Selectmen Reaffirm Objections to MBTA Plan, Address Local Zoning, Public Works, and Community Affairs-September 17, 1975

During a busy session, the Board of Selectmen approved a letter from transportation director Wilfred C. Chesebrough outlining strong opposition to the MBTA’s proposed purchase of the Penn Central Midlands Branch, tackled local zoning and public works proposals, and reviewed community developments.

Opposition to MBTA Midlands Branch Acquisition

Selectmen endorsed transportation director Wilfred C. Chesebrough’s letter urging the Urban Mass Transportation Administration (UMTA) to disapprove a $12.8 million federal grant application for the MBTA’s acquisition of the Penn Central Midlands Branch. Chesebrough, the sole MBTA advisory board member to voice opposition at a public hearing, argued that the plan lacks sufficient data regarding environmental impact, financing, and property tax analysis. Furthermore, he warned that the project—intended to reroute passenger service while the Orange Line is reconstructed—would permanently end commuter rail service to Back Bay Station for Norwood riders along the Dedham-Franklin line. Selectmen voted to seek support from the Southwest Area Selectmen’s Association and respond to an offer from Anthony Panagiotakos to arrange a meeting.

Municipal Contracts and Local Appointments

• Public Works Awards: Selectmen awarded $70,926 in annual public works contracts, accepting a $31,077 sewer construction bid from local contractor Joseph DeFilippo & Sons. Drain work was awarded to low bidder Avon Construction Co. of Westwood at $7,970, while sidewalk bids were thrown out after the lowest estimate came in at $57,000 against a $50,000 appropriation.
• Airport Commission Recognition: Selectmen awarded plaques to four former airport commissioners recognizing a combined 73 years of service: William C. Kendrick (serving 1946–1975), James J. Drummey (1957–present), Miss Olga A. Abdallah (who succeeded her late father John “Alec” Abdallah in 1969), and Board Chairman Charles L. Rich (appointed in 1955).
• Civil Defense Director: Following the annual town meeting’s defeat of his budget request (seeking an increase from $2,500 to $5,000 to cover seminar stipends), Civil Defense Director Lee A. Griffith indicated an intention to resign. Assistant Town Manager Bernard Cooper noted that Town Manager John P. Mogan had taken no action, and selectmen voted to invite Griffith in to discuss his concerns.
• Memorial Intersection: Acting on a suggestion by Selectman William F. Butters, the board formed a committee comprising Butters, Chairman Rich, and Veterans’ Agent George Thomas to dedicate the intersection of Pond and Sturtevant Avenues in South Norwood to Naimi Bader, an Air Force staff sergeant lost in action on May 29, 1943.

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