Trustees weigh expanding volunteer ambulance board from five to seven members

The Dobbs Ferry Board of Trustees reviewed a request from the volunteer ambulance corps to expand its governance board during the April 28 workshop.

Chair introduced the proposal to allow a seven-member board so the village could increase its appointees from two to three and the ambulance membership could likewise appoint three, with the six naming a seventh. A Staff member noted the current memorandum of agreement (MOA) specifies a five-member minimum and that village counsel had redlined language in bylaws showing how corporate officers would or would not fit on a five-person board.

Why it matters: Staff said the existing bylaws could prevent all corporate officers (for example, treasurer or secretary) from serving on a five-member board; expanding to seven would allow officers to be board members and could increase volunteer capacity for fundraising and oversight. Several trustees said larger boards can be more unwieldy and recommended starting with five and revisiting if problems arise.

Trustees and staff discussed whether the ambulance membership supported a seven-member structure; staff said the group had interviewed candidates and that three applicants were highly favored. Staff told trustees an addendum and a draft resolution were prepared and available for execution but recommended waiting until the ambulance membership completes its bylaws revisions and membership vote.

What’s next: Staff offered to present the addendum and draft resolution for the trustees’ approval when the ambulance corps’ membership finalizes its bylaws; trustees did not vote on the change at the workshop.