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Volunteer New Haven First Response asks town to weigh in as dispatch fees rise
Summary
New Haven First Response told the Selectboard that new quarterly charges from Shelburne dispatch — $1,235 for First Response and $698 for the fire department — and a projected 38% increase next year threaten the volunteer service; the board agreed to place the request on the Town Meeting warning for voter consideration.
Lisa LaPete, representing New Haven First Response, told the Selectboard at its June 16 meeting that Shelburne dispatch has begun billing local providers and that the new charges are straining the volunteer service. "They are now charging N.H. First Response $1,235 quarterly; and the New Haven Fire Dept. $698 quarterly," LaPete said, and added the town was told the fee could increase by about 38% next year.
LaPete said the volunteer group handled roughly 178 calls last year, operates with nine volunteers who cannot all respond to every call, and currently has about $13,000 in its account. She said the group previously had a $6,000 line item in the town budget that was reduced to $3,000; the Selectboard agreed it was not their sole decision to fund dispatch and voted to place a request on the Town Meeting warning so voters can decide. According to LaPete, when she raised the matter with the Shelburne Police Chief she was told it was "not their problem," and a contact in the Legislature told her officials there had "bigger fish to fry."
