Norwood Approves Marijuana Public Consumption Bylaw, Will Reconsider Moratorium at Town Meeting

The second day of Town Meeting will be held Thursday night in the auditorium of Norwood High School.

At Norwood's first day of the 2013 Special/Annual Town Meeting Monday the town voted to approve the implementation of a bylaw that would make smoking marijuana in public a finable offense. They also voted to reconsider the article pertaining to a one-year moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries in town. Article 6 dealing with the public consumption of marijuana was approved by Town Meeting Members to allow Norwood Police to impose a $300 fine for anyone caught smoking marijuana in public. According to Norwood Police Chief William Brooks the bylaw is similar to that of laws against publicly consuming alcohol. “If a person really does have a debilitating disease they probably don’t need to smoke the marijuana on the Common or at a ball …

• Photos (1)

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 …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

Special Town Meeting to Continue Tonight

Twelve articles remain to be voted on of the 22 on the warrant after three hours of meeting Thursday night.

The Norwood Special Town Meeting will continue tonight with 12 articles remaining for discussion and vote. If the meeting is not concluded on Monday evening it will be continued after the Thanksgiving holiday. Among the articles still left for consideration is a motion by the Board of Selectmen to rescind the Strong Chief Law - which would place control of the fire department directly in the hands of the Town Manager and Selectmen. All residents are encouraged to attend the Town Meeting and will be allowed to speak on the articles, whether or not they are a voting member. The full warrant is attached to this article. What is the most important issue on this warrant for you? How do you think the Town Meeting members should vote on these …

• Documents (1)

Town Meeting Votes Down Extra Funding for Concession Stand

The Town Meeting voted Monday night against the proposal to increase funding for a permanent concession stand and restroom structure at the NHS football field.

At Monday night's continuation of the Special Town Meeting, the members voted not to borrow additional funds for the construction of a permanent concession stand and toilet facility at the Norwood High School field. The original funding of $250,000 was voted on at the Special Town Meeting last November. In April of this year, Project Manager Tim Bonfatti approached the Board of Selectmen with two options - a permanent structure that would require an additional $100,000 of funding or a modular facility that could be purchased without further expenditure. The Board at that time voted unanimously to put the request for funds on the Town Meeting warrant. The proposed structure would have included kitchen and concession facilities as well as …

• Photos (1)

NHS Concession Stand Among Final Special Town Meeting Articles

There are four articles remaining on the Special Town Meeting Warrant, to be discussed Monday night before the start of the Annual Town Meeting.

The Special Town Meeting for Norwood continues Monday night, with four final articles up for discussion and vote leading into the Annual Town Meeting - for which there are 11 articles on the warrant. One of the remaining Special Town Meeting issues is if the members will vote to allow the Permanent Building Construction Committee to build a permanent concession stand, with restrooms, at the high school football field. At an April meeting, Project Manager Tim Bonfatti told the Board of Selectmen that with the available funds ($250,000) a temporary or modular facility would be possible, but another $100,000 would be needed for the kind of permanent structure that was originally intended. The Board voted unanimously to put an article on the …

• Documents (1)

Special Town Meeting Tonight to Vote on 29 Articles

The Special Town Meeting will take place in the Norwood High School at 7:25 p.m.

There will be a Special Town Meeting tonight at 7:25 p.m. in the Norwood High School auditorium. There are 29 articles on the meeting warrant including zoning issues, land acquisitions and sales, and budget transfers for various departments. All Town Meeting members were elected, or re-elected, in the last town election on April 2, due to the district boundary lines being re-drawn this year to comply with the state-wide redistricting. Although Town Meeting members are the voting body of the meeting, Norwood residents are all encouraged to attend and give input. "That's what it's all about," Board of Selectmen Chairman Michael Lyons said at Tuesday night's meeting. "...Helping us all run the town together." To view the full warrant or find …

•  1 Comment
• Documents (1)

Pete Downing

9:30 am on Thursday, May 10, 2012

Is there anything that the folks in Norwood or my district (district 2) have an issue with? Strongly support? Strongly oppose? Throw it out there for the NTM members to consider... or at the very least the members who read this site. Pete Downing NTM, District 2   more ›

Question of the Day

Question of the Day: School Committee Reduction

What do you think of the decision to reduce the number of members on the school committee?

We ask Norwood Patch readers a different question every weekday at noon. Questions could range from local decisions made by officials, to state issues, to national politics and entertainment. Whatever it is, we want to know what NORWOOD thinks! To answer, use our comments section below. At the Special Town Meeting this week, the members voted to reduce the number of school committee members from seven to five over the next two elections. Those in favor of the decision said it would foster more effective communication and accountability, while those opposed noted that the seven member board has been effective, and fewer members leaves fewer voices in discussion. What do you think of the Town Meeting's decision?

• Photos (1)

Town Meeting Votes to Reduce School Committee to Five

Those in favor said this is not a reaction to previous troubles with committee members.

On Monday night, the Norwood Town Meeting members voted to reduce the size of the School Committee from seven to five members in the next two elections. During the discussion, those in favor noted that this motion was not in reaction to the recent issues and resignations among the committee - specifically the allegations against former members Mark Joseph and William Plasko Jr. With the motion passing, there will be one seat available on the committee for the 2012 elections with two members' terms expiring, reducing the board to six. The same will be true of the 2013 elections, reducing the board to five for the 2013-2014 school year. Town Meeting member Gerri Slater said reducing the number of members in the  School Committee has been …

• Photos (1)