Ledyard — Even if the town’s ambulance service isn’t willing to concede its exclusive coverage rights for the Ledyard area, the Town Council certainly isn’t backing down in considering other emergency medical service options.

At a Town Council meeting Wednesday night, councilors voted 7-1 in favor of authorizing the mayor to solicit proposals for ambulance services, taking yet another step toward potentially ending the town's more than 40-year relationship with the Ledyard Volunteer Emergency Squad, also known as LVES. Councilor John Marshall's was the sole no vote.

This means the mayor will put out a request for proposals soliciting bids from other ambulance companies. LVES still has the option to respond to the request, though — something several councilors encouraged the squad to do. However, the language of the request for proposals requires that LVES become a legal entity if it intends to respond.

As it stands, LVES is not an incorporated entity, an aspect that has caused serious concern among some town officials.

Mayor Fred Allyn III previously has said he expects anywhere from two to five organizations to respond to the request for proposals, including American Ambulance and American Medical Response. Additionally, at the LVES meeting last week, members expressed their desire to continue as the town’s ambulance service, suggesting they plan to respond to the request, as well. During that meeting, one member mentioned hearing that the town of Groton has expressed some interest in responding to the request.

Although not technically a municipal agency, LVES has been responsible for the town’s ambulance services since 1972 and is the primary service area responder for Ledyard. This means that, despite mutual aid ambulances serving residents when LVES can’t respond, LVES essentially has the exclusive right of being the first option to provide emergency medical aid in the town.

It is unclear at this point whether LVES plans to voluntarily relinquish its rights as the town’s primary service area responder. If the group does not agree to do so, it will force the town to engage in a monthslong process in which town officials would make their case for why Ledyard needs a new ambulance service provider at a hearing before the state. LVES also would have the right to appeal the state's decision.

However, Allyn previously has said he is confident in the validity of the town's case and is more than willing to appear before the state if the issue is forced into the hearing process.

In regard to next steps for the request for proposals, though, the plan is for the request to officially go out Thursday. After that, the town will accept proposals until May 7, at which time a small group of local officials will open and vet the bids, Allyn said.

Finance Director Marcia Hancock, Emergency Management Director Russ Shaw and Town Council Chairwoman Linda Davis will be responsible for examining those proposals, and ultimately making a recommendation to the Town Council.

c.clark@theday.com