DOVER-FOXCROFT - A new base for the Mayo Emergency Medical Service ambulances serving the Dexter/Corinna area will be constructed following a May 23 vote by the Hospital Administrative District 4 Board of Directors.
The board approved a recommendation to acquire the Kaufman Motor Co. property on Spring Street (Route 7 South) in Dexter, and to move forward with a $400,000 renovation and construction project to transform the existing buildings into a regional base for Mayo EMS. The new base will replace separate, aging facilities in Dexter and Corinna.
"Having one, modern regional facility to serve that area will be more efficient and create staffing economies for us," said Ralph Gabarro, Chief Executive Officer of Mayo Regional Hospital.
Gabarro said the Kaufman Motor location was "ideal," offering quick response from Route 7 not only to Dexter and Corinna, but also to the neighboring towns of Garland, Exeter and Ripley. The 3-acre site has room for expansion, and is connected to town water and sewer utilities.
The main Mayo EMS base, serving much of Piscataquis County with five ambulances, is located on the Mayo Regional Hospital campus in Dover-Foxcroft.
The estimated $400,000 price tag includes purchase of the land and buildings in Dexter, as well as construction and renovation costs. The property includes two, four-year-old buildings: a two-bay garage and an office. A third bay will be constructed on the garage, and a connector will be built to join the two buildings. When finished, there will be one, 2,500-square-foot structure with room for three ambulances, an office and crew sleeping quarters.
Gabarro said detailed construction drawings are being completed, and the project will be put out to competitive bid by early July. Anticipated start of construction will be in August.