For almost three years, the Sunmount Development Center in Tupper Lake, a state facility for individuals with developmental disabilities, has been without functioning air conditioning, forcing residents and staff to endure extreme heat. Union leaders have described the conditions as “sweltering.”
The center, operated by the state’s Department of Developmental Disabilities, is facing issues with its cooling systems just as summer temperatures rise into the upper 80s and low 90s, with heat indices soaring into the 90s.
In a letter addressed to state operations director Jackie Bray, Wayne Spence, president of the Civil Service Federation, emphasized that while the situation isn’t an emergency, it requires urgent action. He noted that he experienced the oppressive heat firsthand during a recent visit.
The union’s concerns have gained attention during a statewide heatwave with temperatures approaching 100 degrees in various parts of New York. Although Franklin County, where Sunmount is located, hasn’t reached triple digits, the high temperatures still pose significant risks for residents in facilities lacking functional air conditioning.
Sunmount caters to adults with various developmental disabilities, including autism and other neurodevelopmental challenges, many of whom have complex care needs.
Spence stated that this population is among the most vulnerable in New York, depending entirely on the state for safe and dignified living environments. He called it unacceptable that significant infrastructure problems affecting their health and comfort have lingered without resolution.
Jennifer O’Sullivan, a spokesperson for OPWDD, has mentioned that the agency is actively working to address the air conditioning failures caused by aging infrastructure. Temporary portable units have been set up, and programming has been adjusted to cooler areas during the heatwave.
Dr. Ilana Slav Galatan, a psychiatrist with expertise in autism, raised additional concerns about the dangers posed by heat, including the possibility of seizures, particularly as some medications can hinder the body’s ability to manage temperature and dehydration.
This air conditioning issue is yet another challenge for Sunmount, a facility that has faced longstanding allegations of neglect and abuse, alongside problems with staffing and oversight.
Throughout the past decade, there have been numerous reports of criminal behavior linked to Sunmount employees, including incidents of assault and the falsification of records.
In response to the ongoing situation, Spence has demanded clarity from Bray regarding what has contributed to the prolonged nature of the problem and when a lasting solution might be implemented.
The Post has attempted to contact Bray for a response.
