Polaroid Studies Route 1A Access Road to Resolve Expansion and Traffic Concerns-November 2, 1977

Plant Officials Seek Alternative to Protested Nahatan Street Access

Facing intense neighborhood opposition to proposed traffic connections on Nahatan Street and Clapboardtree Street, officials from the Polaroid Corp. announced last night that they are actively studying a potential new access road linking their sprawling Norwood property directly to Route 1A (Upland Road) in collaboration with state transportation officials.

Plant engineer John Shea revealed the plan during a Norwood Chamber of Commerce dinner meeting hosted on company grounds, noting that a dedicated Route 1A access artery would likely eliminate the need for the controversial Nahatan Street connection. Although a Upland Road connection would prove roughly twice as expensive as the Nahatan Street alternative, Shea emphasized that the corporation is willing to absorb the added cost to preserve community goodwill.

Division Vice President George Trumbour reaffirmed Polaroid’s commitment to being a “good neighbor,” announcing that the company has agreed to shelve its Nahatan Street access proposal for at least a year. When asked if Polaroid intended to press legal rights regarding an existing right-of-way, Trumbour replied: “We are more interested in being good neighbors than standing on our legal ground at this time.”

Explosive Production Growth Demands Facility Expansion

Polaroid currently employs 3,000 persons at its 230-acre Norwood facility—where every SX-70 camera sold in the United States is assembled—and contributes roughly $400,000 a year in municipal taxes. Driven by the massive market success of the new one-step “Pronto” camera, the company is experiencing a critical manufacturing space shortage.

While upcoming expansion phases could eventually push total employment to 4,500 to 5,000 workers and involve the construction of one or more new buildings, Trumbour stressed: “We must solve our access problem before planning for expansion.”

To alleviate immediate overcrowding while permanent solutions are weighed, Polaroid has leased office space at 990 Washington St. in Dedham, installed eight temporary office trailers on the Norwood campus, and moved personnel and purchasing departments into the historic Cameron Forbes mansion located on the property. Furthermore, the company has implemented vanpooling, staggered shifts, and employee busing to curb traffic congestion.

Town Leadership Commends Corporate Citizenship

During the gathering, Selectmen Chairman George S. Usevich presented Polaroid executives with a framed town citation commending the corporation for its civic dedication, noting: “Polaroid is more than an employer and a taxpayer, it is also a respected neighbor.”

Addressing the logistical hurdles of a Route 1A connection, Shea acknowledged that state approval would likely require road widening and new traffic signals. However, he expressed optimism that state and local officials—including representatives from neighboring Westwood—would cooperate to accelerate the project.

The evening concluded with a buffet supper hosted for the 150 attendees by Chamber President William C. Phipps and Polaroid leadership, accompanied by a film screening highlighting the facility’s advanced assembly operations (captured by staff photographer Irwin Sterbakov).

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