A Different Approach To Daytime Ambulance Staffing
by Doug La Rocque
For many months, the towns of Grafton, Berlin and Petersburgh have been dealing with the proposal to create a Tri-town daytime paid ambulance service, largely because all three towns have problems forming even a two person crew to respond to calls during the hours of 6 am to 6 pm. The proposal has been wholeheartedly endorsed by the Berlin Town Board, but some members of the Petersburgh and Grafton board have expressed serious concerns, mostly centered around the proposed costs.
At the Monday, February 8 meeting of the Grafton board, Councilman Frank Lewandusky introduced an idea that he believes will help solve the daytime issues for the Grafton Rescue Squad. That idea proposes using town employees who are or become members of the Grafton Rescue Squad to be paid by the town while responding to a call during working hours.
Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) would also receive a $1,000 yearly stipend, while drivers would receive $500 per year. This proposal would also be extended to the Grafton Fire Department.
Not As Many Daytime Calls As You Might Think?
Mr. Lewandusky said he queried Rensselaer County for the number of daytime ambulance calls dispatched by the 911 Center, and said their numbers indicated that using the years 2018, 2019 and 2020, the average for Grafton is 58 calls a year, or slightly more than one a week. Using the Grafton Rescue Squad’s estimated cost of a Tri-town service of $156,322, with the Town of Grafton’s budget share at $59,226, Mr. Lewandusky estimates each call would cost Grafton Taxpayers, $1,021.14. Under his plan, he says even if a call takes as much as four hours, it would amount to $176 as opposed to the $1,021.14 estimate. He further indicates in his proposal he believes this concept could save taxpayers of the town $49,018.
The actual 2021 budget line for the ambulance service is $59,226, but of that $15,000 was to go to the Grafton Rescue Squad, even if a Tri-town service never materializes. There is $44,226 additionally earmarked on top of that to pay for a daytime EMT crew. In his handout for the proposal at the meeting, Mr. Lewandusky does not mention the $15,000, but in speaking with The Eastwick Press on Wednesday, said he erred in his figures, so the actual saving number is $34,018. In any case, Mr. Lewandusky’s plan would not have Grafton participating in a Tri-town ambulance.
As to Berlin and Petersburgh, he suggests they might look at a similar concept. When asked what about mutual aid to these or other towns, he answered of course, if the ambulance was available. He also said he was elected to look after the concerns of the Town of Grafton, not other municipalities, and he feels this, or perhaps another idea, is best financially for the town.
He also indicated that he has heard of this working in other places, but when pressed by town resident David Buckley, as to what other locations he was talking about, Mr. Lewandusky did not answer. He indicated a majority of the people in town he has spoken to, are not in favor of Tri-town ambulance services. How many people he has spoken to, is not clear.
The board took no action on the proposal.
Contract Looks Good
At the board’s January meeting, Town Attorney Phil Danaher said he would look over the proposed contract between the Grafton Rescue Squad and the three towns, and he reported back at this meeting, it was conceptually fine. He would not however, offer a recommendation as to how the town should proceed, indicating it is his job to tell board members if it is legal, but not what decision they should make.
Grant Money Is Still Out There
Mr. Danaher also said in January, he would check on the status of the NYS $150,000 grant to purchase a new ambulance, which actually has already taken place. He said his research shows all documentation required by NYS to release the monies has been submitted, they are still waiting however, for the check to be cut.
A Facebook Page Is Back
In 2020, the Grafton Town Board voted to establish a facebook page, only to later rescind the resolution over concerns about a lack of control over what might be posted on it. On Monday night, it had another change of heart and unanimous approved a resolution to create such a page, to be administered by the Town Clerk or Deputy Town Clerk, without any extra stipends.
Contracts
Two contracts were brought up at the meeting. The first is a renegotiation with Rensselaer County for the use of the Everett Wagar Senior Center. The current contract expires on March 31. The building housing the center is town owned. These negotiations are on going.
Former Dog Control Officer (DCO) Vicky Burdick brought to light previously that the Mohawk-Hudson Humane Society was demanding $4,000 up front to agree to house any stray animals the DCO might bring its shelter, plus a fee. Grafton brought very few animals to the shelter in 2020 and board members felt the cost to be astronomical. Town Attorney Danaher said he tried to negotiate the price downward, to no avail. Then the Columbia Greene Human Society also put in a bid, at $35 a night, for up to 10 nights of housing. After that, it would charge the town $350 to prepare an animal to be adopted out. There is no up front money required. The board felt that was a no brainer, and approved the contract, pending Attorney Danaher’s review.
While the Mohawk – Hudson operation is located in Menands, and Columbia-Greene is in Hudson, the milage difference, considering the very few times the DCO might have to make the trip, seemed to be a moot point.
Other Developments
Attorney Danaher reported that the town is on course to receive an extra $4,000 for its youth program, money not used by some towns this past summer, when they canceled because of the pandemic. The Grafton program ran for a month at the former Grafton Elementary School, and was well attended.
The board heard a complaint by the only resident of Horton Road, about vehicles speeding by their home. Since there is no posted speed limit, by state law, 55 mile per hour is what is allowed. The town is going to begin the steps needed to ask the NYS Department of Transportation to consider posting a lower limit.
The town took down a condemned building last summer, and billed the owner for the cost. That owner has not paid, and it was relieved on their tax bill by Rensselaer County. Under law, whether the county can collect or not, it must reimburse the town this year.
The meeting was adjourned in loving memory of Terry Wescott.