Sole Proposal to Lease Historic Old Fire Station for Italian Restaurant Draws Mixed Selectmen Response-September 22, 1982

The sole bid submitted to lease the 77-year-old former fire station at the corner of Central and Nahatan streets proposes transforming the municipal building into an Italian restaurant, though members of the Board of Selectmen remain divided on the property’s future.

Carla Foley Proposes $210,000 Renovation for New Restaurant

Carla Foley, vice president of a Boston restaurant chain (whose name has not yet been disclosed), submitted the only proposal in response to the selectmen’s call for lease bids. Her offer includes paying $18,000 a year in rent alongside an investment of $210,000 in structural improvements to the historic building.

Under preliminary plans presented by Foley and her husband, attorney Joseph P. Foley, the building’s exterior would see only minor modifications, with a “Carla’s” sign and main entrance positioned on the Nahatan Street side. Interior layouts would feature a rear dining room with approximately 90 seats and a front cafe near Central Street accommodating about 50 seats. The Foleys indicated they would be prepared to vacate the site after a 10-year lease term if the town requires the space, though the lease could be renewed if municipal office needs do not press. Under state law, selectmen cannot lease municipal property for more than 10 years without town meeting approval.

Selectmen Divided Over Leasing Versus Municipal Use

While the Foleys remain optimistic that the proposal will help revitalize the town center, selectmen have made no final commitments and previously reserved the right to reject any or all bids. The board is split on the best use for the property:

• John F. Kinnaly has strongly advocated for either renting or selling the building.
• Chairman William F. Butters has opposed leasing or selling the site, maintaining that it should be reserved for future town government administrative use.

The selectmen invited Carla and Joseph Foley to attend next week’s board meeting to review the bid details further. The landmark building housed the Norwood Fire Department for 59 years until 1964 and currently serves as a storage facility for public works department equipment.

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