'Twas the night before Christmas and in Williamstown
Ambulances sat quietly — all sirens shut down;
Dispatchers and medics within station walls
All bundled up cozy without any calls.
We just finished washing and waxing the rig
And hanging a wreath made of mistletoe fig.
But no sooner resting on the couch when we heard
"Hurry ... Code 1, a crash just occurred!"
The call had come in — the first for the day.
The dispatcher said "someone hit Santa's sleigh!"
"Neck pain," we thought, as we gathered our gear,
"Or maybe a drunk — it's that time of year."
As we sped to the scene with our sirens and lights,
We hoped for the best, why tonight of all nights?
We had no idea, but we were in for a surprise;
While approaching the crash, we couldn't believe our own eyes.
I said to my partner, "this must be a trick!
That man on the ground looks just like St. Nick!"
A crumpled-up sleigh, toys spread far and near
And off to the side was a herd of reindeer!
The man in the car, with a bump on his head
Was sobbing and told us he'd rather be dead.
"Oh why did I guzzle that one extra beer?
Now I"ve killed Santa – so no Christmas this year!"
My partner and I deemed this call as too strange
So we called for backup, but they were way out of range.
"No one can hear us," to my partner I said,
"I'll bandage up this one while you gauze that one's head."
The man in the sleigh I approached with great care -
The way he was dressed wasn't something I'd wear.
He wore a red suit and a weird kind of hat,
I thought to myself, "who dresses like that?"
Then he opened his eyes and said "do not fear.
Just please help me up – I must save my reindeer."
"The reindeer are fine so just stay where you are
That cut on your nose, it could leave a big scar."
I did not want to leave him, so I let out a holler,
"We need the backboard, head blocks and a collar!"
As I worked, the man yelled "No, don't strap me down
I have to bring toys to the kids in this town!"
"The children tonight are depending on me
To deliver the presents that go under their tree."
I told him, "I'm sorry, you are too hurt to go,
You banged up your head and you fractured your toe."
He whispered to me with his voice full of fear
"Then you must bring the gifts to the children this year!"
"Sir, you must think that our ambulance can soar,"
I said with a chuckle as he started to roar:
"Now Dasher, now Dancer, now Prancer and Vixen
Come Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen!
Hitch onto that truck and take to the sky
For tonight you will see the first ambulance fly!"
I just shook my head as we loaded him in
Then climbed in the cab as I started to grin.
The reindeer just sat all lined in a row
In front of the truck as if ready to go.
I was hoping they'd move with the siren's first sound
But then they took off and we were up off the ground!
Just under the clouds and up over the trees
Sailing along just as light as a breeze,
We landed on rooftops dispersing the toys
Dropping off gifts to the good girls and good boys.
We made a quick stop at the hospital's bay
And wheeled Santa in, rather hoping he'd stay.
"We'll call in report later!" then we took to the sky
"We are delivering presents!" as we waved our goodbye.
We continued to work through the starry-filled night
Delivering toys until morning's first light
With our station in view, we headed toward land
My partner and I were just happy to stand.
Dispatch was angry and the more we explained
The less they believed us and the more they looked feigned.
So we sat in our station and as meek as two mice
We turned on the news, but we had to look twice!
As the media talked with some people in town
It was obvious to them something strange had gone down.
Tire tracks were found on a rooftop or two
And the children were yelling "this year Santa wore blue!"
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Shawn, you FOUND your Christmas spirt!!!!!!!! AWSOME JOB!!!!!!!!!!
Excellent take on an old favorite! I hope the "paramedic santa" makes it to my house this year!! No chimney, but i'll leave the door open!! (or just use your key...) Happiest of Holidays. See you in the New Year!! ;)
Lanesborough Town Meeting to Vote Budget, Bylaws & Vehicle Purchases
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Tuesday's annual town meeting includes a $14 million operating budget, new short-term rentals, accessory dwelling units and sign bylaws, and free cash article appropriations.
Voters will gather at Lanesborough Elementary School on June 9 at 6 p.m. to decide on 20 warrant articles.
The fiscal 2027 budget is up a little over 10 percent. Some of the main increases are the Mount Greylock Regional School District and McCann Technical School: the McCann assessment is up more than 30 percent based on factors including enrollment and the school renovation project, and Mount Greylock's is up 11 percent.
Article 11 is for the town to vote to approve from free cash the sum of $16,298.48 for the McCann Technical School roof and window replacement project so as not to impact the budget. Article 3 is appropriate $7,586,284 for Mount Greylock Regional School assessment.
Another notable increase was in life and health insurance, showing an increase of about 26 percent.
Ambulance Director Jen Weber is planning 24-hour coverage, which means more staff and a hike in her budget. One of the articles asks the town to appropriate $234,100 to operate the Ambulance Enterprise Fund for salaries and expenses.
Many town departments are looking for new vehicles. The Fire Department is looking to replace its outdated 1996 fire engine. There are two articles related to the truck at a total of $813,366. Article 12 would transfer $225,000 from free cash into the Fire Truck Stabilization Fund; Article 13 would transfer $605,000 from the fund and authorize the borrowing of $208,366.08.
The total includes a $100,000 contingency cost to cover any additional costs if a 2026 model-year chassis cannot be secured before new emissions standards go into effect in 2027.
The board at its last meeting moved the $225,000 transfer to come before the borrowing article, changing the stabilization number. If the $225,000 is not voted on, then they will amend the next article's number on the floor, subtracting the $225,000. This shows the borrowing number significantly lower.
Article 17 asks for the transfer of $80,000 from free cash to replace a police cruiser.
Police Chief Rob Derksen's aim is to replace one vehicle every other year, meaning the oldest vehicle gets replaced about every 10 years.
He stressed that if delayed this year, the town may have to double up in a future year to get back on schedule, and that paying later usually costs more. The article will ask for $80,000 from free cash, the vehicles used to be funded by the BHRD.
Lastly, the Highway Department is looking to replace a 2014 International dump truck that will be a total of $330,000 and will take two to three years to receive.
Money will be used from last year's approval of $250,000 from free cash for the replacement of a 2012 highway front-end loader that was underspent $49,261. Town meeting is being asked to approve a transfer of $53,274.85 from free cash and the use of $227,464 from funds from the Sale of Town Real Estate to fund the balance.
Other free cash proposals include $1,200 to purchase software to support tracking and ongoing maintenance schedules of town-owned vehicles; $42,000 for the replacement of the Highway Department's storage shed roof, $200,000 to reduce the tax levy.
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