The Brattleboro Selectboard will approve a $50,000 annual increase in fees to Golden Cross at their next regular meeting. This will cover a 3rd ambulance and a second full time AEMT provider.
The board will also discuss a “Declaration of Inclusion,” authorize sewer repairs, continue with committee appointments. You can, additionally, bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.
…
The Brattleboro Selectboard will meet on Tuesday, September 20, 2022 at 6:15pm in the Selectboard Meeting Room at the Brattleboro Municipal Center at 230 Main Street. The public may also participate in the meeting over Zoom. The attached agenda contains information on how to access the meeting remotely, including the required “passcode.” ASL interpreters will be available for deaf and hard-of-hearing community members.
Jessica Sticklor (she/her/hers)
Executive Assistant
Town of Brattleboro
230 Main Street, Suite 208
Brattleboro, VT 05301
(802) 251 – 8115
….
BRATTLEBORO SELECTBOARD
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2022
SELECTBOARD MEETING ROOM + ZOOM
REGULAR MEETING – 6:15PM
The physical location for this meeting will be the Selectboard Meeting Room at the Municipal Center at
230 Main Street.
The public is encouraged to attend and participate in this meeting using Zoom.
If you join the meeting from your computer, tablet, or smartphone, please use this link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86067892659
The “Meeting ID” for this meeting is:
860 6789 2659
Passcode: 12261753
You also can call in using your telephone
by dialing any of these toll-free numbers in the United States:
833-548-0282
877-853-5247
888-788-0099
833-548-0276
or you can access a list of non-toll-free numbers
for locations around the world using this link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/u/k2Hdbk6mA
The meeting also will be carried live on BCTV:
On Cable TV: Channel 1085 or Channel 10
Streaming Online: https://www.brattleborotv.org/channel-10-stream
Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/brattleborotv
AGENDA
1. CONVENE REGULAR MEETING
2. APPROVE MINUTES – September 6, 2022
3. CHAIR’S REMARKS
4. MANAGER’S COMMENTS
5. SELECTBOARD COMMENTS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
6. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
7. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Paving – Award $64,330 Bid
B. Structures Grant – Authorize $200,000 Grant Application
8. WATER AND SEWER COMMISSIONERS
A. Walnut Street Sewer Project – Award Bid
9. NEW BUSINESS
A. Declaration of Inclusion – Discussion and Possible Adoption
B. Monthly EMS Update and Contract – Discussion and Possible Approval
C. Monthly Financial Report – Approve
D. Committee Appointments
10. CORRESPONDENCE/FYI
A. Warrants and Department Reports
11. MEETINGS
See Town Calendar
12. ADJOURNMENT
….
MEMORANDUM
To: Selectboard
From: Leonard Howard III, Acting Town Manager
Re: Administrative Report
Date: September 16, 2022
—————————
The following will summarize the proposed motions for the Selectboard meeting on Tuesday, September 20, 2022. The Board will convene the meeting at 6:15pm in the Selectboard Meeting Room and on Zoom.
Join the meeting from a computer, tablet, or smartphone, using this link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86067892659
The “Meeting ID” for this meeting is:
860 6789 2659
Passcode: 12261753
You also can call in using your telephone
by dialing any of these toll-free numbers in the United States:
833-548-0282
877-853-5247
888-788-0099
833-548-0276
or you can access a list of non-toll-free numbers
for locations around the world using this link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/u/k2Hdbk6mA
The meeting will be carried live on BCTV:
On Cable TV: Channel 1085 or Channel 10
Streaming Online: https://www.brattleborotv.org/channel-10-stream
Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/brattleborotv/
7. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Paving – Award Bid
B. Structures Grant – Authorize Grant Application
In a memorandum dated September 8, 2022, Public Works Director Daniel Tyler informs the Board that repaving is needed after the recent stormwater and sewer collection systems projects on Organ Street and Olive Street. The paving project will be funded through the approved Capital Improvement Budget. Two bids were received by the September 8, 2022 deadline and staff approves accepting the bid from DMI Paving, INC., of Brattleboro for a total amount of $64, 330. By approving the consent agenda, the Selectboard will award the 2022 Fall Paving Project contract to DMI Paving, INC., of Brattleboro, VT, for a total amount of $64, 330.
In a memorandum dated September 8, 2022, Public Works Director Daniel Tyler writes that the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) has invited Brattleboro to participate in the annual Town Highway Structures Grant Program for FY23. The Structures Grant Program makes funds available for maintaining or repairing bridges, large culverts and retaining walls on Class 1, 2, or 3 town highways. DPW staff worked with VTrans to select two culverts for design and replacement on Akely Road. The amount offered through the program is $200, 000. The required match is 10% and will be funded through budged DPW bridge and roadway maintenance accounts.
POTENTIAL MOTION: TO ACCEPT THE CONSENT AGENDA, AS PRESENTED.
8. WATER AND SEWER COMMISSIONERS
A. Walnut Street Sewer Project – Award Bid
In a memorandum dated September 8, 2022, Public Works Director Daniel Tyler discusses the Walnut Sewer Line Replacement Project, which involves upgrading the existing sewer line that runs from the east end of Walnut Street to the Connecticut River interceptor line parallel to the railroad tracks. $160, 000 is allocated in the Utility Capital Plan for these improvements. One bid was received from Zaluzny Excavating INC., by the September 8, 2022 deadline. Staff recommends accepting the bid from Zaluzny Excavating, INC., for $94, 660.
POSSIBLE MOTION: TO ACCEPT THE BID FOR THE WALNUT STREET SEWER PROJECT FROM ZALUZNY EXCAVATING, INC., FOR $94, 660.
9. NEW BUSINESS
A. Declaration of Inclusion – Discussion and Possible Adoption
Included in the Board’s backup materials is a document related to the Declaration of Inclusion, a declaration that originated several years ago by Rutland-area residents, Bob Harnish and Al Wakefield. The goal of the Declaration of Inclusion is to proclaim values of acceptance and fairness and to make it clear that Vermont is a welcoming and supportive place for visitors and new residents. The Board is asked to discuss this declaration and consider adopting it at this meeting or at a future meeting.
POSSIBLE MOTION: TO FORMALLY ADOPT THE DECLARATION OF INCLUSION.
C. Monthly EMS Update and Contract – Discussion and Possible Approval
In a memorandum dated September 8, 2022, Assistant Fire Chief Charles Keir provides the Board with an update on EMS services in Brattleboro. Additionally, in a memorandum dated September 9, 2022, Fire Chief Leonard Howard III requests an amendment to the Town’s contract with Golden Cross which includes a second provider to be an AEMT 24/7, 365 days a year as well as a third ambulance. This will be an additional $50, 000/year. Golden Cross has prorated this change for nine months at $37, 500. The current total cost of Golden Cross’ one-year contract is $112, 000. The new monthly payment to Gold Cross will be $10, 416.
POSSIBLE MOTION: TO AUTHORIZE THE INTERIM TOWN MANAGER TO SIGN AN ADDENDUM TO THE TOWN’S CURRENT EMS CONTRACT WITH GOLDEN CROSS WHICH INCLUDES A SECOND AEMT PROVIDER 24/7/365 AND A THIRD AMBULANCE FOR A TOTAL OF $50, 000 A YEAR.
D. Monthly Financial Report – Approve
The Monthly Financial Report through August is included in the Selectboard’s backup materials, along with a summary memorandum dated September 8, 2022, from Finance Director Kimberly Frost.
POSSIBLE MOTION: TO APPROVE THE FINANCIAL REPORT, AS PRESENTED.
E. Committee Appointments
The Board is asked to appoint Jacqueline (Jaki) Reis to the Citizen Police Communications Committee (CPCC) and Rikki Risatti to the Agricultural Advisory Committee as an ex-officio non-voting member.
POSSIBLE MOTION: TBA
Questions
From Bob Oeser:
“The following questions are being submitted in advance of the Tuesday meeting, so that the items can receive the consideration they are due. Some questions below were “left on the table” at the August meeting. I intend to share the answers. Thank you again for the opportunity to reflect on these matters.
How much of the amount ($167,051) stated as invoiced was collected?
What is the percentage over the amount covered by insurance that is charged by Golden Cross?
Of the 536 reported, how many were ALS (Advanced Life Support) calls?
Were they staffed at minimum with an AEMT on every truck / and is a paramedic available 24/7?
Do you know how many hours Golden Cross employees work in a regular tour of duty including the Brattleboro assignment? Do they report to Brattleboro after completing a shift at another location? While this is not an overtime issue for Brattleboro, it is a concern about first responders on duty when tired or overworked.
In response to a question presented at the August 16 meeting it was reported that “BFD overtime for July is up, this is due to 3 vacancies. With that, we have had to cover these open slots on the shifts. We have 3 new staff on board, and they are in training.”
In the Backup Materials for the August 16 Selectboard Meeting, the overtime for Brattleboro Fire as listed in the monthly Financial Report was 27.86% of the budget. The Financial Report in those materials for the September 20th meeting now lists overtime as 69.95% of the budgeted amount.
In the HR report for September, an (additional?) four separations are listed, including a FireFighter hired in August and not counting one additional departure (an inspector).
How much of this overtime expenditure and staff turnover is attributable to provision of EMS?
Thank you for your explanation concerning the call to Harris Ave on Aug 19, 2022. At about 18:11 (6:11pm) there was a call for EMS for a medical issue. Do you know how much time elapsed before a unit arrived?
The Department report notes that AP Triton visit is scheduled for Oct 18-19. What is the method to provide written comments directly to AP Triton?
In response to a question last month about preparing for next year’s budget, it was stated that BFD has “never coded EMS expenses separately from fire or other calls for service. For this reason, doing so now would not allow us to compare current expenses to past expenses. It could also be challenging to do this type of coding at all.” Can this decision be re-visited? Specific EMS expenses, including the GC Contracts; EMT, AEMT and Paramedic training; raises for obtaining certification; medical oversight, etc. should all be enumerated, in addition to supplies and equipment specific to this purpose? All of this would seem to be needed to plan for the future.
Robert A. Oeser
PO Box 6001
Brattleboro VT 05302
email: Robt.Oeser@gmail.com
home: 802-254-8750
cell: 518-505-9031″
And he got answers...
How much of the amount ($167,051) stated as invoiced was collected? As of August 30 – $57,058.87
What is the percentage over the amount covered by insurance that is charged by Golden Cross? Golden Cross does not charge the patient the remaining balance from what is allowed from Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance.
Of the 536 reported, how many were ALS (Advanced Life Support) calls? 132 billed ALS calls –
329 billed BLS calls
Were they staffed at minimum with an AEMT on every truck / and is a paramedic available 24/7? Golden Cross is contracted to provide a paramedic and an AEMT on shift each day.
Do you know how many hours Golden Cross employees work in a regular tour of duty including the Brattleboro assignment? Do they report to Brattleboro after completing a shift at another location? While this is not an overtime issue for Brattleboro, it is a concern about first responders on duty when tired or overworked. I would recommend that you reach out to Golden Cross to ask this question. I can assure you that if fatigue was a concern, the BFD officer core, and administrative staff would address the concern immediately.
In response to a question presented at the August 16 meeting it was reported that “BFD overtime for July is up, this is due to 3 vacancies. With that, we have had to cover these open slots on the shifts. We have 3 new staff on board, and they are in training.”
In the Backup Materials for the August 16 Selectboard Meeting, the overtime for Brattleboro Fire as listed in the monthly Financial Report was 27.86% of the budget. The Financial Report in those materials for the September 20th meeting now lists overtime as 69.95% of the budgeted amount.
In the HR report for September, an (additional?) four separations are listed, including a FireFighter hired in August and not counting one additional departure (an inspector).
How much of this overtime expenditure and staff turnover is attributable to provision of EMS? The use of overtime can be complicated. When positions are vacant, existing staff are assigned as needed to fill shifts, which uses overtime. However, that overtime comes with a corresponding (and offsetting) reduction in the use of staff salaries. Once new staff have been hired, overtime can also be used to fill shifts while the new staff are getting trained. None of the four departing firefighters left their employment with the Town due to the change in EMS. Two left for other EMS positions with fewer hours and higher pay, one had a long planned relocation to Florida, the last one simply took another job.
Thank you for your explanation concerning the call to Harris Ave on Aug 19, 2022. At about 18:11 (6:11pm) there was a call for EMS for a medical issue. Do you know how much time elapsed before a unit arrived? On August 19, 2022, the Brattleboro Fire Department responded to 65 Harris Avenue for a female with high blood pressure. Due to multiple calls and an operational error by Assistant Chief Keir, it took 25 minutes for a first responder to arrive on the scene. A breakdown of events is as follows:
A total of 6 emergencies occurred during a 20-minute period. 1 motor vehicle crash, 1 fire alarm, and 4 medical emergencies. Concluding the fire alarm call at 17 Elm Street, emergency personnel were notified of a stroke patient at 15 Elm Street (same complex as 17 Elm Street). Due to the nature that Brattleboro Dispatch was receiving calls, this medical call was attached to the fire alarm call of 17 Elm Street. During this time period, Brattleboro Fire Department requested a mutual aid ambulance for an emergency on Harris Avenue. After receiving a report from dispatch and EMS providers operating, AC Keir made the operational decision to cancel the mutual aid ambulance feeling all calls were covered not accounting for the medical emergency now happening at 15 Elm Street. This was an operational error; all calls were not covered. A fire officer responding in a first response fire apparatus from a separate emergency was able to identify the error and had the mutual aid ambulance then continue the response. Ultimately, a Golden Cross ambulance was able to clear one call and respond to Harris Ave and a delay in response/transport occurred. The mutual aid ambulance was not needed and covered the Town of Brattleboro till Golden Cross units became available.
The Department report notes that AP Triton visit is scheduled for Oct 18-19. What is the method to provide written comments directly to AP Triton? A survey will be posted this week on the town website and FD website. There will be a public forum on October 19 at Central Fire Station as well, this will be on BCTV and can be attended virtually.
In response to a question last month about preparing for next year’s budget, it was stated that BFD has “never coded EMS expenses separately from fire or other calls for service. For this reason, doing so now would not allow us to compare current expenses to past expenses. It could also be challenging to do this type of coding at all.” Can this decision be re-visited? Specific EMS expenses, including the GC Contracts; EMT, AEMT and Paramedic training; raises for obtaining certification; medical oversight, etc. should all be enumerated, in addition to supplies and equipment specific to this purpose? All of this would seem to be needed to plan for the future. As you are aware AP Triton is doing an EMS feasibility study, this study will provide us with data on how much it will cost and advise on planning future budgets.
Leonard Howard III
Fire Chief
Emergency Management Coordinator
Brattleboro Fire Department
802-254-4831
802-490-6719
lhoward@brattleboro.org“
Billing patients
This statement on billing patients is questionable.
“Golden Cross does not charge the patient the remaining balance from what is allowed from Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance.”
By law, in VT, Medicaid patients cannot be billed any amount over what Medicaid pays the provider so that would be a fact. Not billing Medicare or private insurance patients for things like their share of deductibles, co-pays, etc would quickly run a “for profit” ambulance business in to the ground.
Now, if Brattleboro wishes to establish a “no bill” policy when they completely take over the service that would be possible. Any loss in service revenue would simply be picked up by the tax payers.