Willett School Wiring Dispute Adds $9,000 to Construction Costs Ahead of September Opening-July 28, 1968

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The Norwood Permanent Building Construction Committee last night voted to approve the installation of additional circuit breaker panels so that the Willett School can open on schedule in September. The cost of the electrical installation is estimated at approximately $9,000. William J. Kates, supervisor of the Municipal Light Department and inspector of wires, advised the committee that he would not approve the school’s electrical system as it currently stands. Without such official approval, the school could not legally be opened to students.

John Johnson, representing Francis Associates, designers of the electrical system, disputed William J. Kates‘ verdict and stated that the present installation conforms completely to the code of the National Board of Fire Underwriters. William J. Kates contended that the existing code specified minimum acceptable standards for fuse-type installations only, noting that the code did not yet spell out requirements for the circuit breaker type of installation utilized in the Willett School, and that an updated code was currently being written. To me, this is a question of safety in a Norwood school, William J. Kates stated firmly. I cannot in conscience approve this wiring as it now stands.

In reply to a question from Board Chairman John T. Egan, John Johnson estimated it would take from four to six weeks to obtain a definitive ruling on safety standards from the National Board of Fire Underwriters. Meanwhile, Robert W. Searson of the architectural firm Korslund, LeNormand & Quann, Inc. advised the board that they might face the exact same electrical problem with the new junior high school unless present specifications are altered. However, since the new junior high school is not scheduled to open until September 1969, the board voted to obtain a formal ruling from the National Board of Fire Underwriters to guide their actions regarding that facility. In other municipal action, the permanent building construction committee approved the construction of protective guard rails on a bridge over Germany Brook at the Willett School.

Board members who voted in favor of the additional circuit breaker panels requested by William J. Kates stipulated that their action was taken simply to ensure the opening of the school on schedule. Board member Justin A. Barton emphasized the urgency of the deadline. After all the problems of redistricting students as well as transferring and hiring teachers, this school must be opened in September, he said. Turning directly to William J. Kates, he added, “You might as well have a gun at our head”.

Conversely, board member James H. Kerr, who alongside Edward H. Thompson voted against the motion, expressed the opinion that he would prefer to let the school remain unopened and let the wire inspector explain his position directly to a town meeting.

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