Lanesborough to Vote on Budget, Ambulance Staff
LANESBOROUGH — Voters will decide on Tuesday if they want to hire a staff for the town ambulance service and to approve an $8.6 million budget.The closure of the private American Medical Reponse ambulance service at the end of last year has raised concerns over the town's ability to respond to medical emergencies. It is currently covered by County Ambulance and by volunteer, unpaid emergency medical technicians on evenings and weekends.
State law requires that an ambulance be staffed by two EMTs but officials say Lanesborough can't staff the ambulance full time with volunteers.
Article 5 asks voters to approving the expenditure of $54,080 for one full-time and several part-time EMTs to staff the Lanesborough Ambulance from 7 to 3 weekdays through the fiscal year beginning July 1. The money would be raised or transferred from the free cash account.
The voters would also have to approve a line item in the budget for EMT salaries. The town's Finance Committe is recommending against both articles.
Voters will also decide on whether to forward with a new senior center. Article 15 asks the town to spend $27,500 for a site plan for a structure on town-owned property, also known as the "old Billings place," near Town Hall.
Also on the 41-article warrant is a request for $140,00 toward a new truck for the Highway Department, for $26,000 toward a new cruiser, funding for another highway worker, giving $23,000 from free cash to Mount Greylock Regional High School for a computer equipment. Numerous other items relate to replacing equipment in various departments.
The town is also asking for authorization to enter in agreements for animal control and sharing mowing equipment.
To see the entire warrant, click here.
Town meeting will begin at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 13, at the elementary school; the election will be held held from noon to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 20.
