State Letter Ires Airport Board-This Day In Norwood History-July 23, 1978

The Patriot Ledger’s July 23, 1978 edition brought to light a contentious issue in Norwood, Massachusetts, as the Massachusetts Aeronautics Commission (MAC) sent a letter to the airport commission, pressing them to reconsider their rejection of an instrument landing system (ILS). The ILS, which would be installed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), was initially met with a 9-0 vote against its implementation. However, the MAC’s letter offered to pay Norwood’s share of site preparation costs for the new system if the commission would reconsider their decision.

The airport commission, led by Chairman William F. Collins, had previously rejected the ILS due to concerns about its cost and the potential impact on the surrounding area. Commissioner Walter R. Ryan echoed Collins’ sentiments, stating that he was confident in the commission’s vote and saw no reason to revisit the issue. In contrast, Commissioner Lawrence T.O. Rose, who is also the chairman of the Snag (Stop Norwood Airport Growth) organization, characterized the MAC letter as a threat and expressed concerns about the potential consequences of installing an ILS at Norwood.

Rose pointed out that the recently published Logan Airport master plan advised against expansion of Logan and recommended using other area airports, including Norwood, as reliever airports. He feared that installation of an ILS at Norwood would lead to an increase in heavy aircraft flying in the skies surrounding the area, which could have negative impacts on residents.

The MAC’s letter also requested that the airport commission attend their August 21 meeting to explain why they refused the ILS and why the state should continue to fund the present landing system at the airport when it could be replaced by a more sophisticated system paid for by the federal government. Collins saw this as an attempt by the MAC and FAA to force the commission to accept the ILS through various means, including threats.

The issue of funding was also a point of contention, with Collins questioning why the state would continue to fund the present landing system when it is little used and often broken down. He noted that the present system is used by less than one-half of one percent of flights at the airport, making it an inefficient use of taxpayer dollars.

In response to the MAC’s letter, Rose suggested that the commission hold a special meeting to reaffirm their position on the ILS and inform the MAC that they do not intend to reconsider their decision. He also expressed concern that the MAC would interpret a lack of response from the commission as acceptance of their plan to call a special meeting.

The issue of the airport’s growth and development was also brought up, with Rose pointing out that the Snag organization has been advocating for responsible growth and development in Norwood. The organization is concerned about the potential impacts of increased air traffic on residents and the environment.

In addition to the controversy surrounding the ILS, the article also mentions a terrarium contest being held at the Morrill Memorial Library, which has attracted over 70 registrations from residents ranging in age from kindergarten students through senior citizens.

The guidance office at Norwood Senior High School is also mentioned, as it will be open half days during the summer to provide a range of services to students and their families. These services include registration for new students, counseling for summer school students, processing of summer school grades, and expediting program changes based on summer school attendance or changed educational or vocational objectives.

The article highlights the complex issues surrounding the airport’s growth and development, as well as the concerns of residents and local organizations about the potential impacts of increased air traffic. It also showcases the community’s engagement with various events and initiatives, such as the terrarium contest and the guidance office’s services.

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