Norton Thanks A Local Legend - Mr. Watson

A Job Well Done, Mr. Watson - Thank You

by Bill Gouveia
Some in Norton called him Al. His friends and those who knew him well called him “Nibby.” Still others recognized him as “the veterans cemetery guy.”

To me, he was always simply Mr. Watson.

Albert Watson passed away at his Norton home last week at the age of 92. He leaves behind a large family, and an amazing record of service to his fellow veterans and his community.

He lived his entire life in Norton, except for his time in the military. He left high school to enlist in the Navy and served during World War II, but later got his high school diploma. He was married to his wife Barbara for 54 years before she passed away in 2003, and together they were always working for Norton veterans.

Al Watson performed a very important service for Norton. For 62 years, he was the town’s graves officer. He learned the importance of this position from his father, who held the post before him.

For those who don’t know what that is, Al Watson made sure every veteran buried in the Town of Norton had a plaque honoring their service at their grave.

He even personally engraved many of the flag-holders that marked the final resting spots. And twice each year — on Memorial Day and Veterans Day — he made absolutely sure every veteran’s grave had American flags waving proudly so folks knew Norton never forgets.

Mr. Watson did this with a determined focus and unshakable will. He was a powerful force, and not a shy individual when it came to getting things done that he deemed important.

He almost always had a smile on his face, but woe to the poor individual who mistook that smile to mean he was easily appeased or distracted. Al Watson was one tough guy, as I witnessed first-hand on more than one occasion.

One year when I was running for office, I was talking to Mr. Watson as I stood in the driveway of the Yelle School greeting voters. He lived next door, and would often come out and chat with me — which meant he talked, and I listened.

This particular time he pointed out the flag flying in front of that school, and how it had a small rip in it. He told me in great detail how that was unacceptable.

He remarked how the school superintendent controlled this, and said he would have a talk with her. I nodded my agreement, and he smiled and walked back inside.

About 30 minutes later, a custodian walked out and took down the flag, replacing it with a brand new one.

You just didn’t mess with Al Watson.

He was a crusty New Englander in every sense of the phrase, and as true a Norton character as there could be. He leaves behind several generations of families who will forever appreciate the extra effort he always made to honor each veteran at their final resting place.

Al Watson will be buried in his hometown today with military honors. He deserves all those honors and more. On behalf of a grateful community, I thank him for his service and a job well done.

Bill Gouveia is a local columnist and a longtime local official. He can be emailed at billsinsidelook@gmail.com and followed on Twitter at @Billinsidelook.

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Norton Needs To Do Much Better

Norton Has Some Work To Do

by Bill Gouveia for the Sun Chronicle


The recent attempt in Norton to pass a $25 million tax increase for a new senior center and town hall died last week when it was overwhelmingly defeated at town meeting. Then the election where it was to be voted upon was abruptly canceled just two weeks before it was to be held. That much is certain.

What is uncertain is whether that death was a suicide, or town officials are guilty of negligent homicide. A case can be made for both.

This plan seemed doomed almost from the start. According to the building committee, they were steered by the town manager and selectmen to only one possible site — a contaminated piece of land formerly occupied by a now bankrupt metals manufacturing company, currently being cleaned up by the EPA and other governmental authorities. Given that, what could possibly go wrong?

But things only got worse. Information concerning additional site contamination was not passed from the town manager to the building committee or most of the selectmen, despite the fact he met with both several times after learning it. He has apologized, but the reason for this failure still is not clear.

When the building committee learned of the additional contamination just days before town meeting, they pulled their support for the site, but not the project. Selectmen did the same. The finance committee, which had previously recommended the article after initially not recommending it, reconsidered and unanimously recommended against — again.

Confused? So were most town officials. But the voters were fairly clear when they gathered and scolded those responsible, then turned down the opportunity to construct municipal buildings on a dangerous site.

After initially maintaining the June 18 election could not be canceled, selectmen reversed themselves based upon new legal advice. They canceled it, away from television cameras at a continued meeting held in the high school gymnasium at the conclusion of town meeting.

It is easy to understand why voter confidence in town government may currently be at a low point. In the end, the selectmen’s action was wise. It saves taxpayers the expense of an election where the question is no longer officially backed by a single town board.

But there still remains considerable public support for both a senior center and a town hall. The need for both buildings is painfully clear.

Now the question is: Will Norton residents and voters have confidence in any future plans presented by a so far disjointed town government doing a great impersonation of “The Gang That Couldn’t Shoot Straight”?

Here’s hoping they can. Norton has already proved doing nothing doesn’t work. That’s simply no longer a viable option.

Government has a long way to go to undo the damage. The burden is on the town manager, selectmen, and others to build trust and convince citizens they are proceeding in a competent, professional, and transparent manner.

Norton voters must keep in mind the very real needs of the community and work with their officials to come up with a sensible, long-range plan to help the town as a whole. It can be done. It must be done. But it won’t be easy.

Bill Gouveia is a local columnist and a longtime local official. He can be emailed at billsinsidelook@gmail.com and followed on Twitter at @Billinsidelook.

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