Norwood May Reopen Police Firing Range-June 21, 1980

Town Restores Ventilation and Clears Hazardous Contaminants in $66,000 Station Overhaul

The police firing range, closed for 15 months to guarantee healthful breathing conditions, could reopen in two weeks. All that remains is for new rules governing police and nonpolice range use to be drawn up, Joseph F. Tessicini, police transportation officer, told officials touring the renovated station Thursday.

As part of the state-required improvements for health, asbestos tiles at the firing range have been replaced with what Tessicini described as “shredded wheat” sound-absorbing panels. Also, the range and other basement-level offices have been outfitted with new exhaust-ventilation units to supply fresh air as well as heat and air conditioning. The range was closed in March last year when tests sought by Building Inspector John E. Grover to check possible asbestos hazards revealed high concentrations of lead in the air. The state recommended replacing the asbestos tiles and installing the ventilation equipment.

Assistant Town Manager Bernard S. Cooper said the $66,000 project also involved applying a special epoxy coat to the floor in the concrete fire apparatus room, which had developed leaks and cracks. Some rewiring of the police-fire building also was done, Cooper added. Some roof and wall repairs are left to be done, he said. Also, officials noted that the new police reception counter installed in the communications room and all first floor offices have been painted. Those costs were paid separately out of a regular maintenance budget, Cooper explained.

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