Don't miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook. BENNINGTON â Southwestern Vermont Health Care has checked off another box in the lengthy permitting process for a $26 million expansion of the hospital emergency department, and the project remains on track to receive final approvals in the fall. The town Development Review Board provided unanimous land use approval for the project Tuesday, as well as for the related demolition of one of the early Putnam Memorial Hospital buildings to allow a new hospital entrance and access drive. Proposed is demolition of The Lodge building opposite the current entrance to Southwestern Vermont Medical Center. The brick structure was built in 1925 for employee housing for what was then Putnam Memorial, which opened in 1918.