HCRS to Pay $170,000 Settlement for Violating False Claims
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PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE 60 PAID POSTAL CUSTOMER FREE Years RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER PERMIT #2 N. HAVERHILL, NH ECRWSSEDDMECRWSS Your Local Community Newspaper JULY 07, 2021 | WWW.VERMONTJOURNAL.COM VOLUME 60, ISSUE 06 HCRS to pay $170,000 Joint Board discusses settlement for violating demolition of historic False Claims Act church on Atkinson Street BY BETSY THURSTON MONTPELIER, Vt. – On on the employee’s behalf for HCRS has agreed to pay The Shopper Tuesday, June 29, 2021, the reimbursement to Medicaid, in to the state of Vermont and Attorney General’s Medicaid violation of the Vermont False the United States a total of BELLOWS FALLS, Vt. – Fraud and Residential Abuse Claims Act. In addition, the $170,037.76, of which Ver- On Tuesday, June 29, the Unit announced a settlement United States Attorney’s Office mont Medicaid will receive Joint Board of the Rocking- with Health Care & Rehabilita- for the District of Vermont has $101,254.61 in program ham Selectboard and Bellows tion Services of Southeastern concluded that HCRS violated restitution. The settlement Falls Trustees discussed up- Vermont of Springfield resolv- the federal False Claims Act. amount reflects a coopera- dates on 66 Atkinson Street. ing allegations that HCRS vio- HCRS CEO, George Kara- tion credit in light of HCRS’s Built in 1835 as the first lated the Vermont False Claims bakakis, Ph.D., said, “We im- self-disclosure of the vio- Methodist church in Bel- Act. mediately took steps to notify lation, assistance with the lows Falls, the building has The settlement, reached in the authorities as soon as we investigation, and volun- commanded attention at the collaboration with the Office became aware of the employ- tary adoption of remedial intersections of School and of the United States Attorney ment issue with this staff mem- measures to guard against Atkinson streets ever since. for the District of Vermont, ber. We have been up front improper employment and It was owned by the YMCA resolves claims that HCRS im- about our agency’s oversight of claim submission in the fu- for 50 years and in 2015 was properly submitted Medicaid this personnel matter, and we ture. exchanged for one dollar. The historic church at 66 Atkinson Street in Bellows Falls. claims for services provided by took responsibility for the fed- “We thank HCRS for Current owner Christo- PHOTO BY BETSY THURSTON an employee who was on the eral and state payments we’d bringing this to the state’s pher Glennon hoped to save Office of the Inspector General, received erroneously, returning attention and for their co- and preserve the historic U.S. Department of Health and all of the related revenue along operation,” said Attorney structure, but the location, roof shingles. The engineer had him, but I certainly agree with Human Services exclusion list with a substantial penalty. As General Donovan. “HCRS across the street from the recommended demolition at [Pickup] that we need to move and barred from receiving pay- a community mental health provides important care and historic district, made it in- that time. forward before the winter.” ments from federally funded agency, we regret our error and services to some of the state’s eligible for federal funding Two years ago, the Joint Pickup added, “We’d be hard healthcare programs. recognize the importance of most vulnerable Vermonters. and the cost of rehabilita- Board had met with Glennon to pressed to get through another For a period of nearly 10 years, ensuring all employment guide- Performing required back- tion is significant. Glennon is request that he stabilize and se- winter season without some HCRS employed an individual lines are followed; we have since ground checks and comply- currently working on a Quit cure the roof and address other sort of catastrophic failure.” identified on OIG-HHS’ exclu- strengthened our procedures to ing with state and federal law Claim Deed with the town concerns from the engineer’s He had told DeMuro that sion list and submitted claims prevent a reoccurrence.” i s v it a l .” claiming ownership by Sep- report by the fall. “there was a hard deadline,” so tember. Glennon had removed debris if he was serious he needed to Municipal Manager Scott and ceiling materials to lessen send a proposal as soon as pos- Pickup told the Joint Board the load, but Trustees observed sible. Pickup had received noth- that Northern Heritage Mills the roof still remained insecure. ing formal as of June 29. Upper Valley Land Trust to President Gerald DeMuro They proposed jersey barriers Board member Rick Cowan had expressed interest in the and fencing to surround the asked about funding. Pickup building. Northern Heritage building in the fall of 2019. said federal funding was re- grow fresh veggies for those Mills of Claremont, N.H., is At Tuesday’s meeting, Pickup quested, and Community De- a nonprofit educational or- said, “Ideally, we would do it velopment Block Grant funds ganization. Founded in 2001, over the summer, but the de- might help with the demolition NHM promotes the preser- molition rates are much higher expenses. in need vation of historical technolo- in the summer.” He said they Discussion ensued with what gies through STEM educa- could save substantial costs if could be done with the lot af- CHARLESTOWN, N.H. – runs the Food Pantry Garden also really appealing to me.” tion. the building was taken down ter demoliton. Ideas included The Upper Valley Land Trust Program. “Our conservation UVLT is a nonprofit land Pickup explained that cor- before the winter. It would cost a dog park, a green space, a is partnering with the Clare- areas aren’t just about trails and conservancy that works in respondence so far was only between $75,000 to $100,000 to community center, a garden, or mont Soup Kitchen and Food recreation – we can do more 45 Vermont and New Hamp- by email. He had shared the take the building down. Pickup parking lot. Pickup hoped they Pantry to grow food for those than that. There are people in shire towns in the Connecti- 2018 engineering report with explained that the village has could improve the intersection in need through an expansion our communities who are hun- cut River watershed, provid- DeMuro who responded invested $20,000 in fencing, at School and Atkinson streets of UVLT’s Food Pantry Gar- gry and we have the ability to ing conservation leadership, with maintained interest. barriers, asbestos removal, and and make it safer. den Program. “The Claremont play a role in alleviating that tools, and expertise. The Among other concerns, the legal fees. Pickup concluded that the Soup Kitchen is very excited to problem. Conservation land is lands UVLT protects are report highlighted structural Trustee James McAuliffe goal was for a decision to be have the opportunity to part- for everyone.” places where people of all instability, collapse of ceil- commented that if NHM was made by Sept. 30 at the next ner with the Upper Valley Land The Food Pantry Garden ages can participate in the ing materials, and fallen slate still interested “More power to scheduled Joint Board meeting. Trust to bring fresh produce Program began in 2019 at stewardship of natural re- to our guests,” said Claremont Brookmead Conservation sources, learn about forests Soup Kitchen Executive Direc- Area in Norwich, Vt. After two and farming, and enjoy be- tor Cindy Stevens. “The Clare- successful seasons and 4,000 ing in nature. Founded by Springfield Rotary happenings mont Soup Kitchen has many pounds of produce donated Upper Valley residents in guests that come daily to see to Willing Hands, a local food 1985, UVLT has conserved SPRINGFIELD, Vt. – The Spring- what is offered on our farm- reclamation and distribution more than 52,000 acres of field Rotary Club held its first in- stand. This partnership will al- nonprofit, UVLT applied for land and owns and manages person meeting in 2021 for the low us to provide many more a New Hampshire Charitable 22 conservation areas. These annual Changing of the Gavel. options. We are truly thankful Foundation grant to expand the include working farms, for- Outgoing Club President Jerry to be able to offer such a great program to Up on the Hill. The ested ridges, wildlife habitat, Farnum accepts congratulations service to our community.” foundation’s environmental op- water resources, trails, and from incoming President Jim Fog. This collaborative Food portunity grant program pro- scenic landscapes. Most of Pantry Garden is run primar- vides small one-time grants to the conserved land remains ily by volunteers and UVLT is New Hampshire organizations in private ownership, pro- actively seeking community involved in the intersection of tected by permanent deeds members interested in helping community and environment. known as conservation ease- out in the garden. The garden is Now, UVLT is asking volun- ments. located at Up on the Hill Con- teers to turn that generous Volunteers run the gar- servation area, a property that funding into food by volunteer- dens and plant, weed, water, UVLT owns and manages off ing at the Food Pantry Garden and harvest produce. UVLT of Richardson Road in Charles- to feed our neighbors in need. is actively seeking more vol- Springfield Rotary Club members town with land in Claremont, Karina Ricker was excited to unteers to join their efforts. Jim Fog and Bob Flint congratu- and Unity, N.H. as well. This break ground on the new proj- Community workdays are late this year’s Rotary Scholarship 1,100-acre property is mostly ect this spring. “I wanted the Thursday nights from 3-6 winners, Anna Ondre and Haley forested but also has excellent opportunity to learn about land p.m.