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Selectboard clarifies ambulance fund remains while town uses Barre Town EMS contract
Summary
Residents asked whether Williamstown still holds ambulance funds; the Selectboard confirmed the ambulance fund remains intact and discussed reasons the town contracted with Barre Town EMS, including cost and staffing advantages of a contracted 24-hour service.
Williamstown residents pressed the Selectboard Monday to clarify whether money held in an ambulance fund remained available, and Treasurer Jennifer Allard verified the funds are still in that account.
The discussion reviewed why the town dissolved the volunteer Williamstown Ambulance in favor of a contract with Barre Town EMS (BTEMS). The minutes say contracting reduced the town budget burden, provided 24-hour EMT coverage at lower cost, and addressed volunteer shortages that left coverage unreliable. Board members and residents noted that when BTEMS responds from outside the town, response times increased from an estimated 6–8 minutes to as long as 10–20 minutes on some calls. Steven Hardaker said he hoped future major decisions would include more community discussion before being finalized.
The minutes record no formal motion to change the ambulance contract; Jennifer Allard verified that the ambulance fund's balance remains in the account and available for town use.
