Only five seats remained filled in the audience as the Town Board moved forward with its regular meeting. That select few learned of a major development in the Town.

The site of the former Lakeshore Hospital appears close to a sale for the purpose of establishing a residential mental health and rehabilitation facility, under the name New York Medical Center.

The former Lakeshore site was targeted as a mental health and rehabilitation facility since last summer. Northeast Medical announced on June 20 it was in contract to purchase the location, which has been closed since 2020.

Town Supervisor Lou Pelletter said the most recent plans for the proposed residential facility would consist of 180 total beds — 140 for behavioral health and 40 for substance abuse. Once fully operational, the facility would provide upwards of 300 jobs.

OBSERVER Photo by Braden Carmen Hanover Supervisor Lou Pelletter detailed the plans for the former Lakeshore Hospital site at a recent meeting.

The project will consist of multiple phases, beginning with restoring substance abuse services to the former hospital. Significant renovations to comply with behavioral health regulations will follow.

A new development that has the Town of Hanover excited is the potential for an emergency room, which could come after the behavioral health renovations are completed.

Pelletter spoke on several occasions to the need for emergency services in the area, with Brooks-TLC Hospital in Dunkirk being the closest hospital to the Town of Hanover. Pelletter has consistently pushed developers and State politicians for a hospital with emergency facilities and has also contacted urgent care providers to gauge their interest.

In the past, Pelletter was told that it was unlikely that the State would grant a license for an emergency room. In recent conversations with Raymond Manning of New York Medical Center and Brooks-TLC Hospital CEO Ken Morris, Pelletter believes that an emergency department will be part of the project. Whether that means an emergency room with full capabilities for trauma – or an emergency department to address State Mental Hygiene Law 939, pertaining to mental illness in the event of emergency observation and Law 941, pertaining to emergency pickup and transport — remains to be seen.

“If we have an ER there, then the community can use it. That’s what I’m shooting for,” Pelletter said. “I was kind of excited about that.”

Pelletter also later voiced his frustration with the difficulty of licensing an emergency room, stating, “I don’t know why you wouldn’t give them a license.”

The Hanover Town Board voted unanimously in favor of submitting a letter in support for the plans. The letter will be sent to state officials including Sen. George Borrello and U.S. Rep. Nick Langworthy, as well as the New York State Department of Health.

Stating he will contact whoever it takes to get an emergency room in the town of Hanover, Pelletter said, “That’s where the letters are going.”

Last summer, upon hearing of the plans for the mental health facility, Borrello said, “With our population’s mental health and addiction problems skyrocketing, the need for a center like this in our rural community is enormous. Lives will be saved here, and hope restored.”