Supporters of the Hopkinton ambulance service crowded Town Hall during a recent selectmen’s meeting after getting word that board members were considering privatizing the department.

About 40 emergency service personnel and department supporters came to the Monday, July 14, meeting after selectmen decided to discuss whether that move could potentially save money out of the budget.

“I don’t think it’s any big surprise that all towns are looking to balance budgets given costs and increases,” said Selectmen Chairman Scott Flood. “Fuel is going to triple, and the cost of supplies has gone up, including salt.”

As a result, Flood said board members are looking to find any ways to lower the budget, and the ambulance service is one of those areas they are looking at.

“This Board of Selectmen is trying to look at all the processes the town participates in and validate whether we’re getting the best value for the dollar we’re spending,” said Flood. “It’s our obligation for the taxpayer dollar.”

Fire Chief Rick Schaefer, who is also in charge of the ambulance service, said he felt blind-sided by the discussion, as he was not consulted prior to the meeting.

Schaefer read that the ambulance service would be on the agenda for the meeting, and heard what the discussion would be about.

“I asked three questions at the meeting, and didn’t really get answers on all of them,” he said. “Why wasn’t I consulted? What are they trying to accomplish? Finally, I just wanted to know where they were at in the process.”

In addition, Schaefer said the comparisons to town EMT services and privatized service are difficult to make.

“It isn’t comparing apples to apples,” said Schaefer. “I can’t stress enough that the ambulance workers we have are more than that, they are also certified career-level firefighters. We count on them. They know if there’s a fire, they will be some of the first people in there.”

Flood said the budget discussions are not meant to be geared at only the ambulance service.

“The ambulance service is one piece, and we’re looking at a bunch of other stuff,” he said. “Once we get that information, we will see if there are areas that make sense. It’s not like we’re sitting down and saying we want to do that. It’s the reality of it. The economy -- we have an unprecedented downturn facing us. I personally believe it will get much worse before it gets better.”

Selectmen are receiving bids from private services, and will assess the decision.

“It sounds like when they get the bids in, I will get called down and we’ll look at them. That’s how I took it to see what’s what,” said Schaefer.

Schaefer said the ambulance services currently cost the town less than $100,000 for 365 days of 24-hour coverage.

Schaefer also said he was glad to see the high turnout of support at the meeting, even from those not involved with the department.

“I think the board now obviously understands that we’re very concerned and want to be included,” said Schaefer. “There were past members on hand and people who have used the service with otherwise no connection at all.”

Flood said the budget discussions are for the benefit of Hopkinton residents.

“You’ve got to be proactive and look at these things to see how we’re going to plan so we don’t have to double or triple the tax bills,” he said. “There are people who are concerned about it. We’re looking very hard at the things the town is doing to see where we can economize and work smarter with the dollars we get, instead of simply wasting them.”