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Selectmen approve routine licenses, a crosswalk sign and a municipal parking permit; chair casts lone no on parking request
Summary
At its December meeting the Board approved several routine license renewals and temporary permits, accepted a traffic safety committee recommendation for crosswalk‑ahead signage, and approved a municipal parking permit with a 4‑1 vote after debate on registration and commercial vehicles.
The Norwood Board of Selectmen approved a package of routine renewals, one‑day permits and traffic safety recommendations at its December meeting.
On licenses and permits the board approved the annual liquor and other license renewals for the 2025 license year and unanimously extended New Year’s Eve on‑premises hours to 2 a.m. (the board said this is an annual practice). Members also approved a one‑day liquor permit for the Norwood Portuguese Club for New Year’s Eve (Dec. 31, 7 p.m.–1 a.m., ~95 guests) and accepted the withdrawal of a one‑day music permit application. The board filed memoranda of thanks for recipients of town grant awards (Buck Fund) and approved routine municipal event requests such as the Morse House nominating‑papers signing event for Feb. 1, 2025.
On traffic and parking the board accepted a recommendation from the Traffic Safety Advisory Committee to add "Crosswalk Ahead" signage on Railroad Avenue at Lenox, as a first‑step measure before considering beacons or flashing lights; the board voted to implement the signage and to evaluate later. The board also considered a municipal parking lot permit request for one commercial minivan to park in the Talbot Lot. The manager said the applicant lives adjacent to the lot and provided a certificate of registration; Selectman Plasco objected because the vehicle was registered outside Norwood and he expressed concern about a flood of commercial vehicles if rules were loosened. After discussion the board approved the permit; the chair voted opposed, yielding a 4‑1 vote in favor.
Why this matters: these routine approvals keep businesses legally compliant and allow annual events to continue; the crosswalk signage is a traffic‑safety step that could reduce pedestrian risk; the parking lot decision reflects tension between neighborhood parking availability and rules meant to prevent commercial fleets from using municipal lots.
Next steps: DPW will install the crosswalk‑ahead signage and the town manager will ensure the licensing vendor records the fee and renewal changes. The municipal parking office and town counsel will consider clarifying rule language on registration requirements for commercial vehicles that use municipal permits.
