By Bella Caggiano

If a Norwood resident has attended a local event, chances are, they have seen Peter McFarland, and if not, it is very likely he is behind the scenes helping to make it all happen. He is not always wearing a sparkly bowtie; his preference is to not to stand out, but to offer his assistance and take in people’s enjoyment.

Where to begin? Although not a Norwood native, McFarland has lived in Town for 41 years; with his contributions and time served, a good question to ask is, ‘can he now be called a townie?

He and his wife Robin searched all around the 128-belt looking for a house, but settled on only the 2nd house they toured in Norwood. He and Robin met while both worked at the Faulkner Hospital; he in supplies/inventory, Robin a dietician. McFarland left and pursued a career in customer service and sales printing while Robin still remains at the Faulkner today. They brought up three children in Norwood: Lauren, who married Derick Jeffers and live in Arlington with their two daughters, Molly (6) and Sophie (4); Andrew, who married Chris Schmitt and live in Jamaica Plain, and Colleen lives here in Norwood.

Lucky for Norwood, McFarland planted roots and shared his passion for community and philanthropy. It all started with academics, from a parent’s perspective. In the early 1990’s, he was treasurer, then president for three years of the Norwood Cooperative Nursery School. He then became a member of the Parent Advisory Councils at the Cleveland, Coakley, and Norwood High schools, co-chaired with Jan Donovan with the “Yes Committee,” in 2004 to renovate Coakley Middle School and Norwood High School (NHS), then a member of the Committee of 21 to study and recommend building the new Norwood High School (2004-2009).

Then on to athletics. McFarland coached little league and was on the board of directors for nine years. His efforts did not go unnoticed and he was named Volunteer of the Year in 2002. He also coached Norwood Basketball (NBA) in his spare time a few years. He also joined the NHS Athletic Hall of Fame Committee in 2007 when it relaunched and has been handling its publicity and writing the event program.

In between raising a family, working full time, and volunteering in child-related organizations, it is amazing McFarland could fit in municipal contributions; but somehow, he did. He has been an elected Town Meeting Member since 2000 and served on several committee throughout the years: DPW Construction Financing Committee, Forbes Hill Study, School/General Government Cost Cutting 2015. From 2008-2013 he was chair and member of the Norwood Recycling Committee and appointed to the original Community Preservation Committee (CPC) and wrote the original draft of the guidelines and application 2017-2021.

Soon McFarland’s reputation and dedication preceded him and he was recruited for the Norwood Sustainability Commission (NSC) in 2019, named the first chairman, and worked to develop (and get approved) the Norwood Sustainability Action Plan in 2021. One of the recommendations of the NSC was the relaunch of the Norwood Farmers Market in 2022. The Market’s return has been embraced by the Norwood community and on one special day, he dressed the part in formal attire during the July 4th Market Celebration.

“I restarted the Farmers Market on the Town Common to get people to eat healthy, buy local, and build community,” McFarland said.

Although McFarland did not own a business in Norwood, he recognized the importance for a thriving local commerce, and in 2008 he joined the Neponset Valley Chamber of Commerce, now known as the Neponset River Regional Chamber, and served on the Board of Directors for eight years (2010-2018) and was named Chairman in 2015. In the middle of his reign, he joined the Friends of Norwood Center in 2014.

“I helped to develop their mission statement, to drive awareness, and attract people to Norwood Center and all its great places to shop, dine, and have fun,” McFarland said.

After spending his entire adult life volunteering and on committees, McFarland continues to give his time to new causes. Just last year he was appointed to the Commission on Disability.

“I volunteer for a few reasons,” McFarland said. “First, my youngest daughter is on the Autism Spectrum (ASD) and when she was originally diagnosed, Robin handled the clinical and caretaker side, joined about every group, and attended every meeting and seminar on earth to learn as much as possible (I attended a bunch too).  I got involved on the community side to be present, and because I believe you are your best advocate!  Second, I’m very task-oriented and love problem solving. I volunteer for things that interest me, like sports, but also things that I see problems or deficiencies, many of which issues we discussed at Chamber meetings, but relevant to people with disabilities, housing, transportation/mobility and jobs.”

Choosing to volunteer is a personal quest and the generous individuals who give up their time, money, family commitments, and much more, do so to the benefit of others. McFarland spread himself throughout the Norwood community for many reasons: his family, education, municipal improvements, health awareness, and even encouraging and supporting business initiatives. He shares his incentives below, but deep down, one would have to think he believes and trusts in the sense of community and hopefully those around him feel that contagious sense of giving and join in.