Public Hearing On Summit Park Transfer To LDC

The Rockland County Legislature meets Tuesday at 7 p.m. and the first order of business is a public hearing on the proposed transfer of the Summit Park Hospital and Nursing Home to a Local Development Corporation as the first step to selling the facilities.

The transfer is expected to draw strong opposition from CSEA Local 844, which has been urging its members to attend the meeting. The proposed transfer includes the county still operating the facilities, which would be transferred under a 99-year lease with the LDC.

Following the public hearing, the legislature will vote on a resolution establishing LDC, which would be called the Rockland County Health Facilities Corporation. Under the resolution all rights, title and interests of Summit Park would be moved to the new entity.

Another potentially controversial resolution before the legislature is an override dealing with public transit contracts. The resolution directs the county attorney and county executive to comply with the judicial order of February 25 which award the contract for the Transport of Rockland and Tappan Zee Express bus service to Brega Transport. The legislature can override with the two-thirds vote, the county executive’s action to appeal the decision. The resolution states the county executive was not authorized to initiate an appeal on March 30.

Additionally, legislators will vote on a resolution ratifying a Memorandum of Agreement with the Rockland Association of Management for a 2013 Targeted Voluntary Separation Incentive Program. The same resolution will be offered for the non-union salaried management that follows RAM, CSEA and non-union, non-management employees.  The program is targeted for May and June.

To be eligible for the program, employees must have at least five years of continuous service permanent Civil Service status and must resign or retire between May 18 and June 1, 2013. They have to submit an intent to participate form by April 25.  It is not open to employees already receiving a state pension.

The incentive is three months of pay and certain employees may also be eligible to receive three months of county paid medical insurance.  Additionally, the legislature will vote on accepting $4.7 million of Community Development funds from HUD for 2013.