Rotterdam backs EMS service

By RYAN HUTCHINS, Staff writer

Town Board rejects Mohawk Ambulance's offer for coverage

ROTTERDAM — The Town Board approved a measure Thursday night to provide funds to the ailing Rotterdam EMS, rejecting a plan that wouldn't have cost taxpayers anything.

The board entered into a contract with the emergency service organization to pay for the services provided to the town.

Rotterdam will inject $10,000 a month into the coffers of the not-for-profit, which had requested $14,000 a month from the town.

The board also briefly discussed the possibility of creating a special tax district as a permanent solution, according to Mohawk Ambulance spokesman Tom Nardacci, who attended the meeting. The board will discuss that issue at a later time, though.

Mohawk Ambulance made a proposal to the board Thursday night, suggesting it provide coverage to the town at no cost to taxpayers, billing insurance companies and patients instead.

"Now the town is going to move ahead with paying $10,000 a month for something Mohawk would have provided at no cost," Nardacci said.

But town Supervisor Steven A. Tommasone said taxpayers wanted to preserve Rotterdam EMS. Someone commissioned automated calls Thursday to urge residents to call the town and ask for the Mohawk deal. It backfired, Tommasone said.

"Overwhelmingly, the people who called wanted us to keep things the way they are," he said.