Just days after being unseated in a historic municipal ouster, former School Committee Chairman Henry W. Diggs announced last night that he will formally file for a recount of the September 5 election results and intends to run in the upcoming October 24 recall election.

Recall Fallout and Legal Qualification Questions

Diggs lost his seat to challenger Thomas DiFrancia by a razor-thin margin of just five votes. With the filing deadline looming, Diggs noted he would consult with Town Clerk Bartley W. Connolly to resolve potential procedural conflicts regarding whether a candidate subject to a recount can simultaneously submit nomination papers—due Tuesday—to run in the subsequent October 24 special recall election.

“I expect to run Oct. 24,” Diggs declared, expressing frustration that his removal has severely restricted his civic activities due to state rules barring recalled officials from appointment to other municipal posts for two years. Diggs was unseated alongside committee members Richard W. Kief and John H. Chisholm. A second wave of recalls targeting four remaining members—Rudith Berkowitz, William F. Egan, Joan H. Cuff, and Joseph M. Pentowski—has been synchronized with the October 24 ballot. Diggs acknowledged he has not yet determined which incumbent he will challenge, though a successful recount could theoretically restore him to his original seat while his nomination papers run alongside the ballot.

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

More…

Norwood Scrapbook-August 3

A comprehensive daily compilation of historical news from Norwood, Massachusetts on August 3. Featuring stories of town planning, public safety efforts, regional transportation, local achievements, and community concert traditions.
12 Vernon Street – The Joel Metcalf Baker House

Joel M. Baker bought this house lot in 1854 from Joseph Day. It contained about a third of an acre and ran from Washington Street up the hill to Bullard Street. Baker built had local architect/builder, Tyler Thayer construct this Italianate style house in 1855. This house originally sat on the corner of Vernon &…
Norwood High Opens Communications Through TV-December 1, 1991

Course provides on-air education from school studio NORWOOD-At 7:30 a.m. Katy Kale, a high school senior, pasted on a smile, folded her hands, looked straight into the camera and said, “Good morning and welcome to Norwood High School News.” For the last four years, Norwood students have been learning what it takes to be a…
Prescott Elementary School Parents Urge School Committee to Alleviate Overcrowding-September 12, 1991

Prescott Elementary School parents petition the Norwood School Committee to hire a part-time teacher to alleviate overcrowded kindergarten classes.
Norwood Schools Get Backing for Cable TV-July 24, 1991

The Norwood School Committee unanimously voted to pursue a $530,000 federal Even Start grant utilizing cable television to expand early childhood education for Norwood and Westwood.
Search for Superintendent Stirs Conflict on Committee-July 24, 1991

The Norwood School Committee engaged in a tense debate over expanding the superintendent search committee to include PTA representation and broader community voices.
Norwood High School Implements Total Smoking Ban-July 3, 1985

In July 1985, the Norwood School Committee unanimously approved a total smoking ban at Norwood High School to begin in September, prioritizing the health of its students.
Gormley Named Norwood Ice Coach-June 25, 1984

Former BC High and Stoughton Mentor Tapped to Succeed Alvin Crowell at High School Helm James Gormley, former head hockey coach at Boston College High School and Stoughton High School, has been appointed head hockey coach at Norwood High School. James Gormley, who lives in Norwood, was previously a Norwood freshman-jayvee hockey coach, marking a…
Norwood School Committee to Ask Teachers to Renegotiate Contracts-August 20, 1982

Citing finance commission opposition and Proposition 2 1/2 limits, the school committee will ask teachers to renegotiate 8 percent pay raises or face town meeting review on September 20.
SNCARC Wins School Committee Support to Operate at Former Willett School Building-July 29, 1982

The Norwood School Committee supported SNCARC’s plan to lease space at the former Willett School building on Westover Parkway for a 12-town habilitation center.