Selectmen Oppose MBTA Plans for Parking at Ex-Stop & Shop-July 13, 1988

The Patriot Ledger’s July 13, 1988 edition carried a significant story that highlighted the concerns of Norwood selectmen regarding the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) plans to establish a commuter parking lot at the site of the former Stop & Shop store in Norwood Center. The proposal, which aimed to provide 315 spaces for commuters, was met with opposition from the selectmen due to fears that it would lead to excessive traffic congestion on feeder roads surrounding the Norwood Depot railroad stop.

The MBTA’s plan had been under consideration since May when they notified the town’s parking study committee about their intention to purchase the old Stop & Shop property. The feasibility of this proposal was contingent upon the results of a study, which would determine whether the land could be converted from commercial property to a parking lot. Chairman Edward F. McKenna of the parking study committee expressed concerns that if the MBTA were to proceed with their plans, it would result in significant traffic congestion on feeder roads.

According to McKenna, currently, 173 cars park at the depot and another 130 park illegally in the Stop & Shop lot. The MBTA’s expansion plans would exacerbate this issue by introducing an additional 315 parking spaces, which the committee deemed excessive. In a letter to the selectmen, McKenna stated that the area could not accommodate the increased traffic on feeder roads.

The selectmen concurred with the parking study committee’s assessment and voted in favor of opposing the MBTA’s plans for the commuter parking lot. This decision was based on the committee’s unanimous objection to the proposal, which they believed would lead to a loss of tax revenues if the land were converted from commercial property to a parking lot.

The MBTA’s expansion plans also included proposals to expand the commuter rail parking lots at the Norwood Depot and Norwood Central stops by adding approximately 70 spaces. However, the committee felt that this was still insufficient compared to the proposed 315-space parking lot at Stop & Shop. The selectmen’s opposition to the MBTA’s plans marked a significant development in the ongoing debate over transportation infrastructure in Norwood.

In other business, the board received letters from various entities, including the fire department and Safety Officer Frank Fruci. Fire Chief Thomas J. Barry Jr. informed the board that after August 1, the fire department would no longer handle car lockouts due to an increase in requests, which had stretched their manpower beyond capacity. The fire department had been providing this service since 1976, assisting approximately 100 motorists annually.

Safety Officer Fruci also submitted a letter regarding two businesses on Route 1, Frasca Auto Sales and Norwood Auto Exchange, which had allegedly violated their Class 11 motor vehicle licenses. An inspection revealed that Frasca had 37 cars for sale but was only licensed to sell 25, while Norwood Auto Exchange had 35 cars for sale despite being licensed for 25.

The selectmen’s opposition to the MBTA’s plans for a commuter parking lot at the former Stop & Shop site highlights the complexities and challenges involved in developing transportation infrastructure in Norwood. The debate surrounding this issue underscores the need for careful consideration of the potential consequences of such proposals on local traffic patterns and tax revenues.

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