New Building Boosts Ambulance Corps Budget

The New Canaan Volunteer Ambulance Corps on Wednesday requested the town provide $543,454 for its 2010-2011 operating budget.

In a presentation to the Board of Selectman in Town Hall, the corps' treasurer, Larry Kessler, said the request represented an increase of $14,600, or 2.76 percent, over the funding it received from the town for its current budget.

In efforts to control cost increases, Kessler said the corps has had a "good experience" performing in-house repairs on its ambulances, and has been very careful in ordering supplies.

However the corps' proposed budget for next year showed it facing substantial increases in the cost of its utilities and cleaning and maintenance as the result of moving into a new building. Kessler said the corps was "still guessing" what some of its costs would be operating the building.

Kessler said the corps also has experienced a significant increase in the number of town events that have requested an ambulance be provided on a standby basis.

The corps also is funded by contributions, and Kessler said its total projected operating budget next year was $618,654, an increase of $12,700 or 2.1 percent.

Kessler said the corps' capital expenses next year would amount to $7,500.

A table Kessler submitted to the selectmen showing the corps' estimated capital expenses out to 2014-2015 indicated there would be a considerable jump in its 2011-2012 capital budget for the purchase of a new ambulance costing approximately $175,000.

Kessler said the corps replaces one of its three ambulances every three years, resulting in each ambulance being in service for nine years.