Hospital modifies plan

WARE - Plans for an addition to an adult day care center on Chestnut Street are being redesigned because of neighbor concerns, said Christine F. Shirtcliff, president of Baystate Mary Lane Hospital.

The hospital, which owns the property at 40 Chestnut St. and leases it to Chicopee-based Hawthorn Services Inc., has asked the Planning Board for a special permit to construct the 1,200-square-foot addition, which was originally planned for the rear of the building.

Because neighbors expressed concerns about the location, the redesign is being done and will be presented at the board's Nov. 4 meeting, Shirtcliff said. The proposed addition will be moved from the rear of the property to the side of the building, she said.

The hospital will also work with Fire Chief Thomas W. Coulombe to make sure concerns he has about ambulance access to the building are addressed, Shirtcliff said. While a sprinkler system is not required for the addition because no one stays there overnight, Coulombe said he would like to see some additional fire protection in place, and Shirtcliff said they will work with him to come up with a viable option.