A capital bond bill signed by Gov. Charlie Baker on Tuesday expands bond authorization to the tune of $244 million, directing funds toward various Commonwealth projects. Among these initiatives is the construction of a new long-term care facility at the Chelsea Soldiers’ Home.
According to Governor Charlie Baker, “This bill funds critical projects across the Commonwealth, including the Last Mile broadband project and money for the Chelsea Soldiers’ Home renovation project,” “We thank the Legislature for bringing us one step closer to updating the Chelsea Soldiers’ Home for our veterans.”
The legislation encompasses $199 million designated for replacing the long-term care facility at the Chelsea Soldiers’ Home, with expectations that the federal government will provide partial reimbursement pending Department of Veterans Affairs approval. Additionally, the bill mandates that the administration evaluate future requirements for the Soldiers’ Home located in Holyoke.
Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders remarked that “The Soldiers’ Home in Chelsea provides comprehensive, quality health care and residential services with honor, dignity and respect to the Commonwealth’s veterans,” “The upgrades to the Soldiers’ Home ensure that the physical plant meets modern health care requirements commensurate with the needs of our veterans.”
In May, specifically on the 31st, Gov. Baker introduced legislation to meet urgent capital requirements throughout the state. The package totaled $950 million for higher education initiatives, $880 million for state office building work including construction and renovations with accessibility enhancements, $700 million for health and human services facilities, $550 million for public safety facilities, and $375 million for court facilities. Though the measure signed this week authorized funding for the Chelsea Soldiers’ Home project, numerous provisions from the initial proposal await resolution.
Administration and Finance Secretary Michael J. Heffernan stated: “We are pleased to see authorization for the replacement of the Quigley Hospital at Chelsea Soldiers’ Home passed, which was proposed in our capital budget plan,” “By leveraging the use of significant federal resources to build the new facility, we optimize the value of the Commonwealth’s capital investment in this project.”