SOMERS — The Board of Finance this week tabled a vote on whether to appropriate $62,522 for a newly hired paramedic who would be working in Stafford because members want to first see how much money the town spends and receives for its advanced life support service agreement with Stafford.
Assistant Finance Director Brian Wissinger said during the Oct. 25 meeting that he will provide the board with a report he recently completed that details revenue coming to Somers and what was spent in 2022 for the service.
The Board of Selectmen last week unanimously voted to accept an agreement with Stafford that would send a paramedic to Stafford for 40 hours a week, beginning Jan. 1, and continue for a year if both towns found the arrangement satisfactory. Stafford would pay Somers $12,500 per month for the paramedic service, and the rate would automatically increase by 7% on July 1 each year to account for expected cost increases.
Selectmen voted 2-1 on Oct. 20 to allocate $62,522 that would pay the first six months of a new paramedic’s salary. Selectman William Meier III cast the opposing vote, saying the department is already overstaffed. He advised holding off on hiring a new paramedic who might be laid off should Stafford eventually receive emergency life support service from another provider and decide not to use Somers’ service anymore.
Both towns would be allowed to terminate the agreement for any reason with 60 days notice.
Board of Finance Chairman Michael Parker said this week that 60 days isn’t a very long time to opt out of an agreement. “It seems to me that we’re ramping up to do something for Stafford and could find ourselves short.”
Parker said the Board of Finance has to vet the numbers Wissinger provides before making a decision on allocating funds for a new paramedic. Once board members review the data, he said a special meeting could be scheduled for a vote.
Stafford has been mostly relying on ALS service from Somers for the past three years. Both towns began talks several months ago on a plan moving forward that would benefit both communities.
For more coverage of Somers and Enfield, follow Susan Danseyar on Twitter: @susandanseyar, Facebook: Susan Danseyar, reporter.
