Delegation forms bipartisan working group to investigate county nursing‑home options and site feasibility

Strafford County legislators voted to form a bipartisan working group to investigate the county’s options regarding a county nursing‑home project and related housing possibilities.

Representative Lamontagne proposed a small, bipartisan committee to examine site feasibility, size, financing and alternative approaches. "I envision that we’re going to meet once a month starting in June with an eye on having a report ready for January when the public hearing comes for the budget," Lamontagne said. The proposed committee composition was five Democrats and four Republicans; Lamontagne identified five Democratic members he planned to invite and asked the Republican caucus to select four members.

Why it matters: The county owns the site discussed and previously considered a larger bonded nursing‑home and housing project that failed to secure voter approval. Delegates said the working group would look at multiple options — renovation of existing facilities, building a new county facility, smaller geographically distributed facilities, partnerships with nonprofits, and housing components tied to an affordable‑housing designation — rather than assuming a single path.

Committee scope and process: Lamontagne said the working group should (1) review site plans and what county land can support, (2) model project size and financing options, (3) consult other counties and completed projects for lessons learned, and (4 reach out to nonprofit partners such as Community Action and Easterseals for possible development or operational partnerships. He said minutes and agendas would be circulated to the full delegation and that meetings would be open to the public with Zoom options.

Concerns and caveats: Representative Bailey cautioned that no statute requires the county to run a nursing home, and Representative Veil warned that a narrowly split delegation (5–4) on a proposal would be unlikely to pass a county bond question at referendum. Other members urged the committee to begin with a finance primer so members understand Medicaid flows and the county’s fiscal exposure before considering construction options.

Formal action: Representative Smith moved to create the working group; the motion was seconded by Representative Raul and adopted by voice vote. Delegates instructed staff to schedule the first meeting and to circulate a short fact sheet summarizing prior studies, budget assumptions and potential funding sources.

Ending: Organizers said they will coordinate a brief initial meeting among four Republican volunteers and the named Democratic members before scheduling the full committee’s first public session in June.