Sand Lake Ambulance, led by Director of Administration Craig McMillan, offered to replace Mohawk Ambulance as Poestenkill’s primary ambulance service during the Town Board meeting on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at a cost of $270,000 per year. You can read the proposal here.
Response Time Concerns Drive Proposal
Dr. Warren Hayashi, Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at Albany Medical Center, shared data at the February 27, 2025, Town Board Workshop showing Poestenkill’s 2024 average ambulance response time was the slowest in Rensselaer County at over 35 minutes per call, while Sand Lake Ambulance and North Greenbush Ambulance averaged under 10 minutes.
Cost Breakdown for Residents
The proposed $270,000 annual fee would equate to $100–$200 per household per year, depending on home value; currently, the Town pays nothing to Mohawk Ambulance, which bills patients or their insurance directly.
Sand Lake Ambulance Funding Model
Like Mohawk, Sand Lake Ambulance collects patient revenue but faces a shortfall: each ride costs approximately $900, while reimbursement averages only $450 per ride.
Next Steps for Town Board
The Town Board will consult the Poestenkill Fire Company about the proposal, followed by public meetings to gather resident input, with dates to be posted on poestenkillny.com.