A $9 Million Solution

By reclassifying large apartment buildings at the commercial tax rate through a Home Rule Petition, Norwood could generate nearly $9 million in new, recurring revenue every year. This forward-looking reform would stabilize our finances, reduce pressure on homeowners, and help close the town’s structural deficit without raising taxes on residents.

In contrast, the proposed Residential Exemption (M.G.L. c.59 §5C) simply redistributes taxes within the residential class. It gives relief to owner-occupied homes by shifting the burden to landlords and investors, but it does not create a single dollar of new revenue to fix the deficit.

Used together, these two initiatives could deliver both fairness and financial stability: the Home Rule Petition strengthens the town’s bottom line, while the Residential Exemption provides direct relief to residents who live in their homes.

Our analysis shows that residents aged 40 to 59 already bear the largest share of Norwood’s residential tax base. Asking them to absorb yet another override is both unfair and unnecessary when a long-term solution is available.

Norwood doesn’t need more one-time fixes — it needs focus, leadership, and the courage to adopt real reforms that protect taxpayers while securing the town’s financial future.

Steve Konetchy

District 4 Town Meeting Member

It truly takes a village

To the Editor:

On behalf of the AR5K Committee, we want to send a huge thank you to everyone who helped make the Second Annual Austin Reardon Memorial 5K such a wonderful success on Sunday, October 12.

We were thrilled to have more than 425 people register to run, walk, or volunteer. This event is about celebrating Austin, a member of the Class of Norwood High 2019 , bringing our community together, and doing good in his name—and we did just that. Thanks to your support, we reached our goal of raising $26,000 for scholarships for the Norwood High School Class of 2026. Just like last year, we’ll be awarding one $20,000 scholarship and five $1,000 scholarships to Class of 2026 students who took part in the event.

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We’re also excited to share a new addition this year: a $1,000 scholarship for a Norwood resident graduating from a high school other than NHS. And in Austin’s memory, we’ll be donating 500 pairs of new socks to Pine Street Inn to help those in need.

This day wouldn’t be possible without the kindness and generosity of so many. A very special thank you to our main sponsor, Vinny DiIorio of VAD, Inc., and to all of our incredible sponsors who stepped up to support this cause: Lewis’ Restaurant (food), DifferRentals (grills), Spot! (bagels and coffee), Rita’s Italian Ice (finish line treats),Dan Busler Photography, A & W Towing, Zammito Insurance, South Shore Staffing, Matt Brown Foundation, Norwood Country Club, Law Offices of Patrick Keady, LeeKennedy, Joe’s Butcher and Bay, Home Depot, The Boutique Hair Spa, H & L Nails, Wonderly Lights, Ginger Betty’s, Radhika’s Creations, Daddy’s Dairy, Reebok, Crescent Ridge, Roche Bros., Lou and Deb’s, Muffin House, Conrad’s, Wegmans, Gus Barber Shop, Starbucks, Sixties Diner, Bubbling Brook, Stop & Shop, Vanderbilt Club, Marathon Sports, Vicos, Salon Monique, Islington Pizza, OCC, Carriage House, Boston Tavern, Juicy Greens, Norwood Country Club, Halfway Café, Limey’s Pub, Clyde’s, Neroli, Mick Morgan’s, To Beruit, Lovell’s Nursery, Michaels, Charles Donohue/NHS Class of 62, Annette DiIorio, One Local Bank, Dedham Savings Bank, Bill Skerry RE, Jane Mahar, Denise Murphy, Tina Beecher, and The Gravel.

A huge shoutout also goes to the Norwood High staff, especially Principal Derrane, Jack Tolman and Staff at Norwood Community Media, Norwood Bulletin, the K of C, the Sportsman Club for parking, the residents along the race route, and the many amazing volunteers. A heartfelt thank you to the entire Reardon and Keady families, NHS students, Marise Fallon, Lisa Igoe, Amanda Hayes, Ann McGrath, Anne Vendetti, Maureen Slattery, Jenn Rogala, Neo Getgano, Jackie Bedard, Lauren Fallon, Dan Fallon, Mike Ekberg, Tim Fallon, John Donovan, Linda Angelo, Alli Kelleher, Bob Parise, Jessica Keller, Beth Carroll, and the many others who jumped in on race day to help however they could.

It truly takes a village to make something like this happen, and our village showed up in the best way. Please save the date for the Third Annual AR5K on Sunday, October 11, 2026. Thank you for continuing to help us #ShineAustinsLight.

— The AR5K Committee