Norwood Selectmen Propose New Outdoor Pool for Residents

Grappling with options to replace the town’s civic recreation facilities after town meeting voters rejected a $2.2 million plan to convert the former Aaron Guild School into a pool wing, Norwood selectmen turned their attention last night to a proposal for a third municipal outdoor swimming pool.

Proposing a Pool for the East Side

Selectman Walter J. Dempsey pitched the idea of building an outdoor pool on the east side of town at the Prescott Elementary School. Norwood currently operates two outdoor swimming pools: one at Hawes Brook in South Norwood and another at Father McAleer’s Playground near the Westwood town line.

Dempsey argued that partnering with public education is the only viable path to an affordable facility, noting it would qualify the town for state aid. Securing a 50 percent reimbursement on a projected $2 million pool would effectively stretch $1 million in local tax dollars to serve residents on the District 9 side of town across Route 1.

While Selectman Thomas A. Riolo, a District 9 resident, backed Dempsey’s push, Board Chairman John F. Kinnaly expressed concern that taxpayers would be “up in arms” over the addition of a third outdoor pool. Ultimately, the board voted 3-2 to reject Dempsey’s immediate request for cost figures, deciding instead to survey the local area to gauge popular demand. Dempsey was encouraged to consult with Town Manager John J. Carroll regarding the survey, and the board unanimously agreed to ask the school committee about collaborating on a joint school and recreation pool study.

Resuming Regional YMCA Talks with Walpole

In related action, the board voted 3-2—with Kinnaly and Selectman William J. Plasko opposed—to resume discussions with Walpole officials regarding a possible joint venture on recreation facilities, specifically a regional YMCA.

Kinnaly voiced opposition to investing Norwood funds into a YMCA located in Walpole, pointing to local resentment over promotional brochures circulated in Norwood by Walpole Y proponents prior to the September 15 referendum on the Guild-Civic Center proposal. However, Selectman William F. Butters supported Dempsey’s initiative, emphasizing that selectmen must proactively gather all possible options for civic center replacements, especially since the former civic center site was sold to Norwood Hospital for its expansion program.

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

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