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The Norwood Board of Selectmen held a contentious hearing regarding an alleged liquor license violation at the Ponderosa Lounge stemming from an unapproved musical performance on June 30. Lounge owner Daniel O’Leary denied charges brought by Selectman William F. Butters that he had staged live entertainment without authorization, contending that two musicians had only briefly tested sound equipment for their centennial concert held on July 3. However, police reports indicated a four-piece band was discovered playing, leading to a confrontation with a police sergeant who ordered the music stopped.
The hearing quickly devolved into a stormy debate over police communication when Selectman William F. Butters accused Police Chief James M. Murphy of omitting key incidents from weekly reports provided to the board, forcing him to go down to the police station with hat in hand to obtain information. Chief Murphy defended the department’s logs, stating that under regulations his duty was to report directly to Town Manager John P. Mogan rather than individual selectmen, and that certain matters were withheld from the open public journal to protect ongoing investigations. Frustrated by the lack of transparency, Selectman William F. Butters lashed out during the session, yelling at lounge owner Daniel O’Leary before the board ultimately took no immediate disciplinary action on the alleged license violation while restricting future live music and sound tests at the bar.
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
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Monroe Street Residents Oppose Group Home Proposal-July 24, 1985
The summer of 1985 was a time of great change and growth in the town of Norwood, Massachusetts. The residents of Monroe Street were abuzz with news of a proposed group home for adolescent boys and young men, which would be located at 82 Monroe St., an unoccupied house on their street. This development sparked…
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Norwood Selectmen Set Public Hearing for Westwood Xaverian Brothers High School Beano License Dispute-August 8, 1973
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Norwood Selectmen’s Minutes-July 18, 1957
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