South Norwood Residents Oppose Pulse Hotline at 1285 Washington St.-August 18, 1977

Pulse Inc., the local crisis hotline and referral agency, faced opposition from approximately 20 residents during an open meeting held at the Shattuck School regarding a proposal to relocate its headquarters to a town-owned house at 1285 Washington St. Selectmen had previously recommended the move following the planned future development of the Shattuck School into elderly housing.

Attorney George M. Ruboy of Norwood, volunteering legal services to the agency, prepared a proposed amendment to the town zoning bylaws to permit charitable, nonprofit social service agencies to operate in residential zones via a special permit from the zoning board of appeals. Selectmen endorsed the amendment for inclusion on a special town meeting warrant anticipated for September, sending it next to the planning board for public review and recommendation. If approved by town meeting, Pulse would still be required to secure a special permit from the zoning board. Ruboy noted that if the offices ever attracted undesirable elements, the appeals board retained the authority to rescind the special permit.

During the meeting, director Mary Merritt and outreach worker Jack Joubert sought to alleviate neighborhood concerns, explaining that the agency operates primarily via telephone rather than walk-in traffic. Merritt noted that the hotline takes between 150 and 200 calls a month, staffed by volunteers seven days a week from 7 p.m. to midnight on weekdays and until 1 a.m. on weekends, and estimated that only about two percent of clients ever require in-person contact, which occurs strictly by appointment—rarely exceeding one visit per week. Merritt emphasized that the Washington Street house represented the agency’s only affordable housing option, noting they currently pay just $10 a month to the town for their Shattuck School basement quarters.

Despite these assurances, residents voiced strong apprehensions. Adele Maloof and other neighbors expressed fear that the agency would act as a magnet for troublemakers and loiterers. One resident summarized the local sentiment: “I am not opposed to Pulse, but we have enough problems in South Norwood and I am afraid this will bring us more.” While acknowledging that large groups of youths currently congregating around the Shattuck School had no connection to Pulse, residents worried the presence of an office would draw crowds. A town meeting member from the district added that residents were already skeptical due to perceived historical neglect by town boards and a lack of local police protection. Joubert responded to the resistance, stating, “I see a lot of fear here which I think is founded on problems that won’t materialize. It would be sad for this town if this organization had to close its operation.” Several alternate locations were suggested during the discussion, including rooms at the Norwood Armory or Norwood Hospital.

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