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SPENCER – During a June 5 Board of Selectmen’s meeting, members voted to approve a one-year extension contract for the Spencer Rescue Squad at $325,000.
Following the failure of a Proposition 2 ½ override request, the future of the Spencer Rescue Squad was put into question. The request called for a $100,000 increase in year one (up to $325,000) and $25,000 increases in years two and three.
The nonprofit, which has provided services for 66 years, was being paid $225,000 for about seven years, according to its president Pat George. The increases were sought to keep up with inflation and pay for ambulances and equipment, he said.
Initially, Selectmen suggested a six month or one-year extension while they regrouped and came up with a Request for Proposals (RFPs). George said that the board of directors wanted a three-year pact at the higher rates.
However, at the next meeting when the matter was brought up, Spencer Rescue Squad expressed a willingness to accept a one-year agreement.
Meanwhile, Selectmen heard from representatives from Cataldo Ambulance, who had a proposal totaling $225,000 to provide the services.
Following a vote for the extension, Selectman Ralph Hicks expressed his hope to serve on a subcommittee and/or involved with drafting the RFP so the town would be comparing “apples to apples.”
Hicks said he wanted to ensure the town received the same services it has had with the Spencer Rescue Squad over the years.
Town Manager Jeff Bridges said he would present the board with an RFP to review before it goes out.
Selectman Gary Woodbury said he is concerned where a company like Cataldo would be housed in town. Spencer Rescue Squad has its own headquarters. Woodbury said he wanted to caution about giving a company a place to stay as well as paying them (the same amount as Spencer Rescue Squad).
“It doesn’t work that way in the real world,” he said.
Selectman Jonathan Viner requested that the topic be placed on the next agenda so they could “hash out and come to a consensus,” on items they wanted included in an RFP.
Woodbury noted a workshop would be needed because he believed the board had five different opinions and “there are a bunch more out there in the real world.”
Viner said he is not crazy about granting a one-year extension and said they owed it to all parties involved to handle it as quickly as possible so they are not “beating up against a deadline.”
Hicks said he had spoken with town administrators in other communities who have been through the situation and they said it takes about a year from start to finish. He added he would like to send the RFP out in the fall, get responses in the early winter and have time to check references before deciding.
In other business:
- Jared Grigg was named the new chair of the board, taking over from John Howard.
- Selectmen were introduced to new town planner Vivian Poplanski.
- The town administrator said the results of a study about regional dispatch services would be presented at the June 23 meeting.
