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Are former mayor’s concerns valid?
Former Westwood Mayor Thomas Wanner has filed a lawsuit against the borough, the current mayor and council, and the planning board (see story page 1).
In the suit, Wanner claims that the borough’s ordinance to allow a medical school in the Hospital Zone has left the door open for Hackensack University Medical Center and Touro University College of Medicine to open a medical college without reopening a full service hospital by allowing the school to open as soon as the hospital applies for permits to reopen the hospital.
The borough’s response should be interesting. At first glance, the former mayor’s claims seem to have merit. The more interesting question, however, is, are they realistic?
Is it realistic to think that HUMC and Touro would spend $45 million on their bid for the former Pascack Valley Hospital site, draw up plans to reopen a full-service hospital, take officials on walk-throughs of the building, and hold community meetings only to not open the hospital?
Probably not, but who knows. If HUMC suddenly couldn’t afford to renovate and reopen the building as planned, perhaps it could renege on its promises to the community and officials. It doesn’t seem all that likely at the moment, but many were surprised that PVH had to close too.
If the ordinance, as drafted, leaves the door open for the school to open without the hospital, it should probably be revisited. Everyone’s main goal on this project should be reopening a hospital for the residents of the Pascack Valley.
| Comments (1) |
On June 27, 2008 Jim said:
Good article. It gets to the heart of the matter. (As I understand it). In this day and age you want to be protected in writing. If HUMC's intentions are honorable, why won't they accept the first version of the ordinance? "...an operating and functioning accredited and NJ licensed hospital located on the same site..." verses ".. CO requirement met if affiliated community hospital is IN THE PROCESS of obtaining some or all licenses to operate a community hospital on the site." that's in the final ordinance? |
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