That is the most important thing that can be done to support the hospital and assure it remains viable in the community, Carolyn Guthrie, business office manager said during a town hall meeting Thursday.

The meeting was organized by hospital officials to provide information to the public on recent changes at the hospital.

Last week the District Board of Directors restructured their loans, announced personnel changes and cuts and decided to close the Booker Assisted Living Unit. The board also decided to open an adult care home in a leased building.

John Burns, Chief Operating Officer hired in March, told the audience of over 100 people that without the changes, the hospital would probably have to face closure.

The $2.1 loan, which the District will receive April 29, will be used to pay off debts of $1.5 million. The remainder of the loan will be used to pay on accounts owed and to operate the hospital for the next few months, until some of the savings measures take effect.

``We'll sleep a little easier,' after April 29, Board Chairman Roland Schirman said.

Questions from the audience ranged from how the new adult care home will operate, to how the board will prevent the hospital from slipping into debt again.

The board will now receive more detailed monthly financial reports from administrators, Schirman said. Another change that is being studied is increasing the size of the board from three to five members, and reactivating the Hospital Foundation.

The adult care home, a newer building on Clay Street, has a more home-like atmosphere, Schirman said.

Another question concerned the reasons the board had to dismiss Bob Compson, who was administrator for 12 years. Compson, who was scheduled to retire at the end of 2004, was under contract to oversee the remodeling of the hospital, which is being funded through a voter-approved bond.

``We terminated Mr. Compson's service because we did not feel we could afford paying him $45 an hour,' Schirman said.