Citing soaring overtime costs from the fire department's vacation-at-will practice, the Finance Commission rejected Chief Thomas J. Barry's $15,000 funding request and demanded a structured leave schedule.
FinCom Stuns School Committee with Sudden Reversal-August 22, 1978
In a sharp reversal, the Norwood Finance Commission voted against restoring $335,000 to the school budget, leaving the School Committee weighing lawsuits and alternative funding paths ahead of town meeting.
FinCom Chairman William F. Collins Stirs Controversy with Shift on School Budget Restoration-August 11, 1978
Finance Commission Chairman William F. Collins announced plans to support restoring $363,000 to the school budget, sparking sharp internal disagreement from commissioners Allan D. Howard and William C. Phipps.
School Board Recall Urged-July 8, 1978
Discover the 1978 budget battle in Norwood, where deep cuts to the school district’s $11.3 million budget led to a controversial recall effort and a lawsuit involving the Massachusetts Teachers Association.
Tight-Fisted Town Meeting Holds Firm On School Department Budget Cuts-June 22, 1978
A deadlocked floor fight over a massive school funding reduction brings threats of lawsuits, board recalls, and a complete municipal showdown.
Acting Fire Chief Warns Town Meeting of Impending Court Mandates Over Shift Understaffing-June 17, 1978
A contentious town meeting vote rejecting eight new firefighters setup a fiscal standoff at Town Hall.
Selectmen Divert Fire Truck Funds to Pellana Road Sewer-June 8, 1978
Municipal leaders face a tough infrastructure trade-off, electing to delay vital fire engine upgrades to eliminate persistent raw sewage backups in home cellars.
Auditorium Crowd Supports School Budget-June 8, 1978
A packed hearing at the Aaron Guild School turns into an arena of support for public education as town officials dispute FinCom's budget metrics.
Norwood Zeroes In On School Vandals-August 3, 1977
A newly formed blue‑ribbon security committee convened to confront a surge of costly vandalism at Norwood’s public schools. Members reviewed structural, technological, and community‑based deterrents while assigning formal research duties for a comprehensive townwide response.
School Committee and FinCom Clash Over School Bus Budget and Business Manager Practices-August 26, 1976
Tempers flared as the Norwood Finance Commission and School Committee locked horns over a bus transportation budget and criticism aimed at Business Manager Lawrence S. Canter.