Utica, NY (WIBX) - Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente says the newly established Regional Medical Examiner's Office is closed for debate.

"The train has left the station and we are moving forward," Picente said. "On January 1st, we will have a new system in place."

But, several members of Oneida County's Board of Legislators have concerns with scrapping the coroners in favor of four part-time forensic investigators.

Picente says that would be foolish.

"It would be an irresponsible and unconscionable act by them to defund that program because, at that point, what are they going to do when people die," Picente said. "I mean it's really tragic that they would say that that's what they're going to do because they don't like the program I put forth. It's ridiculous."

Some legislators say they will attempt to cut funding to the program during Wednesday's vote.

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