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Deerfield committee reviews ambulance replacement and regional service options
Summary
SCEMS reported plans to buy a lower-cost, non-custom ambulance to reduce maintenance costs on two aging vehicles; committee discussed charging Hatfield for night/weekend coverage and possible regionalizing services with neighboring towns.
Town emergency-service needs and regional cooperation were on the Connecting Community Initiative Committee agenda March 12.
The SCEMS update described high maintenance costs on two aging ambulances and a plan to acquire a non-custom replacement that the chief identified as less expensive than a custom model. The committee heard that retained earnings are insufficient to absorb the purchase without service-cost increases.
Members discussed possible intermunicipal arrangements to share costs and coverage. One option under consideration would charge Hatfield $350 for night and weekend coverage because Hatfield lacks those services; expand‑inclusion of Conway was also mentioned but no formal agreement or vote was recorded.
The committee did not take a formal action to purchase a vehicle at the meeting; staff and SCEMS will continue procurement discussions and refine cost-sharing proposals for future committee review.
