The Fernald Center is the first and largest target for Governor Patrick's plan to close four developmental centers in four years.
The Governor wants everyone out of Fernald by June 30, 2110, and claims that the Department of Developmental Services will save $13 million by
closing Fernald. In fact, the governor's plan also calls for $45 million in new spending to build state-operated group homes for the Fernald residents,
so no money will be saved at all in the next 18 months -- new spending will be required.
After both houses of the State Legislature had demanded studies of the Fernald Center, the Conference Committee removed Fernald from the study language.
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