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Select Board adopts $300,000 emergency appropriation for Wells Emergency Medical Services
Summary
At a May 12 special meeting the Select Board adopted an emergency ordinance to appropriate up to $300,000 from the undesignated fund balance to support Wells Emergency Medical Services through the end of fiscal year 2026; the measure passed 5-0 amid discussion about bringing EMS operations under town control.
The Select Board on May 12 unanimously adopted an emergency ordinance to appropriate and expend up to $300,000 from the undesignated fund balance to assist Wells Emergency Medical Services with financial obligations through the end of fiscal year 2026.
The ordinance, described to the board as an emergency measure and noted as having been drafted by attorney Rian, was approved on a 5-0 vote after a brief public hearing at which no members of the public spoke. "I move to approve and sign the emergency ordinance to appropriate and expend up to $300,000 from the undesignated fund balance surplus to assist the Wells Emergency Medical Services in meeting his financial obligations as they come due through the end of fiscal year 2026," a Select Board member said when making the motion; another board member seconded it.
Board members used the discussion that followed to press for a longer-term plan. "I think that this should be absolutely 100% under town control," a Select Board member said, arguing the July 1 target for transition felt too quick. Another member suggested using an August 1 target instead and urged the board to "explore the ability to take over" operations.
Mike, the town manager, responded that staff would "move as quickly as possible," saying the town aims to maintain roughly $1.47 million to cover related operational expenditures and that staff would proceed once the necessary groundwork is in place. He also proposed providing a standing update at each meeting so the board and public can track progress on any transition or operational changes.
The board closed the public hearing, approved the emergency ordinance by a 5-0 vote and then adjourned. The manager's pledge of regular updates and the board's instruction to explore a potential town takeover were the principal next steps recorded at the meeting.
