SOUTH DEERFIELD — Deerfield Selectboard members have taken oversight of South County EMS into their own hands, literally — a move that has others in the three towns frustrated.
As of July 1, all three Selectboard members, Chairwoman Carolyn Shores Ness, Henry “Kip” Komosa and Trevor D. McDaniel, stepped into positions on the EMS oversight board, a move that filled one open spot because of a resignation, but kicked off two active members, including respected EMS advocate Matt Russo.
“What we did was appoint ourselves, which sounds terrible, versus appointing you,” who is committed and informed, Ness said to Russo during a July meeting.
“I will own up to it being my idea,” she continued. “I couldn’t think of anything else to solve the problem, and we talked about it for weeks. Ultimately, we couldn’t think of anything else that would work.”
Ness stressed that Selectboard members’ appointment to the EMS board is expected to be short term. She said they’ll step down into alternate roles after a suitable building is found.
As far as being replaced on the oversight board, Russo said he understands the decision and will do everything in his power to make sure the service is a success, even if he isn’t on the board.
“If I happen to be a roadblock, I’m happy to get out of the way,” he said in response to Ness. “I just want the service to succeed.”
The members replaced David Wolfram, who resigned a few months before the change, Russo and longtime resident Mark Gilmore, who was an EMT for about 30 years.
Ness said the decision was made to show commitment to the ambulance service, and ensure smooth passage of information between all parties involved in the building search.
“The whole point is for us to be informed so that misinformation ends,” she said. “This is not a takeover, in the sense of a takeover.”
Most recently, the town rejected a few locations following a request for proposals, and at the same time, opened negotiations with the town of Whately for space in its town office building.
The town of Deerfield is the fiscal agent of the EMS service, which means it has the final say on monetary decisions.
Removing Russo is seen as a significant loss to the EMS service. Early last week during a Tuesday Sunderland Selectboard meeting, members talked about reappointing Russo to the oversight board as a representative for Sunderland.
“Matt Russo is an amazing, strong advocate for South County EMS,” said Thomas Fydenkevez, chairman, “and I wouldn’t think twice about stepping aside and appointing him.”
Fydenkevez voiced that Russo is valuable because of his experience, longevity with the service and understanding of how EMS systems operate.
“His knowledge and skill base has been astronomical,” Gilmore said about Russo’s impact. “To dismiss him at this time was poor timing.”
Gilmore said that Russo brings a tremendous amount of experience to both the business and operational sides of the service, and has been influential in its quick success.
As far as his own removal from the board, Gilmore said that although he’s disappointed he’s no longer on the oversight board (which he said works well together), the Selectboard wants what’s best for the EMS service.
“Their intentions are well meant,” he said. “If they follow through, I’ll be happy.”
“It’s nothing short of phenomenal, in providing paramedic level to the three towns,” Gilmore continued about the success of the service. “I never dreamed that it’d be as quick as it was. The towns should be very proud of what they have.”
During the Deerfield Selectboard meeting, Russo voiced his concerns about the EMS service to board members. In particular, he highlighted negative push-back the service has received from the Finance Committee about its budget.
“Twenty-five years of serving the community, putting my time in, taking what was a service that survived well for a number of years, fell into disrepair,” Russo said, about comments directed toward the service’s budget. “We sought a solution from a number of other communities, put together a plan, and did it in a way that’s been extremely cost effective.”
Elsewhere, others are wondering why the search for a new building has taken so long.
During public comment at a Selectboard meeting in Whately last Tuesday, a few town residents expressed frustration about how the process has unfolded so far.
“There is still an element in Deerfield that is looking for alternative option,” said Selectboard member Jonathan Edwards, adding that the town is in the process of getting “ballpark estimates” from subcontractors for renovation designs in the town’s office building.
“It’s moving,” he continued. “Is it moving as fast as we’d all like? Perhaps not, but it’s moving. And I have every faith that it’s going to happen. Sometimes good things take time.”
You can reach Andy Castillo
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