Dresden Voters Approve Ambulance Service Switch

Dresden voters approved a $74,372 town budget increase and authorized a switch in ambulance services at Dresden’s 220th annual town meeting, Saturday, June 14.

Residents also rejected job descriptions for several town office positions.

The 2014-2015 municipal budget totals $704,725, an 11.8 percent increase over the 2013-2014 budget.

After some discussion, residents gave selectmen approval to enter a three-year contract with the Gardiner Ambulance Service to provide medical service calls to Dresden.

In the proposed contract, the Gardiner Ambulance Service agrees not to charge for the service and Dresden agrees to pay the uncollected fees related to Dresden calls. Based on the town’s prior uncollected fee average, selected estimated and asked voters to appropriate $3,000 to cover uncollected fees.

Some residents questioned whether $3,000 would be enough to cover the uncollectible amount and asked where the money would come from should the uncollectibles exceed $3,000.

“I don’t see how it can be done for that,” resident Eleanor Everson said.

First Selectman Phil Johnston said the budget included a line item to cover unanticipated expenses, which could cover the fees if the money was available.

Gardiner City Manager Scott Morelli said Gardiner has become more aggressive in collecting bills.

Dresden just ended a five-year contract with North East Mobile Health Ambulance Service, which housed an ambulance right at the Dresden fire station.

North East had submitted a new proposal of $7,750, which was a $3,000 increase over the last year of the contract. A representative from North East said the increase in the contract was due to the cost associated with housing the ambulance in Dresden.

With the considerable increase proposed by North East, Dresden selectmen asked for additional proposals from Wiscasset and Gardiner. According to the selectmen, Wiscasset did not submit a proposal.

The approved $3,000 appropriation is a $2,000 decrease from the last year of the five-year contract with North East Mobile Health Ambulance Service.

The biggest increase in the town’s budget was in the highway account, which includes town road maintenance, a snow removal contract, paving and capital improvements, and sand and salt.

Voters approved both the selectmen’s and the budget review committee’s recommendation of $310,900. Last year Dresden voters raised and appropriated $272,599.

The selectmen told residents the increase is primarily due a higher usage of sand and salt this past winter. Selectmen Alan Moeller told residents the town used nearly 2,600 yards of sand and salt this past winter, compared to 1,800 yards the year before.

According to Moeller, the town plans to do roadwork on Blinn Hill Road and Call’s Hill Road and begin work on the entrances to the town’s dirt roads.

The voters dismissed articles 51 and 52, which pertained to setting town office hours and providing job descriptions for the town clerk, treasurer, excise tax collector, and property tax collector.

In his motion to dismiss the articles, Jeff Pierce noted the article didn’t include job descriptions for the selectmen or the administrative assistant.

“If we are going to vote on job descriptions, we should vote on all of them,” Pierce said.

Ann Pierce will continue to serve as Dresden’s property tax and excise tax collector, receiving 219 votes for property tax collector and 217 votes for excise tax collector.

Both Kim Rzasa and Pierce gathered 12 write-in votes apiece for the open town clerk’s position. Administrative Assistant Trudy Foss said neither plans to take the role, so the selectmen will need to appoint someone to the position.

Jeff Pierce was elected to the budget review committee.

Dresden voters also approved the RSU 2 school budget, 172 to 72.