Selectmen Notes: PD Chief Discusses Recent Break-Ins, Board Talks Marijuana Dispensary Zoning

Chief Brooks Talks Recent Police Action, Preventing Break-Ins

Chief William G. Brooks III of the Norwood Police Department gave his monthly report to the Board of Selectmen at Tuesday night's meeting, including recent police actions, trainings and tips for holiday safety.

Brooks noted specifically a drug raid on Neponset St. and an investigation into underage tattooing by police in the past month. 

The Chief also discussed some recent break-ins around town, and how to keep it from happening. He said that often, people looking to break in to a residence will ring the doorbell with a false story to see if anyone is home. Brooks said that even if you don't recognize the person outside, answer through the door so that they are aware someone is home.

"Answer, 'My husband the bouncer is asleep on the couch,' or 'My boyfriend the SWAT sniper is in the shower' through the door," the chief said, smiling.

WHen leaving the house, Brooks recommended leaving a radio on when you leave the house so that there is some sound as well.

Board Approves Third Tank for Norfolk Asphalt by 3-2 Vote

There was a public hearing before the Board for Norfolk Asphalt on the application to amend their VIF license to add storage for 25,000 gallons of liquid asphalt on the property.

The Board voted to approve the request 3-2, but only after a discussion of several complaints on record regarding the smell from the business.

Company representatives said their were 15 complaints made mostly with odor, but that all were investigated by Norfolk Asphalt's safety and environmental officer and Norwood Health Department director Sigalle Reiss.

Selectman Helen Abdallah Donohue, one of the no votes on this request, was very concerned that the complaints not be brushed aside.

"I can't understand how you think that we can just ignore all of these complaints," she said.

Yes votes were cast by Selectmen Allan Howard, Paul Bishop and Chairman Michael Lyons. No votes were cast by Selectmen Donohue and William Plasko.

Board to Support Walpole in Asking Legislators to Delay Effective Date of Medical Marijuana Law

The Walpole Board of Selectmen submitted a request to the Board to support them in a request to legislators that the effective date for the medical Marijuana law to allow spring Town Meetings to develop zoning for dispensaries.

The Board voted 4-1 to give their support to the neighboring town and sign a letter to state legislators.

Selectman Plasko said that while he personally doesn't think this sort of request will go anywhere, granting support to the request couldn't hurt.

Earlier in the meeting the Board heard from Chief Brooks about the issue of zoning a dispensary were one to be opened in town. Brooks suggested maybe zoning it similar to the way towns create so-called "adult" zones, not in residential areas or near schools.

The effective date for the law, Brooks said, is Jan. 1, and town health departments will have 120 days to enforce any zoning regulations.

Next Meeting for Rink Committee Dec. 12

Town Manager John Carroll said that the first meeting of the committee investigating possible locations for a Norwood hockey rink went very well, with the members looking at 23 different sites.

Some were eliminated by vote of the committee, Carroll said, without objection by the residents present. The next meeting will be Dec. 12, and the committee will be developing some criteria for the sites.

Board to Meet with National Grid Next Week

Selectman Allan Howard noted that next week the Board will be meeting with National Grid about getting gas to local residents and the cost of that process, for anyone interested in attending.