The Norwood School Building Committee voted Dec. 8 to proceed with permanently attached wall padding along the retaining wall at Philip Oakley Middle School’s turf field. The committee made the recommendation after staff presented two options — a relocatable, sandbag‑weighted steel pad system and a permanently secured outfield‑style wall pad — and discussed costs, safety and maintenance.

Project staff said both systems would protect players, but staff later noted the mobile option would be heavier and harder to move and, contrary to an early assumption, appeared to be more expensive than the permanent solution. Speaker 3 argued for the permanent pads in a school setting because movable sandbag systems can create hazards for children. Contractor representatives said they have experience anchoring into hollow wall sections using threaded anchors and epoxy.

The committee moved and seconded a recommendation to install permanent padding and approved the motion by voice vote. Committee members recorded voting in favor included Matt Lane, Paul Riccardi, Bob Donnelly, Tim Luff, David Hiltz, Diane Ferreira, Gary Pelletier and Shannon Veil; the chair recorded the motion as approved.

Staff said pricing is being finalized with the contractor and that, if approval is released in early January, lead time could allow installation by spring so the field can be used for the spring season. Staff estimated material lead time around four to six weeks if approval is timely; a specific contract price for the permanent padding was stated in the project log but not read into the record during the committee vote.

The committee asked the contractor to confirm attachment details for a hollow retaining wall; the contractor said similar installations have been completed using threaded anchors and epoxy. Staff also noted a small optional cap to wrap the top edge of the wall for a cleaner transition would add modest cost. The committee indicated it will finalize vendor pricing and return with specifics at a later meeting.