Several residents came out in support of building a hospital on Route 146 in Halfmoon Monday, May 12, during a public information session on the project.
Boni Enterprises LLC, which is behind the planned 468,000-square-foot Halfmoon Healthcare and Bio-Medical Research Campus off Northway Exit 9, has proposed to build a 120-bed hospital with a 24 -hour emergency room. The project also includes plans to build biomedical research facility on the 81-acre parcel about 1.4 miles from Route 9 on Route 146.
The way this town is growing we need this hospital a lot, said Duane Parker, town resident.
Despite support for the hospital, several fire officials expressed their concerns for the proposed project and its safety.
John Cuttita, chairman of the Clifton Park Halfmoon Fire District No. 1 Board of Commissioners said, `Our concern is how we attack a fire in that building.`
The proposed building is five floors high, and Cuttita is concerned because the fire department only has ladders that reach up to three floors.
Kevin Dailey, a Clifton Park attorney who represents Boni, said he would work with the fire department to revise the plan. Cuttita was optimistic that the two groups could work out an agreement.
`I am all for the hospital in our town, but I want a great facility,` said Planning Board Member Donald Roberts.
The Planning Board will offer their recommendations for a change in zoning during its Tuesday, May 27 meeting. The board would then provide their recommendation to the Town Board who will vote on the zoning change.
The land is zoned residential and the developers are looking to change the zoning to a planned development district.
Boni Enterprises has been discussing their hospital plans with the Planning Board for two years, although they have been looking into building a hospital for more than three years, according to Dailey.
`I see it as a benefit to the community once the details are worked out,` said Town Supervisor Mindy Wormuth. ` But the devil is in the details.`
She said she knows the planning board will take time to consider the zoning change and offer adjustments to the site plan as necessary.
`This could be the signature development in Halfmoon,` Dailey said.
Although there is no word yet on who will serve as the administrator of the hospital, Dailey said they have been in discussions with several area hospitals, as well as hospitals outside the area.
He said the growing population of the area makes the hospital a necessity.
`We need better healthcare for our aging population,` he said.
The Berger Commission on Healthcare Facilities in the 21st Century calls for 500 acute care beds in Saratoga County, according to Dailey. `We are at the tipping point where we can afford this kind of project,` Dailey said.“