Committee Meet To Discuss Pond Property Status-This Day in Norwood History-June 1, 1938

Will Investigate Park Set-Ups And Interview Commissioner Long

The special committee appointed by the Norwood selectmen to look into the matter of the Willett Pond property and the possibility of drawing up some kind of conveyance which would ensure the use of the property to the town met on Wednesday night with Judge James A. Halloran, town counsel, and George F. Willett.

The committee voted to investigate, through James Curran of the recreation council and a member of the committee, the set up of the Cunningham Park in Milton and Francis William Park in East Walpole, and also to interview Commissioner Long of the Boston Park Department on the question of the taxing of the property. This investigation is designed to determine whether or not the deed of gift of the Civic Association constitutes a charitable organization which should be tax-free, and if not what changes would be necessary to meet the situation.

The difficulty with the deed of gift as it stands, Judge. Halloran explained, is that while the trustees are bound to use the property for the good of the town, there is no restraint made which would prevent their getting the property and using the proceeds for the good of the town. It seems probable that a revision of the deed making the sale of property prohibitive would resolve the whole difficulty, and the committee and Mr. Willett both agreed to go ahead with this plan, while Judge Halloran offered his cooperation.

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