Vestal Nursing Home Public Hearing Postponed

A public hearing in connection with a proposed senior long-term care facility that would be built in the town of Vestal has been postponed.

The Broome County Industrial Development Agency hearing was scheduled for Tuesday at the Vestal Town Hall. The IDA has announced the hearing won't be held then but no new date has been scheduled.

The planned project is to replace the flood-damaged Vestal Park Rehabilitation and Nursing Center that had been located on Vestal Road in the town.

The proposed facility would be constructed on a 19-acre site to the west of Route 26 between Sheedy and Juneberry roads.

The owners of the facility are seeking a "payment in lieu of taxes" agreement with the Industrial Development Agency.

Broome County legislator Daniel Reynolds says the public hearing initially had been scheduled for Monday at noon. He says after it was suggested the daytime hearing would not encourage public participation, the IDA director agreed to reschedule the session to Tuesday evening.

Speaking on WNBF Radio's Binghamton Now program, Reynolds noted county lawmakers and Vestal town board members don't have an opportunity to vote on the proposed project, so the hearing is important if residents have concerns about the financing of the planned facility.

According to an IDA hearing notice, the agency plans to acquire the title of the nursing facility and then lease it to the facility to the company that would operate it.

Reynolds has asked IDA executive director Richard D'Attilio for an explanation for the cancellation so close to the planned hearing date.

D'Attilio was not available Friday afternoon to discuss the hearing or when he expects it will be held.

Some Vestal residents who live near the project site already have expressed concerns about potential flooding and traffic issues