Two important issues before businessmen of Norwood right now concern parking. South Norwood merchants want a municipal lot at the corner of Oolah Avenue and Washington Street (owned by Selectman John A, Abdallah) and the uptown businessmen are excited about the prospects of a giant parking area on the land that is bounded by Central, Day, Broadway and East Vernon Streets. Both projects are alive at this moment. BUT . . , we are talking in terms of $400,000.00 for the combined program. Will the taxpayers swallow that kind of a bite. The answer is NO!
So where does that leave us?
Lets explore the parking further. And let’s face it . . . the whole matter of adequate parking rests entirely in the laps of the laissez-faire merchants. As one of the Finance Commissioners of the Town of Norwood, I am 100% in favor of the proposals, but with qualifications. I refuse to go before the Town Meeting Members and recommend that kind of spending unless the people who are going to benefit are aggressively pushing and backing up the effort.
Hold on to your scats boys. By aggressively pushing and backing up these projects mean that you must organize, map action and get ready to spend some money. The taxpayer. I’m sure, is willing to do his part but unless some impetus comes from the beneficiaries —NO DICE. The time is now, men, stop puttering around and get started. Organize … promote … or any chances for a solution to your parking problems will die aborning.
Here’s an example of what I mean by backing and pushing the proposed parking projects. In Walpole. Charlie Holt, Norfolk County Trust Co, Person Hardware, Curtin Pharmacy, E. M. Ford, Haverly Jewelers and Dr. Charles DiGiacomo got together and installed a good-sized parking lot behind the Norfolk County Trust Co. Air. Holt put $500.00 into the plan, others made similar contributions.
I hate to chew up this column spouting about parking but I feel it is so important to all business that something be said. Merchants might not like my attitude but they have been the ones to blame for the present tight situation. As Finance Commissioner, the taxpayers aren’t going to spend any of their hard-earned tax dollars unless they get some value in return, as far as I’m concerned. Backed up by a solid plan from store and real estate owners is another story. It can be done . . . it’s up to the merchants now.
By Ambrose J. Kelly
(All articles originally appeared in the Norwood Messenger unless otherwise noted)