Holyoke Soldiers’ Home advocates urge state lawmakers to move swiftly or lose fed momentum – masslive.com
The Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight on Tuesday is hosting its first virtual meeting to debate a $400 million bond bill to finance a “reimagined” Holyoke Soldiers’ Home, as the Baker administration races against a tight deadline to secure critical federal funding.
National Guard Major Gen. Gary Keefe, also the chairman of the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home Board of Trustees, led the debate by urging committee members not to miss the opportunity despite skepticism over the accelerated timeline.
The bond bill, H.64, was sponsored by Gov. Charlie Baker and presented in February to capture a 65 % contribution from the federal government by April 1.
“This year the (U.S. Veterans Administration) has ‘robusted’ its VA grant program,” Keefe testified. “We can’t guarantee this money will be there next year .. all federal programs will be facing cuts in 2022.”
He told committee members he has received “unofficial support” from the VA for the project, which captured the attention of the federal government after at least 76 veterans died after contracting COVID-19 last spring.
Baker and his cabinet called for reforms including a fast-tracking a new, eight-story home on the hill on Cherry Street for more 230 veterans. The new facility will offer largely private rooms, a “small house” model designed more as a community than an institution and an adult day health program for up to 50 more veterans.
The new design allows for a greater level of mental health treatment, more privacy for women veterans and those who have suffered sexual trauma, plus veterans suffering from new diagnoses linked to specific conflicts around the globe.
Since the ask is so big, Assistant Secretary for Administration and Finance Alda Rego said backers of the Holyoke project want to be first at the table.
“We want to be the first in the nation,” Rego told members of the committee, which must report favorably on the bill in order for the proposal to advance to additional committees, through both legislative chambers and on to the governor’s desk. Final plans must be submitted to the VA by Aug. 1.
Legislators and veterans’ advocates from other parts of the state have expressed some sticker shock, and worry over what feels to them like a frantic timeline for the project.
“Putting a $400 million project together and coming to the Legislature with the timeline with have to deal with is extremely unusual,” said state Sen. Marc Pacheco, D-Taunton, co-chairman of the committee. “Why weren’t we given more time for consideration of this … enormous project? And, there’s no one here suggesting we shouldn’t invest in Holyoke.”
Pacheco and others argue the greatest numbers of veterans live in other counties, and government dollars would be better utilized for veterans’ services throughout the state.
Also arguing against the $400 million was too large an expenditure for one home was Jesse Flynn adjutant general for Disabled American Veterans of Massachusetts.
“We should consider similar construction in other areas of the commonwealth,” Flynn told the committee.
State Sen. John Velis, D-Westfield, asked whether Flynn or the DAV spoke out publicly when the $200 million rebuild of the Chelsea Soldiers’ Home was announced.
“No … I don’t think we came out publicly,” Flynn said.
“Any reason for that?” Velis asked?
“Umm … we’re … evolving as an organization,” Flynn answered.
Members of Baker’s administration responsible for finance, veterans’ services and construction provided testimony and fielded questions from committee members, as well as former administrators from the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home and others. Testimony continues.