Dublin Select Board members would like to discuss with Cheshire County representatives the cost to the town of ambulance services it does not use.

The town uses Peterborough Fire and Rescue for emergency calls, based on quicker response time from Peterborough and proximity to Monadnock Community Hospital. As a town in Cheshire County, however, Dublin pays for various county services, such as the sheriff, the Department of Corrections and the county court, but at Monday’s meeting, board member Blake Minckler sought clarification of the town's costs.

“We pay over $1 million to the county. Does that include ambulance service which we’re not using?” asked Minckler.  

Representatives from Cheshire County are expected at the board’s June 16 meeting for this discussion.

On Wednesday, Minckler explained the interest to hear from the county.

"My main questions are about where our county tax dollars go. Specifically, I want to find out if we are, through our county tax payment, paying for the Cheshire County Ambulance service. Annually, we partner with Peterborough for ambulance service at a significant cost, so if we are also  paying a significant cost through our county taxes for Cheshire, at what point does that stop making fiscal sense?"

In other news, board members noted how residents and small businesses appear to be ignoring various town ordinances. Board member Carole Monroe noted the proliferation of signs, commercial and otherwise, increasingly on the roadside in violation of code.

“Signs advertising dogs, maple syrup, painting, etc., they’re nailed up on trees and poles and stuck into the ground everywhere,” said Monroe, adding that any signs posted without permission and in violation of town code not removed by June 15 will be taken down.

Board chair Susan Peters noted that a number of town residents with dogs have failed to register them as required. All dogs must be licensed by April 30 and can be done online or in person.

“It’s very unpleasant to fine someone for not registering their dogs,” said Peters. 

Also at the meeting, Dublin Fire and Rescue Chief Tom Vanderbilt reiterated the requirement that residents obtain burn permits for any exterior fires, including in fire pits.

Minckler said that issues at the Transfer Station persist with individuals who do not have dump stickers using the facility, in some cases ignoring the attendants’ calling this to their attention.

“It’s not all Dublin trash that’s going in there,” said Minckler, noting that vehicles with Massachusetts license plates have been seen at the station.