[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6541081,"mediaKeyId","3677159-6e7ea70032a5204fe10646da605181a8","parentId",3677159,"title","Sullivan County coroner: May saw no overdose deaths; morgue cooler replacement and lab storage moved","audioSeconds",1085,"startMs",825000,"endMs",1910000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3677159-6e7ea70032a5204fe10646da605181a8&start=825&end=1910","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3677159-6e7ea70032a5204fe10646da605181a8/thumbnail_825000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6541081/Sullivan-County/New-York/Sullivan-County-coroner-May-saw-no-overdose-deaths-morgue-cooler-replacement-and-lab-storage-moved","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6541081-3015bda8cd3404d65675009c37e5d884/orig.mp4?Expires=1775457930&Signature=H53ptO2-5NEl6Qz~rBZjWik87snP171ANJq0ITCz1-gzbUa0kjpLkQOkRIsgg7AMo6XD0MHqm1yvJDbROXBG4bz7c4F23tpBZzPPse3nLJETIDnq~W4yO4sG2DbWCsk7IM5QieeuyTzhC0LW3CMrUwHB8~X7yGITtdwVwKDsax0TfNU312Aa3rD3jvXHb~1UJgXJ~0XN4rX43c9ak7wEPMY9rF3BmmJGjP1qRrnR5Zg6jcU6iPWQsUqdq7cQhmKwp8brxvd04jTPW2BnPqUJrpgbodLnVG-gEy~N7oEhWIJSfvrXGkCmsSd5HAVcOQ8jFI0NdcKbFIMWw0DEMjcxrw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Sullivan County","date","2025-06-05T11:15:00Z","article","SULLIVAN COUNTY, N.Y. — The county coroner reported 14 deaths in May, including two autopsies and no overdose deaths, and updated the Public Safety Committee on steps to replace the morgue cooler and move hospital lab storage out of the coroner’s facility.

The coroner told the committee this was the slowest month in his 10 years as coroner and the first month without an overdose death. “This is the first time that we have not had deaths by overdose in the 10 years that I've been your coroner,” he said. He cautioned that 9-1-1 overdose calls continued across the county even though the county had recorded no overdose deaths in May.

On facilities, the coroner said the morgue cooler at Harris Hospital is moving along and the hospital had refurbished the existing cooler to maintain functionality until a new unit is installed; two designs were under review by the coroners and the hospital’s design firm. The coroner thanked a morgue assistant who arranged for the hospital lab’s slides and archived materials to be moved to Garnett in Middletown after the materials were taking up space in the morgue and risking a Department of Health violation.

The coroner also reported progress on pathologist staffing: a part-time pathologist used previously is now a head pathologist in Ulster County and may provide overflow assistance; another retiring pathologist has identified a potential successor who may provide occasional coverage.

Separately, in his public works remarks earlier in the meeting, Scott Schulte reported rabies-related bite counts for May 1–27: 16 dog bites, six cat bites and one bat bite across 10 municipalities. Sullivan County EMS held an awards ceremony during EMS Week and Deputy Commissioner Rao was recognized for decades of service, Schulte said.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Sullivan County - Public Safety and Law Enforcement Committee on 2025-06-05 10:00 AM - Jun 05, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The county coroner reported 14 deaths in May, including no overdose deaths — the first time in a decade — and described ongoing work to replace a morgue cooler, remove lab storage from the morgue and secure occasional pathologist assistance.","taxTitle","Sullivan County, New York","taxId",14534,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6541086,"Commissioners debate Liberty site, Petaluma alternative and $8 million HHAP grant for temporary housing",801,2012000,2813000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3677159-6e7ea70032a5204fe10646da605181a8&start=2012&end=2813","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3677159-6e7ea70032a5204fe10646da605181a8/thumbnail_2012000.jpg","/articles/6541086/Sullivan-County/New-York/Commissioners-debate-Liberty-site-Petaluma-alternative-and-8-million-HHAP-grant-for-temporary-housing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6541086-53a63669c902f388746883fe87071449/orig.mp4?Expires=1775457930&Signature=YpatK5ZZmp1M4yWiBUXsHfR4OfRw~j0-vWGtOyPrCaTitM12pwGlH1NXtlkEdfaxuQ2KBYUab-dGcW1PurMNsjr05-qdgfAPs~bCOwKIXyuHkIfEiYGlZn2lBprrCmDcoEbPcv3SLCl6pKTIkG30wvkfgDFMN80tYCJOw1-hX7~1P84dBLAUvte5zRU5W6I39PN3T0VAyTY4ALY3b6wHxq0GCx0tYTT4pp2en3nyi1udZA8kinF5Sk~cLqZuOjQZpOVxC1oc6qlGG9jj~FITen7IXl4JagkfIFWIyh0CiKGJcTFFFeNxjIlJ8-SFpdJcbd89Z2OwNXPbYo7QQXTNvA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","SULLIVAN COUNTY, N.Y. — The Public Safety Committee heard extended public comment and internal debate over a proposed temporary housing project, competing site options and whether the county should apply now for an $8 million Home and Community Assistance Program (HHAP) grant.

A member of the public who addressed the committee detailed walking distances at one proposed site and urged the county to use a property the speaker said the county had already invested in. “When you look at your paper, from Route 52 to the park entrance is 0.62 miles… It's a 1.2 mile trip. We've invested a lot of money in that site. There's no reason why we don't go back to it,” the commenter said.

Several legislators pushed back and forth over whether the Liberty site or a county-owned property in Petaluma should be used, and whether the county had time to ready an alternative site for a competitive HHAP application. One legislator criticized the project’s reported per-unit cost and urged larger capacity: “I can't see you spending $8,000,000 for 10 beds… If we're gonna build a facility, I'd rather take something that's that we can revamp, put 30, 40 beds in and really help the problem,” the legislator said.

Another legislator noted the project has been discussed for years and argued the HHAP funding window is competitive and time-sensitive. “This grant… is a very competitive grant, and that money's gonna go. If we do not have our application in, we're not gonna be eligible for it,” the legislator said, and urged the committee to identify a county-controlled site quickly to meet architects’ timelines for site work.

Speakers also discussed design choices intended to limit costs — for example, avoiding a second story to reduce ADA elevator requirements — and the practicality of adapting existing county properties versus starting a new build.

No formal committee action on site selection or the HHAP application was recorded during the meeting; committee members discussed next steps and the timeline for producing site-control documentation and revised cost estimates if they decide to pursue the grant.

","Public comments and legislators debated a proposed temporary housing project and whether to pursue an $8 million HHAP grant; differences centered on site choice, capacity and timing to meet grant deadlines.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6541091,"Sullivan County committee to send letter urging state action as state inmates fill county jail",578,1082000,1660000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3677159-6e7ea70032a5204fe10646da605181a8&start=1082&end=1660","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3677159-6e7ea70032a5204fe10646da605181a8/thumbnail_1082000.jpg","/articles/6541091/Sullivan-County/New-York/Sullivan-County-committee-to-send-letter-urging-state-action-as-state-inmates-fill-county-jail","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6541091-8cb3dad0a952bf922e1728b203d846c7/orig.mp4?Expires=1775457930&Signature=BMi1qdpmiBBwXB4XhkbzRI46Nveg~Qcmzxo-lsMNxAD1OF4aPbQqudL~zMpyme~zyQIcnUUirF8e4lgXEi8nuh6VlsDNndi71NA3QZI7yRWd72koQz9-gwJgpK-F3MEAtzzm0FiaNCMGzw5dSim93fS7mvnOuoWOTRB7YiSspuugDtqKqoJcadFyXlgNIvBopQi5ABEwClCfcNmS9SqKOT9gp6Ob3PLRQmHhFu0AUkQpgZfxQyMAO8CSLUMSZ4C1t3TNoPNOwKOqqr~SbtQ~cmX7YnrRvuU8UueAciz21XNPslV9LeGGRZ9V80O5EjhXzcwHqUAKR3N2VxSfP7bDqA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","SULLIVAN COUNTY, N.Y. — County officials said Sullivan County’s jail held 34 people, including 20 the county identified as belonging to the state of New York, and the Public Safety Committee voted to send a letter urging the state to address the issue and to provide adequate compensation.

A jail official (identified in the meeting as Hal) told the committee the state has refused to take custody of those state cases and that sheriffs across New York had written a joint letter asking the state to act. “Right now, we have 34 incarcerated individuals in the jail. 20 of them belong to the state of New York. The state of New York is refusing to take them because of the issues they created themselves,” the jail official said.

The official described hiring and training steps the county is taking: since Jan. 1 the county has hired 14 new correction officers (nine of whom had been state employees or former state employees), started an on-site eight-week academy, and was processing five new candidates through psychological exams and psychiatric review. The official said the county has about eight current openings in the jail, which would climb to about 11 when planned promotions were accounted for, and said 34 people were taking a civil service exam this month.

Committee members discussed costs to the county. The official said the state is paying $100 per day per person for state-sent inmates, a figure committee members called insufficient compared with local costs. “I can guarantee you it's costing us, the taxpayers, a lot more than a hundred dollars a day,” the official said.

Committee members agreed to prepare and send their own letter — modeled on letters circulated by the New York State Sheriffs’ Association — asking for state action or better compensation. The motion to prepare the letter was seconded and passed by voice vote.

Committee members said they would document the county’s costs and continue hiring and training to address staffing needs; they asked the county communication director to assist with the letter.

","Committee members heard that Sullivan County is holding 34 people in the county jail, 20 of whom are state inmates the county says the state is not taking back; the committee voted to send a letter urging state action and fair compensation.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6541096,"Sullivan County committee approves manager authority to finalize government center security upgrades",1809,765000,2574000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3677159-6e7ea70032a5204fe10646da605181a8&start=765&end=2574","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3677159-6e7ea70032a5204fe10646da605181a8/thumbnail_765000.jpg","/articles/6541096/Sullivan-County/New-York/Sullivan-County-committee-approves-manager-authority-to-finalize-government-center-security-upgrades","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6541096-c5e7c16552af34ab6adb0f3b8cbd6867/orig.mp4?Expires=1775457930&Signature=O8tb83MwzmfrDj7rWE~lIoD12AvZuO2u44~7qmQsBS36Dj2rh~wYyBvvDSVCyBhO0Jss3XIsiTXTau5eqGvhUcWMwN7QdoTVbPTCLTKWcLVmyX5gmLiz5aO9v-7CkB4Hm0i-jmQVT2bjbJOdzhxfihNJIPfB3qJDixCRA-Nnf1fkFe2xpsG32~v4vlfC1jDGG~4a9XvUFVvMdCLykumg0l1-jZbGyO1YAC3JAAn77de1aDglPkbYkengYrG1VL01vM8AuLEdNjRn~o1D6uMDYtVY4NXho5MaeIcV72bGmcZKPutwv0nVC021gQjLG7RpY6PZsxErxz5VR2D4ZGihxw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","SULLIVAN COUNTY, N.Y. — The Public Safety Committee voted to authorize the county manager to execute remaining agreements tied to security upgrades at the Sullivan County Government Center.

Scott Schulte, who identified himself as representing the Division of Public Works, told the committee that a resolution (listed in committee materials as resolution ID 7524) was submitted to allow the manager to finalize “the remaining documents and agreements” needed to put the security measures into operation. “You have in front of you a resolution, resolution ID 7524… we just want to authorize the county manager to execute those remaining documents, and agreements that may be associated with getting that operational,” Schulte said.

Committee members were told the upgrades should be in place “within the next few weeks” if associated contract riders are signed and approved. Schulte also said the county had completed an update to a domestic terrorism prevention plan and submitted it to the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services on June 1.

The resolution read at the meeting amends an earlier board action (listed in the reading as resolution 169-25) to include express authorization for the county manager to execute any agreements necessary to implement the purchase authorized in the original resolution. The committee called for the motion, received a second, and the chair put the question; members voiced their approval.

The committee did not record a roll-call tally in the minutes provided at the meeting; the resolution was approved by voice vote during the session.

Committee members and staff said the county expects the security work to be completed soon and that the authorization will allow vendors and the county to finalize contracts without an additional board vote.

The committee moved on after the vote to other public safety business, including reports from EMS, 9-1-1 and the Bureau of Fire.

","The county’s Public Safety Committee approved a resolution authorizing the county manager to sign remaining agreements needed to complete security upgrades at the Sullivan County Government Center; officials said upgrades should be operational in the coming weeks.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Sullivan County coroner: May saw no overdose deaths; morgue cooler replacement and lab storage moved

Commissioners debate Liberty site, Petaluma alternative and $8 million HHAP grant for temporary housing

Sullivan County committee to send letter urging state action as state inmates fill county jail

Sullivan County committee approves manager authority to finalize government center security upgrades