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Norwood’s manager stepping down after 39 years

Norwood General Manager John J. Carroll says he’ll work until Dec. 1.Handout

One of the longest-serving town managers in Massachusetts is finally calling it a career after 39 years on the job. Norwood General Manager John J. Carroll said he will retire Dec. 1.

“It’s time,” said Carroll, 89, of Milton, in a phone interview. He said he plans to continue working until his last day, including on projects such as renovations to the interior of the town hall, and getting an ice rink for Norwood.

Carroll told selectmen of his decision July 11.

Board of Selectmen chairman William Plasko said he was a member of the board that hired Carroll at Plasko’s first meeting following a special election those many years ago. Plasko has served in various town roles alongside Carroll since then.

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“He’s done a great job for the community,” Plasko said Tuesday. Carroll, he said, was a strong administrator who provided a “strong moral compass” for town leaders and others.

“It’s going to be big shoes to fill,” he said.

Plasko said Carroll called him the morning of the Board of Selectmen’s meeting to give him the news, saying he had been thinking it through the night before. He said Carroll then texted the other selectmen before announcing it at the meeting. Plasko joked that Carroll might have been trying to ensure he wouldn’t change his mind.

Carroll said he will continue to serve on the board of directors for the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority.

Previous to taking the helm in Norwood, he served as the state commissioner of public works from 1974 to 1978 under then-Governor Michael S. Dukakis. Before that, he was head of the Department of Public Works in Lexington.

Carroll said he has many stories from his time in Norwood, and is particularly proud of the town gazebo, which he envisioned and made happen despite little support nearly 25 years ago.

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The gazebo is on the town common and is used for concerts, weddings, and other events.

“I’ve enjoyed working here for 39 years, being relevant,’’ Carroll said.


Jean Lang can be reached at jeanmcmillanlang@gmail.com.