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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Selectmen Authorize Water Main Connection and Space Transfers for Phased-Out Schools-June 26, 1974
Shaw Street Infrastructure Upgrades Approved While Winslow and Shattuck Buildings Repurposed for Town Services The Board of Selectmen enacted a series of municipal infrastructure and real estate management decisions during last night’s executive session. In a unanimous vote, selectmen approved a formal request to seek a $16,000 budget transfer from the Finance Commission to construct…
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Town Meeting Approves Historic Ellis Pond Purchase by a Dramatic Single Vote—October 12, 1973
After a tense four-year battle, Norwood Town Meeting approves the $140,000 acquisition of Ellis Pond for conservation and recreation by a dramatic one-vote margin.
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Finance Commission Delays Decision on Ellis Pond Conservation Purchase-September 11, 1973
The Finance Commission postpones a vote on acquiring Ellis Pond for $140,000, awaiting a formal recommendation from selectmen amid debates over high development costs.
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Traphole Brook Protection Association and Developer Meet to Discuss Proposed Union Street and Route 1 Shopping Center Project-September 11, 1973
Lanning Corp. meets with the Traphole Brook Protection Association to discuss stormwater runoff and environmental safeguards for a proposed Route 1 shopping center.
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Ellis Pond Planning Committee Established-July 11, 1973
On July 11, 1973, the Norwood Board of Selectmen authorized the formation of a special committee to develop a multiphased action plan for the acquisition and development of Ellis Pond. ⠀ This decision followed a lengthy and contentious debate involving pond owner Robert A. Fairbairn, local neighbors, the Norwood Sportsmen’s Association, and engineers from Fay,…
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Neponset River Regional Anti-Pollution Study Committee Sets Public Hearing-August 31, 1966
In an ongoing regional effort to combat industrial waste discharge, the Neponset River Regional Anti-Pollution Study Committee—representing Norwood, Canton, Sharon, Walpole, and Foxboro—announced that a public meeting will be held on Monday, September 19, at 7:30 p.m. inside the Norwood Town Hall. Created in February to help local manufacturing firms identify and implement effective methods…
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Selectmen Consider Abandoning Willett Parkway Amid Discussions on Gravel Removal, Industry, and Conservation-July 29, 1965
Norwood selectmen discussed abandoning Willett Parkway to clear access roads, while Barcolene Inc. proposed a new Lennox Street plant amid local zoning debates.
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Norwood Historical Society Presented With Gown And Gavel-This Day in Norwood History-January 30, 1964
New plans and ideas were formulated and discussed at the quarterly meeting of the Norwood Historical Society, held Sunday afternoon, January 26, at Day House, Society Headquarters. Mrs. Frederick P. Penard, President, conducted the business meeting at which Mrs. Clara W. Berwick, the organization’s only living charter member, presented a gavel. The gavel, made of…
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What a Conservation Commission Would Mean-This Day in Norwood History-January 25, 1962
Article 9 of tonight’s Special Town Meeting is to see if the town will vote to accept the provisions of Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 40, Section 8C, which authorizes the town to establish a Conservation Commission for the promotion and development of the natural resources and for the protection of watershed resources of the town.…
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