Last Wednesday, Nov. 21, the community met the task force’s legal counsel; now they will have a first look at his work. A 15-page legal report prepared by Julius Ciembroniewicz entitled “St. Andrews Hospital, Breach of a Community’s Trust,” was presented to the task force volunteers at their November 27 regular meeting. Boothbay Town Manager Jim Chaousis read aloud excerpts from the report and said the report identified “the legal complications we’ve uncovered.”

Task Force Chairman Chuck Cunningham said the position paper provides a “well thought, concise argument for why St. Andrews Hospital should stay as it is” and recommended the report be sent to MaineHealth CEO Bill Caron, Lincoln County Healthcare CEO Jim Donovan and St. Andrews Hospital Board of Trustees Chairman Pete Mundy for their review.

Selectman Smith Climo said, “It’s a potential game changer.”

Chaousis said he would also seek a meeting with the healthcare organization to discuss the specifics of the legal opinion. The report is available above.

Members of the public expressed their support for the legal opinion but also expressed their reluctance to continue with the current governance structure even if Lincoln County Healthcare reconsidered its decision to close St. Andrews Hospital.

Sue Mello can be reached at 207-844-4629 or sumello@boothbayregister.com.