On May 25, 1966, Norwood officials announced that the town’s long‑planned Teenage Drop‑In Center—a supervised recreational space for local youth—was on track to open by early fall, following Town Meeting approval and months of study by a joint committee of civic leaders, educators, and volunteers.
The proposal, guided through Town Meeting by Selectman Martin J. Lydon, called for transforming the second floor of the former fire station across from the municipal building into a dedicated teen center. Remodeling work was expected to begin by mid‑summer, funded by a $10,000 appropriation that had passed despite opposition from the Finance Commission and several Town Meeting members who preferred to reserve the funds for a more expansive recreation program.
PERSONNEL & MUNICIPAL LOGISTICS
In other action, selectmen voted unanimously to refuse the request of John T. Walsh, president of the Firefighter’s Union, to schedule a meeting with an attorney for the firefighters and Town Counsel Walter J. Gotovitch for discussion of the disparity between police and fire department salaries as voted by town meeting. Mr. Walsh said the firefighters signed a contract for a 9 per cent salary increase only because they were assured by selectmen that there would be no disparity between police and fire department salaries.
“We expected you to fight for us on town meeting floor (after police were voted a 12 per cent increase), but you did not do your duty,” he said. “Do you feel you bargained in good faith and lived up to your obligation?”
“Yes, because we did not anticipate a disparity. We recommended the same (9 per cent) for both,” answered Mr. Curran. Mr. Curran was supported by his board who said they considered the contract final.
Selectmen also voted to invite the owners and builders of Nassau Gardens, an apartment complex adjacent to Eaton Village, to meet with them next week to discuss the proposed use of plastic water pipe rather than the customary copper. The plumbing inspector, health agent, and public works superintendent all expressed dissatisfaction with the proposal, although it was noted that nothing in the town building or plumbing code would prohibit such use. The selectmen, as water commissioners, have jurisdiction over pipes from the street to water meters within a structure. Beyond the water main, interior pipes come within the jurisdiction of the plumbing inspector.
MILITARY & SERVICE NOTES
Police Chief James M. Murphy revealed last night that he and his wife Regina celebrated their 24th wedding anniversary Monday by visiting wounded servicemen at Chelsea Naval Hospital. Chief and Mrs. Murphy, who were both in the Marine Corps during World War II, lost a son, Richard, in the Vietnam conflict. Chief Murphy was recently awarded Boston’s “Cop of the Month” citation for his off-duty capture in Boston of a suspect wanted for the theft of a patrolman’s pistol.
Separately, William F. Sullivan of 21 Sycamore St. has passed the civil service examination for fire lieutenant, it was announced today by the director of civil service. Fire Chief Irving J. Dodson said the promotion will become effective when an opening appears for the post, probably in the fall.
LOCAL ATHLETICS
Major League Baseball
Norwood’s Skippy Lockwood got his first chance to start for the Milwaukee Brewers this week, but his glove betrayed him and he was a losing pitcher. The former infielder-turned-pitcher made an error while covering first base and the Minnesota Twins, helped by other Milwaukee errors, scored a total of four unearned runs off Lockwood. Skippy, who joined the Brewers three weeks ago after a good start in the minors, showed Milwaukee Manager Dave Bristol enough to get another starting opportunity. He gave up seven hits and a walk in eight innings, striking out four batters.
High School Baseball
Bill Travers and his Norwood High baseball team ended up their Bay State League season in a typical fashion yesterday – winning. Travers picked up his 13th victory from the mound as the BSL champions (16-2) won their contest with Dedham, 3-0, after the game was shortened to six innings by rain. Travers, who now has 26 victories in his three-year career on the Norwood team, struck out 13 batters while giving up two hits and allowing four to reach on walks. He also got a hit in three times at bat and scored one of the Mustangs’ runs. Norwood scored its first run in the first inning when Joe Porcello walked and was moved to second by Bob Rosata. Travers then reached on a fielder’s choice which moved Rosata to second. Bill Moan grounded out to first base, scoring Porcello. In the fifth inning, the Mustangs completed their scoring when Rosata reached on an error and went to third on a Travers single to left field, with Travers moving to second on the throw in from the outfield. Moan singled to right to score both Travers and Rosata. Dedham finished the season with a 6-12 league record.
In a second rain-shortened game, Braintree (10-8) beat Milton (8-10), 2-0. Dave Keigan pitched two-hit ball for the victory. In the sixth, Bruce Cluett led off with a walk and advanced when Don Bailey grounded out. Mark Barry then singled sharply to left and drove in the second Braintree run. Barry also made the outstanding defensive play of the game in the fifth inning when he made a sliding catch of a line drive in the rain-soaked outfield to end the inning with two Milton runners on base. Keigan ended the season with a 3-5 record. Needham was knocked out of an Eastern Mass tourney spot as it was beaten by Wellesley, 1-0. Framingham South clinched the runner-up berth, beating Natick solidly, 8-0.
MUNICIPAL ENTERTAINMENT & COMMUNITY EVENTS
The Norwood Arena Speedway has set Saturday night as the second annual “Scout Night” for Brownies, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Girl Scouts. Admission is free to all scouts, provided they are accompanied by adults and have scout identification, such as a uniform, cap, or jacket. “This year we have set a goal of 4,000 youngsters attending the night.” said Wes Plummer, president of Norwood Arena. He went on to say, “We hope we can exceed that number and the youngsters will enjoy a night of NASCAR stock car racing. We don’t care where the scouts live, if they are involved in scouting, we want them with us as our guests.”
Earl K. Bowen of 246 Union St., Norwood, carried the Babson College mace as chief marshal of the commencement procession Sunday at Babson. Bowen is retiring after 35 years with the school’s math department.
The Rev. Frank Blomfelt of Helsingfors, Finland, will be honored at a reception given by the Runeberg Lodge at 5 p.m. Sunday at the lodge at 90 Wilson St. The reception will follow his appearance at the 9:30 and 11 a.m. services at Emmanuel Lutheran Church. Blomfelt visited Norwood 10 years ago while researching emigrants from the Swedish-speaking areas of Finland as part of a thesis, utilizing records from the church and the lodge. He is particularly interested in meeting people who emigrated from the Aland Islands.
Junior High South will hold a school fair from 7 to 9 p.m. tomorrow in the school cafeteria, displaying student projects from all areas of the curriculum.
Women’s Community Committee Takes the Lead
A major force behind the project was the Women’s Community Committee, whose president, Mrs. Doris Dauksis, served on the study committee. She explained that the group had already set aside $3,000 to ensure permanent adult supervision, a key element in the center’s design.
Mrs. Dauksis noted that the committee had also received a donation of a record player for the center and was actively soliciting additional contributions. The goal, she said, was to create a safe, welcoming environment where teens could gather, socialize, and eventually take on many of the center’s responsibilities themselves.
School Committee Nears Decision on New Principal
Meanwhile, the Norwood School Committee announced it had completed its first round of interviews for a new Norwood High School principal, a position soon to be vacated by Charles Hayden.
Board Chairman Francis X. Sheehan reported that 18 candidates—from both inside and outside the district—had been interviewed. A number of others had been screened out for various reasons. The committee planned to narrow the list to six or seven finalists, then conduct school visits to observe their leadership styles and professional accomplishments.
A final decision was expected by July 1.
Town Vehicles to Adopt Standardized Colors
General Manager Walter Blasenek announced a new color‑coding system for municipal vehicles:
- Department of Public Works vehicles would be painted orange
- Light Department vehicles would be painted yellow
Blasenek explained that these colors were widely recommended by state and local authorities because they made vehicles more visible “against any background,” improving safety and identification.
New Warehouse Proposed on Everett Street
Blasenek also revealed that a large, unnamed firm was considering construction of a 105,000‑square‑foot warehouse on Everett Street. The two‑and‑a‑half‑acre structure would include approximately 15,000 square feet of office space.
One of the company’s primary concerns was water pressure, which would need to be sufficient to support a fire‑prevention sprinkler system. Blasenek said early indications suggested the area’s pressure “might be easily adequate” to meet the firm’s needs. A final decision was expected soon.
Women’s Community Committee Continues Beautification Efforts
As part of its annual “Clean‑Up, Fix‑Up, Paint‑Up” campaign, the Women’s Community Committee donated shrubbery for the front of the historic Day House, marking the first stage of a planned grounds restoration project overseen by Harry Fraser, chairman of the Norwood Conservation Commission.
Campaign chair Mrs. Richard Wentrom said the goal was to “contribute materially to the general attractiveness of the entire community.”
A Day of Heat, Crowds, and Sudden Loss
The first true heat wave of 1966 arrived early, pushing temperatures into the high 90s across the South Shore and sending thousands of residents scrambling to beaches, ponds, and parks. But the sudden burst of summer weather brought tragedy with it. On May 25, 1966, Norwood awoke to the heartbreaking news.
Drowning at Buckmaster Pond
In Westwood, Gerald Graham, of 43 Margaret Street, Norwood, had been swimming with friends when he suddenly disappeared beneath the surface. His companions immediately alerted the Westwood Fire Department, which issued an urgent call for assistance.
Within minutes, more than a score of skin divers converged on the pond. Among them was Henry Nylan of Needham, who located and recovered Graham’s body from 25 feet of water after a half‑hour search.
Graham was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Hugh G. Graham, and his death cast a pall over Norwood, where he was known as a member of the senior class preparing for graduation.
In Other News: Norwood Death Ruled Suicide
In Dedham, Judge Cox ruled that the April 13 strangulation death of Mrs. Goldie Fine, of Lewis Avenue, Norwood, was a suicide. After hearing testimony from 15 witnesses, the judge found no evidence of homicide or negligence.
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