Norwich ― Hartford HealthCare has signed an agreement to purchase American Ambulance Services and its American Professional Educational Services, landmark businesses founded by prominent city businessman Ronald Aliano.

Hartford HealthCare, which owns and operates Backus Hospital, released a statement Monday confirming the agreement, which requires state approval.

American Ambulance was founded in 1972 by Aliano and moved to its current location overlooking Norwich Harbor and the downtown in 1985. American Professional Educational Services opened in 1996, “to meet the demands of CPR education in the community,” according to the history section on the company’s website.

“Emergency medical services are a strategic component of the Hartford HealthCare’s integrated care delivery model, providing access to care when it’s needed most,” the Hartford HealthCare statement said. “Hartford HealthCare has signed an agreement to purchase American Ambulance Service and American Professional Educational Services. The transition of ownership will require the approval of the state’s Office of Emergency Medical Services.”

Hartford HealthCare spokeswoman Tina Varona said in an email exchange of questions and responses Monday she did not have information on the proposed purchase price. The approval process with the Office of Emergency Medical Services could take several months, she said.

Varona said American Ambulance leadership approached Hartford HealthCare to discuss the possible sale as, “a good fit for its organization.”

This would be the second ambulance service acquired by Hartford HealthCare, Varona said. Hartford HealthCare purchased Hunter’s Ambulance Service, headquartered in Meriden. That sale was approved by OEMS in May 2021.

American Ambulance, headed by President and CEO Michael Aliano, Ronald Aliano’s son, is part of The American Group Co., an umbrella of several companies based in Norwich.

American Ambulance Vice President Greg Allard said Monday he could not comment on the proposed sale beyond the Hartford HealthCare statement. Allard said he did not have information readily available on the size of the ambulance fleet and number of employees.

American Ambulance is contracted by the city to provide ambulance services citywide. Mayor Peter Nystrom said Monday he and City Manager John Salomone met last week with Michael Aliano, Allard and Donna Handley, president of Backus and Windham hospitals, to discuss the pending sale.

Nystrom said city leaders were told there would be no changes to the services provided to the public by American Ambulance. He said the city will need to approve a new contract with Hartford HealthCare if the transaction goes forward.

Nystrom said the arrangement calls for Hartford HealthCare to purchase the business, while leasing the property from the current owner. That arrangement would keep the real estate on the city’s tax rolls, but Nystrom said he would seek assurances that the business assets remain on the tax rolls as well. Backus Hospital is a nonprofit organization and mostly nontaxable.

“It needs to remain taxable,” Nystrom said. “I support Hartford HealthCare, and support them strongly, but the last thing we need is a shrinking grand list. We’re trying to grow the grand list.”

In her email to The Day, Varona said there would be no change to the tax status of the companies.

Nystrom praised the Alianos for their decades of dedication to Norwich and for building the family-owned business into a Norwich institution. Ronald Aliano, who died in 2009, owned the Norwich marina and championed the city. He launched and financed the annual July 4 fireworks festival, supported numerous other celebrations and promoted Norwich history and tourism.

Nystrom called Michael Aliano “one of the leading citizens of the city” and said Aliano has continued his father’s legacy of supporting civic events and causes.

“Mike has always been there, giving back,” Nystrom said, “a tremendous public citizen.”

According to a timeline on the company website, Ronald Aliano founded American Ambulance in 1972 with two used ambulances at his downtown home while waiting for renovations at a location near the East Great Plain Fire Department on the West Side. Aliano served as one of the company’s EMTs. The company then moved to 101 West Main St., where the Norwich Transportation Center now is located.

Construction began in 1983 on the new location off High Street overlooking Norwich Harbor. American Ambulance moved temporarily to Sachem Street before moving to its permanent new location in 1985 even before the entire building was completed a year later.

c.bessette@theday.com