David P. Buchmueller stated that the hospital expects to pay fair market value for the property and would actively aid in developing new recreational facilities elsewhere, though no alternative sites were immediately available. Noting that total replacement and expansion on the Walpole site is estimated to cost at least $30 million, administrative leadership emphasized that expanding within Norwood might prove substantially less expensive. The consulting study is slated to begin in mid-September and conclude within six months, with a definite municipal answer required by that time. The administrator stressed that the hospital’s current landlocked situation—unable to expand southward beyond Linden Street—creates escalating hardships for patients, visitors, and employees while falling short of modern operational needs for year-2000 projections.

In other municipal business, selectmen successfully resolved a two-month appointment dispute with the Youth Commission, officially welcoming Barry Quinlan—president of the Babe Ruth League and an engineer with Polaroid Corp.—to the board following an earlier controversy over unvetted nominations. Meanwhile, the board navigated a contentious public hearing regarding John Cornetta’s request to extend his liquor license to the outdoor Mia Piazza Gardens and the Red Coach Grill at his new Norwood Country Club, ultimately granting the license on a 3-2 vote—with Selectmen Joseph W. Wall and William F. Butters opposed—after neighbors on East Cross Street and abutter Thomas Del Zoppo voiced concerns over noise and outdoor music. Additionally, selectmen officially endorsed the hospital’s plan to construct a 44-space parking lot at the intersection of Winter Street and Walpole Street on a vacant residential site.

The board also tackled several other local matters:

• Simoni License Request: Selectmen refused developer Frank R. Simoni his request for an immediate extension for his country club basement bar, though town counsel Justin C. Barton deemed a separated dual-license approach legally viable.
• Galante Property Denial: The board rejected a request from Jack Galante of 106 Westover Parkway to reconsider the denial of a common victualer license for his 468 Walpole St. building, which formerly served as a portable classroom at the Winslow School, backed by Building Inspector John E. Grover.
• Bicentennial Grant: Approved a $9,300 matching grant application from the state Bicentennial Commission for restoration work on the town hall carillon.
• Landfill Contract: Awarded the municipal sanitary landfill operation contract to Shagoury Construction Co. of Norwood for a bid of $96,000, with Town Manager John P. Mogan citing the local firm’s proven service record over lower bidders.
• Downtown Parking Meters: Agreed with Town Manager John P. Mogan to maintain the status quo regarding downtown parking meters following an inconclusive merchant survey.
• Ice Cream Vending Injunction: Acknowledged that Suffolk Superior Court issued an injunction prohibiting the enforcement of strict municipal ice cream vending regulations—such as residency mandates and bans on bells or music—pending a legal challenge brought by the International Mobile Corp.

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