SPOTSWOOD — The Spotswood Borough Council is considering outsourcing Emergency Management Services (EMS) due to budgetary constraints.
At the June 3 meeting, the council authorized the issuance of a request for proposals from outside medical transport services to possibly replace Spotswood EMS, which cost the borough approximately $500,000 in 2014.
Council President Curtis Stollen cited several major changes brought about by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that influenced the council’s decision to seek an outside contractor for the medical transportation service.
According to Stollen, under the ACA, workers who log over 30 hours a week must be provided with benefits such as health insurance.
“We at least have to start getting the facts so, when this hits at the end of this year, we have our hours under control. If we were to add 20 people with benefits, we wouldn’t even be within [budget] cap. It just can’t happen,” Stollen said.
He said the squad has 20 members — six of whom are full-time — and two ambulances.
For 2015, the municipal budget allots $424,007 for the EMS, with salaries totaling $348,000.
He also cited the fact that some health insurance programs do not offer reimbursement for medical transport, leaving the town to absorb the cost.
Miriam Barbarise, director of Spotswood EMS, said the EMS has an advantage over outside contractors because of the special relationships they have with the borough community.
“A lot of residents know my staff, and a lot of them know my people by their first name,” Barbarise said.
She also pointed out that for the past three years, Spotswood EMS has been operating out of a warehouse located on America Way since the original building suffered damage after Tropical Storm Irene.
According to Barbarise, so far this year Spotswood EMS has provided medical transport about 600 times for residents of the town and surrounding communities.
The ordinance drew criticism as residents who said they have experienced both systems weighed in.
“They serve the people. To [Spotswood EMS], we’re people; to an outside contractor, we’re profit,” said Dean Sliker, a resident who argued against the borough seeking a private contractor.
“I’d rather my taxes go up now and keep the service I have now than see my taxes go up and have someone that I’ve never seen before come into my home.”
Spotswood EMS received support not only from those in the borough, but also from Helmetta officials. Councilwoman Yvette Bruno, Police Chief Chad Lockman and Fire Chief John Dunay came to show their support because Spotswood EMS also provides services for Helmetta residents.
“I know it’s a hard financial time for us now. I know money is the biggest thing, but if it comes close, you have to go with the home team,” Lockman told the council.
“I rely on this EMS just as you guys rely on police and fire,” said Dunay in a speech to the council during the public comment session of the meeting.
Council members made it clear that all options will be kept open as they look at a variety of privately owned medical transportation services.
“In order to be stewards for the taxpayers of this town, we have to look at how we can provide this service in the best way we can for the least amount of money we can,” Stollen said. “If we don’t do that, we are derelict in our duties. So we are going to explore the options, weigh them and consider them.”
A decision about whether to keep the current medical transportation system or outsource the service is expected by the end of the year, he said.