(305 Providence Highway today – Google Earth)

On the sweltering summer evening of July 27, 1970, Sgt. Nicholas J. Connolly of the Norwood Police Department was alerted to a potential break-in at the Norwood Texaco Station, located at 305 Providence Highway. Upon arriving at the scene, he discovered a window shattered on an overhead door, a clear indication that the perpetrators had gained entry into the premises.

Further investigation revealed that the burglars had made off with a substantial haul of valuables, including a diamond ring valued at $1,000, a color television set and radio worth $600, and a wristwatch. The sheer audacity of the thieves was matched only by their cunning, as they managed to evade detection and escape into the night.

Meanwhile, another victim of the break-in came forward to report that her apartment had been burglarized over the weekend. Charlotte Laviolette, residing at 0 Engamore Lane, notified the authorities at 5:50 pm on July 27, stating that she had discovered signs of forced entry through a patio window. The police investigation revealed that the thieves had made their way into her apartment, making off with a valuable silver service set.

The Norwood Texaco Station break-in served as a stark reminder to local business owners and residents alike of the importance of securing their properties against potential threats.

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

More…

Nassau Gardens Residents Form Nonprofit Housing Cooperative and Purchase Complex-August 17, 1979

Nassau Gardens tenants launched a subscription drive to purchase their 204-unit Route 1 apartment complex through a nonprofit housing cooperative backed by a $4 million HUD agreement.
Factory Mutual Breaks Ground on $7 Million Conference and Training Center on Route 1 in Norwood-August 11, 1979

Joined by Governor Edward J. King, Factory Mutual Engineering executives broke ground on a $7 million conference, training center, and five-story private hotel on Route 1.
Reliance Electric Company Relocates Regional Service Center to Norwood-July 17, 1979

Reliance Electric Company is moving its regional industrial motor repair center from South Boston to the Park Place industrial park off Route 1.
Zoppo Realty Trust Petitions for Rezoning at Route 1 and Union Street-July 17, 1979

The planning board heard initial plans for a potential small industrial park, though a final decision was deferred to allow for feedback from Walpole residents.
Town Scraps Plan to Extend University Avenue-July 11, 1979

University Avenue Extension Plan Scrapped ⠀ On July 11, 1979, Norwood selectmen officially abandoned the long-debated plan to extend University Avenue through the Ellis Well Field area to Route 1. This reversal marks a major shift in town development, following persistent environmental concerns raised by residents regarding the potential threat to the town’s water supply.…
Norwood Park Place Industrial Park Advances-September 12, 1978

Norwood Planning Board releases $50,000 in performance bonding for the Park Place industrial park on Route 1 as roadway and building construction progresses.
Sewer Infiltration Fixed, Opening Doors for Park Place Industrial Development-August 29, 1978

Municipal and state officials have confirmed that long-standing sewer capacity hurdles facing the Park Place Industrial Park are finally easing. According to the state Division of Water Pollution Control, the town successfully eliminated 14,000 gallons per day of extraneous groundwater infiltration leaking into the town-MDC sewer system. The breakthrough follows an enforcement action last May…
John Shalbey Jr. Proposes Office Building Behind Ro-Jo Car Wash-August 9, 1978

Local businessman John Shalbey Jr. faced mixed reactions from David Terrace residents while seeking a zoning variance for an office building behind his Route 1 car wash.
Simoni Denied Permission to Build Motel Near Norwood Airport-August 3, 1978

Citing airport safety concerns and protected runway approach zones, the Massachusetts Aeronautics Commission unanimously denied developer Frank R. Simoni’s request to build a 63-foot-tall motel near Norwood Airport.
Hazardous Shooting Incident On Route 1-July 22, 1978

On July 22, 1978, Stephen Pacheco was sought after a van was struck by gunfire near the Norwood-Canton exit.