WESTERLY -- A sparse but supportive crowd turned out Wednesday for a hearing on the proposal to sell Westerly Hospital to Lawrence + Memorial Hospital of New London, Conn.
With about 25 people in the audience at the first of two hearings, all eight speakers were in favor, despite concerns about the closing of the obstetric service and the pace of the sale proceedings.
Westerly Hospital has been in receivership since December 2011. Health Director Michael Fine and Attorney General Peter Kilmartin, who must approve the sale by April 29, held the meeting to gather public input.
The recurrent theme was the need to preserve the hospital for the community. "Ninety percent of the people in Westerly are against the takeover," said Kenneth Parrilla, a town councilman. "But we do know it has to happen."
A second hearing is scheduled to start at 6 p.m.