CAMDEN – Tuesday night the Camden Select Board will consider authorizing the town manager to enter into a purchase and sale agreement with North East Mobile Health Services, which has expressed an interest in redeveloping the former Apollo Tannery property at 116 Washington St. Some neighbors and abutters of the property met with the medical services transportation company last week to air their displeasure about the negative changes they feel such a move will bring to their neighborhood, and now select board members want to hear from more members of the community about what they want for the long-vacant, commercially zoned lot.

The Tucker Room in the Camden Opera House was filled to near-capacity (56) on the evening of Aug. 21, when neighbors of the former Apollo Tannery property on Washington Street and others met with representatives of North East Mobile Health Services.

John French said he approached North East about the potential of relocating its Rockport operation to the tannery property, the first step in a purchase and sale process that has failed at least twice before. This time around, the town hopes to finally succeed in bringing a business, and jobs, to the community, but abutters are concerned about the intrusion, or return, of what they are characterizing a "noisy, dangerous" business into their neighborhood.

Camden resident Tom Resek told the group Thursday night that he was a neighbor of the Tannery site – an approximately 3.51-acre vacant lot of weeds, crumbling pavement and cement slabs surrounded by a chain link fence – living at 67 Rawson Ave. To North East representatives, Resek said that of all the other options in "industrial park type areas" nearby, he wanted to know why this spot in particular, was chosen.

"I can't believe this is the best fit for an ambulance," said Resek. "My questions are why an area like this? Why not purchase the existing facility before P.A.W.S. did? There are plenty of sites in Rockport, why not there?"

Resek told North East officials that the company was moving into a neighborhood that is trying to grow itself.

"We think this is a bad fit," said Resek. He added that he recently purchased (2013) his home and wants to improve it. But there was no way, he said, that he would invest in home improvements if North East moves to the tannery property.

"It needs to go in an industrial park," said Resek. "It will devalue the property and won't add to the neighborhood. Please realize you are affecting our lives."

Responding to Resek's remarks, North East Mobile Health Chief Executive Officer Butch Russell said that the existing/former and vacated Camden First Aid Association building on John Street was discussed early on with the bank that held the note and title, and it (the CFAA site, a turnkey location) was their first choice.

"But somebody had more money to offer than us," said Russell. "We also see this [tannery site] as more centrally located to all the towns we serve."

Russell also said that the town of Camden has the largest call volume of the four communities they serve – Camden, Hope, Lincolnville and Rockport – in the Midcoast, with Rockport second.

"We feel we can provide a better response time at this site," said Russell.

Prompted by a fire and subsequent financial problems, the former Apollo Tannery ceased operations and closed in October 1999. The owners, Apollo Real Estate Inc., attempted to sell the property and/or attract investors, but both were unsuccessful and the out-of-state owners allowed the property to fall into serious, and dangerous, per the town, disrepair.

An environmental study completed in June 2002 determined the cost to demolish the chemical and asbestos-laden buildings and completely clean the site, including underground chemical and fuel storage tanks, to be $3.2 million. In March 2003 the town acquired the 3.51-acre property in a tax lien foreclosure following two years of unsuccessful dealings with the former owner over safety issues, among others. In the fall of 2005, with voter approval, the town began demolition and remediation of the site, which was paid for in large by Camden taxpayers. Voters approved spending $800,000, and a subsequent Department of Environmental Protection Municipal Brownfields Site Assessment grant, awarded in 2005 and worth $200,000, was also used to pay for the work.

In addition to the dozens of residents and North East's Russell, Thursday's meeting was attended by North East Mobile Health President Dennis Brockway, Rockport Division Commander Dennis Simmons, eight or more ambulance personnel and Camden Town Manager Patricia Finnigan. At least four of Camden's five Select Board members, if not all five, were also at the meeting.

Camden resident Eleanor Masin-Peters, who lives on Union Street, served as moderator and Russell began the meeting offering an overview of the company, which he said would serve to answer some of the questions posed by neighbors.

North East Mobile Health Services is headquartered in Scarborough, with 200 employees. The company has satellite offices in Biddeford, Sanford, Topsham and Rockport. The company's Topsham and Rockport offices are similar in size, number of employees and area served.

In its Midcoast office, the company employs 11 emergency medical technicians, five advanced EMTs, 13 paramedics and four car/wheelchair van drivers. Wages average $10-$18 per hour and the company provides emergency and non-emergency medical services, wheelchair and car service transportation, and CPR and first aid training.

As for how busy the company is, Russell said that year-to-date call volume is 1,787 total calls, 905 of those emergency (911) calls and 882 iinterfacility calls.

Russell said the projected future volume is 3,120 annual trips, or 60 weekly trips, with the increase due in large part to more anticipated requests for wheelchair and car service transports.

The Midcoast office currently has four ambulances, one paramedic response vehicle, one wheelchair van and two passenger vehicles for car service transports. The passenger vehicles are a Toyota Prius and a Dodge van.

"The car and the vans are pretty much gone all shift, so there's not a lot of traffic in and out throughout the day like the ambulances," said Russell. "The drivers get their schedules in the morning and we try to keep them out on the road all shift."

He said that historically, the busiest days of the week for emergency calls are Thursday and Friday, with the peak volume between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Year-to-date, there have been 150 calls on Thursdays and 153 on Fridays.

"If you look at the number of calls in a year during the 9 p.m. hour, there were 32 last year," said Russell. The chart shows that year-to-date, there were 14 calls between 11 p.m. and midnight and only six calls between 3 and 4 a.m.

Comparatively, the total year-to-date volume for all calls for North East's Midcoast Office still shows Thursdays and Fridays as peak volume days of the week, with a total of 296 calls on Thursdays and 316 calls on Fridays.

Russell said that North East is currently leasing its space in Rockport, behind the State of Maine Cheese building, with two different office spaces and use of a detached two-bay garage on the property.

One office in the complex is used by the crew and as overnight quarters, and the other, down the hall in the building, is for administrative staff.

"Only two of our vehicles can be in the garage, and there is not enough room to pull the stretcher out of the ambulance and clean it while it's in the garage. You have to pull the ambulance half-way out to remove the stretcher," said Russell. "Our other vehicles remain outside all winter."

Basically, he said, they have outgrown the space in Rockport.

"Ten years ago we started here with one truck. Pen Bay Medical Center reached out to us to add a truck, and we have grown from that one truck and 10 people with 15 calls or less per week," said Russell. "We now have four ambulances, three crews to provide 24/7 coverage and we respond to 60 calls per week."

Concerns raised by neighbors ahead of Thursday night's meeting included noise, via the use of sirens and backup alarms, and traffic, including increased traffic and intended travel routes to access Route 1.

Some of these concerns came on the heels of a rendering furnished to the media and the public when it was announced the town was entering into discussions with North East about purchasing the tannery property.

That rendering, furnished to North East by the town after the company approached it about possibly selling the property to them, shows a proposed driveway on the Rawson side of the property. It also shows driveway access on Washington Street. Similar renderings have been commissioned and paid for by the town to use in marketing the tannery property to prospective developers, including North East, over the years, and this one was updated with North East in mind as to how the site could be potentially be used.

Despite being told by both North East officials and the town manager that the rendering was not the company's plan, and that the company had yet to figure out details or create its own rendering, neighbors spent a lot of time Thursday railing against the idea of ambulances entering and exiting via Rawson.

"Traffic in the area will increase, but Rawson Avenue is not a road we will use frequently," said Russell in response. "There is no need to use that every time we go out."

He said that the planning board would require a traffic study, and that their quickest route to Route 1 in an emergency, depending on the address, is down Washington Street, onto Mechanic and then onto Free Street or another side street, depending on traffic.

"Further down Washington Street you have your police and fire stations, and we complement that," said Russell.

When asked how the company would travel to Hope or Lincolnville, Dennis Simmons said they would most likely need to use Gould or Grove Street to reach Route 52 in an emergency in Lincolnville, and Washington Street (Route 105) to get to Hope Center.

Russell said the concern about safety, especially "always" speeding to a call, was unwarranted.

"There's a misunderstanding that we drive fast everywhere," said Russell. "Title 29 allows us to exceed the speed limit and not stop at stop signs, but our company policy is not that. We don't not stop at stop signs and we exceed the speed limit by no more than 10 miles per hour."

He said that drivers are careful to only speed when it is safe to do so, given traffic, road conditions and pedestrian and other impediments along their route.

He said that safety is a "huge" concern for the company, and that it has a very good track record for accidents. He said they average about a dozen incidents per year, and most of those are caused by other drivers backing into their ambulances' fenders or bumpers.

"A big part of state law says we can do things like speed and roll through stop signs 'with due regard.' That means the person behind the wheel is still responsible for their actions, and we take that seriously," said Russell.

As for lighting, Russell said that lighting is necessary for any business, especially one that is staffed 24/7. But, he said, North East has been willing from "day one" to do what they need to do to make lighting and even backup beepers, which he said they have the ability to turn off as needed, less of an issue.

"We want to work with the community, do what's right and be a good neighbor," said Russell

When Russell was asked by Resek if he would want an ambulance in his neighborhood if he lived here, Russell said yes.

"If it were in my neighborhood -- when you need an ambulance, it's there. I would like to have an ambulance in my town," said Russell.

Resek, reading from a letter he had written, said that the property would be better off as a park, a flower garden, an educational facility or an environmental research facility.

"Businesses that don't make noise," said Resek.

Anita Brosius-Scott also spoke Thursday night. Brosius-Scott served on a prior committee charged by the town with studying the tannery property and creating a set of "Guiding Principles" for the Select Board when redeveloping the tannery site.

She said she excited about the tannery property and its potential, and continues to believe the site should remain zoned for commercial business. The tannery site is in the River Business District, but given its location among residential neighborhoods, the Select Board, which has annually been given authority by the voters to dispose of the property, has been directed to be more selective in choosing the "best possible business for redevelopment of the site."

"In terms of location of an ambulance service there, what fits in there is something quite, that can be cognizant of the close proximity of neighbors and homes. Something smaller in terms of impact, like lots of small shops," said Brosius-Scott.

According to the town's "Acceptable/Unacceptable Business/Industry Sectors for redevelopment of the Apollo Tannery Site," unacceptable businesses and/or industries would be outdoor boat storage (primary use), poultry/meat/seafood processing, auto repair, warehouse, hotel/motel, fast food, gas station, construction equipment storage and maintenance and, subjectively, any business that has a significant loud outside noise component and/or that imposes a hazardous or dangerous environment on the neighborhood.

Elisabeth Schuman of Mt. Battie Street Thursday night said that the residents need to keep in mind the possibility that North East could expand on the parcel after moving there.

She also countered an earlier comment by Rawson Avenue resident Benjamin Booth, who said, "I have walked the Riverwalk and not many use it," said Booth. "Sometimes people do, but when I did I found two empty packs of cigarettes, beer and a condom."

Schuman said, "The Riverwalk is used all the time."

She then added, reading from her own letter, "I grew up with the sound of sirens and it scared me worrying about who was ill or hurt. I don't want to hear sirens. I have insomnia and I don't need an ambulance waking me up."

She also said that the Riverwalk was meant to be a "meditative" spot, not one fraught with the sound of ambulance sirens.

Geoff Scott, a member of the town's committee to establish a public Riverwalk along a lengthwise portion of the tannery property, told the group that, yes, there were plans to extend the Riverwalk, owned by the town.

"The Riverwalk is a 25-foot walk, but it was never envisioned to be a park. It is a linear walk, mean to be a connection to downtown and not meant to expand into the tannery property," said Scott.

In addition to Booth's comment that he felt the Riverwalk was unused, or attracted unwanted uses, he said he was reserving judgment of whether the site was a good place for North East to develop and relocate on.

"Until more is presented on a plan, I am not totally against it," said Booth. "It [the proposal] is a lot better than what I see every day at that spot. It's not the ambulance traffic I am concerned about, it's the people coming over the hill at 30-40 miles per hour."

Russell was also asked if vehicle maintenance would be performed on the property.

"No, that's done in Scarborough," said Russell. "We are partnering with local businesses to provide routine maintenance."

Someone in the audience asked if the company had considered purchasing the vacant car dealership in Rockport at Route 1 and Pascal Avenue.

"Yes, we did. But it would take a significant amount of work and money to make that building work and the building is advertised for sale at almost $800,000," said Simmons.

Schuman, as well as Gold, questioned not only the proposed location of the ambulance service, but the process by which they had gotten to a point where the Camden Select Board was poised to enter into a Purchase and Sale Agreement at its next regular meeting, Tuesday, Aug. 26.

Amy Fischer, who said she didn't live in the neighborhood, told the group, "We are addressing North East Mobile Health, but shouldn't we really be addressing the town? How did this deal get past us? There are guidelines."

Because Thursday night's meeting was organized by neighbors, and not an official public meeting at which town officials were included on the agenda, asked to speak or publically noticed, that and similar questions went left unanswered.

But some of the Select Board members in the audience did speak up Thursday night.

Leonard Lookner said that he was the one who made the motion as a Select Board member to move the North East Mobile Health redevelopment plan come together, "to ask the town to negotiate and an offer to North East Mobile Health."

He said that night, he asked the board to consider setting aside part of the property as a park.

"I would ask North East Mobile Health tonight, would you be interested in reserving part of the land for a public park?"

Dennis Brockway responded and said, "It's very early in the process and I'm not going to say we wouldn't consider it, but it's way too early."

Lookner then said to the residents in attendance, "I have tried for years to get this town, this community to turn this into a park, but I have gotten no traction. And I have stood up each year and said 'don't give the board the authorization to sell town property.'"

Select Board member John French said he has lived on John Street, between the former Camden First Aid Association building and Route 1, and hardly ever noticed their ambulances passing by.

"And there's lots of foot traffic on John Street and nobody has been hit or killed along there," said French. "These people have children and families and they know how and want to be safe. These are good people and I think they would be good neighbors."

But after the meeting, French and other Select Board members lamented that they don't know the will of the larger community. They know what the guidelines for selling the property are, and they know that previous attempts to sell it to developers have failed due largely in part to issues the developers had with funding and/or finding anchor tenants for their proposed projects. Now, they are seeking more input.

The community will have that opportunity to let its opinions be known Tuesday, Aug. 26, when the Select Board meets at a regular meeting to discuss the tannery property and whether or not to enter into a due diligence period with North East Mobile Health Services.

According to the Purchase and Sale Agreement, the due diligence period is 90 days. During that time, North East will be allowed to work through a series of processes, and at any time during the period can walk away from the agreement.

Due diligence can include a title search, zoning and variance reviews, property survey, building permit application and approval, tax status and determination, MDOT driveway and entrance permit review, utility access, a performance and review of environmental contamination reports, and applicability of any government job creation programs and incentives.

North East intends to use the property to construct a professional office building for its administrative staff, operation of its regional emergency medical services and non-emergency transport services, living quarters for EMS personnel, training and educational programs for emergency medical technicians and community paramedicine professionals, community wellness clinics and community space to hold training and educational programs for organizations with a similar focus.

Related links:

• Camden Town Office’s Information about the proposed sale of the tannery

• North East Mobile Health Letter of Intent (prepared by NEMHS)

• Background Information (prepared by town of Camden)

• Concept for tannery parcel (prepared by town of Camden)

• Guiding Principles for the Re-Development of the Apollo Tannery Site (prepared by a town-appointed tannery redevelopment committee)

• Acceptable/Unacceptable Business/Industry Sectors for Redevelopment of the Apollo Tannery Site (prepared by a town-appointed tannery redevelopment committee)

Related stories:

• Camden plans to sell tannery land to North East Mobile Health ambulance service

• PAWS Animal Adoption Center closes on Camden First Aid Association building

• P.A.W.S. under contract to buy former Camden First Aid building

• North East Mobile hires 11 Camden First Aid staff members

• Clearing up misconceptions, rumors: Camden, Hope, Lincolnville, Rockport heading to town meeting, tackle complicated EMS vote

• Camden's Riverwalk takes shape where once a tannery stood

Editorial Director Holly S. Edwards can be reached at hollyedwards@penbaypilot.com or 706-6655.