Board of Selectmen Appoints Carroll in 4-1 Vote Without Interviews
In a decisive 4-1 vote on Tuesday night, the Norwood Board of Selectmen appointed John J. Carroll—currently serving as the State Public Works Commissioner under outgoing Governor Michael Dukakis’s administration—as Norwood’s new town manager.
Carroll, a 50-year-old Milton resident and former Dedham resident, will step into the $35,000-a-year post on November 20. He succeeds outgoing manager John P. Mogan, whose resignation “for professional reasons” was originally set to take effect on Friday. At the request of the selectmen, Mogan agreed to stay on for an additional week to ensure a smooth transition.
Although the town manager position was advertised and attracted 56 applicants, the board voted to appoint Carroll directly without interviewing other candidates, concluding that his executive credentials far surpassed the pool. Reflecting on his career shift from state administration to municipal government, Carroll remarked: “It will be shifting gears—looking at the town rather than the state… getting closer to the action.”
State Public Works Commissioner JState DPW Commissioner John J. Carroll Appointed Norwood Town Manager—November 1, 1978
Board of Selectmen Appoints Carroll in 4-1 Vote Without Interviews
In a decisive 4-1 vote on Tuesday night, the Norwood Board of Selectmen appointed John J. Carroll—currently serving as the State Public Works Commissioner under outgoing Governor Michael Dukakis’s administration—as Norwood’s new town manager.
Carroll, a 50-year-old Milton resident and former Dedham resident, will step into the $35,000-a-year post on November 20. He succeeds outgoing manager John P. Mogan, whose resignation “for professional reasons” was originally set to take effect on Friday. At the request of the selectmen, Mogan agreed to stay on for an additional week to ensure a smooth transition.
Although the town manager position was advertised and attracted 56 applicants, the board voted to appoint Carroll directly without interviewing other candidates, concluding that his executive credentials far surpassed the pool. Reflecting on his career shift from state administration to municipal government, Carroll remarked: “It will be shifting gears—looking at the town rather than the state… getting closer to the action.”
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
-
Proposition 2 1/2 Debate at Town Hall Sparks Heated Clash Over Tax Reform-October 2, 1980

Francis “Chip” Faulkner and State Rep. Gerald Cohen clash in a heated debate at Norwood Town Hall over the tax-cutting ballot initiative Proposition 2 1/2.
-
Norwood Voters to Test Computerized Punch-Card Ballots in State Primary Election-September 12, 1980

Norwood voters will use a new computerized punch-card ballot system provided by Factory Mutual Engineering Company for the upcoming state primary election.
-
Town Officials Warn of Disastrous Cuts from Proposed Proposition 2 1/2-August 20, 1980

Facing a potential $3 million budget shortfall, Norwood town officials are mobilizing an educational campaign to warn residents about the severe municipal cuts threatened by Proposition 2 1/2.
-
State DPW Commissioner John J. Carroll Appointed Norwood Town Manager-November 1, 1978

Leaving the outgoing Dukakis administration, State DPW Commissioner John J. Carroll was appointed Norwood’s new town manager by a 4-1 vote of the Board of Selectmen.
-
Retiring Congressman James Burke Bids Farewell to Federal Retirees at Norwood VFW Hall-October 31, 1978

Retiring 11th District U.S. Rep. James Burke reflected on his 20-year career, Medicare battles, and advocacy for seniors during an emotional farewell address to federal retirees in Norwood.
-
Property Taxes Dominate Norwood’s 1978 Special Election Amid School Committee Recall and Selectman Race-October 23, 1978

Soaring property taxes take center stage in Norwood’s special municipal election, featuring a high-stakes school committee recall, a four-way selectmen race, and a finance commission contest.
-
Former Registrar A. Franklin Swift Seeks Reappointment Following Conflict-of-Interest Challenge-October 12, 1978

Former registrar A. Franklin Swift asks selectmen for reappointment after clearing multiple town committee roles following a state law challenge raised by Town Meeting member Kenneth C. Ball.
-
League of Women Voters Urges High Turnout for School Committee Recall Election-August 30, 1978

The League of Women Voters calls on Norwood residents to vote in Tuesday’s historic school committee recall election, the first in 30 years.
Discover more from Norwood Historical Society
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.


