Norwood launches hospital task force website as effort to revive closed hospital ramps up

Town staff told the Board of Selectmen on Feb. 25 that a task force to pursue reopening or replacing the hospital property has launched a website — finishthejobnorwood.com — and will begin outreach across a 12‑town region to gather data, contact potential hospital operators and organize broader community support.

Town Manager Mazuko (referred in transcript) and staff said the task force has three planned tracks: (1) data gathering and analytics to document regional need, (2) contacting potential hospital operators to discuss business plans and (3) community organizing to marshal letters and local government statements of support from boards of health, select boards and other stakeholders across the region. The website includes a form to send letters to state officials and a place for residents to register support.

The manager said the task force will coordinate with regional partners, target hospital operators and attempt to secure a Designation of Need (DLN) from the state if a viable operator and business plan can be lined up. He emphasized the effort will require sustained outreach and volunteer support across the twelve towns that rely on the facility. Selectmen volunteered to help publicize the campaign, attend neighboring boards and support the community‑organizing work.

Why it matters: Restoring inpatient or emergency hospital services is a regional public‑health and emergency‑response issue; the town plans a multi‑pronged effort that includes outreach to operators, state officials and coordinated community advocacy.

Town staff said task‑force membership and the schedule for an inaugural meeting will be released soon and will include opportunities for volunteers to participate in data, outreach and communications tasks.