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Senate Democrats shuffled Norwood‘s voting precincts to patch up an unconstitutional geographical gap in a controversial new Wellesley, Walpole, and Hyde Park senatorial district. The oversight came to light when Ann Jacobs, a reporter at The Patriot Ledger State House Bureau, discovered that the proposed district’s towns were not contiguous—specifically, Canton and Walpole were physically separated by two South Norwood precincts that had been assigned to Sen. Arthur Lewis of Boston.
When Ann Jacobs brought the defect to the attention of Rep. George C. Keverian of Everett, co-chairman of the Redistricting Commission, it revealed that it was impossible to travel from Hyde Park to Wellesley without crossing through an entirely different senatorial district. Realizing the mechanical error during a five-hour debate, Senate Majority Leader Joseph DiCarlo of Revere, co-chairman of the commission, called a recess to draft a corrective amendment. To fix the non-contiguous boundary, the amendment shifted Precinct F—comprising all of Norwood east of Route 1—into the new district.
The broader redistricting plan—designed to establish a black senatorial district in Boston—was ultimately approved by the Senate on a 23 to 9 vote and sent to the House. However, the plan drew sharp criticism from local lawmakers because it split Norwood across multiple senatorial districts and combined suburban towns with Boston’s Hyde Park. Sen. John Quinlan of Norwood decried the plan as a fiasco, declaring that the people of Norwood were being carved up like a Thanksgiving Day turkey, a sentiment echoed by Senate Minority Whip David H. Locke of Wellesley. Two separate attempts by Sens. Timilty and Locke to consolidate Norwood into a single district were defeated. The final voting lineup against the plan included Sens. Quinlan, Timilty, Locke, and John Aylmer of Barnstable.
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
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Civic Recreation Center Plans Survive Referendum Challenge, Water and Sewer Rate Hikes Debated, and Murray Field Lights Set for Removal-September 16, 1981
Plans for a $2.2 million civic recreation center at the former Aaron Guild School survive a referendum test, while selectmen debate utility rate hikes and Murray Field lights.
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Proposition 2 1/2 Debate at Town Hall Sparks Heated Clash Over Tax Reform-October 2, 1980
Francis “Chip” Faulkner and State Rep. Gerald Cohen clash in a heated debate at Norwood Town Hall over the tax-cutting ballot initiative Proposition 2 1/2.
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Norwood Voters to Test Computerized Punch-Card Ballots in State Primary Election-September 12, 1980
Norwood voters will use a new computerized punch-card ballot system provided by Factory Mutual Engineering Company for the upcoming state primary election.
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Town Officials Warn of Disastrous Cuts from Proposed Proposition 2 1/2-August 20, 1980
Facing a potential $3 million budget shortfall, Norwood town officials are mobilizing an educational campaign to warn residents about the severe municipal cuts threatened by Proposition 2 1/2.
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State DPW Commissioner John J. Carroll Appointed Norwood Town Manager-November 1, 1978
Leaving the outgoing Dukakis administration, State DPW Commissioner John J. Carroll was appointed Norwood’s new town manager by a 4-1 vote of the Board of Selectmen.
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Retiring Congressman James Burke Bids Farewell to Federal Retirees at Norwood VFW Hall-October 31, 1978
Retiring 11th District U.S. Rep. James Burke reflected on his 20-year career, Medicare battles, and advocacy for seniors during an emotional farewell address to federal retirees in Norwood.
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Republican Town Committee Delays Nominations for Board of Registrars-October 24, 1978
The Republican Town Committee delayed nominations for the Board of Registrars by one week to review candidate qualifications and procedures following A. Franklin Swift’s departure due to office-holding conflicts.
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Property Taxes Dominate Norwood’s 1978 Special Election Amid School Committee Recall and Selectman Race-October 23, 1978
Soaring property taxes take center stage in Norwood’s special municipal election, featuring a high-stakes school committee recall, a four-way selectmen race, and a finance commission contest.
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Former Registrar A. Franklin Swift Seeks Reappointment Following Conflict-of-Interest Challenge-October 12, 1978
Former registrar A. Franklin Swift asks selectmen for reappointment after clearing multiple town committee roles following a state law challenge raised by Town Meeting member Kenneth C. Ball.
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League of Women Voters Urges High Turnout for School Committee Recall Election-August 30, 1978
The League of Women Voters calls on Norwood residents to vote in Tuesday’s historic school committee recall election, the first in 30 years.
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