Proposed Land Swap Between Norwood Civic Center and Hospital Expansion Site Generates Mixed Reactions-August 17, 1974

A novel proposal suggesting a land exchange between Norwood Hospital and the town has sparked mixed responses from hospital and municipal officials, though many view its realization as unlikely. Put forward by Francis J. Keady of 147 Richland Road, a candidate for state representative from the 17th Norfolk District, the plan suggests that the town trade its seven-acre Civic Center complex on Washington Street for the hospital’s 24-acre expansion site located near Willett Pond on the Walpole-Norwood town line.

Keady argued that the swap would enable Norwood Hospital to carry out its planned expansion adjacent to its main campus rather than moving into Walpole, while granting the town 24 acres for recreational use, including a beach on Willett Pond, tennis courts, a swimming pool, a skating rink, and athletic fields. Keady, a union organizer who discussed the concept with hospital administrator David P. Buchmueller and Executive Director Charles A. Richardson, also floated the possibility that the hospital could pay to replace existing Civic Center facilities at the Willett Pond site or collaborate with Walpole on combined recreational access. Buchmueller confirmed discussions had taken place, stating, “We are willing to listen to any proposals that are helpful to the hospital and the community in future planning, we have to keep all our options open,” though he called the plan “too general right now” and preferred not to comment further.

Town and hospital leadership raised significant legal and logistical hurdles. Selectman Chairman Joseph W. Wall questioned whether the agreement through which town benefactor George Willett originally deeded the Civic Center land required it to be used exclusively for recreation, noting also that the Civic Center building was constructed as a veterans memorial funded by public donations. Wall further questioned the legality of Norwood spending municipal funds to build recreational facilities in another municipality, as the 24-acre site is situated mostly in Walpole.

Town Manager John P. Mogan laughingly dismissed the proposal’s chances as “extremely remote,” pointing out that municipalities are generally prohibited from owning land in other towns except for water supply purposes, and emphasizing that the central Washington Street location of the Civic Center remains highly valuable to residents.

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