Hospital Demolition

SHERIFF GLODIS ANNOUNCES START TO HOSPITAL DEMOLITION West Boylston – Joined by local and state officials, Sheriff Guy Glodis announced today the beginning to demolition of the former Worcester County hospital.  The project, under the supervision of general contractor S and R out of Lowell, is scheduled for completion March, 2006. “Today marks the final phase of a long overdue project,” Sheriff Glodis stated.  “For the last 11 years, this building has continued to deteriorate, posing an ongoing environmental and public safety threat.  Starting now, that threat will no longer exist.” The 122-bed hospital, once called the Worcester County Tuberculosis Sanitarium, was built in 1931.  Closed in 1993 due to a dwindling population and large deficits, the hospital has long been considered a fire safety problem and an environmental concern due to asbestos-laden tile flooring and building coating. Sheriff Glodis said that taxpayers pay nearly $40,000 in utility costs per year to heat the facility and keep its sprinkler system running, due to state regulation. “This project is a win-win for the taxpayers, the Sheriff’s Department, and the town of West Boylston,” Sheriff Glodis continued.  “Working with Chief Chandler, Town Administrator Gaumond, and DCAM, we are eliminated a decade-old problem while saving taxpayers money.” The $4.7 million demolition is being funded by the Massachusetts Division of Capital Asset Management. Sheriff Glodis concluded by highlighting the importance of efficiency at the Sheriff’s Department: “It is imperative that this administration maximize the value of every taxpayer dollar.  We will continue to identify any areas of wasteful spending, and aggressively eliminate them.”