RUMFORD – Selectmen Chairman Jim Thibodeau believes the planned renovation of Rumford Hospital is a step forward for the town.

Thibodeau and other selectmen heard plans from hospital Chief Executive Officer John Welsh Thursday night about a major, long-term plan to upgrade the facility and for bringing it more in line with medical needs.

The first phase of the project would see handicapped accessibility improved, additional parking created with the razing of an adjacent building, and the main entrance moved from its pillared entrance in the original 1926 building to a location above the emergency room entrance.

Welsh said moving the entrance will enhance the privacy of the emergency room. The ambulatory, outpatient ward will be expanded to make way for more use as well.

That phase, valued at $2.2 million, will begin in the spring and should be completed within eight months.

The second, costlier phase will begin when money becomes available. Welsh said last month that in today’s dollars, the entire project will cost about $9 million.

It will improve hospital efficiency.

Phase II includes an addition that will house 25 private rooms, an emergency entrance at the corner of the hospital, and a consolidated nursing station to serve the 25-bed unit.

The original section of the building will be made available for medical offices.

The first phase of the renovation comes largely from the hospital’s operations money, as a result of a change from a traditional hospital to that of a critical access facility. With the new designation acquired last year, the hospital receives more federal money than it would if it continued as a traditional facility.

Part of the requirements for the critical access designation calls for having no more than 25 beds, and for average stays not to exceed four days. Critical access hospitals are designed to serve generally under-served rural populations.

The federal government will pick up the cost for a portion of the new addition, Welsh said.

The second phase will likely take several years to complete.

In other matters, the board agreed to take a look at the sometimes limited parking available to apartment dwellers.

Landlord Ernie Robichaud said the trend toward two- and three-car households has led to severe shortage of parking spaces.

Thibodeau said the board will take a look at the municipal lots available as well as at a couple created with community development block grant money a decade or so ago.

That study should come up during one of the February board meetings.

eadams@sunjournal.com

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