Waveny Plan Nixed from Senior Housing Review

Any mention of the Waveny Care Center's idea to build a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) on a piece of Waveny Park land has been scrubbed from the official charge of a committee to be formed by the Health and Human Services Commission. The "Senior Health Care and Housing Policy Development Team" will now look more broadly at options for senior health care and housing in town, including co-housing and home nursing care in addition to CCRC possibilities.

A new draft of the committee's task list includes considerations of whether there is in fact significant need for more supportive senior living here, the alternatives for meeting that need, and what the town's obligations are for fulfilling it.

Selectmen Rob Mallozzi and Sally Hines had objected to the formation of the committee as it was first conceived, saying that the mission was focused too narrowly on the CCRC option alone (it had been named the "CCRC Policy Development Team) and that the assessment of a particular location fell outside the purview of the HHS Commission.

"We need to first of all cut the connection between location and options," said Hines Tuesday, while giving her blessing for the new committee.

"To have that as part of their focus, from day one, was a distraction," Mallozzi added. "It would defeat a lot of the open discussion that should take place."

Noting that the previous focus on a CCRC had been largely based on one of the conclusions from a 2006 survey of New Canaan seniors, Mallozzi also suggested Tuesday that the new analysis take into account changes affecting senior living options since then—such as the growth of Staying Put, vacancies at the New Canaan Inn, zoning regulations that allow for more in-law apartments, and the conversion of the Maples Inn into senior-friendly housing that's about to commence.  

Hines and Mallozzi had also questioned the objectivity of the original membership, as some had spoken publicly in favor of Waveny Care's plan.

"We do want to see people [on the committee] who are completely disinterested," Hines said, "who come into it without agendas of any kind."

Waveny Care Board Member Ted O'Hanlan told the selectmen he was encouraged to see the reconcieved committee go forward, and hopeful it would clear the air.

"Waveny got some bad press because of the opposition to the location [for a CCRC]. That spilled over to people accusing Waveny of ignoring the town," O'Hanlan said.

The Board of Selectmen agreed with First Selectman Jeb Walker's recommendation to authorize the Health Human Services Commission to put together a new committee and take on the expanded review of senior living options. The committee is to check in with the selectmen regularly before putting together a final report.

Walker appeared eager to get the show on the road.

"Let's do the community the favor of getting this launched," he said.