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SPENCER – Selectmen on January 27 voted to incorporate The Spencer Rescue Squad into a town department, with the terms of how employees will be classified for pension purposes left to be determined.
Their level of services would be one advanced life services (ALS) ambulance working 24/7 and another ALS vehicle for 12 hours.
Town Administrator Jeff Bridges outlined what the “strictly operational” costs would be. If classified as non-public safety employees (Group 1), the cost would be $185,362. If classified as EMS/public safety personnel (Group 4), the amount is $279,162. He noted these figures represent the difference between what it costs to run the department and what is expected in revenues.
Bridges said these totals do not include capital expenses. An ambulance with a power stretcher would cost $428,000 or $72,591 a year if paid over time.
The Spencer Rescue Squad plan calls for 13 employees including the new deputy chief for EMS position, one administrative employee and the rest EMTs and paramedics.
He said the assumption is that debt will be retired prior to the turnover to the town.
Fire Chief Robert Parsons said the oldest ambulance is from 2019 and ambulances typically are replaced every eight years. The vehicle has more than 100,000 miles on it and Parsons said it takes a year or more to acquire the vehicle after ordering it, like with fire trucks.
Although he said he still had questions, Selectman Gary Woodbury said, “For the value of what we are getting, this is a miracle for us.” He said it was a “no brainer,” to pursue although he acknowledged that budget cuts are going to happen, with any of the choices.
Vice chair Jonathan Viner spoke about stipulations in the offer that all current employees would be hired at their current rates and operations would be maintained for five years (or more). Viner said it is plausible to say the “intent is there,” but those are not conditions selectmen could guarantee.
Viner noted that all existing personnel would have to apply and be evaluated and there is no guarantee they will be hired. Similarly, he said, the membership on the Board of Selectmen could change three years forward, and current members cannot predict what future ones may do.
“I agree you cannot bind another group for five years. I don’t know how flexible those provisions can be,” Bridges said.
Selectman Ralph Hicks said they were grasping at worst case scenarios and trying to “shoot the offer down. It’s all gobbly gook.” He said it is highly “improbable” that in five years, a future board would decide to go with an unknown entity for its emergency medical services.
Hicks suggested the town have a Proposition 2 ½ override vote at a special election prior to Town Meeting. Bridges responded there was no time or money to pay for a special election.
“We’re going to ask for money anyway,” Bridges said, referring to the annual budget. “The town has to have EMS.”
Chair Jared Grigg said it would be better to classify the employees as EMS personnel (Group 4), otherwise it would be difficult to recruit interested parties. It is expected six or seven paramedics or EMTs would be needed to fill the slots. Several people have left their positions in recent months.
Bridges noted the town pays 40% medical insurance costs for its employees and offers mid-range salaries. “It is not an attractive package,” he said.
Selectmen decided to take the vote and leave the classification discussion pending for now.
Prior to taking the vote, members talked about the proposals from Action Ambulance and Cataldo Ambulance, both private companies.
At recent meetings, company representatives gave presentations and selectmen also visited their headquarters.
Based on the evaluation ratings, Cataldo scored a 194 compared to 191 for Action. Cataldo was also the lower provider pricewise. Based on those facts, selectmen moved forward comparing Cataldo to the Spencer Rescue Squad before taking a vote.
Cataldo’s prices were $385,555 for the first year and $395,271 and $405,232 in the two years that followed.
After they decided to go with the Spencer Rescue Squad, Viner said, “Don’t assume this is the cheapest option in front of us. A lot of costs are not taxable. In the long-term, it could be most expensive now and buildings cost money.”
He added the board had a lot of work to do on the (town) budget.
