2007-139COPY
2007-139
Resolution Introducing Local Law No. of the Year 2007, Creating Chapter 66 of the
Town Code, "Ambulance Notification"
At a regular meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Wappinger, Dutchess County,
New York, held at Town Hall, 20 Middlebush Road, Wappingers Falls, New York, on July 9,
2007.
The meeting was called to order by Joseph Ruggiero, Supervisor, and upon roll being
called, the following were present:
PRESENT: Supervisor
Councilmembers
ABSENT:
Joseph Ruggiero
William H. Beale
Maureen McCarthy
Vincent F. Bettina
Joseph P. Paoloni
The following Resolution was introduced by Councilman Beale and seconded by
Councilwoman McCarthy.
WHEREAS, the Town Board is aware that ambulance services have been called to the
scene of an emergency within the Town of Wappinger in response to telephone requests made
from outside of the Dutchess County 911 Emergency Response System (hereinafter "911
System"); and
WHEREAS, requests for ambulance services to respond to medical emergencies from
outside of the 911 System may result in the response of multiple ambulances to the scene, or may
result in the dispatch of an improperly equipped ambulance, or may result in an increased
response time; and said calls made outside of the 911 System, deprive injured persons at the
scene of the emergency the benefit of the trained and appropriate response from fire companies,
police and other first responders called from the 911 System; and
WHEREAS, calls for ambulance services outside of the 911 System results in an
increased charge for Town residents because ambulance service provided by the Wappinger
Ambulance District limits charges to Town residents to that which is covered by insurance; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board finds and determines that receiving calls for ambulance
services outside of the 911 System creates dual, uncoordinated and unnecessary responses on the
part of ambulance services and this constitutes an unsafe practice which requires regulation; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board also finds that such unsafe practice interferes with the
emergency medical services provided by the Wappinger Ambulance District and by volunteer
fire departments; and
WHEREAS, Municipal Home Rule Law § 10(1) authorizes the Town to enact legislation
for the protection, safety, health and well-being of the people of the Town of Wappinger as well
as the traveling, visiting and sojourning public; and
WHEREAS, the purpose of this law is to stop the abuses and unsafe practices caused by
the uncoordinated and unnecessary response by ambulance services that have been called for
medical assistance outside of the 911 System; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board emphasizes and reconfirms its commitment to the 911
i System, as well as the Inter -Municipal Agreement known as "Mutual Aide" of which the Town
of Wappinger is and has been a party; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board has determined that it is further necessary to amend
Section 122-20 B of the Town of Wappinger Code to reflect an updated fine schedule associated
with the adoption of Chapter 66; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board has determined that it is in the best interest of the citizens
of the Town of Wappinger to adopt a Local Law to address the above referenced issues of
concern; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board has determined that the Proposed Action is an Unlisted
action pursuant to Article 8 of the Environmental Conservation Law, and Part 617 of the
NYCRR (commonly known as "SEQRA") and Local Law No. 6 of 1992 (the Town's
Environmental Quality Review Law which establishes locally designated actions); and
WHEREAS, the Town Board has determined that the proposed Local Law is an action
for which there are no other Involved Agencies and that the Town Board is therefore the Lead
Agency for purposes of SEQRA review.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, as follows:
1. The recitations above set forth are incorporated in this Resolution as if fully set
forth and adopted herein.
2. The Town Board of the Town of Wappinger hereby introduces for adoption Local
Law No.of the Year 2007 in the form annexed hereto.
3_ The Town Board hereby determines that the enactment of the aforesaid Local
Law is an Unlisted Action pursuant to the provisions of New York State Environmental Quality
Review Act (SEQRA), 6 NYCRR Part 617 and Local Law No.6 of 1992 (WEQR). The Town
Board defers its decision to make a determination of significance pursuant to SEQRA until after
the conclusion of the Public Hearing.
4. The Town Board hereby schedules a Public Hearing on the proposed adoption of
Local Law No. of the Year 2007 to be held at Town Hall, 20 Middlebush Road, Wappingers
Falls, New York on the 27th day of August, 2007, at 7:30 P.M. and that the Town Clerk be
directed to post and publish the Notice of Public Hearing in the form annexed hereto.
The foregoing was put to a vote which resulted as follows:
JOSEPH RUGGIERO, SUPERVISOR
Voting: AYE
WILLIAM H. BEALE, COUNCILMAN
Voting: AYE
VINCENT F. BETTINA, COUNCILMAN
Voting: ABSENT
JOSEPH P. PAOLONI, COUNCILMAN
Voting: ABSENT
MAUREEN McCARTHY, COUNCILWOMAN Voting: AYE
Dated: Wappingers Falls, New York
7/9/2007
The Resolution is hereby duly declared adopted.
HN C. MAN TERSON, TOWN CLERK