Manchester Looks At Ways To Help Fund LifeMed
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
NORTH MANCHESTER - Town manager Dan Hannaford and H. J. Umbaugh & Associates, Plymouth, will look at several ways to supplement LifeMed.
"We've got to be creative to come up with a way to pay for this," Hannaford told the North Manchester town council Wednesday. LifeMed is the only ambulance service north of Ind. 16, which includes approximately one-third of the town.
Hannaford plans to hash out "the problem from hell" with Umbaugh Monday.
"It's progress," said Marvin Gheen, LifeMed's director of operations in North Manchester.
Wabash County Council accelerated payments to LifeMed starting in May. They approved an additional $4,000 per month.
The money will be exhausted by September. The $77,500 originally appropriated by the county council for LifeMed was intended to last until December.
Hannaford said he will look at the legality of user fees and the fees' amount and other possible solutions.
"As a town, we cannot afford to not have the service," said Hannaford.
In past years, the county council added $50,000 to supplement LifeMed. This year the council is not sure it has the money.
With the extra $50,000 from the county, North Manchester would need to pay $70,000, according to Hannaford.
"We can't afford to do it on our own," said Hannaford.
LifeMed president Christopher Brown said he would be willing to use more of his personal credit to keep the emergency service afloat in North Manchester. But he needs a written agreement, he said.
Brown has spent $90,000 of his credit on verbal agreements from North Manchester and Wabash County, he said to the county council last week.
In another matter, the parks and recreation department was denied their money request for relining the community pool.
Wagner estimated the lump-sum cost at $63,910, if paid at once.
Rinearson raised concerns about the 34-year-old pool's structural damage. The department's request did not include that cost.
"I'd like to see the total picture," said town council president Don Rinearson.
Parks director Brian Wagner was told to return to the council with structural and lining costs.
"I'd hate to see something get started if there's another problem," said Rinearson.
In other business, the town council:
• Approved closing the alley between East and Bond streets.
• Approved the second reading of the demolition permit.
• Approved hiring James Hall as North Manchester police officer.
• Approved the first reading of the town's electorate redistricting. Rinearson said the ordinance would not change the current districts.
North Manchester Town Council includes: president Don Rinearson, vice president Stan Escott, Karl Merritt, Warren Garner, town attorney Charles Tiede and Bill Hix. Clerk-treasurer is Nancy Reed. Town manager is Dan Hannaford. Public safety director is Jack Fetrow. Plan commissioner is Bernie Ferringer. Public works superintendent is John Mugford. [[In-content Ad]]
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NORTH MANCHESTER - Town manager Dan Hannaford and H. J. Umbaugh & Associates, Plymouth, will look at several ways to supplement LifeMed.
"We've got to be creative to come up with a way to pay for this," Hannaford told the North Manchester town council Wednesday. LifeMed is the only ambulance service north of Ind. 16, which includes approximately one-third of the town.
Hannaford plans to hash out "the problem from hell" with Umbaugh Monday.
"It's progress," said Marvin Gheen, LifeMed's director of operations in North Manchester.
Wabash County Council accelerated payments to LifeMed starting in May. They approved an additional $4,000 per month.
The money will be exhausted by September. The $77,500 originally appropriated by the county council for LifeMed was intended to last until December.
Hannaford said he will look at the legality of user fees and the fees' amount and other possible solutions.
"As a town, we cannot afford to not have the service," said Hannaford.
In past years, the county council added $50,000 to supplement LifeMed. This year the council is not sure it has the money.
With the extra $50,000 from the county, North Manchester would need to pay $70,000, according to Hannaford.
"We can't afford to do it on our own," said Hannaford.
LifeMed president Christopher Brown said he would be willing to use more of his personal credit to keep the emergency service afloat in North Manchester. But he needs a written agreement, he said.
Brown has spent $90,000 of his credit on verbal agreements from North Manchester and Wabash County, he said to the county council last week.
In another matter, the parks and recreation department was denied their money request for relining the community pool.
Wagner estimated the lump-sum cost at $63,910, if paid at once.
Rinearson raised concerns about the 34-year-old pool's structural damage. The department's request did not include that cost.
"I'd like to see the total picture," said town council president Don Rinearson.
Parks director Brian Wagner was told to return to the council with structural and lining costs.
"I'd hate to see something get started if there's another problem," said Rinearson.
In other business, the town council:
• Approved closing the alley between East and Bond streets.
• Approved the second reading of the demolition permit.
• Approved hiring James Hall as North Manchester police officer.
• Approved the first reading of the town's electorate redistricting. Rinearson said the ordinance would not change the current districts.
North Manchester Town Council includes: president Don Rinearson, vice president Stan Escott, Karl Merritt, Warren Garner, town attorney Charles Tiede and Bill Hix. Clerk-treasurer is Nancy Reed. Town manager is Dan Hannaford. Public safety director is Jack Fetrow. Plan commissioner is Bernie Ferringer. Public works superintendent is John Mugford. [[In-content Ad]]