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County appoints new coroner, approves agreements for lab services, text‑to‑911 and public safety funding; introduces animal‑abuser registry law
Summary
Supervisors appointed Anthony Pernicero as county coroner, authorized a morgue/lab services agreement with Albany Medical Center, approved a three‑year text‑to‑911 contract and accepted additional Stop DWI funds; a proposed local law to establish an animal‑abuser registry was introduced with a Sept. 10 public hearing.
The Law & Finance Committee on Aug. 13 approved a series of public safety items including the appointment of a new county coroner, contracts for morgue and laboratory services, authorizations for equipment leases and technology upgrades, and introduction of a proposed local law creating an animal‑abuser registry.
The committee appointed Anthony Pernicero of the Town of Stillwater to fill the county coroner vacancy for the term ending Dec. 31, 2025; the vacancy followed the resignation of Dave DuSelle effective Aug. 1. County coroner Susan Hayes Massa recommended Pernicero for the interim appointment.
The committee authorized an agreement with Albany Medical Center for use of laboratory and morgue facilities through 2026 with total costs not to exceed $30,000; the contract enables the coroner’s office to access required facilities and services.
A corrected contract term with Trinity Services Group Inc., which supplies food services to the county jail, was approved to state a three‑year term commencing March 1, 2025.
The committee authorized an annual $4,500 lease with the U.S. Department of the Navy for thermal imaging and night‑vision equipment for the sheriff’s office. Separately, it accepted $10,000 in additional funding from the New York State Stop DWI Foundation for high‑visibility enforcement and related programs.
The committee also authorized a three‑year agreement with Insight Public Sector Inc. for text‑to‑911 services at the sheriff’s public safety answering point at a total cost of $97,159.96; staff said the annual PSAP grant is anticipated to increase to offset this program’s cost.
For legislation, the committee introduced Introductory Local Law No. 1 (Print No. 1 of 2025), described in materials as a local law establishing a Saratoga County animal‑abuser registry and setting a public hearing for Sept. 10 at 4:30 p.m. Staff materials noted the penalty for failing to register was increased from a violation to a misdemeanor after discussion at the Public Safety Committee meeting.
Supervisors moved, seconded and approved the public safety agenda; one supervisor commented that presenters gave a compelling argument for supporting the local law and expressed support for the public hearing process.
