RUMFORD – Rumford Hospital received a green light Wednesday from the Planning Board to begin its $5.8 million expansion and renovation project.

The final approval came after a lengthy discussion about stormwater runoff, erosion and the possibility that such things could affect people living on Washington Street, which is below the hospital.

The Planning Board at last month’s meeting had required that the hospital have its construction plan reviewed by an outside engineer. That report, by DeLuca-Hoffman Associates of South Portland, generally supported the plan created by Taylor Engineering Associates of Auburn.

Norman Chamberlain, an engineer with Taylor, told the board that much of the loss of paved, parking area to make way for the addition will be replaced with grass – a move that should reduce stormwater drain-off.

“The amount of runoff from the building will be relatively small,” he told the board.

Board member Dennis Breton, who lives on Washington Street, expressed concern that water running off from the hospital would flood his home.

He and others who live in the vicinity were assured by facility manager Doug West that the hospital would work with neighbors.

On a question by Washington Street resident Anne Glazier, regarding dumping of materials down a banking, Chamberlain said that area will be loamed and seeded. Glazier had said that as long as the leaves are on the trees, those materials are hidden, but once the leaves fall off, that area is an eyesore.

Chamberlain said dumping excavated material rather than hauling it off is a cost issue. If hauling it off is cheaper, then that’s the action the contractor, Ledgewood Construction of Portland, will take.

West said about two-and-a-half years have been devoted to getting the certificate of need, architectural plans, and other details in place for the expansion.

About 16,000 square feet on two floors will be built at the rear of the hospital. Another 30,000 square feet will be renovated. About 30 parking spaces will be lost, West said. The hospital has bought and razed at least two houses over the years to make way for additional parking.

Work is expected to begin in earnest in about a month, with a completion date estimated to be in 12 to 14 months. A ground-breaking ceremony with board members from both the hospital and its affiliate, Central Maine Medical Center, has been scheduled for 3 p.m. Monday.

The hospital, built shortly after the turn of the 20th century, then expanded in the 1960s, began a three-phase renovation and construction project several years ago, after residents said they wanted to keep the hospital rather than having a new facility outside of the village.

When complete, all patients will have private rooms with baths and showers, and the nursing unit will be consolidated.