Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Norwood Hospital topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Norfolk County Commission signs petition and reaffirms support for bill targeting Norwood Hospital reopening
Summary
The commission voted to sign a petition and reaffirm support for House Bill 5047, which would authorize state capital-management action related to the Norwood Hospital property; commissioners cited EMS impacts from the hospital's closure and pledged further advocacy.
Norfolk County commissioners voted May 13 to sign a petition backing House Bill 5047 and to reaffirm the county''s support for measures aimed at restoring Norwood Hospital.
The motion to sign the petition and continue advocacy was moved by a committee member and seconded; the chair put the motion to a voice vote and it passed. The measure restates the commission''s endorsement of HB 5047, described in the meeting as an act authorizing the division of capital asset management and maintenance to pursue acquisition of the Norwood Hospital property by eminent domain.
Committee member (mover) argued the closure has a regional effect: “EMS and first responders have to take people to other hospitals, maybe even further away that causes those hospitals to be more congested and delayed,” he said, urging tangible advocacy beyond the original letter already sent to state officials.
No commissioner recorded a named dissent on the petition vote; the chair called for those in favor and members responded "Aye." The motion passed by voice vote.
The commission did not record a roll-call tally in the transcript for this motion; the meeting record indicates the petition was endorsed and the commission will continue coordinating support for the bill. The transcript does not specify subsequent steps or deadlines for follow-up advocacy.
The county cited Representative Rogers and Senator Rush as sponsors associated with ongoing efforts; the commission described the effort as part of a multi-town concern because several towns depend on the Norwood Hospital for local emergency care.
The commission''s action on May 13 is a show of local political support; any transfer of property or use of eminent-domain authority would be subject to state-level procedures and approvals beyond the county''s authority.
