Dr. Ricks is target of board's anger
Published on February 10th, 1999
STONEHAM, MA - Selectman Patrick Jordan urged his fellow selectmen, on Tuesday night, to look into how the Boston Regional Medical Center (BRMC) property could benefit the town should that facility officially announce its closing on Thursday.
Jordan blasted hospital administration for not disclosing the status of its search for a financial partner causing its subsequent bankruptcy filing.
"I believe the administration knew what was happening. They didn't tell the town, the employees, the doctors...," said Jordan.
Selectmen Cosmo Ciccarello and John Biggio agreed with the deceitful manner in which the hospital conducted its business.
"(BRMC CEO) Dr. Ricks really did not keep this board informed," stated Ciccarello.
"They did almost the opposite. They strung us along," added Biggio.
Jordan stated that he's been hearing of many parties voicing their interest in the property.
"It sounds like the vulchers are circling the property thinking they can pick up the property at 40 to 50 cents on the dollar," he said. "You've got to wonder, could another nonprofit go in there and do any better than BRMC?"
While the town struggles with balancing its municipal and education budget needs, Jordan proposed that it should investigate what use of that property would best benefit the town.
"It's budget time...It's the municipal versus educational sides. All of us abhor doing that...This year will be the toughest," he said.
Jordan proposed looking into the feasibility of putting a hotel or other revenue-generating business on the site, "or something that will cure our problems in town."
With approximately 6.5 miles of land in Stoneham, a third of which is owned by the MDC, Jordan stated "it's almost impossible to expand the business base in this community."
"Change is taking place. This may be the opportunity for us to seize...It should be considered," said Jordan.
Ciccarello agreed but stated that the property would likely need a zoning change. He suggested that the Planning Board get involved.
State Representative Michael Festa agreed with Jordan's suggestion to investigate how Stoneham can benefit.
"This is a crucial time to weigh in on how (the town) would like to see this land and asset be dealt with," he said.
"It's going to take a lot of thought," stated Selectman Chairman Albert Conti. He requested Town Counsel William Solomon to work with Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting (who was not present at the meeting) to get involved in pursuing the town's options.
State Representative Michael Festa advised that in the midst of the attorneys and the bankruptcy court wrangling over the hospital, two lawyers from each side of the issue listened when the issue of the BRMC's on-site day care center was brought up at a recent meeting with parents and school administrators.
Festa called the Strawberry Mill Day School "a glimmer of light up there on the hill."
Two very seasoned banker lawyers on both sides of the issue, he explained, put their work on hold and were successful in saving the school for the time being at least, much to the relief of the many local parents who depend on the school.
In other selectmen news, the board voted in favor of taking by eminent domain the property located at 2 Church Street for a sum of $185,000. This land will be incorporated into the Town Common project.
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