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Swansea deliberates 2026 budget as ambulance contract and insurance costs drive increase
Summary
The select board presented a $8.94M 2026 operating budget (about $47,000 over default) at the deliberative session, citing rising personnel, insurance and a large increase in the Cheshire EMS contract; residents and officials debated the feasibility of in‑town ambulance service and options to control costs.
Town leaders presented the proposed 2026 operating budget of $8,939,036, saying it funds essential municipal services and is roughly $47,000 above the default budget. Officials explained drivers including wages, benefits, property and liability insurance increases, and a marked rise in the ambulance contract cost with Cheshire EMS.
Presenter notes highlighted that health insurance and other fixed costs are the largest drivers of the increase. "Major drivers include personnel costs, adjustments to wages and staffing levels, employee benefit costs (healthcare up 6.7%), dental up 4%, and insurance premiums up 26.32%," a presenter said. The ambulance contract, which had been covered at $75,000 in 2025, was presented as $211,618 for 2026; the town plans to use $47,000 from an ambulance expendable trust fund to offset part of that increase.
Residents asked whether Swansea could provide ambulance service directly and recoup billing revenue; officials and experienced emergency services leaders warned the up‑front cost would be substantial (vehicle and staffing estimates were discussed) and that reimbursements and staffing stability are uncertain. "For every ambulance, you can consider it being $1,000,000," a select board member said in describing the scale of a town‑run operation; speakers who had prepared feasibility work cited annual personnel cost estimates of more than $1.2M for a 24/7 three‑person ambulance crew (a study referenced from earlier work).
After extended discussion about contracts, competition, and the practicality of a town‑run EMS, the deliberative session moved Article 6 to the ballot by voice vote. Select board members urged residents to review the voter guide for further detail ahead of the official March ballot.
