WEST DEER: The township's emergency medical service said it's been a prime responder in emergencies and is defending why it should get $13,000 per year from the township.
The controversy stems from budget discussions in which Township Manager Shelia Hanlon questioned why tax money is being used to fund a private ambulance service.
The EMS board of directors has defended the contribution for several reasons. EMS Chairman Chuck Fleischer said the total operating budget exceeds $500,000 per year, so the township's contribution is only 2.6 percent of the service's budget.
Fleischer also said the amount is small compared to the more than $2.2 million budgeted in 2001.
'The money is minuscule,' Hanlon agreed. 'But that money could go a long way for other organizations.'
The board outlined its reasons in a written statement:
West Deer does not release money to the EMS. Instead, the EMS board submits bills for phone, utilities and insurance. If they go over the allocation, the EMS pays the difference.
Fleischer said he took offense to the words 'misuse of funds' that he claimed Hanlon said was being done with township money.
Hanlon replied she never said the money was misused. She said the money could be better spent on funding other entities within the township.
Fleischer said if the fire departments get funded, so should the EMS. Hanlon disagreed, saying fire department members are volunteers and EMS members are paid.
Hanlon said when she was a township supervisor, she voted to give the money to the department, but requested the EMS provide financial statements.
'We gave them money when they were volunteer,' Hanlon said. 'Now that they are paid, I think the money is better spent elsewhere.'
The ambulance service, started in 1977, became paid in 1995.
Fleischer said about 39 percent of the community subscribes to the service. Cost is $25 for a single person; $35 for a family, and a household contribution is $45. Fleischer said the department would have to consider raising subscription rates if the EMS did not get the money.
Hanlon said she expects some township supervisors to abstain from voting and the rest of the board to approve the allocation.
Fleischer, who is supervisors' chairman, said he will abstain. Another supervisor, Mike Cavanaugh, said he will seek legal advice. Cavanaugh also works part time for the EMS.
Fleischer said the EMS is in no danger of closing.
If the EMS would close, the township would be responsible for finding another service, whether non-profit or profit for the community.
'It's going to cost a lot more then,' Fleischer said.
Leslie Suhr can be reached at lsuhr@tribweb.com
