30 September 1981

Aid squad funding solution a priority

The Princeton Township Committee says it will spend the next two weeks in search of a long-term solution to end the funding woes of the Princeton First Aid and Rescue Squad.

Last Wednesday the committee agreed to formulate ideas for funding the squad which it will present to the Princeton Borough Council at a later meeting.

Committeeman William Cherry said he hopes the result of the brainstorming will be a “proposal that satisfies the basic needs of the squad, and creates stability for the volunteers and the professionals.”

Mr. Cherry said the committee hopes to discuss the situation at its Oct. 7 meeting. If possible, he added, the township will attempt to “accommodate the borough, somewhat” to keep the squad in action.

Princeton’s First Aid and Rescue Squad has been faced with losing its two paid daytime paramedics because of lack of funding. Last week, Borough Council made a donation of $3,000 to the squad which will sustain its services through 1981.

Borough Council members had recommended a “pay-as-you-go” system for residents using the paramedics, which was rejected by township officials.

On Monday, borough Mayor Robert Cawley indicated that council still wishes to pursue that concept in some form.

“We will be meeting with the township to see if we can push the ball a little farther on the idea of getting customers to pay for it.” said Mayor Cawley. “It’s really a matter of trying to discuss the idea of charging people — to see if we can draw closer to the township on this.”

Mr. Cherry once again expressed a committee fear that if a solution to the squad’s funding problem is not found quickly, it could force the paramedics to seek employment elsewhere, and also hurt the morale of the squad volunteers.