Rare Variegated Horsetail Plant Discovered in Purgatory Swamp Along Proposed University Avenue Route-October 28, 1981

Botanical Discovery Highlights Ecological Significance of Purgatory Swamp

A state environmental report has revealed the discovery of a rare plant species, the variegated horsetail (Equisetum variegatum), growing directly along the northern path of Norwood’s proposed University Avenue extension. According to John E. Feingold, coordinator for the Massachusetts Natural Heritage Program within the Department of Environmental Management, the finding marks the only recorded site of the plant in the entire eastern half of Massachusetts.

“The finding of the plant underscores the unusual conditions found in the Purgatory Swamp area,” Feingold noted, officially advising against any filling, grading, or physical disturbance of the field where the species was identified.

Final Environmental Approval Clears Path for Industrial Roadway

The discovery was made public in documentation released by Town Manager John J. Carroll, who informed the Board of Selectmen that the project had achieved a major milestone: final state certification of its Environmental Impact Report (EIR).

State Secretary of Environmental Affairs John A. Bewick issued a formal statement certifying that the report fully satisfied the mandates of the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA). Bewick commended town planners for their “careful and thoughtful responses” and recommended that Norwood officials and the state Department of Public Works (DPW) coordinate directly with the Natural Heritage Program to establish protection measures for the rare horsetail colony during roadway construction.

Next Steps and Construction Timeline

Town Manager Carroll outlined the remaining legislative and local hurdles for the long-awaited industrial connector:

State Legislation: The so-called “University Avenue Bill,” currently making its way through the state Senate, is expected to reach Governor Edward J. King‘s desk shortly for signature.
Easements & Town Meeting: The town engineering department is preparing design plans for necessary slope and drainage easements along the right-of-way, which will require approval at a special town meeting scheduled for this winter.
Bidding & Construction: With the state DPW actively completing final design schematics, Carroll anticipates advertising the contract for bids in the spring, paving the way for construction on the industrial roadway to begin by summer 1982.

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

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