Norwood Hospital Weighs Civic Center Expansion, Light Meter Tampering Under Investigation, MDC Wastewater Plant Sites Debated-September 17, 1976

Trustees of Norwood Hospital are slated to make a decisive move on October 27 regarding their future expansion strategy, with the Norwood Civic Center site remaining the top “probable” choice for the project, Hospital Administrator David P. Buchmueller announced.

Norwood Hospital Expansion and Civic Center Site Review

Buchmueller stated that hospital lawyers found “no legal impediments” in the Civic Center deed that would bar its potential sale or conversion for hospital use. If trustees vote to pursue the Civic Center site on October 27, the hospital plans to seek town approval during a special town meeting in late November or early December.

While briefings with town officials were held earlier in the summer, recent planning meetings experienced a brief lull due to the late summer vacation period around Labor Day. Furthermore, a scheduled September 9 meeting with town meeting members was temporarily postponed until the hospital can confer further with the Selectmen’s hospital study committee.

Buchmueller also addressed a list of replacement recreation facilities compiled by Recreation Superintendent Robert Ivatts, describing it as “a good laundry list to start the planning” and emphasizing that the hospital is committed to ensuring town facilities are fully replaced and kept first-class should the Civic Center be acquired. Concurrently, Philadelphia financial adviser John F. Rich Co. is surveying community financial support and fund-raising potential. Buchmueller noted that if major donor backing proves exceptionally strong, the hospital might explore the ideal long-term solution of relocating to an entirely new site, though “our interests still point to the Civic.”

Town Investigating Suspected Light Meter Tampering

In municipal affairs, selectmen expressed profound shock and embarrassment following revelations of suspected light meter tampering involving local businesses. Selectman William F. Butters remarked that he was “gravely upset by the reports turned into us so far,” noting that he could not recall such instances of suspected tampering in the past.

Police Chief James F. Curran and Detective Robert Lawrie have been coordinating with the district attorney’s office regarding the probe. Selectman Joseph W. Wall emphasized that while facts are still being gathered, the matter will not be dealt with lightly, warning that criminal charges could be brought against offenders if the allegations are substantiated. In the interest of protecting the ongoing investigation, selectmen withheld the exact number of individuals and businesses under scrutiny, but stressed that authorities are moving as swiftly as possible.

MDC Wastewater Treatment Plant Site Discussions

In regional infrastructure developments, Canton’s site selection committee for the Metropolitan District Commission’s (MDC) proposed Neponset River wastewater treatment plant narrowed its focus to top candidate locations in Canton and Norwood.

Canton executive secretary and MDC site committee member William J. Thibeault noted that potential sites in Norwood include the Route 1 and Union Street area near Traphole Brook, the former Norwood Arena dragstrip, an area near Norwood Airport, and an industrial zone near the Star Market distribution center off University Avenue. Norwood Town Manager John Mogan participated in discussions regarding regional site evaluations and utility placements, which aim to improve river flow and water quality ahead of an EPA report presentation scheduled for September 24. A final site selection is anticipated within a year, with project completion slated for mid-1985.

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