Board approves FY 27 goals, business licenses & town sharing positions

At the March 10 meeting, Vice Chair Bill Plasko led the Norwood Board of Selectmen in addressing most agenda items quickly, focusing mainly on FY 27 town goals, an inter-municipal agreement with Norwood, Medfield and Sharon, and two public hearings.

Plasko stated that the FY27 objectives have been reviewed, and he expressed hope that there is consensus to continue progress even beyond 2027. He emphasized the current financial and budgetary challenges for FY27 require multi-year financial forecasting to evaluate sustainability. He also suggested including budget reduction plans for FY28 or FY29 if the general operation override is not passed. Town Manager Tony Mazzucco prepared a memo listing key priorities: launching an affordable housing program aimed at increasing home ownership, encouraging the Board to support initiatives concerning the future of Norwood Hospital, and creating a funding strategy for the town’s stormwater project within the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).

Mazzucco also added establishing a civic academy or citizens academy, where the public would be invited to attend sessions to learn about Norwood and how the town operates.

“It serves as a great sort of training ground for people to then go into town meeting positions, to then go into elected and appointed positions,” he said. “You would come in, you take the equivalent of these 10 classes or whatever it happens to be, no cost to the residents, of course.”

Benefits include a more in-depth review of the various civic and volunteer organizations in town so new residents can choose what may interest them. This initiative comes at an ideal time.

“We've got some retirements coming up that are going to be losses of institutional knowledge. So, I think it might just be the right time for us to put something together,” he said. The Board approved the goals as presented.

Mazzucco explained that the status of the position of town energy manager, currently shared with Sharon and Walpole, is undergoing some changes. Walpole has recently left the group, and Medfield is asking to join the three-town model. The position manages state energy efficiency grants, of which Norwood received about $240,000. An offer has been made to a candidate. Mazzucco added that the three were about even in the amount of work required.

“This is the ideal shared position,” he said. “We can never really utilize a full-time person. It's fine with two towns, but we recognize there's even a benefit of third.”

The request was approved unanimously by the Board.

The first of the scheduled public hearings was an application for a change of manager at Jake n Joe’s sports grille from Sandra Ramos to Brian Guglielmo. Guglielmo has 13 years’ experience with the company and with a complete application, the Board unanimously approved his request, with Selectman Michael Saad adding, “You’re going to have to add mustard wings to the menu!”

The second public hearing was an application to transfer the premises wine and malt beverage license from Rehearsal Services, Inc. dba The Magic Room, Manager of Record, William Desmond to Tori Clay, LLC dba The Magic Room. Atty. David Hern spoke for Clay as well as owners Kathy and William Desmond who were also present. The Desmonds are selling the business, looking to retirement, and Clay has been working with them for the past few months. “Tori's background is in entertainment, as an actor, and he has been learning this business, bookings, overseeing much of the day-to-day operation or night-to-night operation of the shows and the different events that are held at the Magic Room,” said Hern. “There is no change proposed for the layout of the place, no real change in terms of the operation.”

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Recent space rentals have been for children’s music school recitals on Saturdays, and an open mic offered on a Sunday. Neighborhood feedback has been positive. Desmond said he was grateful for the support received from the Town.

“I want to thank all of you, and Mr. Hern, too, who helped me get started here in Norwood… I hope it all goes forward because it's really a great venue.”

The application request was approved unanimously.

At the end of the meeting, Plasko closed the meeting by noting that next week would be his last week on the Board. “I've served with 26, 27 different selectmen… I just want to let you all know that it's been a pleasure working with you, and I thank you, and I'm so proud of the dedication you give to this town of Norwood. Thank you.”