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Ludlow approves temporary mobile home to house EMS staff
Summary
The Select Board approved buying a 62' x 14' single-wide mobile home to provide temporary on-site housing for EMS personnel while longer-term Public Safety building options are explored; funding will come from the town's 1% Local Options Tax fund.
The Ludlow Select Board voted unanimously on Feb. 9 to purchase a 62' x 14' single-wide mobile home to serve as temporary housing for Emergency Medical Services staff at the Fire Station.
The board, acting on a recommendation from a building committee that included Select Board members and public-safety chiefs, said existing quarters are inadequate (one room with two single beds) and that the unit would provide separate sleeping areas and space for up to three ambulances’ staff during shifts. Committee members and Chief Ben Whalen described the solution as a 3–5 year stopgap while the town studies expansion of the Public Safety building. George Tucker, Jr. said the unit could be hooked to existing water, sewer and electric and expects installation in April after the frost is gone.
The board discussed alternatives including renovating the ambulance garage (egress issues), rental apartments (slower responses), or installing a temporary unit with new infrastructure (estimated at about $175,000). Tucker said the purchase will be funded from the Local Options 1% tax account, which the municipal manager reported holds $447,000. Concerns were raised about location, flood risk and long-term costs; Chair Brett Sanderson noted the site is not in the floodway and said he supported the measure despite reservations about noise and proximity to a nearby bar.
The motion to approve temporary housing was made by George Tucker, Jr. and seconded by Scott Baitz; it passed unanimously. The board described the purchase as a time-limited solution while they pursue a permanent expansion or relocation of public-safety facilities.
