Future ambulance service on town’s radar

AMENIA — Town Supervisor Victoria Perotti gave the latest update on ambulance service arrangements at a meeting held on Thursday, Feb. 18, at Town Hall.

There have been several meetings to explore ways to reduce taxes necessary to fund townwide ambulance service. A solution has to be found by 2017.

In January, the Wassaic Fire District increased taxes by 171 percent to pay for newly contracted ambulance service with Northern Dutchess Paramedics (NDP). The contract was necessary because of a lack of volunteers and the need to provide consistent Emergency Medical Services (EMS).

The tax hike covered a $500,000 contract with NDP for 24/7 Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulance service. The decision was made by Wassaic Fire Commissioners following a public hearing on Oct. 20, 2015. The one-year contract was signed on Dec. 10, 2015.

The move caused a public outcry and prompted Perotti to talk about creating an ambulance district next year.

“The goal is to lessen the amount of cost to the taxpayers,” Perotti said.

Discussions were held among the Wassaic and Amenia ambulance committees and the Amenia Town Board on Tuesday, Feb. 9. Representatives from NDP were present to discuss the matter.

A second special meeting was set for Tuesday, Feb. 16, with ambulance service provider Mobile Life. Due to unforeseen circumstances, however, that meeting will have to be rescheduled. 

While reading the supervisor’s report at the Thursday, Feb. 18, Town Board meeting, meanwhile, Perotti disclosed that she met with newly-hired consultant Brad Pinsky, of Pinsky Law Group, specialists on EMS issues, on Wednesday, Feb. 17.

Pinsky reportedly reviewed options open to the Town Board and said he will compose a detailed report for board members to discuss at a meeting yet to be scheduled.

One option discussed included the possibility of creating an ambulance district or districts — currently neither the town of Amenia nor the hamlet of Wassaic have such a district.

If an ambulance district is created, the town could potentially create a system to cover the costs of ambulance service. Additionally, in order to offset the contract cost, the provider would likely be allowed to bill  for any remaining balance.

Board members were cautious about publicizing preliminary information at the last special meeting on Feb. 16. 

“This is a complex project,” Perotti said.