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July 4, 2009

Essex County hires labor-relations firm

By LOHR McKINSTRY

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ELIZABETHTOWN — An investigation into unspecified problems at the Essex County Public Health Department is almost under way.

The county will pay up to $3,600 to North Country Labor Relations of Lake Placid to look into alleged troubles within the Health Department.

The contract calls for the work to be done at a rate of $90 an hour, with an estimated 28 hours needed to complete the investigation and issue a report.

County Manager Daniel Palmer said neither he nor County Personnel Officer Monica Feeley can do the investigation because they must remain impartial.

"I don't know what the report's going to suggest," Palmer said. "If, in fact, there's going to be charges, that individual has a right to appeal to the personnel officer."

The inquiry apparently revolves around actions taken by County Public Health Director Kathryn Abernethy that have resulted in employee complaints.

Abernethy could not be reached for comment Friday and, in the past, hasn't returned calls seeking information on the issue.

Supervisors Thomas Scozzafava (R-Moriah) and Daniel Connell (D-Westport) have both opposed hiring an outside firm to investigate.

Scozzafava, who chairs the County Board of Supervisors Finance Committee, said he wishes they could save money and have someone within the county conduct the probe.

"I don't understand why, with all the department heads and the county manager, we need to contract out with a labor-relations firm. Why don't we do it in-house?"

Supervisor Randy Douglas (D-Jay), who chairs the County Personnel and Administration Committee, said he reviewed the situation in Public Health with Palmer and County Attorney Daniel Manning III.

"I think we're doing the appropriate thing," Douglas said.

Manning said he advised the Board of Supervisors to hire an outside consultant.

"Because she's (Abernethy) a department head, and we've worked closely with her, I don't want there to be any appearance of impropriety here."

He said North Country Labor Relations will send Daniel McKillip to conduct the investigation.

E-mail Lohr McKinstry at: lmckinstry@pressrepublican.com

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