Norwell’s Park View Inn Faces Uncertain License Renewal

The Park View Inn’s future remains uncertain as the Norwell Select Board reviewed its ongoing compliance issues at its Jan. 22 meeting. While town officials acknowledged progress in addressing safety concerns, questions remain regarding zoning violations and structural updates. The motel’s license is set to expire at the end of March, and the board signaled that further extensions may be contingent on additional improvements.

The long-standing issues at Park View Inn, located on Washington Street, have been a source of frustration for the town for years. Select Board member Andy Rearden expressed skepticism about whether the owners would follow through on their promises.

“They've been telling us they'll do things for over a decade,” Rearden said.

According to Fire Chief Dave Keane, a recently installed fire alarm system at the inn played a critical role in saving a guest’s life. Town officials said the installation of the system was an important step in improving safety conditions at the property.

Still, zoning issues remain unresolved, according to town officials. The Select Board emphasized that the main house on the property contains three residential units, despite zoning regulations allowing only two. The town has urged the owners to bring the property into compliance, either by eliminating one unit or making structural modifications to meet code.

Meanwhile, an outbuilding on the property, which had been repurposed as a rental unit without proper permitting, remains a concern, town officials said. The board has suggested the owners either seek approval to convert the structure into two motel units or return it to its original purpose as an accessory building.

Despite the slow progress, Select Board member Bruce Graham expressed cautious optimism.

“We are making good progress,” Graham said. “The owner's going to have to make a decision, but we can't compel that.”

The board has scheduled another follow-up discussion before the motel’s license expires on March 31. In the meantime, town officials, including the Board of Health and the Fire Department, plan to continue meeting with the owners to ensure steps are being taken to meet compliance.

Should the town deny a license renewal, the owners would have limited options. One possibility is that the state could take control of the property under emergency housing provisions, an outcome the town is keen to avoid, according to Graham.

“That’s what we’re working to avoid by remaining confident and cooperative and persistent,” Graham said.

The Select Board is expected to revisit the issue at its next meeting in early February.