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Selectmen approve $475,000 cap for ALS ambulance; agree on $275,000 free‑cash and $200,000 EMS reserve split
Summary
The board agreed to a not‑to‑exceed $475,000 purchase and equip authorization for an advanced life‑support ambulance, approving a funding mix of $275,000 from free cash and $200,000 from the EMS reserve receipt account and instructed staff to monitor reserves.
Acushnet selectmen on Sept. 26 approved a not‑to‑exceed $475,000 appropriation to purchase and equip an advanced life‑support ambulance and agreed on a funding plan that draws $275,000 from free cash and $200,000 from the EMS reserve receipt account.
Finance staff outlined the town’s EMS reserve balance (reported in the meeting as roughly $819,000) and explained the tradeoffs of tapping reserves versus using free cash. One selectman said the board must be cautious so as not to deplete reserves that are used to balance future operating budgets; another favored a mix to preserve longer‑term flexibility.
After discussing several scenarios, including a prior $600,000 authorization the board rescinded, members settled on the 275/200 split and asked staff to keep monitoring EMS revenues and the reserve balance over the coming quarters.
The board noted this is a one‑time capital expense and emphasized its preference for preserving operating reserves. The motion to approve the funding approach was carried by voice vote; no roll‑call tally appears in the transcript.
