Village of New Berlin holds emergency meeting over ambulance crisis
NEW BERLIN – The Village of New Berlin is scheduled to hold an emergency meeting tonight at 6 p.m. after the Town of Columbus announced earlier this month it was leaving the shared service to joined the Sherburne ambulance service instead.
Columbus officials had voice concerns over management of the New Berlin service and its financial burdens before making the decision.
The New Berlin service is currently managed by the Village of New Berlin, who contracts with three neighboring municipalities. But due to loss of income, village and town officials have been searching for possible private alternatives in recent months.
For several years the New Berlin Ambulance Service has been paid for by a contract between the Village of New Berlin, the Town of New Berlin, the Town of Columbus and the Town of Pittsfield.
Town of New Berlin officials said the service currently covers a 12 to 15 mile radius around the Village of New Berlin. The towns of New Berlin, Columbus and Pittsfield collectively pay about $100,800 to the village for coverage, and according to village documents, from June 2017 through May 2018 the service has cost the village $399,216.
Officials said Monday's emergency meeting would involve the New Berlin Ambulance service and the recent decision by the Town of Columbus to pullout out of it over financial concerns.
The Town of New Berlin has also voiced concerns leading up to the current finical woes, and has considered leaving the service as well. “The reason we’re discussing going elsewhere is the village has done less than what was expected on the financial end,” said Town of New Berlin Supervisor Robert Starr, in August. Since then the town has continue to try and agree on a plan with the village.
Starr said there has been ongoing issues with the ambulance's billing, as approximately 15 percent of the total expected income is lost due to non-payment. Officials said the service has been reluctant to pursue patients over debts, because many of them are older and have limited incomes.
The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. tonight at the New Berlin Village Office, and was scheduled after Town of Columbus Supervisor Tom Grace made an official statement.
"(T)he Town of Columbus Board accepted an offer from the Village of Sherburne to provide ambulance coverage in all of our Town in 2019," he said.
According to Grace, the vote to accept new ambulance coverage occurred on December 13, and it stemmed from months of meeting with officials from both the villages of Sherburne and New Berlin.
"I regret that in opting for one service, we are unable to provide the same level of support to the other," he said. "However, I believe it is critical that an ambulance service continue to operate from the New Berlin-Pittsfield area and will continue to meet with officials to help ensure this happens in the future."
He added, "While this may help a town’s bottom line in the near term, it weakens the regional EMS response and ultimately compromises our ability to provide effective service to everyone."
When asked about the upcoming emergency meeting, Village of New Berlin Mayor Terry Potter did not respond before press deadline. Other officials contacted referred comment to the mayor, saying they were uncomfortable discussing the matter. They encouraged the public to attend the meeting.
Officials have not yet explained how the service would continue without Columbus' support, or if it would be able to continue at all.
Pictured: Village of New Berlin Board Members at a prior board meeting. (Zachary Meseck Photo)
Columbus officials had voice concerns over management of the New Berlin service and its financial burdens before making the decision.
The New Berlin service is currently managed by the Village of New Berlin, who contracts with three neighboring municipalities. But due to loss of income, village and town officials have been searching for possible private alternatives in recent months.
For several years the New Berlin Ambulance Service has been paid for by a contract between the Village of New Berlin, the Town of New Berlin, the Town of Columbus and the Town of Pittsfield.
Town of New Berlin officials said the service currently covers a 12 to 15 mile radius around the Village of New Berlin. The towns of New Berlin, Columbus and Pittsfield collectively pay about $100,800 to the village for coverage, and according to village documents, from June 2017 through May 2018 the service has cost the village $399,216.
Officials said Monday's emergency meeting would involve the New Berlin Ambulance service and the recent decision by the Town of Columbus to pullout out of it over financial concerns.
The Town of New Berlin has also voiced concerns leading up to the current finical woes, and has considered leaving the service as well. “The reason we’re discussing going elsewhere is the village has done less than what was expected on the financial end,” said Town of New Berlin Supervisor Robert Starr, in August. Since then the town has continue to try and agree on a plan with the village.
Starr said there has been ongoing issues with the ambulance's billing, as approximately 15 percent of the total expected income is lost due to non-payment. Officials said the service has been reluctant to pursue patients over debts, because many of them are older and have limited incomes.
The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. tonight at the New Berlin Village Office, and was scheduled after Town of Columbus Supervisor Tom Grace made an official statement.
"(T)he Town of Columbus Board accepted an offer from the Village of Sherburne to provide ambulance coverage in all of our Town in 2019," he said.
According to Grace, the vote to accept new ambulance coverage occurred on December 13, and it stemmed from months of meeting with officials from both the villages of Sherburne and New Berlin.
"I regret that in opting for one service, we are unable to provide the same level of support to the other," he said. "However, I believe it is critical that an ambulance service continue to operate from the New Berlin-Pittsfield area and will continue to meet with officials to help ensure this happens in the future."
He added, "While this may help a town’s bottom line in the near term, it weakens the regional EMS response and ultimately compromises our ability to provide effective service to everyone."
When asked about the upcoming emergency meeting, Village of New Berlin Mayor Terry Potter did not respond before press deadline. Other officials contacted referred comment to the mayor, saying they were uncomfortable discussing the matter. They encouraged the public to attend the meeting.
Officials have not yet explained how the service would continue without Columbus' support, or if it would be able to continue at all.
Pictured: Village of New Berlin Board Members at a prior board meeting. (Zachary Meseck Photo)
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