Veterans home on track in Machias

MACHIAS – The sixth and last of the Maine Veterans’ Homes, currently under construction in Machias, is on track for the hiring of between 32 and 35 workers for its opening in July.

That was Thursday’s message from Timothy Politis, the chief executive officer of Maine Veterans’ Homes.

“Everything on paper looks like it’s making sense,” said Politis, who traveled from Augusta to speak at a Veterans Day-themed breakfast meeting for members of the Machias Bay Area of Commerce.

Groundbreaking took place in May, followed by an official groundbreaking ceremony in July, to accommodate Gov. John Baldacci’s schedule.

Politis had wanted Thursday to introduce Jeff Herman, who will become the home’s administrator starting in the spring. However, Herman is currently attending an administrator-in-training course at the Maine Veterans’ Home in Augusta. That course will be completed in January.

Anyone with an interest in working at the 30-bed facility or in developing a business relationship there will have to wait until Herman comes to town. Depending on several factors, that could be as soon as January or as late as April, Politis said.

“We are not taking any applications for anything yet, and all those decisions will be handled by Herman,” he said.

The 30-plus positions will largely be in the nursing or dietary fields. An activities director also will be hired.

As a residential care facility, the Machias home is being built on the grounds of the Down East Community Hospital. The facility will contract with local doctors for medical care for residents.

The facility will serve veterans and their family members who are suffering from early dementia.

Politis did not know if the 30 beds would go to Washington County veterans and family members, or be open to veterans from around the state.

“I just know, as the CEO for Maine Veterans’ Homes,” he said, “that I’d like to see the 30 beds filled as soon as possible.”

The project is funded by a $6.1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and $3.3 million more financed locally by the Maine Veterans’ Homes.

As a quasi-governmental agency, Maine Veterans’ Homes has its board of directors appointed by the governor, yet receives no state funding.

Maine Veterans’ Homes currently operates five other homes for Maine veterans. They include 150-bed facilities in Bangor, Augusta and Scarborough; a 90-bed facility in South Paris; and a 70-bed facility in Caribou.

The addition of 30 more beds in Machias will top out the system with 640 beds total.

According to the Veterans Administration, which provides 65 percent of the cost, the Maine program “is about as big as we’re going to get,” Politis said.