Trappe Council appoints Friendship EMS after debate over two proposals

Trappe Borough Council on Dec. 2 approved a contract appointment for emergency medical services, selecting Friendship Emergency Medical Services through RESOLUTION 2025-10. The motion to appoint Friendship was moved by Stu Strauss and seconded by Dave Davis; the resolution passed with four votes in favor and one abstention by Mallory Perlin, who cited a possible conflict of interest.

Council heard two competing offers before the vote. Freedom Valley proposed responding primarily from Limerick for an initial two‑year term at a cost of $72,000 annually and offered the borough a seat on its board. Friendship proposed a single‑year arrangement at roughly $100,000 annually, with responses split roughly 50% from Trappe’s fire station and 50% from Black Rock Road in Upper Providence. Fire company representatives and a Freedom Valley board member spoke to both proposals; Council and the solicitor noted expectations about service-area priorities and backing for each provider. Manager Marcus Dolny told Council he had prepared resolution drafts to meet timing constraints before year-end.