The average response time has increased by less than a minute under new Multi-Township EMS owner Kosciusko Community Hospital, Milford Council heard Monday – nowhere near the 20 minutes claimed last month.
Council heard concerns last month that the response time for medical emergencies had increased dramatically, and that the ambulance stationed in Milford is often used for out-of-area transports so vehicles based in neighboring towns sometimes get to Milford quicker. Scott Sigerfoos, EMS director, attended the meeting Monday and provided a month-by-month breakdown for the year.
He said the average response time to Van Buren Township, barring a few outliers, was a little over 5-1/2 minutes in January. Response times averaged 6.38 minutes in August after KCH owner Lutheran Health Network acquired the service, Sigerfoos said
He attributed the increase to a “precipitous” rise in call volume, but said it’s helped that the service has changed the way it handles transfers, now scheduling ahead of time for a crew to be on-duty.
He added that the Milford ambulance is the third choice for transports out of the area, after the two vehicles in Warsaw and one in Leesburg, and just ahead of the one in Bourbon. The Warsaw trucks alone handle 75 percent of transports, he said, also noting that it’s not possible for Milford alone to handle the six to eight transports a day.
Council members thanked Sigerfoos for the information, with Bob Cockburn remarking, “I guess we don’t like feeling like we’re the orphans.”
Also Monday, council voted to advertise a change to the water rate ordinance using the highest figures recommended by Umbaugh and Associates, with the option of lowering them before the final vote if they change their minds. A public hearing will be held for the rate change next month.
Umbaugh had recommended an increase of $6 to $10.50 a month following a rate study for the town, which would generate $209,000 to $258,000 a year. Umbaugh based the rate on a projected yearly expense of $156,000 for the water department – about $9,300 higher than what it can now afford – and the need to build up cash reserves in the operating expenses fund and save up for depreciation and maintenance.
Councilman Dan Cochran made the motion after remarking that the water department has only $7,800 left, which is the first time it’s been in the black but “it does not take a lot of expenses to wipe out $7,000.”
And council heard a report from Wessler Engineering on expenses they can expect for wastewater treatment plant upgrades. Project Manager Ryan Brauen said the state will require stricter limits on phosphorus discharge – a reduction from the current 6 to 7 milligrams per liter to only 1 – and that the town may consider other changes like using ultraviolet light to kill bacteria rather than chlorine.
He said Wessler could provide a report with recommended improvements to meet compliance, as well as costs and a schedule for improvements, for $31,500. Council will vote on the study next month.
(Story By The Times Union)
