Proposed University Avenue Extension Stalls Over Clash Between Industrial Growth and Water Protection-August 30, 1976

The fate of the proposed University Avenue extension remains hanging in the balance as local officials wrestle with a high-stakes dilemma: balancing lucrative industrial expansion against the protection of Norwood’s vital backup water supply.

With a final decision resting in the hands of the county commissioners—who face a sharply divided town—the project has ignited a fierce debate between economic development proponents and environmental preservationists.

The Promise of Economic Growth and Public Safety

Supporters of the road extension argue that pushing University Avenue directly from Route 1 to the Star Market warehouse property offers undeniable municipal benefits:

• Emergency Response: Significantly cuts response times for fire and police vehicles.
• Industrial Traffic: Provides a direct, efficient route to Route 128 for commercial vehicles.
• Tax Revenue: Opens up the long-undeveloped Glacier Industrial Park and surrounding land between American Drive and the Star warehouse for commercial development. Officials estimate this land could generate up to $1 million in taxable property, rivaling the neighboring Westwood Industrial Park’s $1.2 million tax boon.

To address financial roadblocks, the Finance Commission recently approved $8,000 to explore the Ellis Avenue well field area to determine if new wells can offset any potential disruption.

Environmental Opposition and Water Protection Concerns

Despite the economic upside, the project faces stiff resistance from conservationists and health officials who fear compromising the town’s dormant water reserves:

• Health Board Objections: Health Agent Bartley J. King points out that a similar 1970 plan was blocked by the state Department of Health due to threatened well field damage, and argues the state’s successor agency under the Department of Environmental Quality Engineering holds the same view.
• Conservation Pushback: Conservation Commission Chairman Elizabeth Cottrell voiced strong skepticism, stating, “What we have heard we think is foolish… Even if they find more water, why ruin good water already there?”

Although the existing wells have been dormant since Norwood tied into the MDC water system in 1956, supporters like County Engineer Al Downs maintain the road can be built safely. Proponents’ revised plans involve relocating dormant wells further from the roadway, drilling new high-capacity gravel-packed wells, and engineering a specialized drainage system that diverts sewage to the MDC pipe and routes storm water downstream into Purgatory Brook, well below the well field.

Next Steps at the County Level

The three-member board of county commissioners, having already held one public hearing, plans to schedule a second session due to the intense local split. County Assistant Director of Operations Henry Ainsley noted the unique difficulty, observing, “Most of the time, the commissioners have a policy of generally complying with the wishes of the towns. But in this case the town is split, which makes it more difficult.”

Even if approved by the commissioners, the project will require special state legislation to permit public highway use on land currently restricted for public water purposes—providing opponents yet another opportunity to halt the extension.

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