New Tri-Town Ambulance Proposal Laid Out
Squad’s Board Of Directors Rejects Contract
by Doug La Rocque
Shortly after the Grafton Rescue Squad’s Board of Directors told the Monday, March 8 meeting of the Grafton Town Board they had decided to reject the proposed contract between the organization and the Towns of Grafton, Berlin and Petersburgh to provide a paid daytime ambulance service between 6 am and 6 pm Monday through Friday, Rescue Squad Captain Joe Allain rose to lay out a new plan. This one reduces the proposed costs to each town, partly because of savings he built into the budget, and because the first three months of the year, at least, have been lost due to the inability of the towns and the squad to work out the logistics and money matters. It must be noted, the Berlin board has already voted to accept the contract, but not Petersburgh or Grafton as yet.
Mr. Allain was asked by Grafton Councilman Frank Lewandusky why he was doing this without the Board of Director’s consent. He answered the board has never before, in its 54 years of existence, signed contracts, it has been him ever since he was captain, and laid out several examples. He then continued with his presentation.
Does the Board of Directors have the authority to prevent this contract? It feels it does, though as Board Member Jeremy Gosse pointed out, he was not against a tri-town ambulance, but felt everyone needed to step back a bit and try to work out the kinks in the proposal.
Back to the question however, after looking into laws governing such organizations as the Rescue Squad, it appears the role of the Board of Directors is typically spelled out in the organization’s by-laws. What the Rescue Squad’s by-laws say is at this point unknown.
Tri-Town Informational Meeting Set
A meeting has been set up to discuss all aspects of the Tri-Town ambulance proposal on Tuesday, March 16 at 6 pm at the Everett Wagar Senior Center in Grafton. The organizers have invited the Rescue Squad and the supervisors of all three involved towns to attend, as well as members of the public. Questioned by Councilman Lewandusky as to how many board members may attend as well, town Attorney Phil Danaher said all are welcome at a public forum, and having a quorum does not violate the open meetings law, so long as no board action is taken.