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…

FinCom Not Appeased by $255,000 School Cut-July 14, 1978

The town of Norwood was abuzz with controversy in the summer of 1978 as the finance commission (FinCom) and the school committee engaged in a heated debate over the school budget. The issue at hand was the $255,000 cut to the school budget voted by the school committee on Wednesday, which a majority of FinCom…
Tight-Fisted Town Meeting Holds Firm On School Department Budget Cuts-June 22, 1978

A deadlocked floor fight over a massive school funding reduction brings threats of lawsuits, board recalls, and a complete municipal showdown.
Opening Salvos Fired in School Budget Battle-June 15, 1978

A $126,000 budget variance, classroom ratio disputes, and proposals to redistribute students stir debate at Norwood Town Meeting.
Norwood Zeroes In On School Vandals-August 3, 1977

A newly formed blue‑ribbon security committee convened to confront a surge of costly vandalism at Norwood’s public schools. Members reviewed structural, technological, and community‑based deterrents while assigning formal research duties for a comprehensive townwide response.
School Committee and FinCom Clash Over School Bus Budget and Business Manager Practices-August 26, 1976

Tempers flared as the Norwood Finance Commission and School Committee locked horns over a bus transportation budget and criticism aimed at Business Manager Lawrence S. Canter.
Norwood School Committee Seeks Field Trip Funds and Awards Bus Transportation Contracts-July 29, 1976

Facing budget cuts that eliminated student field trips, the Norwood School Committee voted to appeal to the Finance Commission and special town meeting for restoration funds.
Norwood School Clerk Wins National Redbook Beauty Ideas Contest-This Day In Norwood History-July 23, 1975

Gwynne Jamieson, serving as secretary to the Norwood School Committee and school clerk, achieved national recognition by winning Redbook magazine’s competitive “Great Beauty Ideas” contest. Outshining roughly 30,000 entries submitted from across the country, her innovative submission earned her a $1,000 cash prize and an exclusive, all-expenses-paid weekend trip to New York City. The August…
School Board Trims Pay Request-July 18, 1974

The School Board in Norwood has trimmed $19,478 from their pay request for school department employees. The revised total now stands at $598,370, which will be sought at tonight’s special town meeting. The School Board warned that no school department employees will receive negotiated wage increases until September if tonight’s special town meeting fails to…
School Board Rejects ‘Floating Principal’ Proposal-July 03, 1974

The Norwood School Committee held a contentious session on the evening of July 2, 1974, where, following two weeks of deliberation and a lengthy 90-minute executive session, the board voted 5-1 to reject a proposal to create a new administrative position titled “floating principal.“ The concept, initially championed by Committee Member Joseph M. Pentowski, was…
School Drop-In Centers Possible In Fall-June 24, 1974

Citing summer custodial constraints and a lack of air conditioning, town officials vote to survey local youths during the summer to prepare for a fall launch.