Melrose Board Approves Cardiac Monitors, Extends Riverside Flats Deal

MELROSE — March 16, 2023 — Melrose Select Board approves cardiac monitors and extends a key downtown development deal. The board unanimously approved the purchase of three Zoll cardiac monitors for the city's ambulance service at its March 16 meeting, drawing an additional $31,957 from the ambulance vehicle reserve fund after new Medical Director Dr. Denison Gillen determined the devices are required under basic life support protocols. The action comes as CentraCare notified the city it will no longer provide nurses for advanced life support transports in Melrose ambulances, citing an insurer coverage change — a gap Ambulance Coordinator Gina Eggert called "the right time" to begin evaluating a transition to partial advanced life support status and to review the service's fee schedule. The board also extended its purchase agreement with Riverside Development Group — developer of the proposed Riverside Flats apartment building on the former craft lot — to no later than May 15, 2023, after City Planner Sheila reported "a lot of enthusiasm from contractors" since bids went out Monday. In other business, the board approved a $121,528 workers' compensation insurance renewal and advanced a $4.7 million federal grid resilience grant application past the concept paper stage.