Seemingly out of nowhere Friday, supervisors acknowledged the “outstanding work being performed” by the Health Department under Director Nicole Blanchard—and then forbid her to attend Board of Health meetings.
Dr. Blanchard was named to the position in April 2023 after the resignation of Amy Gildemeister, who left to take a job with the state after supervisors refused to reappoint her--against the recommendations of the Board of Health.
Friday’s motion came from Seward Supervisor Earlin Rosa, who chairs supervisors’ Public Health Committee.
In addition to praising the Health Department’s work under Dr. Blanchard, it also recommended terminating her probation period.
But first, supervisors’ chair Bill Federice of Conesville added his own thanks.
“We had a Health Department—and I’m going to be blunt…that was in a state of disarray,” Mr. Federice said, “and there was a lot going on. We don’t have to rehash all of it…”
Mr. Federice said he’s “thrilled to death” that supervisors accepted the Board of Health’s recommendation of Dr. Blanchard.
“She’s done a fantastic job. I have nothing but confidence it what she and her team have done and the results.
“It’s not like before” when constituents call and leave messages about the Health Department, Mr. Federice said. “I’m getting compliments. Keep up the good work.”
Supervisors unanimously approved the motion.
“Congratulations. You’ve done some great things and I see many, many great things in your future,” Mr. Rosa told Dr. Blanchard and members of her staff before they left.
Mr. Rosa’s second motion came later in the meeting:
“Motion to approve and support non-attendance to Board of Health meetings by Schoharie County Department of Health Director Dr. Nicole Blanchard and the County Health Department for a period of not less than 90 days due to the BOH’s aggressive and toxic position relative to the Schoharie County Board of Supervisors, which has proven to be in direct conflict with a safe meeting and workplace environment until a meeting of the Schoharie County Health Committee and/or Board of Supervisors with the Department of Health can be convened on the record!”
Fulton Supervisor Phil Skowfoe asked Mr. Rosa to reread the motion; he did, adding, “It means we don’t want the Department of Health or anybody from the Department of Health meeting with the Board of Health.”
The motion passed with Mr. Skowfoe, a 20-year member of the Board of Health, and Supervisors Sandy Manko of Sharon and Earl VanWormer of Esperance opposing it.