By Chuck McMahon,Special to the Sun Journal

DATE: 03/12/05

SLUG: FARnewvineyard0313

New Vineyard
Ambulance

contract

opposed

NEW VINEYARD – Despite the snowy conditions, more than 40 residents attended the annual town meeting Saturday morning and voted not to enter into a contract with an ambulance service for the upcoming year.

According to Selectman Fay Adams, the meeting lasted almost three hours and featured much discussion about the 43 proposed articles. As in many other small towns in Franklin County, the issue of choosing an ambulance service was one of the more popular articles in the warrant.

“The town is very up in the air about a new contract,” said Adams.

With not a lot of options on the table, town members were still reluctant to agree to a contract with their current service, LifeStar. According to Adams, the town is uncomfortable with the wording of the contract and has not yet seen a response from the service. The current contract expires in October.

“There are several things that are not in there,” said Adams.

The town has until July 1 to reach an agreement, and Adams said no one was ready to rush into anything yet. Once there is enough information and awareness, the town will hold a special town meeting to deal with the issue, she said.

Earl Luce Jr. kept his post as road commissioner, while Adams was voted back into her spot on the Board of Selectmen.

Moderator for the meeting was Roger Lambert of Strong.