Pushback fierce during public hearing on new county rest home

Nearly all of the Republican delegation agree that the aging Riverside Rest Home needs to be replaced, but that the county is being reckless in its pursuit of a project that could and should be more modest. (Courtesy rendering)

DOVER - County officials on Thursday got a lot of pushback against what many are calling a far-to-extravagant replacement for the aging Riverside Rest Home on the county farm.
The plan put forth by Strafford County commissioners proposes a $170 million nursing home, while many who spoke said it could be built for much less, and that with the cost of bonding, the project becomes overpriced and untenable, especially during challenging economic times for taxpayers.
Republicans in the county delegation say the conceptual plan for the rest home is "far more extravagant than need be" and that the $170 million price tag doesn't include the cost of solar and other "green" initiatives that are to be included in the construction.
State Rep Cliff Newton of Rochester, who often refers to it as a "Taj Mahal" proposal, says the lavish nature of the project is simply unnecessary for a nursing home that is charged with housing the county's most needy elderly residents.
Nearly all of the Republican delegation agree that the aging Riverside Rest Home needs to be replaced, but that the county is being reckless in its pursuit of a project that could and should be more modest.
Newton also says county leaders are not being transparent in the process of planning for the construction and the funds that have already been expended.
According to Dover Republican Committee, the proposal currently on the table would cost $170 million initially, but that current 30-year bonding rates would take the total price to over $300 million.
"This is for approximately 212 beds," the statement reads. "Please do the math on that (over $1 million per bed). This is not the time to bond anything with interest rates as high as they are."
A two-thirds majority will be needed to move the project forward when they vote on Dec. 20. With all the Republican dissent they may not have it.