Carlton doesn’t get enough votes to approve Monroe Ambulance contract

CARLTON – The Carlton Town Board didn’t have enough votes to approve spending $22,350 in a contract with Monroe Ambulance for 2024.

The board is down a member following the resignation of Debbie Yockel, effective Dec. 1. She was appointed the town clerk on Tuesday following the resignation of Karen Narburgh.

The board needs 3 votes to pass a resolution, and contract proposal from Monroe was 2 votes in favor and 2 against.

Town Supervisor Gayle Ashbery and Councilman Dana Woolston voted for the contract while council members Brian McCue and Charlie Ricci were against it.

The vote followed public comments when several residents said they were concerned about not enough ambulances being available in the community, resulting in frequent delayed responses even in critical emergencies.

The $300,000 contract calls for Monroe to station an ambulance in Albion 24 hours a day, seven days a week and one in Holley for at least 12 hours a day, seven days a week. Monroe also will draw on ambulances in Monroe County if there is a need in Orleans County.

Carlton was the seventh of the seven towns in a consortium to vote on the contract. It was approved by the first six – Albion, Barre, Gaines, Clarendon, Murray and Kendall.

It’s unclear if the $300,000 contract among all seven towns is null and void. At least one town, Murray, made its commitment contingent on all seven towns approving the deal.