A municipal security committee proposal to pave an access roadway around the Prescott School to facilitate police patrols has encountered vocal resistance from neighborhood residents and the Parent-Teacher Association, setting up a clash over school security and student safety.
Opposition to Paved Access Road and Security Committee Rationale
School Committee member Joseph M. Pentowski raised objections before the board last night, reporting that local families and PTA representatives are strongly opposed to the project. “The PTA and the residents there are against it. They are worried about attracting more problems to the school,” Pentowski stated, warning that a paved perimeter road would invite unauthorized bicycle riders and vehicular traffic while endangering children playing in the schoolyard.
The security committee—which includes the police chief—originally proposed paving perimeter roads around all local school properties last spring to enable police cruisers to better monitor facilities and curb a rising tide of vandalism. Police Chief James Curran defended the plan, explaining that while police cruisers already navigate the grounds, they are currently forced to drive across unpaved grass and dirt sections. “The more often a cruiser can get around the school, the more protection the school will get,” Curran argued, expressing hope that enhanced police access would ultimately outweigh any drawbacks.
Selectman Walter J. Dempsey, who serves on the security committee, challenged Pentowski’s characterization of community sentiment. “I am afraid you are inflaming the residents there. You fought against it from the beginning,” Dempsey asserted. Pentowski flatly denied the charge, maintaining that school principals are universally opposed to the plan. “They are worried sick about it,” he added. Pentowski has formally called for a public hearing to be held before any construction commences.
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
More…
-
Eleventh-Hour Decision on Oldham School Registration-September 3, 1963
NORWOOD — An eleventh-hour session of the Oldham School Building Committee is being held tonight to make the decisive call on whether the newly constructed school will officially open its doors for student registration tomorrow morning. Final Scramble and Boiler Inspections Workmen labored through the weekend, including a full day on Saturday, trying to wrap…
-
Oldham School Opening Set for Wednesday, New Teacher Appointments-August 30, 1963
As Norwood prepares for the new academic year, the School Committee has announced plans to open the newly constructed John P. Oldham Elementary School next Wednesday, contingent upon final safety inspections of its heating and ventilating systems. While municipal electric light department crews rushed to finish electrical work and boilers were fired for the first…
-
Bios of New Norwood Public School Teachers-August 29, 1963
As the Norwood public school system prepares for the upcoming academic year, officials announced the appointment of 56 new teachers. Biographical profiles for the first 28 incoming educators highlight their educational backgrounds and assignments: High School Appointments Elementary, Junior High, and Special Services Appointments Discover more from Norwood Historical Society Subscribe to get the latest…
-
Superintendent Coakley Announces Upcoming Student Registration, New Teacher Orientation, and Summer Maintenance Progress-August 22, 1963
Norwood schools set registration dates and orientation schedules while summer maintenance projects wrap up across local buildings ahead of the September 4 opening.
-
Eight-Room Addition to Cleveland School Recommended Over New Construction-August 16, 1963
Voting 3 to 2, the Elementary School Building Committee recommended an eight-room addition to the Cleveland School over building a new facility, setting a joint meeting with Superintendent Philip O. Coakley.
-
School Building Committee Votes to Recommend Addition to Cleveland School-August 16, 1963
By a 3-2 vote, Norwood’s Elementary School Building Committee recommended an eight-room addition to the Cleveland School rather than constructing a new facility on Wilson Street.
-
Oldham School Building Committee Grapples with Defective Tile Work and Construction Delays-August 7, 1963
At a special meeting addressing 22 construction issues, the Oldham School Building Committee and architect George H. Stoner rejected 1,100 square feet of improperly installed exterior tile.⠀
-
School Board Studies Hockey Rink For School, New Schools, Sets New Weather Policy-This Day in Norwood History-June 30, 1946
The Norwood School Committee institutes a firm new inclement weather academic policy, launches cost evaluations for a high school hockey rink, and updates educational equipment for the local schools.
Discover more from Norwood Historical Society
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.