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South Berwick council adopts FY27 budget after debate over EMS staffing costs
Summary
The South Berwick Town Council adopted its FY27 warrant after public comment and staff briefings. The expense budget rose about 13% overall, driven largely by a roughly $1.4 million increase to expand emergency medical services and staff town ambulances; the council voted 5–0 to adopt the warrant.
The South Berwick Town Council voted unanimously to adopt the FY27 warrant following a public hearing and staff presentations on the expense budget.
Town staff outlined a 13.03% increase in the expense budget, saying the largest single driver — roughly $1.4 million — is an expansion of emergency medical services to staff town ambulances and increase schedules for emergency coverage. "The majority of that budget ends up coming in at 13.03% with an increase in the budget. The majority of that, which is 1.4 million, is an increase for emergency medical services," said Jim, a town staff member leading the budget overview. He emphasized that the percentage increase in the expense budget will not directly translate to a millage change until school, county and growth assessments are finalized this summer.
During the hearing, Clay Curtis, an EMT and Brattle Street resident, questioned the town’s decision to advertise full-time positions as combined firefighter–paramedics. "It's sort of like asking for a plumber who's also a general contractor," Curtis said, warning that the combined credential requirement could narrow the applicant pool and affect workforce diversity. Town staff responded that full-time roles were advertised as firefighter/paramedic to provide staffing flexibility — enabling employees to staff either an engine or an ambulance depending on the call — while part-time call EMT positions remain available for local responders. Staff reported 33 applicants for the new positions, 15 invited for the physical test and interviews underway.
Council members asked procedural and budgetary clarifying questions during the hearing. After discussion, the council moved to adopt the warrant as presented; the motion passed 5–0.
The council’s adoption of the warrant sets the expense plan in motion; the town will combine the expense figures with school and county assessments and growth figures later this summer to determine the mill rate and the tax impact on residents.
