BRATTLEBORO — Responding to calls for more public input, municipal leaders plan to hold a series of monthly meetings on the future of Brattleboro’s emergency medical services.
A year ago, the Brattleboro Selectboard voted with little public notice or debate to drop the town’s nearly 60-year contract with Rescue Inc., Windham County’s largest and longest-serving ambulance provider, in favor of a proposed fire department takeover.
That decision and a lack of details spurred residents at this year’s March Town Meeting to adopt nonbinding resolutions calling for a transparent decision-making process for ambulance coverage and related American Rescue Plan Act spending.
In response, local leaders will use the Selectboard’s regular meetings on the third Tuesday of the month to present EMS information and invite public comment.
Potential revenue is the topic set for discussion on May 16, start-up expenses on June 20, operating models on July 18 and a review of all information on Aug. 15.
The Selectboard plans to invite more public input on Sept. 5 and 12 before voting on an option Sept. 19.
“Our hope is to lay this all out so people know what to expect and when to expect it,” Town Manager John Potter said. “The staff has a very strong intent to listen and take feedback.”
In the meantime, the town government has signed a temporary contract with Golden Cross Ambulance of Claremont, New Hampshire, which has helped the fire department respond to calls since the Selectboard dropped Rescue.
Leaders have not shared any of the facts or figures that caused them to approve the change, which they claimed would reap up to $700,000 in insurance revenue but actually could wind up costing taxpayers almost that much annually, according to a feasibility study commissioned after the switch.
Any long-term plan will require budget approval at next year’s March Town Meeting before implementation on July 1, 2024.