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Wells EMS warns it could miss payroll within weeks, asks Select Board for emergency aid
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Summary
Wells Emergency Medical Services told the Select Board it faces an urgent cash shortfall — about $122,300 on hand versus biweekly payroll needs of roughly $55,000–$58,000 — and asked the town for emergency funding or other support while it seeks a bank line of credit.
Wells Emergency Medical Services (WEMS) told the Select Board on April 21 that it faces an immediate cash shortfall and could be unable to meet payroll within weeks without town assistance or an operating line of credit. A WEMS board representative said the organization’s available balance is about $122,300 while biweekly payroll runs approximately $55,000–$58,000 and monthly medical insurance costs are roughly $12,000.
The presenter said revenue from third-party payers has fallen sharply, noting an $80,000 drop in the last quarter and an increasing share of runs billed to Medicare and Medicaid, which reimburse at lower rates. “Without additional assistance, we will not make it to June,” the WEMS representative told the board, and added that the service had hired full‑time staff to replace retired per‑diem workers, increasing benefits expense.
WEMS officials described steps already taken: applying to Partners Bank for an operations loan and freezing nonessential invoices pending board approval. Board members pressed for numbers; WEMS staff discussed a range of shortfall estimates during the meeting (figures of $200,000 to $400,000 were discussed), and the representative said $250,000 would be a realistic bridge if revenue did not improve.
The Select Board scheduled a special meeting (public session and executive session) for Thursday, April 30, to consider the WEMS request and recommended that town counsel and finance staff attend. Board members thanked WEMS leaders for the service they provide while probing alternatives and timing for any town support.
Next steps: the board will consider emergency options at the special meeting, and WEMS will continue to pursue a bank line of credit. If the town provides interim funding, staff said it would be applied only after WEMS tapped other available credit resources.
