Officials this week confirmed that a replica of the high school's signature clock tower will be part of the design for a proposed new school.
Architect Scott Dunlap said Monday it will take the design team some time and effort to include the tower design in final construction documents and asked the High School Working Group to reaffirm its commitment to the idea.
The group was unanimous in its desire to include the tower, along with other architectural features, to make the front of the proposed new school look similar to the old one. The design is being based upon the Whitman-Hanson Regional High School model, but town officials want to add some hometown flavor including replicating the Greek revival architecture and the clock tower.
"In my view it's critical. It's the signature piece that says 'Norwood,"' said member Ted Callahan. "It's always been my concern that we'd get something there that doesn't really fit."
Principal George Usevich agreed having a link to the current "School on the Hill" is vital for many residents.
"One of the things we've been saying is that we're going to keep that facade, including the columns and the clock tower," said Usevich. "I think we need that and we should be committed to it."
Whether including the tower or other facets of the facade in the new design will add to the project's cost is still a question.
Project Manager Tim Bonfatti said he has yet to get word from the Massachusetts School Building Authority on whether the town will have to pay for the facade and clock tower itself, or whether it will be allowed in the final design at all.
Dunlap said the authority has requested a cost analysis of the facade features and clock tower, but said in his view, the conversation should be on a larger scale because there were items specific to Whitman-Hanson's needs that have been eliminated from the Norwood version, and some pieces that are unique to Norwood that have been added.
For instance, there are areas in the Whitman-Hanson design, such as space for an technology hub, a culinary arts department, a larger gym and other spaces, which will not be part of Norwood's proposed 227,500 square-foot building.
School Committee Chairman Paul Samargedlis added that the front of Whitman-Hanson had features highlighting the history of both towns and those features will naturally not be part of Norwood's design.
"Overall, the changes to the building are cost-neutral in our view," said Dunlap.
Brian Falla can be reached at 781-433-8339 or bfalla@cnc.com.
