Norwood Town Meeting Votes to Rescind 'Strong Chief' Law

After a long discussion, the motion by the Norwood Board of Selectmen carried by a close vote of 88-79.

Third time was the charm for the Norwood Board of Selectmen in their motion to rescind the so-called "Strong Chief" law, as the Town Meeting members voted to pass the motion at Monday night's continuation of the Special Town Meeting. After an hour and a half of discussion and voting, the motion carried by a tight vote of 88-79. The article called for the town to revoke its acceptance of sections 42, 43 and 44 of chapter 48 of Massachusetts General Law, providing for the establishment of a fire department to be under the control of an officer to be known as the Chief of the Fire Department. The acceptance was voted on in 1926. The revocation places the Chief and therefore the department under the Town Manager. Board of Selectmen chair …

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Keeping Us Safe, One Shovel at a Time

Clearing out the fire hydrants may seem like extra work, but it is a huge help to both the water and fire departments.

The Norwood Public Works Department is tasked with maintaining the water system in Norwood, including shoveling snow around fire hydrants to make them accessible during an emergency. There are 972 fire hydrants in Norwood, according to Department of Public Works Director Mark Ryan. The DPW, Board of Selectmen and Fire Department are asking residents help to clear the snow around fire hydrants in their neighborhoods. Fire Department Spokesman George Morrice issued a statement today, saying it is of "vital importance" that the hydrants be cleared for use in emergencies. It is also important, the statement reads, that driveways and walkways be cleared in case an ambulance needed to approach.

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Dean St. Fire Causes $75K in Damage

Norwood firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze late last night despite blizzard conditions.

Norwood firefighters responded to and extinguished a two alarm house fire on Dean St. in Norwood last night, but not before the blaze caused at least $75,000 in damage according to Norwood fire officials. The call for smoke in a two-story home at 89 Dean St. was received at 9:49 p.m. on Wednesday. Norwood Fire Department spokesman George Morrice said in a press release that no one was hurt in the fire. Norwood Fire investigator Bill Turner determined the cause to be accidental and probably due to a problem with a woodstove, Morrice said. The fire went to two alarms partially because of the condition outside and the NFD efforts hampered by a partially-buried hydrant. Walpole, Westwood, Norfolk, Foxborough, Wrentham and Easton assisted with …

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Patch Facts

Five Things You Need to Know Today, Dec. 9

Norwood's getting into the holiday spirit - and so is Norwood Patch!

1. The special town meeting that was postponed from Monday will take place tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Coakley Middle School. There are quite a few articles on the agenda including a much debated budget increase for the Norwood Fire Department. 2. The Norwood High School Celtic Strings played at the Walpole Barnes and Noble last night - entertaining the crowd in the cafe with holiday favorites and some of their own classics. Check out the video on Norwood Patch! 3. Patch wants to see your holiday decorations! Send us a photo of your halls all decked for the season - kelly.glista@patch.com.  4. Keep yourself healthy this holiday season. The Health Department is holding flu shot clinics every Tuesday on the first floor of Town Hall from 1:00…

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