Lehigh County Executive Tom Muller, was welcomed to the Jan.15 meeting of the Heidelberg Township supervisors.

The main subject of discussion was to be acquiring ambulance service for the township with the closing of Northwestern Ambulance.

Resident Charlie Perich asked why the emergency services tax did not include the ambulance corps.

He asked where the money would come from to pay Cetronia or Northern Valley Emergency Medical Services.

Supervisor Steve Bachman said the township gave Northwestern Ambulance $4,000 in 2013 and $8,000 in 2012.

Perich said it seems donations from the township are the same with the exception of the 2012 donation, when more money was requested even though the corps expenses increase.

Bachman said taxes would have to be raised if a higher donation was made.

Supervisor Rodney Schlauch said it would cost $100,000 over 10 years.

Perich asked if the ambulance corps had requested help and wondered why they waited until the last minute to say they were having problems.

Bachman said that would have been helpful.

Albany Township, Berks County, which has a section of the community included in Northwestern Ambulance Corps' coverage area, gave nothing and Lowhill Township gave very little.

Ambulance Corps Director Kathy Van Allen said the corps wanted to be self-sufficient.

The corps had expected $50,000 from all the townships expecting growth in population, which is slow throughout all four townships, she said, adding Weisenberg has chosen Cetronia Ambulance Corps to serve the township.

"If you are willing to pay an outsider, why not us?" Van Allen asked. "People who never showed an interest shouldn't be talking now."

Leroy Bogert was active in forming the ambulance corps and served as its first president.

Bogert said he was sorry the townships could not help out and wanted to keep it local.

"We did a lot gratis, including Northwestern football games, events at Ontelaunee Park and community activities," Bogert said. "I think it is very unfair how it was handled.

"The people who followed me did one hell of a job."

Linn Turner said if someone has a business that fails, no one cares but if emergency services fail they will be needed.

Turner said he did not agree with a new tax and sending the money out of the township.

Heidelberg has the highest tax rate in the school district now, Turner said.

"Whether it costs $100,000 or $200,000, keep it here," Turner said.

Bachman said in his opinion the ambulance corps is too far gone.

Dwayne Henritzy, a local resident but assistant fire chief at Friedens, said he listens to the scanner and on two calls, Cetronia and NOVA each had to call for help from Northwestern.

Other corps are kept informed where the ambulance trucks are.

"It's a ballet that goes on with the ambulance people. Lehigh County orchestrates it. If you go with NOVA it's a big area to cover and people will complain because it isn't closer," said Henritzy.

Josh Bingham asked what kind of primary response they were looking for.

He suggested residents should have been asked if people wanted another tax or wanted the service from out of the area.

Bachman said Northwestern had been asked for its financial papers but did not get anything in soon enough for discussion.

The local services tax of $52 would only provide $12,000.

Money can only come from that tax, a millage increase or per capita.

The .4 mill tax for the fire company provides under $100,000 and the township tax is 1 mill.

Jason Breidinger, a NOVA board member, said it has been a community-based organization since the 1930s.

"When this (Northwestern's difficulty) came to light, we thought we'd be the viable choice since it is in neighboring Washington," Breidinger said.

"We are debt free due to tireless help from out auxiliary. We have a new roof and own our trucks."

NOVA's annual budget is $1 million.

"We've had help from Washington, North Whitehall, Slatington and Walnutport for at least a decade," Breidinger said.

"We've been running out of Slatington and so are used to having a truck other than in Ormrod.

He explained subscriptions have benefits, such as subscribers not being sent bills.

"We accept what the insurance pays," he said. "Each call averages $675 and Medicare and Medicaid payments of $150 are considered payment in full.

"For a diabetic who panics and then decides there is no need to go to a hospital when we get there, there is no charge. A subscription is $55 for a family."

Only one-tenth of residents pay for subscriptiona and Breidinger would like that number to increase to 25 percent.

It would cost $25,000 to house a truck in Heidelberg.

He said 60 percent of calls are during the day with only a few are at night.

Heidelberg averages 150 day calls and 24 night calls a year.

The busy time is 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., so two shifts of 6 hours each would cover the busy time.

Reports would be made to supervisors on a monthly or quarterly basis.

Bachman said for 18-hour coverage, a tax would require $102,000 and everyone would be an automatic subscriber.

Joseph Solderich, executive director of NOVA, said there are not enough calls to pay for the truck. It's important to give a frame of reference, he added.

With just Heidelberg coverage, NOVA can start right away, Breidinger said.

Justin Smith, Lynn supervisor, said the decison would be an important one.

He also emailed The Press with comment.

He said Northwestern Ambulance Corps did an outstanding job and should be commended.

Unfortunately, all five supervisors who came to the Jan. 13 meeting agreed their current financial state was not something we could help them overcome, he explained.

Smith said Cetronia Ambulance Corps is an award-winning company, they pay the highest wages, their financial strength is strong, they have a plan to decrease the subsidy initially needed, and they were the lowest bidder.

He said Lynn would have 24/7 service.

Supervisor Rodney Schlauch was in favor of Cetronia because there would be a truck in Lynn.

Supervisor David Fink said Northwestern gave great service for a long time.

He made a motion to accept NOVA on a three-year contract with a subsidy up to $25,000.

Fink emailed The Press following the meeting.

"The community owes a debt of gratitude to the Northwestern Ambulance Corps for the 43 years of excellent service to the area.

"NOVA is very similar to Northwestern as a community-oriented service.

"It is my feeling NOVA can best serve the community for many years hence. They will honor current memberships paid to Northwestern.

"It is in the best interest of residents to become a member of NOVA."

Schlauch said every local firefighter and ambulance personnel member recommended NOVA.

The motion was approved.

Bachman thanked everyone for being respectful during ambulance discussions.

Bachman emailed The Press with the following comment regarding the change in ambulance service.

"I personally really like what I call NOVA's community-service model, where if you are a subscriber, they accept as payment in full whatever the insurance company pays to them.

"There are no co-pays, or any deductibles due beyond what the insurance pays them. Again, this is if you are a subscriber.

"Cetronia seems to follow more of a business model, where co-pays and deductibles are a basic part of their reimbursement schedule, even if you are a subscriber. "This makes Cetronia very strong financially, but could put the patient in a monetary bind due to being responsible for the added costs associated with needing an ambulance.

"Just as Lynn Township kept mentioning they feel Cetronia would be the best for them geographically, due to the Weisenberg facility, I feel NOVA's presence in Slatington will provide our residents with the best service, for the same geographical reasons.

"My current view is NOVA is the best fit for Heidelberg, and if the other supervisers agree, perhaps Weisenberg and Lynn Townships could share a full-time ambulance, and perhaps Heidelberg and Washington and/or Lowhill Township could do the same, and we would have even better service due to great mutual aid both NOVA and Cetronia provide to each other on an everyday basis."

Mark Smith said everyone was grateful to Northwestern and wants to thank the community because he never received more satisfaction than meeting people in the community.