Norwood Selectmen’s Minutes-July 18, 1957

On July 18, 1957, the American Automobile Association listed five ways to keep accidents from ruining a vacation trip. These “Fatal Five” traffic causes account for the majority of accidents, according to the AAA.

1. Stay within the speed limit. About one-third of all fatal crashes involve a speed violation.
2. Don’t drink and drive, or drink and walk on roadways. In ’57, one-fourth of the fatal accidents involved a driver or an adult pedestrian who had been drinking.
3. Take it easy. Don’t drive if you’re worn out. Take a break, a short nap, a rest stop, or a coffee break to stay alert.
4. Keep your car in good condition. It’s bad enough to have a breakdown that interrupts your trip and plays havoc with your vacation budget; it’s worse to be killed or injured because of inadequate car conditions.
5. Respect the weather. Plan your vacation as far as possible during good weather. Don’t try to drive through dense fog, blinding rain, or Revere storms, especially on unfamiliar roads.

The American Automobile Association provided these tips to help prevent accidents and ensure a safe vacation trip.

Assault Investigation

On July 10, 1957, the Board of Selectmen held a special meeting at 7:45 P.M. in the Selectmen’s Room, Municipal Office Building. Present were Chairman Charles L. Rich and Selectmen Harry B. Butters, James J. Drummey, John A. Abdallah, and Walter J. Dempsey.

Chief Mark Folan reported an alleged assault with a revolver on Savin Avenue at or near midnight on July 9, 1957. The incident occurred within the premises of the Old Colonial Cafe, Inc. earlier in the evening. Two minors admitted to the Chief that they had been served liquor, and a fifteen-year-old girl stated she was in the bar for over an hour but did not drink.

The Selectmen voted to hold a hearing on July 16, 1957 at 9:00 P.M. to further investigate the alleged assault. The Manager of the Old Colonial Cafe was instructed to check with the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission to see if the Selectmen have the power to issue summons.

Upland Road Drain

On July 10, 1957, the Board of Selectmen held a special meeting at 7:45 P.M. in the Selectmen’s Room, Municipal Office Building. Present were Chairman Charles L. Rich and Selectmen Harry B. Butters, James J. Drummey, John A. Abdallah, and Walter J. Dempsey.

The Manager submitted a report from Town Engineer Thompson on the Upland Road Drain – Contract with Forrest Construction Co. The report stated that work was completed according to contract, and Forrest had nothing to do with any water coming into the pipe from under Upland Road. The Selectmen voted to place the report in the records and release a warrant for payment.

Car Washing on Sundays

On July 10, 1957, the Board of Selectmen held a special meeting at 7:45 P.M. in the Selectmen’s Room, Municipal Office Building. Present were Chairman Charles L. Rich and Selectmen Harry B. Butters, James J. Drummey, John A. Abdallah, and Walter J. Dempsey.

Selectman Butters discussed the matter of car washing on Sundays and requested that the Selectmen look into the matter further. He mentioned a similar case heard in Dedham Superior Court by Judge Gilmore in September 1956, where the City of Quincy was allowed to permit the owner of a gas station to continue doing business.

Highway Problem

On July 9, 1957, the Board of Selectmen held a regular meeting at 7:00 P.M. in the Selectmen’s Room, Municipal Office Building. Present were Chairman Charles L. Rich and Selectmen James J. Drummey, John A. Abdallah, and Walter J. Dempsey.

Selectman Dempsey informed the Board that Mr. Zoppo called him and expressed interest in solving the problem on the Highway. The Manager was instructed to call Mr. Zoppo and invite him to meet with the Selectmen on July 9, 1957 at 7:30 P.M.

Public Hearing

On July 9, 1957, the Board of Selectmen held a regular meeting at 7:00 P.M. in the Selectmen’s Room, Municipal Office Building. Present were Chairman Charles L. Rich and Selectmen James J. Drummey, John A. Abdallah, and Walter J. Dempsey.

Chairman Rich declared the adjourned Public Hearing open on the application of Andrew B. Boch to store 2,000 gallons of gasoline underground at 859 Providence Highway. The hearing was continued for one week at the request of Counsel for Mr. Boch, to be held on July 16, 1957 at 8:00 P.M.

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