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UTICA, N.Y. -- Utica legislators and a group of community members met with the Cuomo administration last week as they fight the state's decision to close the Mohawk Valley Psychiatric Center.

Wednesday evening, legislators briefed people in West Utica about their visit to Albany.
The group expressed their concerns to the State Mental Health Commissioner, they are worried about patients being transferred to Hutchings Psychiatric Center in Syracuse. And they argue the cost savings the state claims the closure will have are not accurate.

State officials say the decision to close is final, but they have agreed to limiting job losses to 20.

Supporters of the center say that number will be higher because many of the jobs are being transferred to other facilities.

"If you have an aid that has to go all the way to Hutchings for minimum wage or close to minimum wage, chances are they're not going to do it. They have to pay gas mileage, parking and wear and tear on their car and time away from their families," Oneida County Legislator Harmony Speciale.

The group pledges to keep fighting for Mohawk Valley Psychiatric Center.