There was a tremendous amount of conversation last week about the surge in new apartment development in Norwood. One commenter on Norwood Now even went so far as to suggest recalling the Planning Board. That frustration is understandable — many residents feel that decisions about growth are being made without a clear, long-term vision for Norwood’s future.

 

But simply replacing the Planning Board won’t solve the problem.

 

Under Norwood’s Town Charter, leadership begins with the Select Board, which is responsible for setting the town’s vision and agenda. Town Meeting represents the legislative branch — it debates and votes on that agenda. And the Town Manager is charged with carrying it out through the day-to-day operations of government.

 

That’s how good government is supposed to work: leadership from the Select Board, oversight and consent from Town Meeting, and execution by the Town Manager.

 

In practice, however, that balance has broken down. The Select Board has not presented a clear set of priorities or goals for our community. Instead, our departments and committees increasingly take their direction from the Town Manager, and Town Meeting is left to vote on whatever the Manager places in the Warrant. This reversal of roles leaves Norwood without a guiding vision from its elected leadership.

 

Unless the Select Board reasserts its role and leads with a clear agenda, Norwood will continue to drift — one project, one apartment complex, one land deal at a time.

Norwood deserves more than reactive management. 

 

We need leadership — elected officials willing to set priorities, make the hard choices, and chart a responsible course for the town’s future.