To the Editor:
The children at our church take a “noisy offering” once a month to aid some nonprofit group, an individual or a community organization that has a need for financial support. Most recently the offering, which is collected in tin cans and guaranteed to make noise by the ebullient stewards, was donated to the Newcastle Fire Department for the plain reason the fire department is there for the church if ever needed.
The offering was a good-will gesture on the part of the children and the church.
This scenario came to mind when, at a joint meeting of the Damariscotta selectmen and budget committee, the heads of fire, police and ambulance sat before us individually and pleaded very basic needs for their departments.
In particular, the fire department has older engines that need parts, service or retirement. The fire chief expressed concern whether an engine would make it to a fire, much less make it back to the station.
The ambulance service also had specific needs and concerns about their equipment and ability to service the broader area of Lincoln County.
When asked if our local hospital assisted them financially, since the three organizations can make multiple trips to the campus for all kinds of reasons, the answer was they did not receive even a modest contribution beyond what was contractual.
As a member of the budget committee, I find it surprising that a hospital that essentially pays no taxes due to its non-profit status, would not make a good-will contribution to defray costs to the town where it readily accepts – even expects – the services of fire, police and ambulance.
The hospital is the largest employer in the county where many of its employees live outside the town of Damariscotta. Oh, they may protest and say that free medical service is handed out to those in need. Well – they should provide that service – they are a non-profit.
That’s what non-profits do, and this is one justification for their tax-free status.
We should remind them that state and federal funds as well as commercial health insurance companies pay for their revenue. The generosity does not come out of the coffers of Lincoln Health.
You know, I have considered calling on my little church cherubs to petition with their tin cans the misers at Miles. Their cans hold more than coins. They also accept dollars.
I can assure you those benevolent babes would cheerfully give the money to their needy neighbor, Damariscotta. I am hopeful that the administration and the board of trustees of Lincoln Health will make a donation.
Elizabeth Printy
Damariscotta
