Greenwich BET Approves Witherell Funding

The Greenwich Board of Estimate and Taxation reportedly approved funding for the renovation of the town-owned nursing home during its meeting at Town Hall Monday.

According to a report in the Greenwich Time, the BET approved $20.2 million for “Project Renew,” which includes increasing the number of single-bed units in the nursing home from 26 to 60, and the number of two-bed units from 136 to 142, mainly through the elimination of existing four-bed units.

As reported on in September, the proposed project has seen strong support from local and state elected officials as well as the public. The state has for the project which will help it get more state funding.

In addition the BET approved $1.2 million for updated construction drawings, which it will review as a condition after they are completed in about six months. These sums, combined with the cost of the architectural plans, bring the project’s total cost to $22.5 million.

As per the report, other improvements include expansion of the rehabilitation space; installation of a sprinkler system in the nursing home's administration building; new boilers; upgrades to backup power generators; and improvements to bathrooms and nursing stations.

Some BET members reportedly expressed trepidation over undertaking such a project in the face of ever-changing health care legislation, but nevertheless supported moving forward with the project out of fear that if the improvements are not made, operations of the facility could end up being outsourced.

The request for funding for the project now goes before Representative Town Meeting, which is expected to vote on Dec. 12.

The project was in May.