Judge Denies Enfield's Efforts to Save Nursing Home

ENFIELD, CT — A Hartford Superior Court judge on Wednesday denied a motion by the town of Enfield to intervene in a receivership proceeding involving the Blair Manor nursing home, effectively ending any chance the facility may be saved.

Judge Constance Epstein, while stating "her sympathies were with the residents [and] employees" of the Hazard Avenue nursing home, nonetheless denied the motion put forth by Enfield Town Attorney Christopher Bromson.

Blair Manor was placed in receivership May 31 under the oversight of court-appointed receiver Phyllis Belmonte, who recommended closure of the facility.

Bromson filed a motion to intervene in October at the behest of the town council, which had heard pleas from residents and their families to save the nursing home. He appeared in court Wednesday, along with Town manager Bryan Chodkowski and Councilor Ed Deni, following a Monday meeting with a Blair Manor employee and family members of residents.

"This past Monday, my staff and I met with 11 members of the Blair community, including an employee and family members of Blair residents to obtain their statements and prepare several of them for our court appearance," Bromson said in an email Wednesday to Enfield town councilors. "This afternoon I appeared before Judge Constance Epstein who allowed oral argument on the Town’s Motion to Intervene. I informed her that we were ready to proceed immediately with testimony. Although Judge Epstein stated her sympathies were with the residents, employees and the Town, she denied the Town’s Motion to Intervene. I want to extend my thanks to the Town Manager and to Councilor Deni who both attended the hearing and were prepared to testify on behalf of the Town."

Photo credit: Blair Manor