[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6103595,"mediaKeyId","2794298-9b8792a037c2e80dcd091fca629ba1e3","parentId",2794298,"title","Comprehensive plan steering committee reports public‑engagement push and early findings","audioSeconds",1566,"startMs",2659000,"endMs",4225000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2794298-9b8792a037c2e80dcd091fca629ba1e3&start=2659&end=4225","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2794298-9b8792a037c2e80dcd091fca629ba1e3/thumbnail_2659000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6103595/Town-of-Norwood/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Comprehensive-plan-steering-committee-reports-publicengagement-push-and-early-findings","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6103595-83f9ead9fb6a1fb9fa45ec0b591d3de6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445689&Signature=QYxQ44sNc7vvcnUk-gqhGOpGPvJCU4d415eufPWnBxq~gEqKxfLg4pcNPKHMmcsuMqXHjvz5Nqu39GAZxwjTYmQVqr046Yk6Y39bpNeuOgKhe5FB0vCV9KNv73ERs2-1KlgbRfAsNuM8NcpYYrY3kYqbQF0nlcBAGVk8AJSHM-OFCOKbfZTgKK9aXd3Yi0IurG~VUAZpXwSZJbjsq4nP8ItZQMydBBKK0-48UrwKnbY66TZic8gAI9UFnYhcbLgDB~JBYh5CKYf5g34j3BjW-7G-cP2NhlOXNg~QPz1UMmSxIuSRi6Ah-xtXVxJZyVW22bmDXQvkM5g6xknDMBcqhw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Norwood, MA","date","2025-03-27T00:00:00Z","article","Sarah Dixon, representing the Comprehensive Plan effort, updated the Board of Selectmen on March 25 about the town’s multi‑year comprehensive plan process and asked for help expanding public participation.

Dixon said the consultant team (JM Goldson) completed phase 1, the existing‑conditions summary, and the project has moved into phase 2, the vision‑setting and public‑engagement phase. The steering committee’s goal is a 10‑year vision document intended to guide local decisions on housing, land use, transportation, open space, facilities, and other core plan elements. Dixon summarized six trends the existing‑conditions report identified: a slowly increasing and aging population with smaller household sizes; rising housing costs and affordability pressures across income groups; a strong and diversifying commercial base that brings a daytime population to Norwood; generally good access to transit and green space with gaps on the east side of town; increasing climate‑related weather and storm risks; and a historical pattern of walkable, mixed‑use, transit‑oriented development the committee considers an asset.

Public engagement and tools: Dixon described an outreach suite for phase 2: an online and paper survey, a crowd‑map where residents can tag parcels and comment on places to preserve or improve, and a “meeting‑in‑a‑box” kit the steering committee asks residents and neighborhood groups to host. She said the project has distributed lawn signs, flyers and social‑media posts and has held a December open house and interviews with department heads. Dixon noted that participation is measured in “participation points” (not unique individuals); the steering committee set a 10% participation‑points target and had recorded 558 participation points to date (under 2% of the target) and asked the Selectmen to help amplify outreach.

Why it matters: a comprehensive plan forms a policy framework for the town’s zoning, capital projects and program priorities for the next decade. Dixon said the plan’s expected completion is February 2026 and urged board members and local boards to help spread the work‑in‑progress materials and the web links (tinyurl.com/norwoodcp) to reach residents who do not normally attend in‑person meetings.

Next steps: the steering committee will continue neighborhood outreach, collect meeting‑in‑a‑box results and survey responses, and present draft vision and strategies during phase 3. Dixon invited the board to help host neighborhood meetings and to direct boards and committees to participate.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town of Norwood: Board of Selectmen 3.25.25","oneSentenceSummary","Sarah Dixon said the Comprehensive Plan’s phase 1 (existing conditions) is complete and phase 2 public engagement is underway; the steering committee seeks wider participation to shape vision and priorities for the next 10 years.","taxTitle","Town of Norwood, Norfolk County, Massachusetts","taxId",52806,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6103599,"Norwood Light & Broadband present FY26 budgets; board approves budgets and project funding",967,185000,1152000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2794298-9b8792a037c2e80dcd091fca629ba1e3&start=185&end=1152","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2794298-9b8792a037c2e80dcd091fca629ba1e3/thumbnail_185000.jpg","/articles/6103599/Town-of-Norwood/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Norwood-Light-Broadband-present-FY26-budgets-board-approves-budgets-and-project-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6103599-260cd3f551d3ad360bd43cadd4027622/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445689&Signature=MAU21ydPr-LtSYOewzx9w8hrszVLNpkzDPvcjtxlt9wdryUYMG6~W8jEZsrrmjIYtOGKjVrBFBhYRKabahcaouyvUX6J~WOiZbz27a~S9klbKd2oEsW2G1fx9S2IrV1oN4y608cAO30xFKjkyyYWrqYpEF0Ubv33I3eLWbOThVhYXlTXjYq9BcUIAwalOK4Xms5M75TbKcRW52HhJOgK7wtSCGzmtTPPblf8L0Tj-7Ux8EwV~MLoDXO1O4zATq4HzLzslUJ8hfFFr5CHkkWoqcFM6fXMfjrJZmfsP69j-r3pCVZJ9hi8g8G0unQv71cTPdawDQscLCgxiMYC8ZGrFA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Norwood Light & Broadband leaders told the Board of Selectmen on March 25 that the department’s FY26 electric request totals $62,635,000 and the broadband request totals $8,002,650, and the board voted to approve both budgets.

The utilities’ leadership — Kevin Shaughnessy, superintendent of Norwood Light & Broadband; Dan Morrissey, chief operating officer; Jason Haber, who oversees the electric division; and Daryl Hansen, broadband manager — said the electric budget is down about 0.2% from FY25, mainly because debt service is dropping off, and there is no planned electric rate increase for FY26. Shaughnessy told the board the last electric increase was in February 2018 and noted a lower purchase power adjustment that has slightly reduced customer bills.

Why it matters: the electric budget change and the department’s capital choices affect rate stability and service reliability in Norwood. Department leaders said they have hedged a significant portion of power purchases and maintain rate stabilization reserves that could be used if market forces force higher costs.

Officials outlined two major capital efforts. First, a multiyear project to replace decades‑old paper‑insulated underground cable — described as system feeders at risk that cause large outages when they fail — is estimated in the neighborhood of $8–$10 million. Staff said the program has been underway for several years and is roughly half complete; the budget shows a multi‑year transfer of $2 million per year into the project. Jason Haber said replacing underground cable has reduced average outage duration and frequency in 2024 compared with previous years.

Second, the broadband division reported steady progress on a fiber‑to‑the‑home build. Daryl Hansen said contractors are “about 50% constructed,” with roughly 25% of the network built and tested and ready to install service at premises. The team said they hope to begin customer installations in late May or early June and to complete construction by year‑end, with additional months of final cleanup and activation afterward. Staff warned of labor constraints — notably a shortage of qualified fiber splicers — that have caused some schedule shifts but said they add crews when necessary.

Broadband finance and marketing: staff said the board previously authorized interfund lending from electric to broadband and that the FY26 budget includes principal payments back to electric. Hansen and Shaughnessy said the board has permitted an internal loan plan to support fiber deployment and that the broadband operating request increases modestly while capital spending rises to support the build; the broadband request presented was $8,002,650 (a 0.36% increase over FY25). Staff also said the broadband team is working with a marketing contractor and expects to spend more on advertising as neighborhoods are lit for service.

Board action and votes: a motion to approve the electric and broadband budgets was made, seconded and approved by the board. The Selectmen also approved a separate motion to close out completed Light Department capital projects and to approve use of surplus funds for related borrowing/paydown items.

What officials said about reliability and costs: Haber highlighted industry reliability metrics presented to the board, saying Norwood’s system average interruption duration index (SAIDI) for 2024 averaged about 24.8 minutes per customer per outage — substantially below regional averages — and that removing old underground cable has driven that improvement. Shaughnessy and Morrissey emphasized long‑term contracts and conservative hedging as reasons the municipal utility has avoided recent rate shocks that have affected some investor‑owned utilities.

Next steps: staff said they will continue to update the board as the broadband install contractor finalizes pricing and as the town treasurer and accountant advise on borrowing options for capital. Board members asked for clearer visuals on customer bills and for ongoing updates about lead times for transformers and other critical hardware.","Norwood Light & Broadband officials presented FY26 electric and broadband budgets March 25, detailing no planned electric rate increase, a multi‑year underground paper‑cable replacement project and progress on fiber‑to‑the‑home construction; the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the budgets.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6103580,"Water and sewer FY26 expense budget approved; staff warns fund balance and MWRA charges drive rate risk",1120,7680000,8800000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2794298-9b8792a037c2e80dcd091fca629ba1e3&start=7680&end=8800","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2794298-9b8792a037c2e80dcd091fca629ba1e3/thumbnail_7680000.jpg","/articles/6103580/Town-of-Norwood/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Water-and-sewer-FY26-expense-budget-approved-staff-warns-fund-balance-and-MWRA-charges-drive-rate-risk","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6103580-1fc8d66b4965086b069fadff3ebd9a6b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445689&Signature=Mxnll54hhOqfpzQ8ZEC4K9o9nupITEF6tNTWsLzkIeaCFmnl~tE-7WScj~KRDlwoHrXK8pdfM3jkJZzjn9qQjPvg2gQ0E6hcde4SpBpXMfz6YFUZrQBXJOYJ0FBhtt86iZpWOGKRKYczWjUCAkFpG~zzI0Ip2-pjfqAtm5fFceQ-ta3~MwcGrR26Em2eqSvyQpnHcxk1bKm83t-YwKqlzDiNeT8UA6zChLKSfdyJgZIhSFBj7N8FhFqs-B8EMrirQ5kC2HNxLPvsRAiQuu1yArmiCeDla5rQg337AE5okaXJ4HwWBKxmdYx59GQCL8x7wimRPzUnImG5M4G1C6~ZAg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Town finance and DPW staff presented the Water and Sewer FY26 operating budget to the Board of Selectmen on March 25 and the board approved the expense budget after discussion about MWRA pass‑through increases, intermunicipal agreements and fund balance policy.

Staff described the primary drivers of the FY26 expense request: MWRA wholesale water and wastewater treatment charges, capital debt service related to approved projects, and ongoing operating costs. The presentation noted revenue projections on the budget cover expected sales but that actual sales and weather cause variance; the staff explained the fund balance (reserve) is the town’s buffer when annual consumption or revenue is lower than expected.

Two items were highlighted for board awareness: an emergency interconnection installed for the town of Sharon several years ago (funded with about $1.5 million of borrowing per the DPW memo) and a “high strength” discharge charge for a single large local customer (shown as both revenue and expense in the budget because MWRA levies the fee). Staff said Sharon reimburses the town for the interconnection debt service and that the accounting treats those inflows and outflows consistently.

Staff warned the board about fund‑balance risk: under the town’s accounting, a shortfall in the enterprise fund would have to be closed from the subsequent year’s free cash (general fund) if rates and revenues do not cover expenses, so building and maintaining a healthy reserve in the water/sewer fund is prudent. The staff said the board will set final rates later in the spring after more precise usage and revenue data is available; the presentation noted a possible projected rate increase in July (staff estimated a potential 4% figure as an example) depending on final numbers but that the board would review formal rate action later.

Board action: the Selectmen moved, seconded and approved the water and sewer expense budget for FY26. Staff indicated the department will monitor usage, coordinate with large customers and keep the board updated as the town finalizes borrowing and any SRF (state revolving fund) project timing.","Town staff presented the Water and Sewer FY26 expense budget and explained impacts from MWRA charges, a Sharon emergency interconnection loan repayment and capital projects; the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the expense budget, and staff warned that low fund balance and external debt may cause future rate pressure.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6103585,"Morrow Memorial Library outlines programming, seed library and water‑penetration testing of building",1017,6562000,7579000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2794298-9b8792a037c2e80dcd091fca629ba1e3&start=6562&end=7579","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2794298-9b8792a037c2e80dcd091fca629ba1e3/thumbnail_6562000.jpg","/articles/6103585/Town-of-Norwood/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Morrow-Memorial-Library-outlines-programming-seed-library-and-waterpenetration-testing-of-building","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6103585-b17e6207538c328adea36833212da850/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445689&Signature=P8mR4aBhUJlXZNjCQY2hc78URExoEd~sGFHH8W9TXgbq-PdA5Tzmb5QC~5sdHmAUUT4aTY0Ov3HhPt-t02gQ7YwX3EIIWjemPHCT4I1kfeueEgM0NjDnjzWaqT3pR4tugGKDFnid~CxiBJPUjsYbJ2DK6QJK954KSXCwAYqQHpmFq2e3b4ZzcUi2hFN7951tP1-UmdC-wz4xZ23lOa9YUSAmagvSluZPGeXUjKNd9JK~cvEXQG002zY9u7luAS5~tIBumq0kh6HQLtUqg1XH3NNwJf6sb4PyYavQSwEormbwgfQVRTdoBBxQeHdE6dRVXFZ6Eo-LtI5mLjqiOYCuAw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Clayton Sheever, director of Morrow Memorial Library, updated the Board of Selectmen on March 25 about library programs and a planned building investigation to locate water infiltration points.

Programs and partnerships: Sheever described the seed library (a partnership with town conservation and local groups) now in its second year with more than 75 seed varieties and community seed‑packing events. The library is hosting free spring concerts and cultural events in the Simone Room (including a concert by Ricardo Parra and a program of works by women composers from Cuba, Argentina and Colombia). The library continues MediaWise fact‑checking programs, has a senior‑planning program coordinated with Blue Cross Blue Shield, entrepreneurship workshops in partnership with economic development staff, and sensory‑friendly offerings that drew regional participants.

Building investigation and repairs: Sheever briefed the board on forthcoming water‑penetration testing, funded through a capital appropriation previously approved at Town Meeting. A consulting team will perform targeted interior exposures and then use exterior water spraying to simulate a heavy rainstorm over two to three days to pinpoint leakage locations; the contractor will patch publicly visible areas after testing. Sheever said the contractor will not perform the wet‑spray testing if overnight temperatures are forecast below 35°F because of freeze risk; the test dates will be set only when weather is suitable. The work is intended to inform repairs beyond a surface repaint and to reduce future water damage.

Why it matters: the library is both a community center for events and a physical asset in need of repairs; the diagnostic testing aims to define the right scope of work and prevent recurring damage. Sheever asked the board to note the schedule and said staff will coordinate to minimize disruption to public services during the testing.

Next steps: contractors will begin targeted interior access and then an exterior wet test once weather permits; the library will then publish recommendations and a repair plan.","Library Director Clayton Sheever updated the board on a growing seed‑library program, spring concerts and sensory‑friendly programming and described an upcoming water‑penetration test by contractors to identify building leaks before repairs; the library expects testing over three days, weather permitting.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6103590,"Anti‑Scam Task Force reports outreach and translation work; police and banks enrolled to help victims",2669,3389000,6058000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2794298-9b8792a037c2e80dcd091fca629ba1e3&start=3389&end=6058","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2794298-9b8792a037c2e80dcd091fca629ba1e3/thumbnail_3389000.jpg","/articles/6103590/Town-of-Norwood/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/AntiScam-Task-Force-reports-outreach-and-translation-work-police-and-banks-enrolled-to-help-victims","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6103590-50ed5ff43cd8f498c38c61dca37095fd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445689&Signature=jlZM-krbkslhkdDw8qCBAZBem92lTPcLrGZTwJxbi6XdJ6khGb0Rxf~fEaTSRCvgVXtr59wMWfoN4todeny9t1XLwprkPZ9avOWNjvPkiWFkxfzieF095pebqzb8endkgWUWQ~pRvs3XOcmuzS~61Cn193nsnpgOY8fTPPSBlA1S4lvnOwf49X~X3zESXiz5xUflhwG7JkG4EcXdcI5QS8-5ZIfKT6bSXeP-36OzwoMBz8UoGnL8IIow76FctKHKAzsXbym-8f1yZ2KucMedY-BnP16ipTRxVe58j5YaPE9sHX2KX0u2~CoXHJTBJIbnS0qhiAEORoHzcMCMWXF~1w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Members of Norwood’s Anti‑Scam Task Force briefed the Board of Selectmen on March 25 about outreach, translated materials and coordination with police and banks to reduce financial losses from fraud.

Kathleen Rooney, chair of the task force, said the committee began in June 2022 to focus on preventing scams targeting seniors and other residents. The group produced a brochure and a logo, distributed a postcard during the holidays, produced posters for local retailers that sell gift cards and translated the brochure into Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole and Arabic. The task force has posted resources on the town website and scheduled public education events (a Scams 101 presentation at Morrill Memorial Library and sessions at the senior center); it also plans a focused presentation on cryptocurrency and Bitcoin fraud.

The task force described its partnerships with local banks and the police department to both prevent and respond to scams. Task force presenters said bank staff have intervened to halt suspect large withdrawals and that the Norwood Police have helped people who suspected romance or impersonation scams confirm fraudulent approaches. Detective Sinclair (Norwood Police) and a local bank representative were listed as collaborators in the task force presentations.

Data and concerns: the presenters cited national and regional data showing that reports of scams are broadly steady while total losses continue to rise; they explained that impostor scams remain common (roughly one in five people are targeted nationally) and that losses can be severe — the task force cited a local case of a roughly $300,000 loss to an individual. The task force has worked with law enforcement contacts and international partners to pursue recovery when feasible.

Public guidance and next steps: the task force urged residents to use the town web page and a dedicated task force email for information, to report active scams to the police non‑emergency line, and to use reporting tools on phone messages (report junk/report scam). Upcoming events include a Scams 101 session at Wall Memorial Library and senior‑center presentations; the task force also continues bank outreach and is making printed materials available at public locations.

The presenters asked the Selectmen to endorse continued outreach and noted that stigma (embarrassment after being cheated) is a major obstacle to reporting and recovery; the task force urged public discussion to lower that stigma so victims come forward earlier.","Norwood’s Anti‑Scam Task Force updated the Board of Selectmen on a brochure, translated materials, bank partnerships, police reporting and early data on local scam reports and losses; the task force urged residents to report suspected scams and attend upcoming Scams 101 presentations.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Comprehensive plan steering committee reports public‑engagement push and early findings

Norwood Light & Broadband present FY26 budgets; board approves budgets and project funding

Water and sewer FY26 expense budget approved; staff warns fund balance and MWRA charges drive rate risk

Morrow Memorial Library outlines programming, seed library and water‑penetration testing of building

Anti‑Scam Task Force reports outreach and translation work; police and banks enrolled to help victims