Town of Canton, Legislators Urge State Officials to Reconsider Decision to Close Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children

On Friday, Jan. 31, federal, state, county, and local officials met to urge state officials to reconsider the decision to close Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children. (Photo courtesy Town of Canton)

CANTON — Town Administrator Charles Doody and the Canton Select Board, with the support of local, county, state, and federal officials, are urging the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to reconsider closing the Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children in Canton.

On Friday, Jan. 31, U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch was joined by state Sen. Paul Feeney, state Sen. William Driscoll, state Rep. William Galvin, state Rep. John Rogers, Norfolk County Commissioner Richard Staiti, Canton Select Board Chair Michael Loughran, and Canton Select Board Member John Connolly at a press conference held inside the facility at 3 Randolph St. in Canton.

“Many residents in Canton were disheartened by the governor’s announcement that the state would be closing the Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children in Canton,” said Select Board Chair Loughran. “We’re relieved to hear that Gov. Maura Healey and her administration will be taking another look at the facility.”

Federal, state, county, and local officials spoke out in favor of keeping the institution open.

“The Pappas Rehabilitation Center, formerly the Massachusetts Hospital School, has cared for the Commonwealth’s most severely disabled children since 1904,” said Town Administrator Doody. “We’d like to see it remain open for another 120 years.”

Pappas officials gave the delegation a tour of the facility’s campus. The group of elected officials witnessed first-hand some of the deteriorating conditions inside its buildings. Following the tour, the officials pledged to work with Gov. Healey to examine alternatives to shuttering the facility.

“I am encouraged and grateful that Gov. Healey has heard the concerns of so many citizens, families, and health care professionals and has indicated a willingness to take another look at the decision to close the facility,” said Select Board Chair Loughran.

Select Board Member Connolly reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to working with government officials to invest in the facility so it can continue its mission to care for the state’s most vulnerable children.

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The Commonwealth recently announced its decision to close Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children. Federal, state, county, and local officials met Friday to urge the Healey administration to reconsider. (Photo courtesy Town of Canton)