County Board Seeks Help For Understaffed Department

By Chris English

SCHOHARIE COUNTY — A Schoharie County department in desperate need of staffing help could get some as the result of an action taken by the Board of Supervisors at its Friday morning, Aug. 15 meeting.

The BOS approved a motion from Supervisor Donald Airey that authorizes county Administrator Bryan Best to contract with a recruiting firm to help fill multiple vacancies within the Community/Mental Hygiene Services Department led by Director Sarah Nies. Wording in the motion spells out that the cost does not exceed $20,000.

Nies and others at the meeting noted how the department has been understaffed for months and is hard pressed to provide court-mandated mental health professionals that are often part of sentences.

"We cannot afford to lose services in this county, there are significant mental health and addiction issues that need to be addressed," Nies said.

"There are certain requirements from the state and we're not meeting those needs," added Supervisor John Leavitt.

Airey was asked to bring up the subject by fellow Supervisor Earlin Rosa after Airey chaired a recent meeting of the county's Health Committee because Rosa _ the normal chairman _ was unable to attend.

In other news from the Aug. 15 meeting, Best gave a report on his first 45 days as county administrator at the request of Rosa. The BOS also approved a motion from Rosa that Best give such a report at every monthly BOS meeting.

It's been a very busy first month and a half on the job, said Best, who started in the position on June 30.

"It's been like drinking from a firehose and also directing that hose at different places to put out fires," he said. "I've attempted to meet with every department. I've attended many committee meetings, and have met with Revize to learn about the new website. I've toured roads.

"I'm still learning. I want to meet with all departments and see what the strengths and weaknesses are. There are a lot of strengths in the county. I have not met with one person who has not been friendly and kind. It's been great."

County Department of Social Services Commissioner Donna Becker praised Best.

"He met with me for two and half hours, and that's as long as anyone has ever met with me," Becker said.

Marianne Younkeere of the Schoharie County Community Foundation Fund addressed the board during Privilege of the Floor.

"I've spent the last four years fund raising and meeting with community leaders and nonprofits," she said. "There is a real need for the foundation now in light of federal cutbacks and other issues."

Younkeere said it would be beneficial for the Schoharie County Foundation to join forces with the one in neighboring Otsego County.

"I would like it to be renamed the Community Foundation of Otsego and Schoharie County," she said. "That's my endgame."

One of the goals for next year is doing a capital campaign to benefit Schoharie County food pantries, Younkeere continued.

After being introduced by Supervisor Werner Hampel, CEO/Partner Peter Rasmusson and Project Manager Deb Husby of Farr Technologies gave a brief update on the $33.6 million broadband project whose goal is to provide every county resident with the ability to connect with the Internet. Farr Technologies is the project manager and engineer for the project.

After two contracts were awarded for the project at a special BOS meeting earlier this month, Farr's Rasmusson said at Friday's meeting that construction should start in late September or early October. The project is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2026.

Rasmusson said keeping track of costs and proceeding in the most cost effective manner as the project moves forward is very much a priority.

"We're very aware of the $33.6 million," he emphasized.