AUBURN - The Cayuga County Legislature on Tuesday approved a resolution for a change to a proposal for the replacement of the fire system at the nursing home.
Last week, the Ways and Means committee tabled the resolution, which called for additional smoke detectors to be installed throughout the building.
The final vote was 11-1, with Francis Mitchell dissenting.
Nursing home administrator Deb English contacted the state Department of Health to get some clarification about the possible need for more smoke detectors, said Ann Petrus, chairperson of the Health and Human Services committee.
“We weren't sure if it was really that we needed more fire alarms or if it was just the building codes officer wanting to make sure,” Petrus, R-Brutus, said. “They (the state) looked at three possibilities. They chose the more stringent of the possibilities and actually that turned out to be what the building codes officer said.”
Once the county double-checked with the state, that justified the increase in cost, she said.
The state told English that representatives would follow the most restrictive code, county attorney Fred Westphal said. The state also indicated that if additional smoke detectors are not in place when the state comes to visit, the state would be displeased, he said.
During the meeting, Petrus urged the legislators to support the resolution. It's an important thing and the nursing home needs to be supported, she said.
However, Mitchell questioned the additional cost for the project.
“I think it's egregious that there was a 30 percent increase,” Mitchell, R-Genoa, said.
He asked Westphal if there was anything that could be done about it. Westphal said that the county had a “tremendous discussion” with the state about the need for additional smoke detectors.
This is something that has to be done, Petrus said.
“If this is what the building codes officer and the Department of Health says, to me it's a moot point,” she said. “You have to do that.”
In other news:
* The 2009 budget is well underway and it has already gone through the first round of being reviewed, said County Manager Wayne Allen. He reminded legislators that this year will be an especially challenging one. The state cuts will have an impact on the county despite the fact that they may not be noticed this year. As the state faces this deficit, it will mean major changes that will trickle down to the county, he said.
“We're scrutinizing all the expenditures,” Allen said. “I'm very concerned about what is going on at the state and federal level. We are all aware that there are massive deficits at the state level and on the national level. We're just going to have to watch it. A large portion of our budget is funded through federal and state dollars so the public needs to be aware of that.”
Staff writer Gitana Mirochnik can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 237 or gitana.mirochnik@lee.net
The final vote was 11-1, with Francis Mitchell dissenting.
Nursing home administrator Deb English contacted the state Department of Health to get some clarification about the possible need for more smoke detectors, said Ann Petrus, chairperson of the Health and Human Services committee.
“We weren't sure if it was really that we needed more fire alarms or if it was just the building codes officer wanting to make sure,” Petrus, R-Brutus, said. “They (the state) looked at three possibilities. They chose the more stringent of the possibilities and actually that turned out to be what the building codes officer said.”
Once the county double-checked with the state, that justified the increase in cost, she said.
The state told English that representatives would follow the most restrictive code, county attorney Fred Westphal said. The state also indicated that if additional smoke detectors are not in place when the state comes to visit, the state would be displeased, he said.
During the meeting, Petrus urged the legislators to support the resolution. It's an important thing and the nursing home needs to be supported, she said.
However, Mitchell questioned the additional cost for the project.
“I think it's egregious that there was a 30 percent increase,” Mitchell, R-Genoa, said.
He asked Westphal if there was anything that could be done about it. Westphal said that the county had a “tremendous discussion” with the state about the need for additional smoke detectors.
This is something that has to be done, Petrus said.
“If this is what the building codes officer and the Department of Health says, to me it's a moot point,” she said. “You have to do that.”
In other news:
* The 2009 budget is well underway and it has already gone through the first round of being reviewed, said County Manager Wayne Allen. He reminded legislators that this year will be an especially challenging one. The state cuts will have an impact on the county despite the fact that they may not be noticed this year. As the state faces this deficit, it will mean major changes that will trickle down to the county, he said.
“We're scrutinizing all the expenditures,” Allen said. “I'm very concerned about what is going on at the state and federal level. We are all aware that there are massive deficits at the state level and on the national level. We're just going to have to watch it. A large portion of our budget is funded through federal and state dollars so the public needs to be aware of that.”
Staff writer Gitana Mirochnik can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 237 or gitana.mirochnik@lee.net
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telldastory wrote on Sep 24, 2008 8:03 AM:
'During the discussion, Daniel Schuster, D-Auburn, said that maybe the county should fire VeVone. He also recommended for VeVone to come to the health and human services committee meeting for further discussion.'
Mr. Schuster should give Mr. Vevone a public apology. Who do you think you are Mr. Schuster, Donald Trump? I can only hope in the next election your district gives YOU the boot. "
irritated wrote on Sep 24, 2008 7:28 AM: