By Dan Goldberg/For The Star-Ledger March 04, 2010, 7:28PM
MOUNT OLIVE -- The township will extend funding for its two rescue squads as it continues to negotiate with volunteers from Flanders and Budd Lake.
Mayor David Scapicchio said the township is close to a deal that would bring in a full-time paid ambulance service but volunteers and supporters of the squads said they have a few concerns to resolve before withdrawing their petition for a referendum. The petition calls for the township to contract emergency medical services with the two volunteer squads through 2014.
Ken Taylor, one of the petition’s sponsors, said no deal has been reached just yet.
“There are various things that have been proposed by the mayor but none of have been accepted,” Taylor said.
Scapicchio’s budget originally called for funding to cease April 1.
The mayor wants to contract instead with a paid provider that would charge a transport fee to patients – or their insurance companies – instead of having the cost borne by taxpayers.
The mayor’s proposal was met with stiff resistance.
The township currently contracts with Atlantic Health Monday through Friday between 5 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Scapicchio will extend funding at least through April while he and council president Phil Tobey work to mollify concerns.
Scapicchio, however, doesn’t believe it will be necessary.
He said the township is close to reaching an agreement that would have the two squads each keep two rigs – they currently each have three – while the township would contract with a full-time paid ambulance service that would assume transport duties.
The squads would serve in a backup role but maintain their presence at community events such as CPR classes and high school sports.
“I would anticipate at our next council meeting we’ll be ready,” Scapicchio said. “I think this whole process has been an education for everyone involved and now that we have gone through this I believe we have developed the best emergency care one can provide in Mount Olive.”
