Lehigh County commissioners are not convinced of a possible renovation project at Cedarbrook Nursing Home, South Whitehall.

At the Dec. 10 meeting, the board rejected a $1.5 million-proposed project by a vote of 6-2.

Voting in support of the proposal were Commissioners Geoff Brace and David Jones Sr.

The board instead called for a study of the nursing home's financial condition before voting in support of the project.

County Director of General Services Rick Molchaney said he was disappointed by the decision.

Molchaney said, however, he will seek alternative opportunities to help fund the nursing home.

Commissioner Brad Osborne said the proposal does little to assist nursing home residents.

'We are the last line of defense for people at Cedarbrook," he said. "How is it right to spend money and not touch the very souls of the people we profess to care about?"

Commissioners also said they were upset with fliers posted at Cedarbrook. The board argued the fliers misled residents about the advantages of the proposal.

The board asked for more information from the county. Molchaney said the county provided the information on the project previously requested.

Jones said the rejection is not a sign the board does not support Cedarbrook. Rather, he said the vote reflects questions surrounding the management of the project.

"We have a lack of confidence in the management functionality that currently exists," he said.

Chairwoman Lisa Scheller said she and her colleagues are not interested in selling the nursing home in the immediate future.

"Our interest is to provide quality care," she stressed.

The project would include a new wing with 41 beds, nine private rooms, 16 semi-private rooms with toilet and shower, and 16 semi-private rooms with toilets.