Council to probe Gracedale finances; approves coffee-and-tea contract for nursing home

Northampton County Council on July 9 approved a three-year contract for coffee and tea supply at Gracedale Nursing Home while several council members said they intend to pursue additional oversight and questioning of Gracedale leadership and financial records.

A resolution introduced by Mr. Brown authorized a contract with Interstate Gourmet Coffee Roasters Inc. for $163,625.61 for a three-year term with two optional one-year renewals to supply coffee and tea to Gracedale Nursing Home, an area agency on aging. The motion passed by a recorded vote of 8 to 1; Mr. Gaffredo voted “No,” all other council members present voted “Yes.”

Separately, committee reports and subsequent remarks in the meeting returned repeatedly to Gracedale oversight. The finance committee noted that independent auditors’ financial reports and a review of Gracedale monies had been revisited. Members of the council’s human services and governance committees said they plan to schedule a standalone meeting devoted solely to Gracedale and requested that “top brass” from Gracedale attend so council can ask detailed questions.

During committee remarks, at least one council member said auditors were asked to review Gracedale finances and that the finance committee had revisited prior audit findings. Another council member emphasized that state and federal laws supersede county rules and said the county must question and examine information presented by Gracedale rather than accept prepared reports without follow-up.

The meeting record does not include contract procurement details such as the procurement method, vendor selection process, or line-item breakdowns of the $163,625.61 total. Council did not place conditions on the contract’s execution in the meeting. The planned dedicated meeting on Gracedale oversight was described as forthcoming; no date was set during the July 9 session.