"These are the very women and men out there trying to find cures," said Bob Elmer, the certified administrator of the three-facility complex. To help the researchers find those cures, Elmer provided them firsthand looks into the realities of the diseases they see largely through lab equipment.

He shared stories about residents and the challenges they face, such as loss of impulse control, cognitive abilities and mental function as well as side effects from medication.

"We're committed to being part of the solution," said Elmer, who is certified by the Alzheimer's Association as a master trainer in the field.

As for the scientists, the visit was meaningful, and they plan to return.

Researcher Christine Oborski said they strive to better understand the disease in hopes of finding a cure.

"We see the disease from a test tube. It's always good to see what we're working for," she said.

"There's so much we don't understand," she added, noting they would like to be able to diagnose and treat Alzheimer's earlier.

She said she was surprised to see that residents appeared content and happy - a contrast to what the researchers learn about the disease and its effect on personality.

The scenario of a world leader in pharmaceuticals visiting one of our local businesses reminds us again of just how fortunate we are to have some of the amenities that we might otherwise take for granted. It's not every small community that can boast of having a facility specializing in the care of Alzheimer's so family members can stay close by and still get the professional help they need.

And for a company like Pfizer to see the value in this facility rather than sending local scientists across the globe to learn what they can learn in their own neighborhood - relatively speaking - is a refreshing dose of common sense.

"These are the very women and men out there trying to find cures," said Robert E.P. Elmer III, the community's certified administrator.

So the Carriage House and Chestnut Cottage opened their doors to give the scientists an opportunity to observe and meet residents and see, firsthand, the disease.

"We're committed to being part of the solution," said Elmer, who has been recognized by the Alzheimer's Association as a master trainer in the field of care.

He and nurse manager Carolyn Collin showed off the facilities and shared stories about past and current residents and the myriad challenges they face: loss of impulse control, cognitive abilities and mental function as well as side effects from medication.

"It's interesting," Collin told one of the researchers. "You know the disease so well on the inside, and you don't know what it looks like on the outside."

She said the early stage of Alzheimer's is the worst, when patients are aware and suffer depression and paranoia.

"Those are the things that need to be addressed," Collin said.

Researcher Christine Oborski said they strive to better understand the disease and find a cure. "Because there's so much we don't understand," she said, adding they would like to be able to diagnose and treat Alzheimer's earlier. "We see the disease from a test tube," Oborski added. "It's always good to see what we're working for."

She said she was surprised to see that residents appeared content and happy - a contrast to what the researchers learn about the disease and its effect on personality.

Marielle Delnomdedieu, too, said the visit proved helpful because it reminded her how important it is to consider the potential burden on the patient and his or her unique challenges when designing clinical trials.

"This is really good for people who have not been exposed to this before," she said.

Researchers Mike Marconi, of Westerly , and Phil Iredale said they hope a long-term relationship grows between Pfizer and the Westerly special care communities. More scientists are expected to visit in the future.

"I think there's a lot of opportunity in the community for Pfizer to get involved," Iredale said. "Hopefully, this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship."

In 1987, Warner-Lambert Pharmaceutical Company, acquired by Pfizer in 2000, assisted the National Institute on Aging in launching clinical trials of Tacrine, the first drug specifically targeting Alzheimer's symptoms. The drug received FDA approval in 1993 under the brand name Cognex, followed by Pfizer 's Aricept in 1996 - today two of the five FDA-approved medications to treat Alzheimer's symptoms.

"The need for the Cottage has always been there," said Robert E.P. Elmer III, the community's certified administrator. "A year ago, when it was announced that we were going to break ground, I received a call from a family to put their loved one on our waiting list."

Currently, the 30-bed facility is 40 percent booked. Before a resident moves in, staff complete an assessment, speak with the person's primary care physicians and put together a care plan, Elmer said. Residents must be able to ambulate, he added.

Like many families that turn to the Carriage House, Hargreaves said he reached a point where he could no longer meet the daily needs of his wife, who has had Alzheimer's for 12 years.

He described the management and staff - registered nurses and nurse aides available around-the-clock - as supportive to his wife, him and his children.

"If it weren't for the Carriage House and people like those I've mentioned, my life would be very different," Hargreaves said. "I highly recommend that facility. Not just the physical assets - it's great, beautiful - but the people who are there are just tremendous from top to bottom."

Elmer said staff members are trained to understand the memory-impairing diseases that rob individuals of the ability to process and sequence events.

"We really understand that we have to join their journey," he said.

At 10,600 square feet, the expansion provides 14 shared rooms and two private rooms as well as amenities including a beauty salon, common room, laundry facilities and dining room. Nurses and care cost $4,995 a month for a shared room (not including the cost of medication and personal care items).

"For us to be able to finally open the doors and be able to accommodate these people and, more specifically, their loved ones, that's what we're most excited about," Elmer said.

"Even if their loved one doesn't join us, many families call us for direction as they try to navigate this path with a loved one," he added. "We're very proud to be seen as a valued community resource."

“A year ago when it was announced that we were going to break ground, I received a call from a family to put their loved one on our waiting list. This third community will expand our campus to accommodate 75 independent and assisted living residents at The Elms, 25 residents with memory impairment in our Carriage House and now another 30 residents at our new Chestnut Cottage.” Elmer went on to say.

Prior to officially opening its doors, nearly 50% of the Chestnut Cottage rooms had been reserved confirming the need in our area for the new community. “Even if their loved one doesn’t join us, many families call us for direction as they try to navigate this path with a loved one. We’re very proud to be seen as a valued community resource said Elmer.” .

The project more than doubles the number of beds for residents with dementia and Alzheimer's, a progressive and fatal brain disease.

At 10,600-square-feet, the expansion will provide 14 shared rooms and two private rooms - a total of 30 beds - and amenities including a beauty salon, common room, laundry facilities, courtyard, specially trained staff and an around-the-clock nurse. Rooms and care cost $4,895 a month (not including the cost of medication and personal care items), he said.

Roughly 2,000-squarefeet smaller, the Carriage House has 11 shared rooms and two private rooms.

Elmer, who has worked for The Elms since 1997, said three families are on the Carriage House waiting list currently. But, he added, the list's length fluctuates because most families call in need of immediate assistance and rooms never stay vacant for more than a week or two. Individuals with early, mid-stage and moderate Alzheimer's who are not bedridden will be considered, according to Elmer. "They adjust beautifully because we've uncomplicated their lives in so many ways," he added of residents' transition.

Chestnut Cottage LLC, managed by Guy Maiorano, owner of The Elms, purchased the .87-acre Chestnut Street School property on July 22 for $400,000. The building was appraised at $306,500 as of Dec. 31, 2006, according to town assessment records.

Elmer said he did not know the cost of the building project.

While no members of the public objected during Town Council, planning and zoning meetings, the sale was referenced in a lawsuit filed recently by the Rhode Island Laborers' District Council Local Union 808 against the town. The suit described the transaction as a "seemingly private" sale "likely for less than actual market value."

When town officials accepted Maiorano's offer, contingent on three independent appraisals, they noted Chestnut Cottage would add 25 to 30 new jobs in a struggling economy.

Elmer said he planned to start interviewing for maintenance, aid and nurse positions after the New Year.

"There's a tremendous need for this type of service," Maiorano told the board. He said Carriage House has been fully occupied, with a waiting list, since it opened. Professional engineer Carolyn "C.J." Doyle of Cherenzia & Associates said the new construction will lower the amount of impervious pavement on the property from more than 50 percent to just under 40 percent, and will improve runoff. There will be 21 parking spaces, she added, including one handicapped spot.

One resident spoke in favor of the project at the public hearing. Andrew Griswold, whose property at 21 Chestnut St. abuts the former school, said the facility has always been a good neighbor.

"I believe this project will bring benefits to the area," Griswold said.

The Zoning Board voted unanimously to approve the project, which must now go before the Planning Board.

Maiorano has offered $400,000 for the property, which has been appraised at $267,300, according to online assessment records.

Called Chestnut Cottages, the new, 10,600-square-foot building would more than double the number of beds for patients with Alzheimer's and dementia. The existing Carriage House at The Elms has 26 beds, and the new building, as proposed, will have 30 beds spread among 16 units.

The new facility is expected to employ five individuals, Maiorano's attorney, Vincent Naccarato, told the board.

Engineer Carolyn Doyle, of Cherenzia & Associates, said drainage would be addressed with a 21-space pervious parking lot, roof drains and catch basins on the .87-acre property. She said the expansion is projected to result in four additional visitors per day.

"It's a minimal increase [in traffic]. We don't feel there's an impact to traffic from this proposed development," Doyle said.

The building will be serviced by town water and sewer, and is projected to add $20,000 in annual tax revenue.

Board member Thomas Toscano said he has voted in the affirmative on Maiorano's past expansions.

"He's always followed the rules," Toscano said. "He's been a very good addition to the town of Westerly, there's no doubt about it."

The Chestnut Street building, assessed at $267,000, is currently used by the schools'maintenance department, as well as the high school's cosmetology program and EXCEL alternative education courses. Those programs plan to move to Babcock Hall and Tower Street School.

The sale is one part of a proposed town-school consolidation and savings plan. The Town Council and School Committee have not yet formally endorsed that plan, which also proposes to eliminate five school positions and one municipal position.

Planning and Zoning Solicitor John Payne Jr. recused himself from hearing the application on Tuesday, because he has previously completed work for The Elms.

In other business, the board reaffirmed an earlier vote to advise the Zoning Board not to issue a special use permit for a 40 Pierce St. property owned by Roger Hall.

The special use permit would allow Hall to convert the North End building from a two- to a three-family home. A third, basement tenant has lived there illegally for about nine years, and Hall is now seeking town approvals.

Hall's attorney, Campbell Field, proposed deeding the basement unit as an affordable dwelling for 30 years. He said approval would bring the town slightly closer to meeting the state's 10percent affordable housing mandate.

But Planning Board member Patricia Douglas said guidelines have not been established to designate just one unit within a market-rate building for low-andmoderate income residents. Other board members said the change would not contribute to the North End's revitalization or the town's affordable housing goals.

"Someone please come in with affordable housing for the south end [of town] and I'll agree with you 100 percent," Toscano said. "I'm tired of it always being for the North End."

Interested in purchasing the property for five years, the assisted living facility owner said he approached the town two weeks ago and suggested the sales price because it was fair and it would "get everybody moving forward." The sale is expected to close within two or three months. It is contingent upon planning and zoning development approvals and three independent appraisals substantiating the sales price. Hartford said the town has already commissioned the appraisals and expects to receive replies within the next two weeks. The sale is one portion of a joint town-school consolidation and savings plan, announced earlier this week. The Town Council and School Committee have not yet formally approved the remainder of the plan, which includes eliminating six positions - five school and one municipal - to save a projected $212,672 next fiscal year.

After the sale closes, Maiorano said he must apply for a special use permit and go through the planning and zoning process.

"So it's certainly not a done deal, but we're confident that we fit right in," he said. "We're working very close together to get this thing moved right along." He plans to demolish the almost 80-year-old building and outbuildings and build a new, free-standing facility on the .87-acre property, tucked into a residential neighborhood. This will be The Elm's sixth expansion in 24 years, he said.

The new building will expand the Carriage House at The Elms, a licensed assisted living facility dedicated to serving individuals with Alzheimer's and other dementia and their families.

The new facility is planned to house 30 residents, bringing the Carriage House's total to 56 residents. The Elms currently serves 75 additional individuals.

Maiorano said the 26 bed Carriage House has been full for the past nine years and has a waiting list.

Hartford pointed to the expected sale as "an exciting opportunity for the town because we're getting rid of a facility that's underused and really has no value for the town going forward."

"And yet, by selling it to The Elms, it's providing a very much needed service in the community and providing more employment for people," he added.

Maiorano said they expect to employ between 25 and 30 new staff members. The assisted living facility currently employs 55.

The sale will also place the property back on the town tax rolls, providing an estimated $20,000 in annual tax revenue once the property is fully developed, Hartford said.

The town purchased the Chestnut Street property in 2000 for $120,000, according to online assessment records.

The school department currently uses the building for its building and grounds staff, cosmetology program and EXCEL program for students who are considered at risk of not graduating.

Under the consolidation proposal, the schools director of building and grounds and the alternative education and cosmetology programs would relocate to Babcock Hall for the next school year.

Maiorano said that, in a perfect world, his project would garner a special use permit and planning and zoning approvals by July and construction would likely take eight months. He added he is exploring the use of "green" technology, including solar panels and radiant heat.

Maiorano plans to first meet with Chestnut Street neighbors about the project. "It's only a deal if it's a deal for all of us," he said.