Colonie Town Supervisor Peter Crummey announced Friday that the Baymont hotel must stop accepting new reservations and clear all occupants after the town’s fire services department cited the property for a series of safety violations during an October 22 inspection. The violations included documented vermin and insect infestations, which the report required correction by November 2.
Additional concerns trigger deeper investigation
At the same time, local police received reports alleging multiple cases of child sexual abuse at the hotel. The town’s Hotel Safety Task Force responded with a more extensive inspection, raising serious concerns for families and individuals staying at the facility, especially those placed there through Rensselaer County Department of Social Services.
“The vermin and the insects were all noted on the report, and they were to comply by November 2nd,” Crummey said. “The additional findings about alleged abuse made it clear we could not allow this property to continue operating under current conditions.”
County response and relocation efforts
Rensselaer County spokesman Richard Crist confirmed that the county is working to relocate residents currently housed at the Baymont. “We will continue to meet the state requirement to find housing for those without shelter as have always done. We are in the process of relocating residents to other locations and expect to have that process concluded soon,” Crist said.
New licensing rules aim to prevent future problems
The enforcement action coincides with new hotel and motel regulations adopted by Colonie in May 2026. During an informational meeting Friday, town officials walked owners and managers through the updated requirements, which introduce a mandatory licensing and registration process for all lodging facilities operating in the town and village of Colonie.
Key elements of the new law include:
- Mandatory disclosure of ownership and management information.
- Requirement to provide emergency contact details.
- Occupancy limits of 28 days, with limited exceptions for qualifying extended‑stay arrangements.
- Separate permits and stricter occupancy caps for properties that house registered sex offenders.
Applications for the new licenses are due December 13. Non‑compliance could result in fines up to $1,000 per day for certain violations, as well as possible suspension or revocation of the hotel’s license.
Financial impact on the town
Crummey highlighted the financial strain that unsafe motels place on Colonie. “Colonie in this case has to spend its own money to manage the public safety issue,” he said. “We hope that with the registration process, we can stop that burden and ensure taxpayers are not funding unsafe accommodations.”
The town’s Hotel Safety Task Force says the new regulations are part of a broader effort to address properties that have become recurring sources of nuisance complaints, criminal activity and unsafe conditions. By requiring registration and tighter oversight, officials aim to protect vulnerable residents and reduce the cost to local emergency services.
Next steps
The Baymont hotel’s attorneys have been notified of the order, and the town will monitor compliance closely. Residents currently staying at the hotel are being assisted by county social services to find alternative shelter. The town plans to continue its outreach to other hotel owners to ensure full understanding of the new licensing requirements before the December deadline.
Original reporting: CBS 6 WRGB Albany (local) — read the source article.
