Full Use To Be Made Of Hawes Swimming Pool’s New $20,000 Facilities-This Day in Norwood History-July 21, 1949

There will be swimming at Hawes Brook Pool under lights for adults until 10 30 p m according to a ruling of the Selectmen Tuesday night.

Arrangements will be made today toward installing new super lights and the employment of additional lifeguards.

Action was taken at the meeting by the Board upon receipt of a list of recommendations from the Recreation Advisory Committee.

Number One on the list was a chain link fence with a barbed wire top. The Recreation Committee recommended that it be erected around Hawes Pool on an emergency basis in order to effectively control the area and give adequate protection to all those using the pool. The Advisory Committee also recommended that two lifeguards be moved from Willett Pond and stationed at Hawes, making a total of four at Hawes and two at Willett and that the concessionaire be requested to furnish two lifeguards at his expense to take the place of the lifeguards of the Reel cation Department being moved to Hawes.

Requesting that the pool be restricted to Norwood residents the Committee also recommended 10 30 am until 8 on pm as the hours of operation at the Pool.

There seemed to be some diversity of opinion among the Selectmen as to just what hour should be named as closing time. Selectman Harry Butters was emphatic in his desire that the pool be available for use for at least two hours after dark. Selectman Sture Nelson made a motion that 10.30 be named as the closing time and also pointed out the extreme importance of erecting “Slow” signs near the area to safeguard the children darting between the pool and the refreshment stand across the street.

Chairman Walter Dempsey suggested the lights at the Pool as an added feature and his suggestion was made into a motion and approved by the Board.

The Selectmen signified their whole-hearted approval of the suggestions of the Recreation Advisory Board with the exception of the aforementioned closing hour or 8.00 p.m. and the recommendation that a blacktop walk be installed around the pool The Selectmen felt that the latter could wait for another year, which would give the held a chance to become compact.

Use of the pond will be restricted to Norwood residents and signs to that effect will be posted.

Town Manager Edward C. Monahan has contacted the Finance Commission and requested the required transfer of $1700 from the Reserve Fund for the erection of the fence The Finance Commission has not as yet rendered a decision on this request.

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