Norwood Light Department to Absorb Proposed New England Power Rate Increase, Protecting Local Ratepayers-August 24, 1983

Norwood electricity consumers will be shielded from a pending rate hike, as town officials announced that the Norwood Municipal Light Department will absorb a requested $450,000 rate increase filed by the New England Power Co. (Nepco).

The utility filed the rate request with the federal Energy Regulatory Commission to help fund ongoing power plant construction costs, asking for $74 million more from all its customers.

Light Department Superintendent William J. Kates explained that any increase granted would be absorbed by the roughly $1 million in annual profits generated by the municipal light department, which purchases wholesale electricity and resells it to residents and businesses at an 8 percent profit margin allowed by law. Under a settlement agreement ending a 10-year antitrust lawsuit against Nepco, Norwood agreed not to contest the company’s rate requests in exchange for transitioning to purchase 40 percent of its power from Nepco beginning November 1, and 100 percent by November 1985. While the rate hike will trim the anticipated financial savings of switching from Boston Edison to Nepco—which generates cheaper power by burning coal instead of oil—Kates emphasized that the town remains in a favorable financial position.

Additional Local News Briefs

• Cable TV Studio Debate: The Cable Communications Commission, led by Chairman Gordon Smith, urged the Board of Selectmen to approve locating a second public access cable studio at Norwood High School, arguing that students show far greater enthusiasm for video production than adults. While selectmen previously favored placing the studio in the new civic recreation center for better elderly access, the board agreed to invite representatives from Adams-Russell cable firm to discuss the high school proposal.
• Zoning Board Rejects Bank’s Challenge to Carla’s Restaurant: The zoning board of appeals unanimously rejected an attempt by Hancock Bank & Trust Co. to block the opening of Carla’s Restaurant in the old fire station on Central Street. Represented by attorney George M. Ford, the bank argued the eatery lacked required on-site parking. However, Building Inspector John E. Grover issued the permit because the restaurant capped seating at 158 patrons, keeping it legally exempt from central business district parking requirements. Owners Carla and Joseph Foley indicated plans to arrange off-site valet parking with nearby lot owners.
• Masoneilan Declines Town Meeting: Town Manager John J. Carroll reported that representatives from Masoneilan International refused a meeting with town officials, including selectman Walter J. Dempsey, to discuss the potential closure of the firm’s local automatic control valve manufacturing plants in Norwood, Canton, and Avon. Hit hard by a slump in the oil and gas industry, the 101-year-old company employs 750 workers locally across its operations.
• Summerfest Concert: The Riverboaters Gay Nineties banjo band performed an open-air concert on the Town Hall lawn as part of the Norwood Arts Council’s Summerfest series.

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