Maher: still room for Walden in ambulance district

Posted 8/24/22

Declaring that a path still exists for the Village of Walden to opt into the new Town of Montgomery Ambulance District, the Montgomery Town Board its preparing to issue a request for proposals (RFP) …

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Maher: still room for Walden in ambulance district

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Declaring that a path still exists for the Village of Walden to opt into the new Town of Montgomery Ambulance District, the Montgomery Town Board its preparing to issue a request for proposals (RFP) for ambulance service.

“It’s going to be a priority of mine to work very closely with the village of Walden,” Supervisor Brian Maher said last week, “because I do believe we should all be included in this.”

Town Board members spent part of last week pouring over the proposed 20-page document prepared with the help of Emergency Management Resources LLC, the consultant hired by the town to facilitate the formation of the townwide ambulance district. Earlier this year, the Town of Montgomery, along with the villages of Maybrook and Montgomery, each voted to opt into the proposed ambulance tax district. The Walden Village Board has not taken a vote on the plan, citing a need for more information. Earlier this month, Walden Mayor John Ramos acknowledged that his village still has no plan for ambulance service in 2023.
Despite Walden’s reluctance, Maher said the RFP should be set up for Walden to be included, in the hope that it eventually opts in.

“In 2023 we would work something out with them so that they pay their fair share,” Maher said, adding that he would be willing to work with the village to set up a payment plan for 2023, since Walden residents would not be receiving a tax bill from the new district. Any budget shortfall due to Walden’s absence, he added, is “absorbable.”

The RFP is expected to have several options for proposals: one just for Basic Life Support (BLS) one for Advanced Life Support (ALS) and one for both. The Town of Montgomery Ambulance Corps presently doesn’t offer ALS service, but has stated that one of its goals is to expand to include that service. The district could contract with the Town of Montgomery Ambulance Corps for BLS service and hire another ALS provider, like Mobile Life, or create its own ALS service.

Maher also announced a tentative timeframe for the process:
- The RFPs would be posted by Sept. 1.
- Sept. 20 would be the deadline for interested parties to submit questions.
- Sept. 30 would be the deadline to provide answers to those questions.

- Oct. 14 would be the deadline to submit proposals.
- Oct. 20 would be the date to select the contractors.

Town Board members were expected to spend a few days studying the document. Maher said feedback would also be sought from the town attorney and from the three villages.

The board will meet via teleconference on Thursday, August 25 at 3 p.m. to vote on approving the document.

Anyone wishing to access the meeting may do so by calling (844) 854-8432 and enter Code 2166376598#.