Leighton Township officials are not happy with the Wayland Area Emergency Services bill for the next year and they’re even talking a look at taking their business elsewhere.

Leighton is one of 13 municipalities that collectively support the non-profit governmental ambulance entity, but because of continued rising costs and lack of accountability on its budget, Supervisor Steve Wolbrink said he’s checked with private firms EMR in Byron Center and LIFE Ambulance out of Caledonia.

WAEMS issued a bill March 13 that stipulated a subsidy of $30,349.05, an increase of nearly $7,300 over the previous year.

The Township Board, after lengthy discussion, decided to stick with WAEMS at least another year, but in the meantime consider options. Leighton last year did not agree to paying all of the bill, insisting it was excessive.

Wolbrink said he was told by EMR and LIFE Ambulance they could match Wayland’s response times and services and not charge the township at all. He acknowledged the possibility that household service users might see increased costs.

Leighton officials said the population increases in the Paris Ridge housing development near Caledonia would be better suited to having LIFE Ambulance,

Clerk Rachel Fennema said, “It comes down to who offers the best service.”

Township Attorney Cliff Bloom cautioned, “A decision this major, it’s the type of thing for which you want to take some time.”

Wolbrink said he’s upset with poor record keeping and lack of appropriate response to questions on the Ambulance Board.

Bloom maintained that because they are run by government representatives and are non-profit, “They have a fiduciary responsibility to their members.” He added the WAEMS Board may have too many voting members, suggesting one per municipality.

Fennema said, “We are looking at other options (in the meantime) and these are the reasons why.”

In other business at Thursday night’s meeting, the board, • Learned from Fennema that the Moline Softball Association would like to see the township take a more active role in maintaining the park. Until the township purchased the old elementary school on site it had been responsible for trash removal and lawn care.

• Approved a request from Galloway Landings to have an ag building on site removed and replaced by a similar structure to house horses.
• Agreed to pay $13,000 more for chip and seal and road reconstruction costs on 144th Avenue, 137th Avenue and on Division east of 9th Street.
• Discussed a clean-up day for either April 29 or May 6 for the area around the old elementary school building.