KINGFIELD – Selectmen signed a one-year contract with Sugarloaf Ambulance Service on Monday, but refused a three-year agreement because of the cost.

Pam Ernest, interim ambulance director for Franklin Memorial Hospital Regional Ambulance Services, presented the board with a contract that is being considered by all municipalities served by five ambulance services under the hospital’s administration.

Though admittedly satisfied with Sugarloaf as an emergency transport service, Kingfield selectmen said they are upset that seemingly nothing has been done to mitigate the increasing cost of the service to the town. The subsidy for Kingfield increased from about $30,000 to $53,000 when federal Medicare funding was cut recently. Officials are not opposed to an increase but feel Kingfield’s charges are too expensive.

Amps, CES, LifeStar, Rangeley and Sugarloaf Ambulance services are all administered by the hospital. They respond to emergencies in 30 towns, each of which pays a subsidy to the hospital. None of the ambulance companies are profitable, Ernest said.

But the formula to determine each town’s share was designed decades ago, according to selectmen, who called it a “mystery formula.” Selectman John Dill suggested they not call it a formula because officials at the hospital have been unable to explain it to them.

Kingfield officials said they are being charged too much for their use and have been asking for a substantiated and equitable formula for several years. They said they want to see progress before they will commit to three more years.

“If we sign a contract, the hospital won’t do what we’ve been asking them to do,” Selectman Shelly Poulin said.

“There’s no rhyme or reason as to how each town is paying for service,” said Dill. “If we sign something, the hospital won’t do anything to change. I’d like to see some progress. I want to be a burr in somebody’s saddle.”

“It’s more of a good faith thing,” agreed Selectman Heather Moody. “Where’s the incentive?” she asked.

Ernest said though several towns had similar complaints, they agreed to sign the contract. The purpose of the three-year contract is to get past contractual language so that the advisory committee set up to look at the situation can work on the subsidy issue, she said.

Copy the Story Link