Owner of Norwood Site Says He Was Unaware of Gravel Removal-July 24, 1985

On this fateful day in the summer of 1985, the town of Norwood found itself entangled in a web of controversy surrounding the unauthorized removal of gravel from a 5.5-acre site off University Avenue. The site, owned by Paul C. Balboni and his company, P. Christopher Co., had been at the center of attention for several months prior to this pivotal meeting of the zoning board of appeals.

As we delve into the intricacies of this story, it becomes apparent that the removal of gravel was not merely a trivial matter but rather a serious infraction that warranted the intervention of the authorities. Building Inspector John Grover had issued a stop-work order two weeks prior to this meeting, citing the fact that an enormous amount of fill had been removed from the site without the requisite permits or bonds.

The owner of P. Christopher Co., Paul C. Balboni, took the stand before the zoning board of appeals and presented his side of the story. He claimed that he was unaware of the gravel removal and had severed ties with James Polillio, the individual responsible for the unauthorized excavation. According to Balboni, he had been in the process of negotiating a contract with Polillio when the stop-work order was issued.

However, Grover remained steadfast in his assertion that Balboni was indeed aware of the gravel removal and had failed to take adequate measures to prevent it. The building inspector emphasized the importance of having a registered engineer on site daily to ensure that the work was being carried out according to the board’s specifications.

The controversy surrounding the gravel removal was not an isolated incident but rather part of a larger issue concerning the development of the area. Charles Gale, president of Gale Engineering Co. of Weymouth, pointed out that if left unchecked, the removal firm could “take good fill out of the contours (of the land) and replace it with unacceptable materials,” thereby rendering future development of the area impossible.

In addition to the gravel removal controversy, another matter was brought before the zoning board of appeals. William Duggan, owner of Republic Plumbing on Route 1, sought permission to extend the front of his building. Duggan’s proposal included constructing an enclosed elevator with an inside entrance and adding a second floor to the existing building.

The changes proposed by Duggan were deemed compliant with the zoning laws by Charles Gale, president of Gale Engineering Co. However, Chairman Joseph J. Ran- building. Duggan said he needs the variance to construct an enclosed dall expressed some reservations regarding the proposal, stating that he wanted a registered engineer on site daily to ensure that the work was being carried out according to the board’s specifications.

As the meeting drew to a close, Balboni agreed to meet with the zoning board of appeals after discussing the details of the gravel removal with A. A. Wills Co., the company responsible for continuing the job once the proper permits were acquired.

In other business, Norwood Hospital sought permission to add approximately four feet to an existing loading dock at its power plant off Linden Street. The building in question was currently used as a laundry room and was slated for renovation.

The events of this fateful day in July 1985 serve as a testament to the complexities and nuances of local politics and development. As we navigate the intricacies of this story, it becomes apparent that the removal of gravel from the P. Christopher Co. site was merely one aspect of a larger issue concerning the development of the area.

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