DEXTER – In an effort to comply with the wishes of residents, the Town Council on Thursday moved forward on a plan to keep emergency medical services in the community.

Amending a local ordinance to modify the structure and operation of the municipal ambulance service, the council gave Town Manager Robert Simpson the OK to contract with Mayo Regional Hospital for emergency services.

The town took over the ambulance service from Crosby Funeral Home in 1969, but in recent years difficulties have arisen in staffing and training of volunteers, who receive a token hourly wage and are being asked to give more time, according to Simpson.

In addition, expenses are increasing. Since the town has no paramedics, changes in Medicare laws have resulted in the town being billed $75 to $150 for each call for advanced life support offered by paramedics from surrounding ambulance services.

An ad hoc committee appointed by the council to study public safety operations recommended that the town fully operate the local ambulance service with two paramedics, improve the hourly wage and provide the necessary training, or retain the local ambulance structure but contract its operation.

The Town Council chose the latter route. Simpson said Thursday that services will not be diminished and residents probably will not notice that any change has been made. Residents can decide what hospital they wish to be transported to, unless it is a matter of life and death. Maine law specifies that persons who have life-threatening conditions must be transported to the nearest hospital, according to Brian Mullis, Mayo’s ambulance service director.

Under a proposed contract, Mayo will provide staffing, training, payroll and benefits to support the Dexter Ambulance Service starting on or about July 1, for a three-year term. The employees of the ambulance service will be hired and employed by Mayo Regional Hospital and will be based at the Grove Street ambulance garage.

The town will be responsible for utilities, maintenance and insurance for the building and grounds. The town also will maintain at least one ambulance for use by Mayo personnel and will equip the vehicle. Mayo, in turn, will fund the cost of fuel for the vehicles and will provide a paramedic “jump truck” at the Dexter facility.

Mayo will receive a yearly subsidy of $25,000 for the service. The hospital will collect and keep the revenue, estimated at $100,000, and will pay the town $6,000 for the use of the ambulance garage.