TR-93-6 TR-93-6 � 151
6
A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE CONTI UED OPERATION
OF WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS HO PITAL
Sponsors : Councilors Nancy E. Gravel , R.N . & Joanne H . Willis
& Gary C, Suffriti
WHEREAS, Western Massachusetts Hospital has provided significant
health care to people from across the Commonwealth since, n
the hospital ' s inception in 1911 as a tuberculosis .0 w
sanatorium; and = '
WHEREAS, Western Massachusetts Hospital q
provides unique and � :�-
appropriate care for populations unable to be served in
t either the acute, long term or home care sectors; and
WHEREAS , Western Massachusetts Hospital provides programs dedicat�eP
to palliative care, Alzheimer 's disease, long term coma
patients, chronic illness care, and neuromuscular Zn
degenerative disease; and
' WHEREAS, These services are currently provided to seventy-eight
patients by a staff of 181 full-time health professionals
' and 102 part-time employees; and
WHEREAS, Western Massachusetts Hospital is fiscally sound in its
operation and posted 1992 net earnings of $358, 045; and
IPWHEREAS, The Department of Public Health has an obligation to maintain
the dignity of its patients and to provide a stable
' environment for their care.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Agawam City Council does hereby resolve to
' support the continued operation of Western Massachusetts
Hospital at its current level of service, to oppose its
closing on June 30, 1993, and to inform the governor, its
state senator, its state representative, and the Commissioner of
' Public Health of said resolve.
DATED THIS SIXTH DAY OF APRIL , 1993.
PER ORDER OF THE AG AM CITY COUNCIL
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APPR S O FORM AND LEGALITY �c _ o
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MAYORAL ACTION
N/A
Received this day of , 1993 from Town
Council Clerk. (SIGNED BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT APRIL 6, 1993)
APPROVAL OF LEGISLATION
By the powers vested in me pursuant to Article 3, Section 3-6
of the Agawam Charter, as amended, I hereby approve the
passage of the above legislation on this SIXIH. day of
ARIL —► 1993 .
risto her—A. John Mayor
I PROVAL OF LEG SLAT ON
' By the powers vested in me pursuant to Article 3, Section 3-6
of the Agawam Charter, as amended, I hereby veto the passage
'of the above legislation on this day of
1993 for the following reason(s) :
1
' Christopher C. Johnson, Mayor
RETURN OF !ZGISLATIOPI TO COUNCIL CLERK
Returned to Council Clerk this SEVENTH day of APRIL
► 1993 .
L
FA AGAWAM CITY COUNCIL
36 MAIN STREET
L. ;f. AGAWAM, MASSACHUSETTS 01001
1 f.
April 8, 1993
i
PERSONALIZED FETTERS SENT TO:
PRESIDENT Southwick Board of Selectmen
Jaws D.Taylor West Springfield Board of Selectmen
Westfield City Council
VICE-PRESIDENT Springfield City Council
George Bitzas Holyoke Board of Aldermen
Northampton City Council.
COUNCILORS
Walter A.Balboni
Richard S.Brindle Dear Mr . Chairman :
Edward A.Caba
Thomas J.Ennis,Jr, Western Massachusetts Hospital has provided
JessieD.Fuller vital health care services to people throughout the
NancyE. Gravel Commonwealth and, in particular, to the people of
Louis J.Russo Western Massachusetts . We must inform the Weld
' Gary E.Su}J-riti administration that to close this facility is not
Joanne H. Willis in the best interests of the citizens of Western
Massachusetts .
COUNCIL CLERK
Ursula Retzler Enclosed is a copy of a resolution in support of
the continued operation of Western Massachusetts
TELEPHONE Hospital . This resolution was adopted unanimously
(4I3) 786-0400 by the Agawam City Council at its regular meeting
Extension233 of April 5, 1993 . It is our hope that your city
council or board of selectmen will also consider
' passing a similar resolution.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
1
' ,lames D. Taylor
City Council President
CC: For Agawam Council
' FA
TOWN OF AGAWAM
AS
01% 36 MAIN STREET AGAWAM, MASSACHUSETTS 01001
Ted. 413-786-0400
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' April 8, 1993 A d ,
The Honorable Argeo Paul Cellucci
State House
Boston, MA 02133
Dear Lieutenant Governor Cellucci :
Western Massachusetts Hospital has provided vital health
care services to people throughout the Commonwealth and, in
particular, to the people of western Massachusetts . To close
this facility is not in the best interests of the citizens of
western Massachusetts or the rest of the Commonwealth.
' Enclosed is a copy of a resolution in support of the
continued operation of Western Massachusetts Hospital . This
resolution was adopted unanimously by the Agawam City Council
at its regular meeting of April 5, 1993.
' Thank you for your consideration.
1
Sincerely,
tJames D. Taylor Christop er C. hnson
Council President Mayor
L :61 S i UAV wK!
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FA AGAWAM CITY COUNCIL
36 MAIN STREET
Jt AGAWAM, MASSACHUSETTS 01001
... ...
A7'EQ MP April 15, 1993
' PRESIDENT Dear Fellow Councilors:
JamesD. Taylor
As you are aware, the Weld administration has announced today that
VICE-PRESIDENT Western Massachusetts Hospital will remain open and continue
George Bitzas operation. I would again like to thank each of you for your support
of TR-93-6.As a legislative body the Agawam City Council took a
COUNCILORS leadership role in resolving to support the continued operation of
Walter A.Balboni Western Massachusetts Hospital.
Richard S.Brindle
Edward A. Cuba A Weld administration source stated that arca legislators were
Thomas J.Ennis,Jr. instrumental, in convincing Weld and Cellucci that the hospital
Jessie D.Fuller plays a unique role in serving the Western Massachusetts region.
NancyE. Gravel The Agawam City Council was the only municipal legislative body
Louis J.Russo to initiate and pass a resolution supporting Western Mass.
Gary E.Suffriti Hospital. The Council's comitment to the health care needs of
Joanne H.Willis Western Massachusetts is one to make us all feel proud. Thank
you again.
COUNCIL CLERK
Ursula Retzler
TELEPHONE Sincerely,
Extension 233 I
E. Gravel, M.S., R.N.
Councilor
1
C0MMON\NF—ALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
S MASSAGHUSET75 SENATE
o STATE HOUSE, BOST0N 02133-1053
svB
SENATOR UNDA J. MELCONIAN COMMITTEES:
l ST HAMPDLt1 DISTR}CT SENATE WAYS AND MEANS
ROOM 213E3, STATE HOUSE (ASST. VICE CHAIR)
TEL (617)722-1660 INSURANCE(CHAIR)
---- Ju DICIARY(VICE CHAIR)
1 DISTRICT 0mcc STATE AUM)NISTRAT)ON (VICE CHAIR)
375 WALNUT STREET EXT. POST AUDIT AND OVERSIGHT
AGAWAM,MA 0 100 1
TEL-. (413)756-6033
April 13, 1993
James D. Taylor, Council President
' Town of Agawam
36 Main Street
Agawam, MA 01001
`Dear Mr. T or:
This i to acknow dge the receipt of your letter and a copy of
the resolution in support of the continued operation of Western
Massachusetts Hospital.
I am committed to keeping the Western Massachusetts Hospital
open. I am well aware of the excellent work the hospital staff
provides and the importance of maintaining this facility to
service the needs of citizens of Western Mass. I have
expressed my deepest concerns to the Governor, Lieutenant
Governor as well as working with all my colleagues to prevent
the closing of Western Massachusetts Hospital. Finally,
Senator Shannon O'Brien and I sponsored legislation to stop the
closure or consolidation of this facility.
Please be assured that I will work with the other members of
the Western Massachusetts Delegation to do whatever is
necessary to keep the hospital open now and in the future.
With best wishes,
sincer ,
1 }
L A J. MELCONIAN
State Senator
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TOWN OF AGAWAM
36 MAIN STREET AGAWAM, MASSACHUSETTS 01001
Tel. 413-786-0400
' p�p�ATEO MP�1
April 22, 1993
The Honorable Linda J . Melconian
State House Room 21.3B
Bostort, MA 02133
Dear Senator MelGoniall.
rThe citizens and public officials of the 'Town of
Agawam would like to extend our sincerest appreciation
for your assistance in influencing the governor ' s decision to
keep the Western Mas:sachusetl.s Pospital open. This facility
has provider] vital health care services to people khroughout
the Commonwealth and, in particular, to the people of western
Massachusetts .
Thank ywt again for your help.
' Sincerely,
amps D . Taylor it istaph X C. Soh ison
' Council President Mayor
' CC: A awant City Council
OF AG,q
TOWN 4F AGAWAM
36 MAIN STREET AGAWAM, MASSACHusE rs mom
Tel. 413-786-0400
April 22 1993
i
The Honorable Michael P . Walsh
State House Room 472
Boston, MA 02133
Dear Representative Walsh :
'fife citizens and public officials of the Town of
Agawam would like to extend our sincerest appreciation
for your assistance in influencing the governor 's decision to
keep Lhe Western lassachusetts Ho:3p!tal open. This facility
has provided vital health care services to people throughout
' the Corn1110nwnalth MIJ, in par.ticctlar, to the people of western
Massachusetts .
Thank you again for your help .
Sincerely,
amps D. Taylor JMayor
h 'rC. J hnson
Council President
CC: Agawam City Council
pF A�
At TOWN OF AGAWAM
i' T. 36 MAIN STREET AGAWAM, MASSACIIUSET I"S m01
Tel. 413-786-0400
0,���ATED MPS,
April 22, 1993
The Honorable Argeo Paul cellucc.i
State House
Boston, MA 02133
Dear bjeutenaK Governor Cnllucc_i :
The citivens and public officials of the Town of
Agawam would like to extend onr sincerest appreciation
for your and the governor ' s decision to keep the Western
Massachusetts Hospital open . This facility has provided
vital health care services to people throughout the
Commonwualth onO, in particular, to the people of western
' Massachusetts .
Thank you again for your consideration .
' Sincerely,
James D. Taylor Chr. istoph .r C. J hnson
Council President Mayor
CC: Agawam City Council
FA
TOWN OF AGAWAM
it. 36 MAIN STIIEET AGAWAM, MASSACI-IUSETTS 01001
q' Tel. 413-786-0400
April 22, 1993
His Excellency William F . Weld
Executive Chamber
State }}ouse
Heaton, MA 02133
Dear Governor Wald ;
The citizens and public officials of the Town of
Agawam would like to extend our sincerest appreciation
for your decision to keep L-he Western Massachusetts
Hospital open . This facility Has provider] vital health care
services to people throughout the Commonwealth and, in
' particular, to the people of western Massachusetts .
Thank you again for your consideration .
Sincerely,
James D. Taylor iristophe C . ohi son
Council president Mayor
' CC: Agawam City Council
MICHAEL P. WALSH Chairman
3RD HAMPDEN DISTRICT Committee on
P.O. BOX 160 Government Regulations
AGAWAM, MA 01001
TEL. 768-4545 ROOM 472, STATE HOUSE
TEL.722.21 20
April 26 , 1993
' Mr. ,James D. Taylor, President
Agawam City Council
36 Main Street
Agawam, MA 01001
Dear Councilor Taylor,
I am writing to acknowledge the resolution sent to my office
by the City Council regarding Western Massachusetts Hospital .
As you know, on April 15 the Weld Administration reversed
its previous proposal to close the hospital . I believe that this
reversal came about as a result of an intelligent, comprehensive,
and united effort of hospital supporters, workers, local
community leaders, and the Western Massachusetts legislative
delegation. We can all take great pride in changing Governor
Weld' s mind and maintaining Western Massachusetts Hospital which
is so vital to the delivery of quality health care in our area.
' Please thank the Council for voicing this concern to me
relative to this matter.
Sincerely,
i
' MICHAEL P . WALSH
State Representative
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GI . t `'-;, �' I'
THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
" EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT
0
STATE HOUSE • BOSTON 02133
WILLIAM F. WELD
GOVERNOR
ARGEO PAUL CELLUCCI
LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR
May 4, 1993 .
James D. Taylor, President
Agawam City Council
Town of Agawam
36 Main Street
Agawam, MA 01001
Dear City Council President Taylor:
Thank you for your letter and the copy of the recent resolution
passed by the Agawam City Council concerning the proposal to close
Western Massachusetts Hospital.
Since the announcement of the proposal to close Western
Massachusetts Hospital in January, Lieutenant Governor Cellucci and
I have received hundreds of telephone calls and letters concerning
this matter. After visiting the hospital in early April, and
carefully reviewing the issues, I have decided that the hospital
should remain open and its focus be redirected to meet preventive
care objectives. This decision was based, in part, on a
recognition of the significance of the hospital to Western
Massachusetts residents and the importance of the role it continues
to play in the region.
Again, thank you for writing to convey the thoughts and concerns of
the people you represent.
Sincerely,
William F. Weld