Norwood’s Attraction to Colleges-This Day In Norwood History-July 23, 1981

The town of Norwood has long been known for its rich history and cultural significance, but one aspect that often goes unnoticed is the town’s appeal to colleges and educational institutions. On July 23, 1981, Newbury Junior College expressed interest in renting the Junior High South on Washington Street at night year-round.

According to School Superintendent Louis J Taris, Newbury would likely pay the same fees as Northeastern University, which has rented the Junior High North on Prospect Street for about six years. The university pays around $35,000 per year, including a nightly $10-per-classroom fee and custodial and utility costs. However, Taris noted that the total rent would depend on how many classrooms Newbury would need.

The possibility of Newbury Junior College offering evening classes in Norwood is seen as a positive development by Taris, who believes it will attract more students to the town’s educational institutions. “We’re in a superb location,” he said, highlighting the town’s proximity to Boston and its populated area. This, combined with the economic benefits of having colleges in the area, makes Norwood an attractive option for students.

Taris also mentioned that most of the money paid by Northeastern is used to cover the cost of keeping the Junior High North open at night, leaving little profit for the town. However, he emphasized that the school department views this as a public service rather than a business venture. The school committee has expressed interest in establishing a “revolving” account where rental fees can be kept, which would require approval from town meeting.

The potential arrival of Newbury Junior College is not the only development in Norwood’s educational scene.

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