Crosstown Highway Or Nahatan Street Extension?-This Day in Norwood History-July 16, 1938

George F. Willett Proposes Nanhatan And Winter Street Projects As Immediate Jobs

Two-Hour Hearing Wrestles Problem

A two-hour hearing on the proposed South Norwood Highway as a Chapter 90 project for this year was held before the Norwood Board of Selectmen on Tuesday night. Eleven citizens appeared to state their objections or approval and the discussion centered around the advisability of starting the South Norwood Highway or completing the Nahatan Street Extension, and constructing the proposed parkway from Winter Street to Nichols Street.

Martin Foley, also appearing for Mrs, Murphy, Judge Clifford B. Sanborn and Charles Houghton spoke in favor of the South Norwood project, as did the town planning board represented by Thomas J. Mahoney, John Bamber, and Mr. Nicholson. Objections to the project from the point of view of the time clement, were raised by George F. Willett, with Robert Reimer and Clement Riley interjecting questions.

Mr. Willett asked that the Question be viewed from two angles, that of taxable return to the town, and that of public service. The South Norwood project, Mr. Willett said, while commendable in every way, did not conform to these two rules at the present time. The highway designed to get rid of Morse Street as a benefit to Bird and Son and as a section of a circumferential highway around the town, he explained, was not considered as such an immediate necessity by Bird’s now, and its value as an entrance and advertisement to the town was negligible until the full circumferential route should be completed.

Willett Favors Nahatan

Mr. Willett then presented the case for the Winter Street and Nahatan Street projects. The Winter street parkway, he said, had been agreed on as a favorable project, in fact, there was general agreement on highway layouts and the question was rather one of what should come first. The Winter Street proposition, he said, was important to tackle now from two viewpoints: one from the territory which it would open up for taxable revenue, and secondly from the standpoint of public service, because with Mrs. Shattuck’s recent offer of some of her land, land damages would be less, costs would go largely to labor when it was so badly needed, and this parkway would direct traffic from what will be a residential section to Norwood’s main street and shops, while without it this traffic might be diverted to Dedham and other shopping centers. Mr. Willett urged strongly that the opportunity presented by Mrs. Shattuck be taken advantage of immediately.

Suggests Expert Advice

As to the Nahatan Street proposition, Mr. Willett favored completing this Chapter 90 project before starting another, and said that this highway would be of great value in steering traffic and business from Route 1 directly to the center of Norwood, as well as being an important tie-up with the Airport project should it be successfully concluded. To objections raised that the Nahatan Street project was held up by difficulty in coming to an agreement with the State Public Works Department, Mr. Willett suggested that construction could well be carried to that point, and pointed out that the lack of agreement on the crossing hinged on the drainage of the Neponset River Valley. He also insisted that the question was of such paramount importance to the town that it would be well to hear from expert opinion as the most advisable course to be followed, and suggested waiting to hear from those engaged by the Chamber of Commerce committee.

Mr. Foley interposed at this juncture to say that he understood that Bird and Sons had intentions of expanding their plant, and that everything should be done to aid the industry of the town. If Bird’s considered this South Norwood project an advantage, it should be carried through, he concluded. The question in regard to the lack of agreement on the crossing was raised by Mr. Riemer and Mr. Riley, who wanted to know why the matter could not be hurried up. The history of conferences was reviewed, and Mr. Willett interposed in the argument to say that he felt the blame lay neither with the Norwood officials or the State Department, but with the problem of the Neponset drainage.

Mahoney Outlines Advantages

Mr. Mahoney, speaking as chairman of the Planning Board, outlined the advantages of the South Norwood project. The highway, he said, would overcome a long-standing difficulty by uniting three sections of the town now isolated from each other by the two railroads. It would also, he pointed out, eliminate various dangerous turns and underpasses on the railroads and allow traffic to feed into and from Route 1. He also described a Planning Board project for a parallel road to Route 1 which could be worked out to eliminate the too numerous crossings of that highway.

Selectman Charles Holman raised a question directed to Mr. Willett, namely, that last year the Nichols Street extension had been undertaken with no taxable return. He could not see then why the South Norwood project was to be criticized on the basis of taxable return since it paralleled the Nichols Street project, To this, Mr. Willett replied by stating that arrangements for construction in Holmwood and Westover were nearing completion. Selectman John Mutch wound up the conference with a statement favoring the South Norwood project since the Nahatan street job was held up by uncertainty as to the crossing, and by suggesting that a Bond Street entrance to Nichols Street might be more desirable than the Winter Street proposal. The signing of the South Norwood Highway layout was postponed until Friday.

(All articles were originally published in the Norwood Messenger unless otherwise noted)