Planning staff led a "meeting in a box" workshop during the Norwood Planning Board meeting so board members and attendees could practice the small‑group exercises the town will distribute to residents as part of the comprehensive plan update.

Sarah Dixon, planning staff, explained the kit "is an opportunity for residents to give feedback, on the parts of Norwood that they love, that they want to see preserved, that they want to see grow, identifying challenges in the community, and generally identifying their vision for Norwood in the next 10 years." The board spent the session listing places, services and policies to preserve and improve and then discussed visions for growth, housing, economic development, transportation and public spaces.

Joe Collins, a town economic development official who attended, framed the discussion in fiscal terms, saying Norwood’s Route 1 employment centers are a core economic engine and noting the town’s split tax rate and daytime population growth: "In 2022 we grew on average about 3,600 people a day," Collins said, and he stressed the Route 1 corridor’s multiplier effect on local businesses.

Board members and participants highlighted recurring themes: retain Norwood’s historic New England character while allowing targeted, well‑designed residential growth; prioritize downtown rejuvenation to attract new businesses; support homeownership as well as rental options; and expand cultural events that draw multiple demographic groups. Several participants urged more trees and green infrastructure in large parking areas to reduce heat and improve appearance.

Planning staff said the "meeting in a box" kits will be distributed to residents and returned to the steering committee; the deadline for returning kits is currently March but staff said they plan to extend it through April and into May to allow more community sessions. Staff offered to collect completed kits by drop‑off at the planning office or by photo and email.

The exercise produced ideas the planning board expects to fold into the comprehensive plan’s public engagement and later into specific plan elements and next‑step studies. Staff asked board members to host or sponsor at least one box meeting with neighbors or local organizations and to return completed materials to the steering committee.