Investigators found "evidence of rodent and insect activity in the rooms of the veterans and in food preparation areas" at a state-run veteran's home in Chelsea, according to State Auditor Suzanne Bump.
An audit released Friday found that Soldiers' Home Chelsea "was not providing residents with safe and sanitary living conditions," and said there was evidence of "scattered trash and debris, overloaded electrical outlets, loose and cracked plaster, and evidence of pest and human waste," as well as leaking sewer and water lines, mostly in the 305-bed domiciliary unit.
"I really think this jeopardizes our ability to brag about our superior veterans services when we have conditions like this," Bump told WGBH News.
Bump said the Soldiers' Home has already corrected many of the problems identified in the report. However the Auditor remains concerned about chronic problems with understaffing, procedures and the deteriorating buildings.
"The fact of the matter is that many of these buildings are really in deteriorating condition and so there are chronic problems brought about by water seeping in through windows, water pipes bursting or leaking so ceiling tiles had been damaged, and in some cases were missing, even above food preparation areas which could lead to possible contamination of the food," Bump said.
“As acknowledged in the 2013-2015 audit, the Chelsea Soldiers’ Home took immediate steps to address and remedy the concerns raised, and is committed to meeting the current and anticipated needs of our aging veterans while fulfilling its mission to provide, with honor and dignity, the highest quality services to Massachusetts veterans," state Veterans' Services spokesman Joe Truschelli wrote in a statement.
Baker's Veteran's Services staff went on to write that Baker's administration have made investments and repairs to the Chelsea facility and is in the process of developing long-term plans for a redevelopment of the campus. A $148,000 feasibility study will look at possible futures for the site.
