KINGSTON — The Ulster County Legislature Republican Caucus is calling for an immediate and comprehensive investigation into reported conditions at the Ulster County morgue following serious concerns raised by legislators who recently toured the facility.
According to , Health, Human Services and Human Rights Committee Chairman Eric Stewart described fallen ceiling tiles, a blood-covered floor, non-functioning refrigeration equipment and deteriorated equipment. Legislator Ann Peters, who also toured the facility, raised concerns about employees lacking basic equipment needed to safely move human remains.
Deputy County Executive James Amenta has disputed portions of Stewart’s account, while acknowledging that one refrigeration unit is not working and that the aging facility needs replacement. The Caucus believes these conflicting accounts make a thorough and transparent investigation necessary.
“There are no excuses for conditions like those that have been described,” said Deputy Minority Leader Craig Lopez, who also serves as deputy chair of the legislature’s Health, Human Services and Human Rights Committee. “The deceased deserve dignity, their families deserve respect, and our employees deserve a safe and properly equipped workplace. Our responsibility now is to establish the facts, correct any deficiencies immediately and make sure this does not happen again.”
The county’s medical examiner services operate through the Department of Health, making the reported conditions a matter requiring accountability from the administration and its leadership.
“Accountability in county government has to start at the top,” said Minority Leader Kevin Roberts. “The county executive oversees an administration responsible for delivering these essential services. We need to know what conditions existed, how long they existed, when the administration became aware of them and what was done in response. The public deserves answers, not finger-pointing.”
The caucus is calling for the investigation to include maintenance and inspection records, employee complaints, equipment requests, refrigeration failures and relevant communications involving the Department of Health, Medical Examiner’s Office, Department of Public Works and County Executive’s Office.
“When county officials are giving materially different accounts of the same facility, the public deserves more than competing statements,” said Legislator Jason Kovacs. “We need the records, the timeline and the facts — what happened, when it happened and what steps are being taken to correct it.”
Concerns raised following the tour also included the need for basic equipment such as a gurney, Stryker bed and a vehicle equipped with a lift to safely move bodies weighing hundreds of pounds.
“These aren’t luxuries,” said Legislator Rich Walls. “Working refrigeration, proper equipment and a clean, functional facility are basic necessities. Whatever the investigation ultimately determines, any deficiencies affecting employee safety or the dignified treatment of the deceased need to be corrected immediately.”
The Republican Caucus is calling on County Executive Jen Metzger and her administration to conduct a transparent investigation, immediately address any health, safety or operational deficiencies, and provide the Legislature and the public with a clear accounting of what occurred and how the administration intends to prevent similar problems in the future.
“This is about responsible government, not assigning blame before all the facts are known,” the Caucus said. “Ulster County residents deserve transparency, employees deserve a safe workplace, and families deserve confidence that their loved ones are being treated with dignity and respect. Ultimately, accountability must come from the top.”
Comments