West Penn Township has given an ambulance association fair warning that it has until the start of next month to show progress.

Supervisor Glenn Hummel said at Monday’s board of supervisors meeting that he doesn’t believe the township is placing money in good hands at Penn Mahoning Ambulance.

Hummel said that the township gave Penn Mahoning $45,000.

“I don’t want to see the ambulance doors to Penn Mahoning close,” Hummel said.

Hummel then reiterated his stance from last month which was if Penn Mahoning is in service, make them primary, and if it’s not in service, make Tamaqua Community Ambulance primary.

He added that Tamaqua is willing to take it on.

Hummel said that Penn Mahoning refuses to the township budget details, refuses to give transparency to a budget, and added that an ambulance it has is not ready to be certified to be on the road.

It was then noted that Penn Mahoning does have four new people; however, that still doesn’t bring it up to 24/7 coverage.

“I can’t support it anymore,” Hummel said. “My view would be follow the com center recommendation, and make Penn Mahoning primary when they are in service, and make Tamaqua (when Penn Mahoning isn’t in service).”

Board Chairman Tony Prudenti said the problem he has is that the township already committed to give the $45,000 to Penn Mahoning.

Prudenti added that he feels good knowing that the money from the citizens of the township goes to the ambulance.

He also noted that Penn Mahoning is doing a fundraiser.

“It’s very frustrating we’re not getting the information,” Prudenti said.

However, Supervisor Tim Houser said he believes this is the first time that Penn Mahoning is making progress, but that it should also be known the township is looking for alternatives if it doesn’t get the information is has asked for.

“This is the first time in how many months we have seen movement in a positive direction,” Houser said. “I think we should give them until July.”

But, Houser told Hummel that if he doesn’t see any more improvement in July, he agrees with Hummel.

Still, Hummel wasn’t about to waver from his stance.

“We’re throwing money down the toilet,” said Hummel, who added the ambulance has $23,000 “for a vehicle that’s probably not going to see the road ever.”

Prudenti restated he has a problem.

“We gave them $45,000,” Prudenti said. “I just got a hard time giving something to somebody (which they put in their budget); if we want to help destroy the organization, we’re doing a great job.”

Regardless, Hummel said the matter is one that continues to be kicked down the road, and asked why the township would want to give the ambulance $45,000 when it isn’t getting the service that’s being paid for.

Prudenti told Hummel that while he understands his frustration, the township needs to ensure the service for the public.

“We need 24/7 service for (the citizens) of our township,” Prudenti said. “The money is secondary (when it comes to what is a life worth.”

Hummel then suggested knocking the $45,000 the township gives to Penn Mahoning down to $30,000; which would then be split in half, with Penn Mahoning and Tamaqua each receiving $15,000.

“I’m done,” Hummel said. “I’ve spent way too much time (on the matter).”

Hummel then said he would rescind his motion, and added, “whatever happens, happens.”

Houser then made a motion to wait another month and see how things are going by July 1, which was approved on a 2-1 measure, with Hummel opposed.

Last month, the board revisited funding to ambulance associations that assist in covering 911 calls in the township.

Hummel said at that time that Penn Mahoning covers 57% of its calls, while Tamaqua Community Ambulance handles the other 43%.

He then asked if the township could designate Tamaqua Community Ambulance as its primary responder when Penn Mahoning isn’t available.

Township solicitor Paul J. Datte suggested that the township talk to both ambulance companies to get things squared away.

Hummel said that the township has money set aside for the ambulance.

Datte told Hummel the township has total control over how that money is spent, and therefore, it’s up to them to decide.

Prudenti said at that time he would be in favor of them providing the township with a bill, and to possibly work out a new agreement with Tamaqua to come up with a method as to how the township would pay them.

After an executive session, supervisors agreed at that meeting to reach out to 911 to ask for their preferential coverage provider to the township.

In January, representatives from Tamaqua Community Ambulance, Penn Mahoning and Mahoning Valley Ambulance Association attended the township’s board of supervisors meeting.

West Penn Township said then it needed more time before it commits to providing more funding to ambulance associations that assist in covering 911 calls in the township.