By ANDY GARDNER

MASSENA -- Massena Memorial Hospital is on track to file a certificate of need with the state by month’s end, a crucial step in converting from a municipal entity to a private non-profit.

“The certificate of need, which is going to be filed, is on schedule for submission at the end of this month,” MMH CEO Robert Wolleben said. “We will be filing that with the state Department of Health … probably Tuesday or Wednesday of next week.”

They have hired the Denton Law Firm to assist with the process and are being assisted by managing partner Bill Owens, the former congressman.

Wolleben said they are also shopping around for a bank to finance them once they go private.

He said they will need money on day one as a private entity.

“If you hear in the next month that (MMH CFO) Patrick Facteau and Bob Wolleben are talking to banks about borrowing money, that’s true,” Wolleben said.

He didn’t name any of the banks he’s looking at.

“I try never to negotiate in public. There’s a lot of reasons to stay local and I prefer to stay local,” he said.

One of the members of the MMH Board of Managers, Scott Wilson, is president and CEO of Seacomm Federal Credit Union.

At the same time, MMH officials are working with the town to hash out a transfer agreement.

For that, they have hired HCC Evaluation Company out of St. Louis, Mo., who Wolleben described as one of the best firms in the U.S. for hospital valuations.

“They determine what is the value that should be attached to this business entity,” he said.

After being asked by Board of Managers member Paul Morrow what will happen to their current cash onhand, Wolleben said “it’s too preliminary to say.”

“There are some assets that might go with the new corporation, some might stay back.”

The final transfer will not happen until the town is satisfied with the terms.

Kerrie French, president of MMH’s CSEA chapter, was concerned that it could create difficulties if the DOH approves the conversion but the transfer agreement isn’t in place.

“The conditions of the transfer must be met first,” MMH Director of Ancillary Services Mark Brouliette said.

Wolleben said they are also trying to figure out what to call the new corporation. He said the suggestions so far are Massena Community Hospital, Massena Community Medical Center, Seaway Valley Medical Center, Massena Memorial Hospital and Seaway Valley Community Hospital.

“There may be others,” he said.