By Heather Skinner
ESPERANCE- August 11th’s monthly Village of Esperance Meeting highlighted the need for increased community participation and included many important updates provided by Fire Chief, Matthew Deffer. One resident in attendance said, “I think that word of mouth needs to be more prevalent in order to get people to Village meetings. Matt recommended that I come today, so that’s why we’re here. We want to be present and we want to be able to help make changes and do what we can.”
Those residents were there to get a dialogue about water started. There aren’t fire hydrants and community members are stuck having to pay for expensive water deliveries week after week. It’s a problem the Village tried to rectify before COVID-19, but after notices were sent out about the water bill that would come out if it, it got stopped and they had to return 8 million dollars to the state of NY that was going to be used toward making changes.
Mayor Royce Gage explained that in order to make moves on this issue again, “We need people to come here (to the monthly Village meetings). Without the support, we can’t do it.”
“Anybody want to be on the Planning Board? We’re looking for people,” encouraged Clerk/Treasurer, Michelle Parks. The Planning Board needs 3 members, while the ZBA needs 1 more member. Deffer explained ZBA stands for Zoning Board of Appeals, and it’s great for those interested in seeing how things work with properties, livestock, etc. in the Village. All you need is an open mind; if you want to volunteer, let your Village representatives know. ZBA meets on a month to month basis.
Soon there will also be openings posted for a night shift EMT and Paramedic. Deffer explained that people close by to the station may be noticing the siren doesn’t stop, adding, “We just hit our 200 call mark. We finished last year at 445 calls. It’s busy and we’re going all over the place. Friday night they asked us to go to Center Street in Fonda, because they have no ambulances.”
They also respond to calls in Canajoharie, Fort Plain, Rotterdam, and Guilderland. Deffer said, “We want to add a 2nd rig because we want to be able to take care of our residents too. Unfortunately, it’s everywhere, I mean Schenectady you could wait 25 minutes for an ambulance. They can’t get ambulances, they have no staffing. It’s been a big problem since COVID hit, so we’re just doing our best to keep up with everything.”
Deffer mentioned in the last 4 years they’ve gotten $45,000 in grants and will be putting in for more to help offset costs for doubling equipment; they hope their new ambulance will be in service by September 1st and they need to purchase a heart monitor that can transmit results to the hospital while on route with a patient. Deffer said, “We’re just trying to step some of the technology up a little bit. We’re a little bit behind but the price of everything is crazy!” The heart monitor will cost $14,000.
It was explained by Deffer that theirs is the only ambulance in the area that doesn’t bill you, they only accept what they get from insurances, saying, “Our ambulance is 100% running off insurance money. It’s not taking one lick of tax dollars to run that ambulance right now.”
Fire Department vouchers were for a lot of truck repairs needed this month, and it was explained that every 7 years it’s required to change their Engine and Pumper Tanker tires. They both have new front tires, keeping all their tires in compliance with the state regulation.
Esperance Village Meetings are held each 2nd Monday of the month (the 2nd Monday of next month will be September 8th), beginning at 7:00 PM in the Meeting Room of the Village Hall, which is located at 113 Church Street.
Esperance Town Board Meetings take place on the 3rd Thursday of each month (this month being August 21st) at 104 Charleston Street, also with a 7:00 PM start time. Both meetings offer a chance for you to share your thoughts, concerns, and questions during privilege of the floor.
Gage also hopes to see you in attendance on Sunday, September 14th at the gazebo at the Esperance Historical Museum for a service honoring Firefighters & EMS Volunteers, and that will be followed by lunch in the park.
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