Select Board hears ALS contract changes, membership fees and potential Go North grant support

Chair Toby Harmon briefed the board on regional Advanced Life Support (ALS) service changes expected under a new April 2027 contract that will require participating towns to commit for five years.

Harmon summarized the cost structure: “The membership fee starts out at $15,000 for the 1st year,” and he said the fee would increase by roughly $15,000 each year to about $81,244 in year five while the per‑call fee is projected to climb from about $115 toward $250. Harmon framed the numbers for Newfields as roughly $50 per resident (population‑based estimate) to secure a two‑minute ALS‑response vehicle out the door.

Harmon also told the board that the state’s Go North program (Department of Homeland Security) is offering grants for rural transformational health projects and that the town should assess eligibility and coordinate departments to pursue funding. He noted the town has already set aside funds for ALS in a warrant account ($37,400) and that the Downer Foundation has donated nearly $28,000 toward local ALS expenses — amounts he said would help bridge near‑term costs while the board explores budget options.

The board agreed ALS funding and membership decisions will be a major item for the upcoming budget season and asked staff to provide charts and cost projections for a future meeting.