Mercy House of the Southern Tier begins kitchen-expansion project

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ENDICOTT, N.Y. — A kitchen-expansion project is underway at Mercy House of the Southern Tier that will allow the organization to serve its current residents and their families more efficiently. “We have outgrown our kitchen, plain and simple,” Linda Cerra, Mercy House executive director, says. With a mission to serve the terminally ill and their […]

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ENDICOTT, N.Y. — A kitchen-expansion project is underway at Mercy House of the Southern Tier that will allow the organization to serve its current residents and their families more efficiently.

“We have outgrown our kitchen, plain and simple,” Linda Cerra, Mercy House executive director, says.

With a mission to serve the terminally ill and their families, Mercy House opened at 212 N. McKinley Ave. in 2016. It has space for 10 residents at a time and has served 952 residents since opening.

When the nonprofit originally built its kitchen, it was designed to meet the needs of 10 residents, Cerra says. However, the organization quickly realized it needed to feed those residents and feed their family and loved ones, too.

“There’s some wear and tear preparing over 10,000 meals a year,” she says.

With this project, Mercy House is converting its chapel into a new kitchen and more than doubling its kitchen space in the process, Cerra says.

“It’s going to be really nice,” she adds. The organization’s menu planner, Tess Dzuba, has been working with the general contractor to help design the kitchen’s layout for maximum efficiency, as well as help choose new appliances and fixtures. “This is her wheelhouse,” Cerra notes.

PAC Construction of Endicott is the general contractor for the $380,000 project. Funding for the effort largely comes from $300,000 in combined gifts from the Stewart and Wilma C. Hoyt Foundation, the Small Community Fund, and the Lynn Craig Memorial Fund. Cerra says the project began two weeks ago and will take about 12 more weeks to wrap up.

Once complete, the new kitchen will provide more space and a better “flow” for Mercy House’s 80 kitchen volunteers, who cook breakfast, lunch, and dinner plus snacks every day.

“The hospitality is a big part of our mission,” Cerra says. Lourdes Hospice develops the care plan for residents, and Mercy House carries them out as a community care center. They take care of medications, laundry, cleaning, and cooking, Cerra says. “If they’re at home, that’s a lot for the family.” At Mercy House, families instead can have that time with their loved one.

Part of the hospitality is obviously the food, Cerra notes. “If someone wants a bowl of ice cream at midnight, we’ll get it.” Mercy House, through its kitchen volunteers, typically provides three or four options for the main meals, and can make residents something else if they prefer.

“Our volunteers are excellent in the kitchen,” she says. “We do not resemble a medical facility. We are a home.”

After the new kitchen is up and running, PAC Construction will dismantle the old kitchen and convert that area into a prayer/meditation room, Cerra says.

Located in the former Saint Casimir’s Church, the nonprofit Mercy House provides 24/7 care to terminally ill patients. The organization employs 25 people, including seven full time, and has more than 200 volunteers.

Greater Binghamton Chamber celebrates 2023 Building BC Award winners

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BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — The Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce awarded its 2023 Building BC Awards at its annual economic forecast event on Feb. 14. This year’s Building BC Innovative Award — which recognizes a product, project, or service that thinks outside the box — went to McIntosh Labs. Founded in 1951, the Binghamton company produces

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Rome Health unveils plans for four new operating rooms

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ROME, N.Y. — Rome Health will receive $26 million in funding from the New York State Department of Health Statewide Health Care Facility Transformation Program III to support its construction of an addition to house new operating rooms to modernize the hospital’s surgical services. The hospital is building four new operating rooms to replace ones

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N.Y. manufacturing index rises but still shows contraction

Banks & Credit Unions, Insurance & Financial Services, Manufacturing & Engineering, New York News, Subscriber Only

General business-conditions index up 27 points to -5.8 in February New orders declined modestly, and shipments held steady as the general business-conditions index of the Empire State Manufacturing Survey climbed 27 points in February to -5.8. The index had fallen 22 points to -32.9 in January, representing its lowest level since mid-2020 and the fifth worst

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General business-conditions index up 27 points to -5.8 in February

New orders declined modestly, and shipments held steady as the general business-conditions index of the Empire State Manufacturing Survey climbed 27 points in February to -5.8.

The index had fallen 22 points to -32.9 in January, representing its lowest level since mid-2020 and the fifth worst reading in the survey’s history. The general business-conditions index is the monthly gauge on New York’s manufacturing sector.

Despite improving from the prior month, the February reading — based on firms responding to the survey — indicates business activity “continued to decline” in New York, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York said in its Feb. 15 report.

A negative index number indicates a decline in the sector, while a positive reading shows expansion or growth in manufacturing activity.

The survey found 26 percent of respondents reported that conditions had improved over the month, while 32 percent said that conditions had worsened, the New York Fed said.

Survey findings

The New York new-orders index rose 23 points to -7.8, pointing to a small decline in orders, and the shipments index rose to 0.1, indicating that shipments held steady.

The unfilled-orders index came in at -9.2, a sign that unfilled orders “continued to decline,” the New York Fed said. The delivery-times index fell 10 points to -9.2, its “first significant negative reading since before the pandemic,” indicating that delivery times shortened.

The inventories index was little changed at 6.4, pointing to a small increase in inventories.

The index for number of employees fell to -6.6, its first negative reading in more than two years, indicating that employment levels declined for the first time since early in the pandemic, the New York Fed said.

The average-workweek index remained negative at -12.1, indicating that hours worked “shrank for a third consecutive month.”

Input prices and selling prices increased at a faster pace than last month: the prices-paid index rose 12 points to 45.0, and the prices-received index climbed 10 points to 28.4.

The index for future business conditions rose 7 points to 14.7, suggesting that firms expect “some improvement” over the next six months. New orders and shipments are expected to rise somewhat, and delivery times are expected to shorten further.

Employment is not expected to increase in the months ahead, the New York Fed said.

The capital-spending index edged down to 18.3, and the technology-spending index fell to 10.1.

The New York Fed distributes the Empire State Manufacturing Survey on the first day of each month to the same pool of about 200 manufacturing executives in New York. On average, about 100 executives return responses.

Mohawk Valley Brownfields Developer Summit set for April

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HERKIMER, N.Y. — The second annual Mohawk Valley Brownfields Developer Summit, set for April 25-26 at Herkimer County Community College, continues the collaborative efforts between economic-development agencies across the six counties of the Mohawk Valley and Mohawk Valley Economic Development District, Inc. (MVEDD). The event provides developers an in-person chance to network, explore, and invest

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Upstate Medical, Crouse collaborate instead of merging

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SYRACUSE — SUNY Upstate Medical University and Crouse Health will move forward under an affiliation agreement after Upstate said the plan to acquire its neighboring health system is “impractical at this time.” Upstate and Crouse on Feb. 16 announced they will withdraw the current certificate of need (CON) and the certificate of public advantage (COPA)

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Upstate and Crouse on Feb. 16 announced they will withdraw the current certificate of need (CON) and the certificate of public advantage (COPA) applications they had filed with the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) in connection with Upstate’s acquisition proposal.

It was 10 months ago that Upstate Medical University had first announced plans to acquire Crouse Health.

Both Upstate and Crouse Health say they still believe that combining the two hospitals would offer “significant opportunities” in terms of enhanced care delivery; increased access to patient care, including care with limited availability in the region; and would “markedly increase” clinical-training opportunities for medical students and other health professionals enrolled at Upstate Medical University.

“However, at this time, withdrawing the CON and COPA is appropriate,” the organizations said, due to the business and operating environment they face.

“This is not the outcome we anticipated when we started down this road, but it is the prudent decision at this time and is a result of the economic and operational headwinds health care is facing, not just here in Syracuse, but nationwide,” Dr. Mantosh Dewan, president of Upstate Medical University, said in the statement. “Should circumstances sufficiently change moving forward, we will consider revising and resubmitting applications for a CON and COPA that would authorize Crouse Health to become a division of SUNY Upstate Medical University. In the meantime we look forward to working with Crouse under the affiliation agreement.”

Last fall, federal antitrust regulators signaled opposition to the Upstate-Crouse merger.

The staff of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in October said it believes Upstate Medical University’s proposed acquisition of Crouse Health “would likely lead to higher health care costs, lower quality and less access to care, and depressed wages for area hospital workers.”

FTC staff submitted a comment to NYSDOH opposing a request by Upstate and Crouse to grant a COPA, which could shield the merger from antitrust laws, per the FTC’s Oct. 14 announcement.

Affiliation details

Upstate Medical University and Crouse Health said their strategic affiliation agreement will focus on opportunities to streamline care, reduce costs. and continue to support their joint commitment to providing high-quality, affordable, and accessible health care. Both institutions will continue to operate as separate and independent legal entities governed as they are today. The affiliation will provide a structure for joint initiatives on key patient services, educational programs for health-care providers and provide a platform for future initiatives, Upstate and Crouse said.

“Crouse Health’s mission is to provide the best in patient care and promote community health. We believe this is best accomplished in partnership with Upstate Medical University. Our goal is to utilize the affiliation agreement as an important framework for collaborating for the benefit of the community,” Patrick Mannion, chair of the Crouse Health board of directors, said in a statement. “Crouse remains well positioned and committed to providing vital services to our community with the support of our dedicated medical staff and employees.”

Family Planning of South CNY opens in Cortland

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CORTLAND, N.Y. — Family Planning of South Central New York announced that it opened a new “state-of-the-art” medical center on Feb. 15 in Cortland. The center, which is Family Planning’s sixth in central New York, is located within the Family & Children’s Counseling Services facility at 165 Main St. in the city’s downtown. Operating four

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McMahon Law Firm acquired by Marrone Law Firm

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SYRACUSE — A few weeks into the new year, Marrone Law Firm, P.C. of Syracuse finalized its deal to acquire the McMahon Law Firm of Camillus. Long-time attorney Steve McMahon decided to retire after nearly five decades of practice, the Marrone firm said in a Jan. 30 release. The combination became official in late January,

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FTC seeking comment on rule to ban noncompete clauses

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At the same time, such clauses can benefit employers, helping them protect client lists or trade secrets when employees leave, says Dawn Lanouette, a labor attorney with Hinman, Howard & Kattell, LLP in Binghamton. “A well-written noncompete is designed to protect an employer,” she says, adding that noncompetes are the only way many employers feel

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“A well-written noncompete is designed to protect an employer,” she says, adding that noncompetes are the only way many employers feel comfortable sharing sensitive information with employees. But the reality is that many employers use them in a way that prohibits a former employee from working for anyone else, she notes.

That’s where the FTC comes in. The commission proposed in January to ban employers from imposing noncompetes, saying the ruling could increase wages by nearly $300 billion per year and expand the career opportunities for about 30 million people.

“The freedom to change jobs is core to economic liberty and to a competitive, thriving economy,” FTC Chair Lina M. Khan said in a Jan. 5 release. “Noncompetes block workers from freely switching jobs, depriving them of higher wages and better working conditions, and depriving businesses of a talent pool that they need to build and expand.”

New York does currently enforce noncompetes, Lanouette says, but employers need to back them up with evidence of protected interests. They have to be reasonable in scope, both geographically and in length of time, she adds.

For example, if a Broome County software sales engineer had a noncompete saying she couldn’t work for another software company for two years within a 50-mile radius, her options would boil down to trying to fight the noncompete in court, changing careers, or moving, Lanouette says. That engineer might have a good case in court due to the restrictive nature of the noncompete.

“I think there are some legitimate concerns in how noncompetes are used,” Lanouette says. Employers can use other tools such as non-disclosure or non-solicitation agreements, that prohibit former employees from sharing sensitive information or soliciting customers and/or employees from their former employer.

The FTC’s rule would make it illegal for an employer to enter into or attempt to enter into a noncompete with an employee, maintain a noncompete, or represent to a worker — under certain circumstances — that the worker is subject to a noncompete.

The rule would apply to independent contractors, as well as any paid or unpaid employee and would require employers to rescind existing noncompetes and inform workers they are no longer in effect.

The change would not apply to other types of employment restrictions such as non-disclosure agreements, as long as they are not so broad in scope that they function as noncompetes.

As of press time, the FTC received more than 5,300 public comments on the proposed rule. Once the FTC has reviewed and responded to comments, it can make any modifications it deems necessary to the rule.

Occasionally, Lanouette says, the FTC will withdraw a proposed rule, “but I don’t see that happening here.”

She suspects when the new rule is formally published, the FTC will immediately be sued in response. Litigation could pause the rule while the issue is hashed out in court.

DiNapoli issues report calling for state debt reform

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ALBANY, N.Y. — New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli recently released a report calling attention to the state’s high debt levels and recommending reforms to tackle the problem. He says the state has one of the nation’s highest debt levels, primarily because “measures to restrict the excessive use of debt have been circumvented over

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ALBANY, N.Y. — New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli recently released a report calling attention to the state’s high debt levels and recommending reforms to tackle the problem.

He says the state has one of the nation’s highest debt levels, primarily because “measures to restrict the excessive use of debt have been circumvented over the years in state budgets.” Since the Debt Reform Act was passed in 2000, state-supported debt outstanding increased by
$25 billion. The state Division of the Budget projects that over the next five years, this debt will increase by $26 billion, or 42 percent, from $61.9 billion in state fiscal year (SFY) 2021-22 to $88 billion in SFY 2026-27.

The DiNapoli report identifies policy and fiscal weaknesses that “have allowed state debt to grow to troubling levels and offers a roadmap for state debt reform to improve debt affordability and protect New York’s fiscal health.” His office projects that debt service will consume an increasing share of state operating-funds spending over the next five years, growing from 5.4 percent to 5.9 percent. This reduces flexibility in the operating budget and leaves fewer resources available for other priorities and programs, the comptroller contends.

“New York state has a history of misusing borrowing to pay for short-term needs while a backlog of long-term infrastructure projects languishes,” DiNapoli said. “Caps and other restrictions on debt set in statute have not worked to rein in our debt or stop inappropriate borrowing practices. New York needs comprehensive and binding debt reform to ensure more affordable borrowing levels, more responsible debt decisions, and greater accountability to the public.”

The state comptroller recommends the following debt-reform measures:

Establish comprehensive, binding debt limits. Meaningful debt reform needs to be addressed through a binding constitutional amendment to impose limits on all existing and future state debt. The calculation should be based on a rolling 10-year average of personal-income growth, which will provide enhanced stability and predictability for capital and debt-financing plans.

Provide accountability to voters. State debt limits should be subject to voter approval, and all state debt should be required to be issued by the state comptroller. “This would isolate long-term liabilities and their associated costs from the temptations of annual budget-cycle gimmicks and prevent short-sighted solutions for near-term budget relief,” DiNapoli contends.

Establish responsible and sustainable practices. All state debt should be required to be issued with a level or declining debt-service structure, be limited to a final maturity of 30 years or less, and must begin to be repaid within one year. The use of state debt should be precluded from solely benefiting private enterprise.

Give flexibility in times of emergency. The constitution’s emergency contingencies should be updated to account for the potential crises of the modern era, while establishing boundaries around such possible uses.

DiNapoli’s full report on state debt reform is available at: https://www.osc.state.ny.us/files/reports/pdf/roadmap-for-state-debt-reform.pdf

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