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Select Board OKs powered stretcher purchase as regional ambulance staffing and billing issues persist
Summary
Tamworth approved a $27,600 purchase of a powered stretcher to outfit a recently delivered ambulance. At the same meeting, officials discussed regional ambulance provider staffing shortages and an upcoming contract amendment expected to correct billing errors.
The Tamworth Select Board approved purchasing a refurbished powered stretcher and power‑load system for $27,600 from the town’s rescue vehicle capital reserve fund at its Aug. 7 meeting.
Matt Baumann, representing the town’s fire/rescue discussion, presented the purchase option and said the new town ambulance had been wired for a powered stretcher when built but the system was excluded at delivery to keep the vehicle under budget. He told the board the refurbished system is $27,600; a new system would cost roughly $40,000. The town’s rescue fund had sufficient balance to cover the purchase, Baumann said.
“27,000 is a lot cheaper than one back injury,” Baumann said, arguing the power system reduces manual lift risk for responders.
Board members approved the purchase by roll call. The board noted installation costs should be limited because the ambulance is already wired for a powered plate and power stretcher.
During the same agenda item the board received an update on the regional ambulance contract. One participant said billing to member towns has fluctuated due to calculation errors in the regional contract: an overcharge of roughly $62,000 at a prior calculation point produced inconsistent monthly bills and officials expect a credit and a contract amendment at the next regional meeting (noted as Oct. 23 in discussion). Board members agreed to follow up when the amendment is completed.
Town officials also discussed short‑term operational staffing: the regional provider has been running its third ambulance at the Basic Life Support level on some days because of staffing shortages, and boards from member towns granted temporary authorization for the provider to operate a third truck at a lower level through the October meeting. Board members raised response‑time concerns and discussed escalating issues about contract noncompliance if adequate ALS coverage is not provided.
The board directed the town’s representative to follow the regional amendment process, seek amended contract documents in advance for local review, and monitor response times and billing reconciliations. The board did not cancel or amend its existing contract at the meeting.
