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Morristown board approves $39,276.13 in uncollectible ambulance write-offs after residents urge fairness
Summary
The Select Board approved writing off $39,276.13 in uncollected ambulance charges for July 1, 2024–June 30, 2025 after a lengthy debate about collections policy, sliding fees and the town’s decision not to pursue formal collections to avoid deterring emergency calls.
The Town of Morristown Select Board voted unanimously to approve writing off $39,276.13 in uncollectible ambulance accounts for the fiscal period July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025.
Town finance staff presented the annual ambulance billing report and recommended the write-off after a year of collection efforts. Staff reported the town billed a total of $420,816 in ambulance charges for the year and recommended $39,276.13 be written off as uncollectible — roughly the amount presented to the board and recorded in the meeting packet.
The discussion drew sustained public comment and several board member interventions. Residents and board members pressed for clarity on collection efforts and fairness. One longtime community member, Kathy Chaffy, said residents sometimes cannot afford ambulance bills and argued the town should help: "I will never pay for an ambulance bill if I have to use it," she said. Town staff described time-payment arrangements and said their practice has been to avoid formal collection referrals so residents are not deterred from calling emergency services.
Staff also noted changes in insurer reimbursements and an expected increase in write-offs in subsequent years as the town raises its billed rates while insurer payments lag. Board members discussed alternatives including a sliding fee scale, stronger documentation requirements for hardship, or formal collections but expressed concern that aggressive collection practices could discourage emergency calls.
After debate, the board approved a motion, moved and seconded, to write off the recommended uncollected ambulance amounts. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote.
