St. Timothy’s Church Moves to Curb Property Trespassing-July 8, 1976

The property, situated near Bars Brook and Nichols Street along the borders of Westwood and Walpole, has long served as a popular—and often problematic—gathering spot for nighttime revelers. On July 06, 1976, parishioners gathered at an open parish meeting and voted to bar entry to the church parking lots against unauthorized use and to install lighting to deter vandalism and noise. Co-pastor Rev. William J. Scanlon explained that the decision was made with “much reluctance” and emphasized that the move is “not an exclusive act” intended to close the church grounds, but rather a necessary measure to regulate use so the shoreline remains accessible to townspeople and neighbors who have previously avoided the area due to disturbances.

The problems at the site have intensified during warm weather, with reports of up to 60 cars congregating on a single night. Father Scanlon and Co-pastor Rev. William F. Lucey noted that the gatherings frequently involve out-of-town residents ranging from teenagers to people in their 30s. The site has become known for beer-drinking, noise, and significant littering, including items ranging from lobster shells to broken glass. Furthermore, Father Lucey reported that the parish experiences frequent vandalism, including the destruction of lawn sprinkler heads valued at $150 each. Despite these issues, the priests expressed a desire to avoid legal escalation. Father Lucey stated, “I’m quite sure the archdiocese of Boston wouldn’t prosecute for trespassing,” while Father Scanlon added that court action is “a bridge that would have to be crossed in a specific instance.”

Local officials acknowledge that the situation has become increasingly difficult to manage. Selectman William F. Butters noted that while police patrols from both Norwood and Walpole respond frequently to complaints, their effectiveness is limited; crowds often disperse only to return once the officers leave. Butters recalled that under the administration of the late Rev. John Lane and the late Police Chief James Murphy, such issues were often handled on a “personal basis,” but the current scale of the gatherings exceeds those past efforts. The parish had previously attempted to address the issue by encouraging the congregants to participate in alternative programs like dances or drop-in centers, but the priests noted that the crowds are generally reluctant to engage in organized activities, preferring the freedom of the unsupervised shoreline. By restricting access and improving lighting, the parish hopes to reclaim the property as a peaceful resource for the community, with Father Lucey expressing his hope that the shoreline “will be wide-open someday to be used properly.”

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