Citing ongoing public safety hazards, the Board of Selectmen has officially ordered the removal of underground gasoline tanks from the site of a former South Norwood service station destroyed by fire. The directive targets the former South Norwood Exxon station located at 1266 Washington Street, requiring property owner A. Civitarese & Sons to fund the extraction.
Selectmen and Fire Chief Thomas J. Barry Jr. expressed mounting frustration that the property owners failed to remove the tanks voluntarily following a devastating explosion and fire at the facility in January, which prompted the board to revoke the station’s operating license in February. “It was hazardous eight months ago and it’s hazardous again today,” Chief Barry stated, warning that even empty tanks continue to harbor hazardous sludge-like residue.
Legal Recourse and Financial Concerns
With no immediate cost estimates available, Selectman Joseph F. Curran questioned whether the town could recover expenses if municipal crews were forced to perform the work, noting that the owner claimed funds would be unavailable until an insurance settlement is finalized. However, Town Counsel Justin C. Barton advised that the town could legally attach the removal costs as a lien against the property provided the board formally designates the tanks an active hazard.
Ultimately, the board moved forward with the order, while Selectman Curran abstained from the vote due to his role as a bank director holding a mortgage on the Civitarese property.
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
More Norwood Business History
-
Norwood Plastics Firm Starts Full Operations-This Day In Norwood History-July 21, 1969,
The dawn of a new era in Norwood’s industrial landscape unfolded on July 21, 1969, as the Gamma Platics Corporation embarked on its full-scale manufacturing operations. Nestled at 370 Lenox St., this pioneering plastics firm was poised to revolutionize the industry with its custom injection molding services. At the helm of this innovative venture stood…
-
Polaroid Begins Production At Norwood Complex-July 9, 1969
In 1969, Polaroid began producing goods in their newly constructed facility on the former Forbes Estate in Norwood.
-
Polaroid Corporation Conducts Site Studies on 220-Acre Forbes Estate in Norwood and Westwood-August 8, 1967
Partnering with landscape architects Sasaki, Dawson and Demay, the Polaroid Corp. is actively surveying its 220-acre Forbes Estate in Norwood and Westwood to draft revised facility and manufacturing plans.
-
Norwood Shoe Warehouse To Be Built-July 16, 1964
As the sun rose over the quaint town of Norwood on July 16, 1964, a sense of excitement and anticipation filled the air. The residents of this charming community were abuzz with news that Consolidated Shoe Inc., a prominent manufacturer of several renowned brands, had finally reached an agreement to construct a state-of-the-art warehouse on…
-
Medical Center Plans Expected-July 10, 1964
The development of a proposed medical building on Walpole Street reached a significant milestone on July 10, 1964, as organizers announced that final preliminary plans were approximately one month from completion. ⠀ Once this rough draft is finalized, the project will be handed over to an architect—who had not yet been designated as of that…
-
James H. McManus Ice Cream Company Opens Norwood Pilot Store-July 8, 1964
In June 1964, the James H. McManus Ice Cream Company opened a new pilot location in Norwood, featuring over 40 flavors of traditional ice cream, sherbets, and water ices.
-
Developer Frank R. Simoni Seeks Zoning Change for New Shopping Center Project-August 21, 1963
Developer Frank R. Simoni has petitioned the Norwood Planning Board for a zoning change on Walpole Street to construct a shopping center, prompting a public hearing set for September 9.
-
Sears, Roebuck to Build Store In Norwood Shopping Center-May 22, 1960
On May 22, 1960, a crowd of civic, business, and government leaders gathered beneath a bright late‑spring sky at the Norwood Shopping Center, where a ceremonial shovel of earth marked the beginning of a major new chapter in local retail life. The groundbreaking celebrated the start of construction on a 31,500‑square‑foot Sears, Roebuck and Co.…
-
Norwood’s Thriving Business Scene-August 4, 1955
A look back at Norwood in 1955 reveals a thriving local economy filled with bustling auto dealerships like Boch Nash, popular eateries like Green Jade, and trusted neighborhood hardware stores and beauty salons.
Discover more from Norwood Historical Society
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.