Saratoga County takes step toward privatizing Maplewood Manor

PHOTOGRAPHER: Stephen Williams

Saratoga County supervisors this afternoon took a major step toward selling the money-losing, county-owned Maplewood Manor nursing home to a private operator.

The county Public Health Committee voted 4-2 to recommend the county establish a local development corporation that would manage a solicitation and sale process that would last through the end of 2014.

“The state is forcing our hand. We’re losing $10 million a year,” said committee Chairman Arthur “Mo” Wright, R-Hadley.

He said the losses are due to low Medicaid reimbursement rates.

But the Civil Service Employees Association, which represents more than 300 people who work in the nursing home, accused the county of rushing through a sale process they oppose.

“We have huge concerns. Here in Saratoga County, it appears the Board of Supervisors is trying to fast-track the sale of the nursing home,” said CSEA Regional President Kathy Garrison.

About 75 employees or their family members attending the meeting, waving signs and sometimes shouting criticisms.

The county’s consultant, Harris Beach, has recommended a local development corporation as a way to speed up the sale, and possibly borrow money to cover annual losses until the facility can be sold.