Water Cross Revelation

Is Nottingham getting paid properly?

In the cache of documents released under a Right-to-Know request from Sandra Vilchock is a large amount of correspondence between the former Interim Fire Chief, Dale Sylvia, and Town Administrator, Ellen White. An email dated April 13, 2023 from the Chief to the Town Administrator says:

I have just been informed the event promoter has not paid for the previous ambulance coverage for the past two years and will not return their calls or certified letters. Should this play a role in approving this year’s event or make it conditional that they pay their past bills before getting approval this year?

The email also says that the Fire Department’s approval of the event is contingent on the condition that “Nottingham fire provides ambulance coverage (must be paid in advance).”

An email from the Chief on May 2 says, “Met with McGregor ambulance, they are lending us an ambulance for the water cross.”

On May 9 the Chief received an email from McGregor which he forwarded to the Town Administrator on May 17. The McGregor email was about an annual survey of local emergency medical services. They wanted to confirm that Nottingham’s rates were “still the following”:

• BLS Emergency: $499

• ALS1 Emergency: $593

• ALS2 Emergency: $777

• Mileage: $8.53

In the cover letter to the Town Administrator, the Chief says: “I think we should look at our billing for EMS.  We are by far the lowest in the area. If we do I assume any changes would have to be approved by the BOS.”

A water cross racer.