LIBERTY, NY — Could a new appointment break Sullivan County’s contract with its nursing home operator?

After some shouting, the legislature in a 7-2 vote on August 15 appointed James Galligan as the fifth and last member of the Sunset Lake Local Development Corporation (LDC).

The county legislature formed the LDC in 2020 to sell the Care Center at Sunset Lake in Liberty, saying it was a burden on taxpayers. But, four years later, the county still owns it. And the LDC retains decision-making power over its future.

Galligan’s vote may tip the balance and dissolve the LDC for good.

In all, three names were advanced to fill the last position. Legislator Joseph Perrello (R, 7) asked for Karin Pantel. During its previous meeting, the legislature tabled a resolution to appoint Barbara McKenny.

“I see three names here for one single position,” said Legislator Luis Alvarez (D, 6). “I just don’t understand this.”

Some legislators said McKenny presented a conflict of interest because her relative lives at Sunset Lake.

But Legislator Cat Scott (D, 5), who sits on the board, told the River Reporter the LDC bylaws do not block members who have family at the facility.

An LDC is a private, non-profit entity that works with local governments to promote economic development at the local level. They can provide low-interest loans and manage real estate development.

‘I don’t care anymore’

Scott and Perrello have often disagreed over the care center.

“Everybody was telling everybody to find candidates, and I went out there asked to find and look for independent people who have interest in the nursing home but have a medical background and business skills,” Perrello said. “And then I go out there and find people, and then you put them at the top of the list, and then embarrass me and don’t put them on the board. That’s BS.”

Scott asked Perrello why he didn’t bring up the appointment in the relevant legislative committee, Health and Human Services, which she chairs.

“Truthfully I don’t care what they do with the LDC at this point,” Perrello said. “I don’t care whether you keep it or give it back to the county. It doesn’t affect me. Apparently, it affects some other people. It does not affect me. You can put Mr. Galligan there, dissolve the LDC, and take it back to the county as a nursing home. I don’t care anymore. I just want somebody to take care of the nursing home and take care of the residents there. I don’t care who does it, just so long as it gets done. That’s my vision. But if everyone thinks that the county can do a better job, then you folks can hire everyone back you want, but I’m up to here with the nonsense. You want to rig the vote between Matt, Cat, and company, then okay.”

Infinite Care’s poor performance

Sunset Lake is one of the few adult care homes in the county. Sullivan County has since 2021 contracted with a private consulting agency, Infinite Care, to operate the home. A year earlier, the county formed the LDC intending to transfer full ownership to Infinite Care. 

But there have been multiple delays in obtaining the NYS Department of Health’s certificate of need, a legal document required before the ownership of any healthcare facility in New York can be transferred.. The public outcry following reports of Infinite Care’s poor performance, and a legislature split over whether to keep or transfer ownership, have contributed to the delays. The state has held off on its decision since last summer. 

The LDC has the authority to pull out of the contract with Infinite Care with 30 days’ notice. 

In addition to Galligan and Scott, LDC members are Elwin Wood, David Schneyer, and Legislator Matt McPhillips (D, 1), who was appointed in March. Albee Bockman resigned in mid-July.

McPhillips and Scott have been vocal about wanting to end the contract with Infinite Care. Legislators Perrello, Nadia Rajsz (D, 2), Nicholas Salomone Jr. (R, 4), Amanda Ward (R, 8), and Terry Blosser-Bernardo (R, 9) signed a March 11 letter, on county letterhead, urging the health department director to approve the Infinite Care transfer.

During her 2023 re-election campaign, Rajsz promised to bring Sunset Lake back to county ownership but suddenly reversed course this year.

A letter from the county manager, Joshua Potosek, urged the transfer, saying the county’s continued operation of Sunset Lake would impose a financial burden on the scale of a 10 percent tax levy.

Related stories

See these related stories at riverreporter.com:

“Who is accountable for plummeting care at nursing home?”

“Legislators urge state to transfer care center to private owner”

“Sunset Lake scrutinized”