Town Meeting Approves Historic Ellis Pond Purchase by a Dramatic Single Vote—October 12, 1973

Reaching the required two-thirds majority by just a single vote, Norwood Town Meeting last night reversed an earlier setback and officially voted to purchase the 42-acre Ellis Pond parcel for permanent conservation and recreation purposes.

The tense 87-42 vote brought a dramatic climax to four years of on-again, off-again negotiations with property owner Robert A. Fairbairn, who had previously warned that he would develop the land for housing if the town ultimately turned down the acquisition.

A Four-Year Battle and Nail-Biting Reconsideration

The reconsideration vote became necessary after a September 23 town meeting approved the $140,000 purchase price, but fell two votes shy of the mandatory two-thirds majority threshold. The legal standing of that vote remained in limbo until Town Counsel Justin C. Barton ruled that a strict two-thirds margin was legally required.

When Moderator William J. Plaske finally announced the final tally of 87-42—crossing the two-thirds threshold by the slimmest possible margin of one vote—audible gasps of relief and astonishment rippled through the hall.

Presentation by the Conservation Commission

Conservation Commission Chairman Bettina S. Cottrell led the presentation, aided by slide projections detailing Ellis Pond, the smaller Guild Pond, and surrounding acreage. She outlined existing access routes via Germany Brook, the Sportsmen’s Club site, and Walpole and Nichols Streets.

Cottrell emphasized that the town’s negotiated price of $140,000 represented a significant bargain—standing $20,000 lower than the asking price the previous year and $210,000 below Fairbairn’s original valuation.

“If you don’t buy it, Mr. Fairbairn will sell it anyway,” Cottrell warned the assembly. “Now’s your chance—it goes, one way or the other.” She noted that leaving the parcel unprotected could lead to draining and paving for up to 55 residential house lots, as outlined in engineering plans prepared for the owner.

Assessor Chairman James J. Drummey provided a well-documented history of the property, stressing its critical role in flood control, particularly for South Norwood.

Addressing Abutters and the Sportsmen’s Club

Addressing concerns raised by abutting resident David Norton regarding the future of the local Sportsmen’s Club—which leases a portion of the land for $1 a year and owns its clubhouse—administrative assistant Bernard Cooper clarified that the town would apply for 50 percent state reimbursement while leaving decisions regarding the club’s lease up to local discretion.

While District 9 member Charles F. White Jr. opposed the purchase due to the town’s recent financial commitment to acquire Endean Farm, and District 6 member Emilie Moses made a passionate plea for protecting local natural watersheds—reminiscing, “We let Willett Pond go out of our hands”—the assembly ultimately stood firm.

A separate motion to transfer $5,000 to cover appraisals, legal fees, and engineering expenses for the Ellis Pond dam repair passed swiftly on a voice vote, bringing the evening’s business to a close at 9:20 p.m.

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger