Colonie Task Force Cites Two Hotels for Unsafe Conditions

Colonie task force flags unsafe hotel conditions

A designated task force has cited two Colonie hotels for substandard and unsafe conditions, according to a report by Spectrum News.

The findings, released Tuesday, show safety failures at the Baymont Hotel and the Colonie Inn & Suites. These facilities are currently used by the Department of Social Services (DSS) from two different counties to house vulnerable populations.

Colonie Town Supervisor Peter Crummey stated that the town’s Hotel Safety Task Force identified the properties as having substandard conditions. The task force was established by Crummey in 2024 to monitor building code compliance and address criminal activity at local lodging facilities.

Safety risks at the Baymont Hotel

Lieutenant James Herbst of the Colonie Police Department, who also serves on the task force, detailed specific hazards found at the Baymont Hotel. The hotel maintains agreements with the Rensselaer County Department of Social Services.

Investigators flagged at least 16 rooms at the Baymont Hotel as unfit for human occupancy. One specific room, occupied by three unsupervised children under the age of 10, lacked a functional way to escape in the event of a fire due to a defective door latch mechanism.

The task force also documented numerous rooms containing plumbing leaks and non-functioning smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Evidence of rodents and insects was also reported at the site. Albany County Child Protective Services is investigating children from families placed at the Baymont by Rensselaer County DSS.

Security failures at Colonie Inn & Suites

The inspection of the Colonie Inn & Suites revealed a separate set of security concerns. According to the press release, Albany County DSS placed an individual at the hotel despite that person having two active arrest warrants.

The warrants involve a drug offense from January and a weapons offense from June. An employee of the Albany County Department of Mental Health was on-site at the time to transport the individual to an unnamed location.

These incidents highlight a breakdown in the oversight of how county agencies select temporary housing for those in need. Crummey expressed deep concern regarding the practice of transporting vulnerable families across county lines into questionable lodging without sufficient regard for their safety, health, or dignity.

The economic scale of hotel placements

Using local hotels for social services costs Albany and Rensselaer counties large amounts of money. Data from the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance shows that for fiscal year 2025, Albany County spent approximately $1.1 million on hotels, while Rensselaer County spent $3.5 million.

Disability people caring volunteer society worker community care elderly disabled person wheelchair carer job socialcare help

The specific payments made to the flagged properties during that same fiscal year are detailed below:

Hotel Name	County Payer	FY 2025 Payment
Baymont Hotel	Rensselaer County	$479,621
Colonie Inn & Suites	Albany County	$128,390

While the counties utilize these private businesses to manage homelessness and social service needs, the town of Colonie has moved to increase local oversight. In May, the town passed a local law that updated the code for hotels and motels to include stricter inspection requirements and increased oversight.

One notable provision of the new law bans individuals from staying in a hotel or motel room for longer than 28 days. Hotel management must now maintain a registry of all guests and individuals for three years. Information regarding the implementation of these laws can be found via the Town of Colonie board agendas.

“Our responsibility is to the residents of Colonie, the people who work in these hotels and the guests who stay in them,” Crummey said. He added that the town will continue to take necessary actions to protect the community and urged counties to ensure safe housing as part of their social services responsibility.

The Colonie Police Department is scheduled to hold an informational meeting for hotel and motel owners and managers regarding the changes to the local law on Nov. 13 at 580 Albany Shaker Road.

Keep reading