Select Board approves ambulance service agreement with Bradford, contingent on Attorney General review

Chief Greg Aucoin reviewed proposed changes to the town's ambulance service agreement with Bradford, explaining the revisions narrow which expense lines are subject to the encumbrance factor and apply an approximately 80% allocation for building‑related costs used by rescue services. "We take the expenses to run the Henniker squad. We subtract the revenue that we generate ... and calculate Bradford's portion of that net cost," he said, describing the rolling average of calls used to allocate costs.

Aucoin said the changes remove obsolete language and make the bill calculation fairer by not applying the encumbrance multiplier to fixed costs that do not vary by distance. He said Bradford's portion has historically ranged from about $50,000 to $100,000 depending on actual expenses and revenues. Board members asked whether the contract automatically renews; Aucoin said yes and described an existing process for annual review and a designated follow‑up contact.

A motion to approve entering into the ambulance service agreement with Bradford, contingent upon Attorney General review as required by RSA 53‑A:3, passed unanimously. The agreement will not be ratified until the board signs and the Attorney General's office reviews the intermunicipal contract. Members discussed mutual aid arrangements and noted simultaneous calls to Bradford affected town resources less than 9% of the time in recent analysis.

Why it matters: The agreement affects operating revenue and the town’s ability to staff ambulances; it alters how Bradford is charged for use of Henniker's ambulance service and may shift year‑to‑year revenue flows by adjusting the expense calculation method.

Next steps: Staff will forward the agreement for Attorney General review as required and return with final ratification information once that review is completed.