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Supervisors weigh regional morgue proposal; experts, staffing and cost concerns raised
Summary
Committee members discussed a proposed regional morgue; county officials said the capital cost could be about $35 million, operating costs roughly $1–1.5 million annually, and emphasized that recruiting a forensic pathologist is a gating issue for any regional facility.
Warren County officials discussed the concept of a regional morgue at the Facilities Committee, but members said staffing and financing questions make proceeding now premature.
A committee member reported that preliminary conversations with statewide associations and other counties indicated the total capital cost could be about $35 million, while the county’s potential share might be “not more than $5,000,000” (as stated in committee discussion). The same committee member said operating costs were likely to be roughly $1 million to $1.5 million per year. Supervisors and staff repeatedly emphasized that a forensic pathologist must be committed to work at a regional facility before the county would make an upfront capital commitment.
Committee members said they plan to meet with representatives from Glens Falls Hospital and Albany County to explore regional options and possible shared designs. One supervisor said Albany County is considering building a regional facility and that the counties might adopt a shared design or pursue a joint project.
Why it matters: creating a regional morgue would require substantial capital and ongoing operating funding and depends on recruiting specialized medical personnel. Committee members said they would not build a large facility on the assumption that a pathologist will accept a long-term employment commitment; staff said they will only pursue capital planning if other counties pledge financial participation or if a staffing commitment is obtained.
Next steps: county staff and supervisors will continue outreach to neighboring counties and hospitals, meet with Albany County officials and Glens Falls Hospital representatives, and return with more concrete proposals only if partners and a staffing plan can be identified.
