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Resolutions passed in opposition of Pine Haven move
Village Board fears move would hurt local rescue squad
By Jamie Larson
PHILMONT — After impassioned public discussion Monday night, the Philmont Village Board of Trustees and the Town Board of Claverack passed resolutions in opposition of Columbia County’s plan to close the Pine Haven Nursing Home and create a new facility in Valatie. Villagers assured the board that the county would have a long fight on its hands if it goes through with the plan.
“I consider this a historic moment,” concerned citizen Albert Wassenhove said, to begin his prepared statement to the board. “This is the moment that we kick off the campaign to save Pine Haven in Philmont. I’m serving notice.”
The County Board of Supervisors’ plan to allow a developer to close Pine Haven, in favor of the new — yet to be built — assisted living facility, drew anger and disapproval when it was proposed in December. Now that some time has passed and the local impact of the plan has become more clear, voices of decent have become louder, leading village officials to their decision Monday night.
If carried out, the plan could cost 150 local residents their jobs at the home and more within the community, officials say. The board described the 40-year-old institution as an engine of the local economy, with money coming from seniors and the workers who live, pay taxes and shop in the area. “It would be a disaster to move it out of our community now,” Claverack Deputy Supervisor Michael Johnston said, “it’s too vital a part of our economy.”
The Philmont Village Board is also concerned about the impact the move would have on the local rescue squad and, vicariously, local safety. Trustee Barbara Sagal stated that 48 percent of all calls to the rescue squad come from Pine Haven, which makes up more than 50 percent of its revenue.
The current average response time for medical emergencies is four minutes. According to officials, if the local squad was disbanded and another had to respond, that time could lengthen to 15 minutes.
Board of Supervisors Chairman Art Baer noted the plan’s list of pros in December, when it was first discussed. One of the main arguments for the center stems around the fact that newer senior facilities tend to get higher Medicaid reimbursement than older ones. Bear also says the newer, smaller facility would be more cost-effective, have all the newest amenities and technology and be more energy efficient.
Philmont and Claverack residents say this does not reconcile the damage the plan would do to their community, noting that they would be open to discussing renovating and modernizing the facility where it is.
Philmont Mayor Clarence Speed, who was away on vacation and missed the meeting, has stated previously that he opposes the idea as well, and doubts that new business would move into the Pine Haven building if it is vacated. “We just don’t need this,” he said. “It would be absolutely terrible. Everybody’s against it — they can’t believe the county would think about doing that.”
Wassenhove says Valatie should think about how the new nursing home could negatively effect the village. He stated that unless it undertook major infrastructure initiatives, the water and sewer systems in the village would not be able to handle the increased capacity. He also felt that it would jeopardize the sustainability of Valatie’s Barnwell Nursing Home, located only a few miles away.
No matter how the plan develops in the near future, Philmont and Claverack made it clear they will block the county’s proposition every step of the way. “We’re ready to go,” Wassenhove chanted. “We’re ready to march. This nursing home will not leave Philmont without a fight.”
By Jamie Larson
PHILMONT — After impassioned public discussion Monday night, the Philmont Village Board of Trustees and the Town Board of Claverack passed resolutions in opposition of Columbia County’s plan to close the Pine Haven Nursing Home and create a new facility in Valatie. Villagers assured the board that the county would have a long fight on its hands if it goes through with the plan.
“I consider this a historic moment,” concerned citizen Albert Wassenhove said, to begin his prepared statement to the board. “This is the moment that we kick off the campaign to save Pine Haven in Philmont. I’m serving notice.”
The County Board of Supervisors’ plan to allow a developer to close Pine Haven, in favor of the new — yet to be built — assisted living facility, drew anger and disapproval when it was proposed in December. Now that some time has passed and the local impact of the plan has become more clear, voices of decent have become louder, leading village officials to their decision Monday night.
If carried out, the plan could cost 150 local residents their jobs at the home and more within the community, officials say. The board described the 40-year-old institution as an engine of the local economy, with money coming from seniors and the workers who live, pay taxes and shop in the area. “It would be a disaster to move it out of our community now,” Claverack Deputy Supervisor Michael Johnston said, “it’s too vital a part of our economy.”
The Philmont Village Board is also concerned about the impact the move would have on the local rescue squad and, vicariously, local safety. Trustee Barbara Sagal stated that 48 percent of all calls to the rescue squad come from Pine Haven, which makes up more than 50 percent of its revenue.
The current average response time for medical emergencies is four minutes. According to officials, if the local squad was disbanded and another had to respond, that time could lengthen to 15 minutes.
Board of Supervisors Chairman Art Baer noted the plan’s list of pros in December, when it was first discussed. One of the main arguments for the center stems around the fact that newer senior facilities tend to get higher Medicaid reimbursement than older ones. Bear also says the newer, smaller facility would be more cost-effective, have all the newest amenities and technology and be more energy efficient.
Philmont and Claverack residents say this does not reconcile the damage the plan would do to their community, noting that they would be open to discussing renovating and modernizing the facility where it is.
Philmont Mayor Clarence Speed, who was away on vacation and missed the meeting, has stated previously that he opposes the idea as well, and doubts that new business would move into the Pine Haven building if it is vacated. “We just don’t need this,” he said. “It would be absolutely terrible. Everybody’s against it — they can’t believe the county would think about doing that.”
Wassenhove says Valatie should think about how the new nursing home could negatively effect the village. He stated that unless it undertook major infrastructure initiatives, the water and sewer systems in the village would not be able to handle the increased capacity. He also felt that it would jeopardize the sustainability of Valatie’s Barnwell Nursing Home, located only a few miles away.
No matter how the plan develops in the near future, Philmont and Claverack made it clear they will block the county’s proposition every step of the way. “We’re ready to go,” Wassenhove chanted. “We’re ready to march. This nursing home will not leave Philmont without a fight.”
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