Proposed Tax Credit for EMT Volunteers Dies in Committee

Stratford has two top EMS administrators earning in excess of $200,000 combined after salary and benefits are factored in, a sticky situation that has prompted the threat of a lawsuit from one of the two parties. 

However, a proposed ordinance to give town EMS service volunteers some sort of modest town tax credit quietly died in committee recently. 

The ordinance was originally proposed “to recognize the service of volunteers who perform hazardous duties at all hours of the day and night and in all weather conditions.” The ordinance, had it passed, would have enacted a program of tax relief for emergency medical technicians that would have, under a formula system (see attached PDF) granted a $250 up to $1,000 tax credit a year per EMT who qualified based on the criteria. 

At its most recent meeting on March 28, the Ordinance Committee of the Town Council voted 7-1 to strike the proposed ordinance from the agenda, effectively killing it in its current form. 

The bi-partisan motion to strike from the agenda was made March 28 by Republican Council member Thomas Malloy, seconded by Democratic Council member David Fuller. The lone vote to keep the ordinance alive came from Jason Santi, a Democrat. 

At its February meeting, Malloy said, “If I was asked to vote on it, it would be absolutely no … it almost strikes me as unconstitutional under the equal protection clause. What we’re doing here is setting up a preferred class of worker -- people who volunteer."

Malloy also had a problem with the ordinance on anther front. “It also seems to me that from a timing point of view, I have an issue with it,” he said, comparing it at the time to a young bottle of wine he would rather “keep to mature.” 

For his part, Fuller also doubted the wisdom of selectively favoring through the tax code one set of volunteers. “What other volunteers might ask for an incentive?” Fuller asked in February. “I have an issue with incentives for volunteers,” adding, “we’re setting a precedent here … what about social workers? 

“We have to go about this very cautiously if we adopt this into an ordinance,” Fuller continued. “I have great concern setting aside one group” for preferred tax treatment.

At that time, Santi responded, “I understand that argument. But EMS volunteers do save lives.” The other consideration, he continued, is “without them we would have to have paid paramedics. I feel that it [a tax credit] is a way to retain and gain more volunteers."

To which, Fuller responded, “Social workers save lives.” 

After the March vote to strike, Santi said,  "The reason why I supported the tax credits was due to the fact I believe it would have aided in being an incentive to current and future EMS workers.

"It could have possibly been tailored, in a way, where it would have had no affect on the general fund. The credits could possibly have been paid for through the EMS fund.  I was not in agreement with striking it and would have rather seen it tabled for possible further improvements at a later date." 

Fuller said this week, “I do believe things can be made easier for recruiting and retaining volunteers for EMS and other core services.  Reducing the bureaucracy to become a volunteer can help streamline the process and recruit more volunteers. 

“More official recognition by the town can help retain them,” he added. 

“The way to address incentives is to reduce the challenges EMS volunteers face on a daily basis.  I worked in the not-for-profit sector and the key to volunteer recruitment is making accessibility to volunteer as easy and streamlined as possible. 

“Perhaps a tax deduction would be appropriate if EMS volunteers incur expenses in the course of their volunteerism. To do so would require a new ordinance,” Fuller concluded.