North Hill Facility Looking to Renovate

is embarking on the process of major renovations, according to Town Manager Kate Fitzpatrick, who presented the news at Tuesday's Board of Selectmen meeting.

The assisted living facility, which has 370 assisted living residents and 70 nursing center residents, is looking to replace its current skilled nursing center that was built in the 1970s.

North Hill has a permit to build the new facility, but it must first go through the state's determination of need process. Such a process requires healthcare facilities planning substantial capital expenditures to submit their plans to the state to evaluate proposals and make recommendations to the Public Health Council members. The Public Health Council, in turn, either approves or disapproves the expenditures and/or new services.

Should renovations take place, Fitzpatrick does not foresee work affecting the general community.

 "North Hill is a very interesting place, very community minded," Fitzpatrick said. "This new proposal should not increase traffic."