Great Barrington Finance Committee Defers Vote on $240,000 SBAS Ambulance Request

LENOX — April 28, 2026 — Great Barrington Finance Committee defers recommendation on citizens' petition for $240,000 in ambulance capital funding. The committee met April 28 to consider Article 15, a citizens' petition originally requesting $490,000 from free cash for Southern Berkshire Ambulance Services to fund two new ambulances already on order, but learned during the meeting that SBAS attorney Peter Most plans to move an amendment on the town meeting floor reducing the ask to $240,000 — covering Great Barrington's share over the three-year term of a service contract currently under negotiation. Town Administrator Liz confirmed that if the article passes in any form, five capital items would be deferred from town meeting consideration, including backup turnout gear for the fire department, body cameras, two electric transit vehicles, and a Pearl Street manhole installation. Committee member Milena pressed on oversight, asking how the town could transfer close to a million dollars cumulatively to an outside entity, and Liz said the contract under negotiation includes a quarterly oversight committee. Chair Rich Geiler moved to add a recommendation vote to the agenda of the joint pre-town-meeting session scheduled for May 1, the committee's last opportunity before the warrant goes to voters.