Simsbury Board weighs funding for volunteer ambulance and trims outside-agency requests

The Simsbury Board of Selectmen on Feb. 28 discussed whether to help pay for a new ambulance requested by the Simsbury Volunteer Ambulance Association (SVAA) and took preliminary positions on several outside-agency funding requests.

Board members heard that SVAA has requested a van-style ambulance estimated at $250,000; the draft town budget currently includes $60,000 and the association receives $160,000 in operating support under a memorandum of understanding. First Selectman Wendy Mackstutis said town reserves could be used to increase support, and Deputy Town Manager Marc Nelson noted the ambulance is not town-owned, which affects whether it appears in the capital program.

"We don't own it, so it isn’t our capital," Nelson said, describing the funding and ownership distinction. Selectman Diana Yeisley urged SVAA to update the board on how much it has already fundraised before the town supplements the request. Selectman Kevin Beal said the board should move forward with approximately $196,000–$200,000 from capital reserves to cover funding gaps, though discussion continued about leasing versus town ownership.

Beyond the ambulance, the board reviewed other outside-agency requests. Members agreed to continue funding the Farmington River Watershed and Greater Hartford Transit requests, set Hartford Interval House at a reduced $2,500, and decided not to fund Modern Vintage, the Theatre Guild, or Gifts of Love this cycle. The board agreed to level-fund Simsbury Community Media and preliminarily approved a $5,000 allocation for the Chamber’s Spooktacular event on the condition that the town retains the funds if the event does not occur.

The board flagged additional items for follow-up: volunteers and staff asked for more information on VNA funding and Meals-on-Wheels support, and trustees indicated more detail would be needed before finalizing some requests.

The board did not take a final binding vote on the ambulance purchase at the meeting; members asked for updated fundraising totals and additional discussion about ownership and leasing options before making a final decision.