The Town of Webb has agreed to give a 90-day notice to Centrex Clinical Laboratories Inc. that the town will be ending its local service agreement with the company.
Centrex is the current provider of clinical laboratory services at the Town of Webb Professional Offices in Old Forge.
The move is intended to get a 90-day notification, which is required by contract, out of the way before an expected transfer of operations to St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center that is likely to occur later this summer.
The Town of Webb has been in negotiations with St. E’s in recent months as a revamping of services offered by the local health center.
And it appears that all is settled but for final details.“Things have progressed far enough along now, that there’s really no doubt that St. E’s is going to be our health care provider. So it makes sense to take this next step,” said Councilwoman Mary Brophy-Moore.
Supervisor Ted Riehle added that a termination notice at this time would also be an important message.
“It would help reinforce to the community that there is a commitment on our board’s part, as well as St. E’s, to make this happen,” he said.
The existing contract with Centrex requires payment of a subsidy of $2,374 each month to the company. The Towns of Inlet, Forestport and Long Lake also contribute.
Supervisor Riehle said all towns involved will be notified about the end of their subsidy obligation.
It is planned that St. Elizabeth’s will take over laboratory services as part of its pending operations agreement with the Town of Webb.
