Rocky Hill, Mayor Moriarty Turn The Heat Up On 60 West Street

When a nursing home at 60 West Street was turned into a medical facility for prison inmates, the Town of Rocky Hill was told the clients would be "end of life" patients and have severe disabilities preventing them from leaving the unsecured facility.

Rocky Hill Mayor Tim Moriarty said the five patients in the facility right now are nor prisoners but rather parolees who need medical care. That means they could leave the facility if able.

"They have five people in there right now," Moriarty said. "The Police Lieutenant went up there and I asked for a tour through the Police Chief but they said no because of pending litigation. 

"We were told they would be end of life but I have heard they can call a driver and go to the store. They may have limitations but we think they are definitely mobile. So if they leave, do they have ankle bracelets? Who is checking on them when they leave? This all goes against what they told us and what they said."

The town issued a cease and desist order and that lawsuit to have the home closed down is in the appellate court. That court, however, does not meet during the summer according to Moriarty. 

"We have to stay on top of this because it's coming to a town near you," Moriarty said. "It's been great to get help from (State Rep) Tony Guerrera and (State Senator) Paul Doyle. They have to keep the pressure on because they know this will be a factor for other towns all over the state.

"We're going to stay on them, either by litigation or just holding their feet to the fire. I hope nothing ever happens there but if something does happen we have to have a plan. If one of those people takes off they aren't going to go after them so our police will have to go get them. Who's going to pay for us to have extra officers on when they have 95 people in there? We can't afford to just let them go forward without a plan." 

Here are our past stories on this topic:

• iCare Happy To Be Moving Patients Into 60 West Street Facility
  
• Rocky Hill Pulling Out All The Stops To Block Proposed Nursing Home
  
• Rocky Hill Opposes New Nursing Home
  
• Concerned Residents To Rally Against Proposed Home For Prisoners in Rocky Hill
  
• Court Dismisses Lawsuit Town Filed In Attempt To Block Nursing Home
  
• Guerrera Continues To Fight Against 60 West St. But Meets Opposition