Melrose Board Approves $150,000 in State Aid for Ambulance Equipment

MELROSE — February 20, 2025 — Melrose Select Board approves $150,000 in state EMS aid for ambulance equipment, honors lifesaving crew. The board unanimously authorized spending a one-time Minnesota EMS aid payment of $150,000 on ambulance department equipment, with all purchases required to be encumbered by December 31, 2025. The funds accelerate purchases originally planned for fiscal years 2026 through 2028, and will include replacement of Lucas mechanical CPR devices after the manufacturer announced it would no longer warranty or repair existing units. Earlier in the meeting the board presented lifesaving awards to ALS providers Gina Edgert and Allison Hiltner and driver Tyler Roemaker, who revived a cardiac-arrest patient during a December 4 transport to St. Cloud. City Administrator Colleen's 2024 year-in-review showed total building permit valuation of approximately $29.8 million, including $22 million in commercial and industrial new construction, and the ambulance department logged 1,160 calls — a significant increase over 2023.