HOULTON, Maine — The prospect of a new ambulance service in southern Aroostook strengthened on Wednesday, May 12, as the towns of Ludlow and Linneus voted in special town meetings to officially join the new service.
The towns are just two of the 13 in southern Aroostook looking to join the new service, after Houlton announced it would significantly raise the rates for its ambulance service to the towns it’s contracted with. Hodgdon has led the charge for the creation of the new service, voting in April to join the service, with Hodgdon town manager Jim Griffin visiting Ludlow on Wednesday to help answer any questions.
Once all the towns have agreed to join in, the service must be created through a legislative act, according to Ludlow town manager Diane Hines. In approving to be included at the town meeting, Ludlow and Linneus commit to having their names included on any proposed legislation.
“The idea is to have each town decide to be on the legislation,” Hines said. “ The big push is to get the legislation passed.”
Ludlow approved to be included among the towns for the new ambulance service by a vote of 23-4. Linneus voted in favor by a tally of 19-0. Both represent significantly large turnouts for the towns, which each have a population of fewer than 1,000 people.
Next to determine whether they will be included are the towns of Littleton, Monticello and Hammond, which all will hold special town meetings on the evening of Wednesday, May 19.
