Recently, the Pine Bush Area Volunteer Ambulance Corps (PBVAC) has become a subject of concern between officials for both the Town of Crawford and the Town of Shawangunk. In the past, both municipalities have contributed to the ambulance corps, with Crawford giving $45,000 and Shawangunk contributing $5,000 to the Pine Bush Fire Department, which then disbursed the funds to the PBVAC.

But Town of Crawford officials have raised concerns that the Town of Shawangunk, which accounts for 30-35% of the ambulance's yearly calls, is not paying its fair share. Crawford Supervisor Charlie Carnes has been in contact with Shawangunk Supervisor John Valk and the two seem to be in agreement.

"This has been going on for a long time. I think that it's more of a logistical problem than anything else. But I don't want to be subsidizing another town," says Carnes. Valk offers his feelings on the matter, saying that he understands Carnes' concern and supports working with him and the ambulance corps.

The reason it is a "logistical problem" for the Shawangunk officials is that the PBVAC only responds to calls located in the "Walker Valley Area," which accounts for roughly a third of the town. The problem comes from the fact that the Town of Shawangunk already finances another ambulance corps located in the hamlet of Wallkill, and Valk does not believe town officials are able to pay monies out of the town's general fund to pay for service that not all residents are entitled to receive.

"I don't think it's legal to force people to pay for things when they do not use the service," says Valk.

Valk's solution is to explore the creation of an ambulance district within Shawangunk that would localize the charging for ambulance services to those people who are eligible to receive those services. Valk says that there is only one problem that he sees in exploring the possibility.

"They [the PBVAC] have not contacted me about anything."

Calls to the PBVAC asking why they had not contacted the Town of Shawangunk about the creation of an ambulance district were not returned as of press time. Although the problem has been ongoing, Crawford's Supervisor Carnes is adamant about finding a solution soon.

"I have no problem with the ambulance corps. I think they are a good organization. I just want to make sure that Crawford taxpayers are being treated fairly. They [Town of Shawagunk officials] have to figure out a fair way to tax people."

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