State Appeals Court Affirms New Restaurant Approval for Route 1-August 22, 1978

Despite the ruling, the development remains contested; attorney Robert Capasso, representing abutters John H. Shalbey and Robert A. Piso (owners of the site currently occupied by the Ro-Jo car wash and adjacent service station), has appealed the case to the Supreme Judicial Court. Capasso expects to learn within four to six weeks if the state’s highest court will hear the appeal.

In his initial suit filed 20 months ago in Norfolk Superior Court, Capasso argued that the zoning board of appeals exceeded its authority in granting a special permit to developer Nicholas W. Janikies of Johnston, Rhode Island. The litigation alleged that the board failed to state sufficient facts to justify reversing a 1976 decision that originally rejected the restaurant application. Furthermore, the suit challenged the planning board’s decision to grant a waiver of the mandatory two-year waiting period, alleging improper procedure and defective public notice. While the Appeals Court upheld the Norwood zoning decision, it stipulated that certain environmental matters remain subject to the Conservation Commission, with drainage oversight remaining under the purview of the building inspector.

Norwood Finance Commission Recommends Approval of Unpaid Bills and Data Processing Funds

The Finance Commission (FinCom) will recommend that the upcoming special town meeting approve $87,024 in outstanding unpaid bills alongside $42,000 for town data processing requirements. Town Manager John P. Mogan underscored the necessity of the $42,000 appropriation, advising that these funds are critical if the town intends to move forward with its planned computer service operations.

The list of unpaid bills earmarked for approval includes:

• $30,009 for legal fees related to wholesale electric rate cases.
• $10,000 for Light Department maintenance (storm-related expenses).
• $10,000 for police incidentals (gasoline, medical expenses, and vehicle repairs).
• $7,000 for municipal building expenses (fuel, phone bills, and lighting).
• $1,250 for Junior High North roof inspections.
• $3,000 for Department of Public Works incidentals (storm-related expenses).
• $3,600 for the town annual report production.
• $3,500 in legal fees for collective bargaining.
• $18,674 for computer contracts, supplies, and materials.

Assessors Project Significant Tax Rate Hike

Finance Commission Chairman William F. Collins released figures from the assessors’ office indicating that Norwood could face a tax rate hike of $5 to $6 for the current year. While Assessors’ Chairman James R. Drummey will formally announce the final rate on Thursday following consultations with state officials, Collins noted that the town must raise $34,131,955 through taxation—an increase of $2.5 million over the previous fiscal year, when the rate was set at $43 per $1,000 of valuation.

The hike is attributed largely to the depletion of the town’s “free cash” fund, which is typically applied to offset the tax rate. Drummey confirmed that the annual town meeting provided only $200,000 to apply against the rate this year, compared to $1 million the prior year. Additionally, Collins noted that the $335,000 requested for the school budget at Monday’s special town meeting will not directly affect this year’s tax rate, but if sourced from free cash, it will significantly diminish the funds available to buffer the rate for the following year.

Lawrence G. Fitch Appointed to State Task Force

Fitch will work alongside Paula Duggan (State Manpower Services Council), Russ Ganz and Chris LeCam (Department of Manpower Development), and Jay Donovan (Director of Planning for the balance of state prime sponsor) to analyze legislative trends and develop policy alternatives. The group is slated to issue an interim report to the assistant secretary of economic affairs by November 1.

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