Trouble Looms For Watertown’s Mercy Care Center

There are new problems for Mercy Care Center in Watertown.

The struggling health care facility is now struggling with a judge who is threatening to throw out a bankruptcy deal.

This could mean changes at Mercy.

The parties involved say it’s premature to talk about Mercy closing.

However, down the line it’s possible someone new could take over and beds could be moved to other facilities.

The options offered by U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Cecelia Morris don’t look good for Mercy.

In a position paper, the Service Employees International Union asked the judge to dismiss the bankruptcy because the judge told it the only other option was shutting Mercy down.

The city of Watertown is asking the judge to consider a third option.

“The city filed papers indicating that what it wanted was to try to find some resolution to get the parties back at the table,” said City Manager Mary Corriveau.

If the bankruptcy is dismissed, the New York State Department of Health could step in and move beds to other facilities.

It’s not giving details on its plans yet, but did discuss what could happen in the event Mercy closes its doors.

“With any closure we would work with the facility to make sure that there was a seamless transition of services and that no resident would do without. We would also look to make sure the community had ample opportunity to know about the closure,” said Jeff Hammond of the Health Department.

Watertown Mayor Jeff Graham says losing Mercy would be bad for the city and the taxpayers.

“I think those jobs are important in this community and I don’t think the city taxpayers really want to take title to a massive structure that has no alternative use and would ultimately have to be demolished,” said Graham.

Judge Morris will hear arguments November 18 and possibly make a decision then.

7 News tried to reach Mercy Chief Executive Officer Suzanne Steinau and owner Tony Salerno for comment, but neither returned our calls.

See Jessica Cain’s report:

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