Sullivan County debate covers gateway housing, stabilization center siting and nursing-home concerns; multiple resolutions passed in blocks

Sullivan County legislators spent a large portion of their June 19 meeting addressing public concerns about local homeless services and the county-contracted nursing facility, while approving a slate of routine resolutions in block votes.

Public comment included criticism of a proposed $125,000 county payment to assist the town of Fallsburg with removal of an unsafe building, and extended testimony about conditions and management at the county’s adult care facility operated under contract. A public speaker who identified herself as a senior-area resident said the facility has had “extensive need of repair, a shortage of staff” and malfunctioning equipment and urged the Legislature to take responsibility for improvements.

Several legislators discussed the county’s work on a gateway housing/stabilization center and the timeline for pursuing a state grant. Legislator Terry Blosser Bernardo said the available state grant is flexible: "it's not just $8,000,000, it's up to $250,000,000," and noted the award can cover land purchases, renovations or new construction and scale to serve more than the 20 rooms initially discussed.

Legislators and members of the public debated candidate sites, including a parcel on Piteluga (spelled variably in materials) Road. Some speakers urged locating services near existing supports—transit, shopping and other services—while others argued the county seat should concentrate services. Legislators said they were pursuing tours and additional information; several said they had met with Honor (the provider) and planned a tour of the Middletown facility the following day.

The meeting included routine business taken largely in blocks. The Legislature approved resolutions 1–9 in a single vote. A resolution authorizing a pole attachment agreement with New York State Electric & Gas was amended on the floor to add Orange & Rockland and Central Hudson; that amendment passed with one recusal. Several other blocks of resolutions (12–23, 30–37, 39–41 and 43) were also approved in block votes.

A separate resolution to modify a contract with Legacy Staffing for an LPN unit leader (resolution 38) failed after several legislators voted "no." Those legislators named on the record as voting against that contract were Nick Salomoni, Catherine Scott (referred to as "Kat" in the meeting), Louie Alvarez and Joe Perillo.

The Legislature also heard an update on county broadband planning; a legislator said a recent tour at Bethel Woods showed a broadband buildout would reach roughly 22,000 homes and take about two years to complete.

After completing business, the Legislature moved to go into executive session to discuss collective bargaining agreements.

Votes at a glance - Resolutions 1–9: Approved in a single block vote (unanimous recorded "aye"). - Pole attachment agreement with NYSEG (amended to add Orange & Rockland and Central Hudson): Amendment passed; one recusal recorded (Clerk recusal noted). The amended resolution then passed. - Resolution 11 (authorize county assistance to Fallsburg for removal of an unsafe building, $125,000): Moved and passed with recorded opposition by Legislators Catherine Scott and Louie Alvarez. - Resolutions 12–23, 25–28, 30–37, 39–41 and 43: Approved in block votes. - Resolution 38 (modify contract with Legacy Staffing for LPN unit leader): Failed; recorded "no" votes included Nick Salomoni, Catherine Scott, Louie Alvarez and Joe Perillo. - Resolution 42 (discretionary sale/allowance — recusal noted): Approved with a recorded recusal by one legislator (Amanda Ward recused on this item).

The meeting record shows continued debate over site selection, grant timing and service models for the stabilization center and renewed calls from members of the public and family-council representatives for more frequent engagement with the operator of the county’s adult care facility.