Norwood Hospital, State Discuss Foxboro State Hospital-August 5, 1976

FOXBORO — Norwood Hospital and the state Department of Mental Health (DMH) have yet to finalize a mutually acceptable plan for use of Foxboro State Hospital buildings during the 1976-77 fiscal year. Negotiations between the two agencies have dragged on longer than expected, postponing submission of the plan to the state land use committee. According to a Norwood Hospital spokesman, the most imposing obstacle to be overcome is whether it is economically feasible to use the Dexter Building on a long-term basis. “We haven’t reached any final conclusions (on the Dexter Building) yet, but we’re increasingly aware of the expense Norwood Hospital would probably face if it were to put it back into use,” Mr. Meadows said.

David L. Meadows, associate administrator for the hospital, confirmed yesterday that the joint proposal never reached the land use committee. It was, he explained, approved only “in concept,” adding, “The nuts and bolts take time and we simply haven’t been able to consummate the thing yet.” Norwood Hospital and DMH representatives are continuing to meet. In May, hospital administrator David P. Buchmueller and Deputy Commissioner of Mental Health Joseph Finnegan reported that a plan had been developed and would be forwarded to the land use committee by early June. However, negotiations have hit significant roadblocks regarding space allocation and structural requirements.

The state land use committee, formed last year to consider potential uses for the state hospital, must, “for the time being, sit back and wait,” Chairman Paul Carey said. “We haven’t heard anything in months. It appears that there’s been a breakdown of some sort.” Mr. Carey said it would be “counterproductive” for the committee to forward its recommendations to the state legislature “with two pieces of the package missing.” Chairman Paul Carey, principal planner in the Office of State Planning, said the committee “can’t do much until we hear from them (the DMH and Norwood Hospital).” Foxboro is awaiting receipt of the plan. Mr. Meadows said it is impossible to predict when — and if — details can be worked out to the satisfaction of both.

The state land use committee has been dormant for months, pressed to say. You can hope something will break tomorrow but it certainly doesn’t seem likely. The hospital and DMH expressed an interest in Walnut Lodge early this year — the hospital envisioning the former nursing home as a site for the alcoholism treatment facility; the DMH indicating that the building could house several programs geared to meet local mental health needs. At the suggestion of state officials and the town’s development and industrial commission, the hospital and DMH considered sharing Walnut Lodge. After months of investigation, they concluded that the lodge cannot accommodate both simultaneously.

The matter of ironing out everything in the plan is not that simple. Mr. Meadows said, “They (the DMH) are saying they need more space and we’re looking to provide as much as we can. Still, we can’t say ‘we’ll give you everything you ask for.’ It’s got to be a negotiated thing. At this point, I wonder if we’ll be able to do it. I’m sensing that what they’re after may be beyond what Norwood Hospital can afford.” When the available space would not be adequate, a search began for accommodations elsewhere. Thus far, Mr. Meadows said, the search has been unsuccessful.

In whatever space is found, the department would operate a day treatment center. The Norwood Hospital-DMH proposal also calls for the department to occupy what was the Foxboro State Hospital superintendent’s house, converting it to an outpatient clinic and office. In addition, the state would reopen the Dexter Building for one year so that the DMH can temporarily vacate part of the Waltham State School. While the transferred patients reside in the Dexter Building, the emptied sections of the state school would be renovated.

In addition, the plan is also contingent upon availability of Walnut Lodge “for a very reasonable sum” and issuance of a certificate of need by the state Public Health Council. With both parties still uncertain, the hospital and DMH are involved in “an ongoing process of trying to accommodate each other’s needs.” The shared use concept was approved, but working out the exact details has proved exceedingly difficult. Asked how soon the DMH and Norwood Hospital might reach an agreement, Mr. Meadows answered, “Right now I’d be hard-pressed to say.”

Mr. Meadows said Norwood Hospital will contact the committee or the Office of State Planning to report on progress being made. “We should know where they stand. If they’ve come to a standstill, if negotiations have broken down, we should know.” Two months ago, it was thought that Norwood Hospital would provide room in the area health center building on Mechanic Street. The hospital currently rents a floor of the building and was to rent additional space in the basement for the DMH. However, those plans shifted as broader regional needs were evaluated.

The comprehensive hospital project continues to draw intense local and state scrutiny as officials balance economic realities against community mental health requirements. Meanwhile, secondary news from the region highlights community developments, including an upcoming open house at the new Stoughton post office. Stoughton officials announced an open house at the new post office will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, inviting the public to inspect the new facility on the former Dentch Ford site on Porter Street across from town hall, which officially opened last month to serve local residents.

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger