WILTON – The selectmen have approved a warrant article to establish a capital reserve fund to design a new ambulance building and to acquire a place to build it.

“I see that happening in maybe five to seven years,” new Ambulance Service Chief Steven Desrosiers said during a tour of the station last week. “I kind of see it in 2025.”

In the meantime, the present building is being totally refurbished “to make it more functional. We’re making it look better, more usable.”

Previous Chief Gary Zirpolo had advocated for the changes, but there was never enough money, and upgrades were made with donated items.

“We’re not trying to denigrate what was done,” Desrosiers said. “Just build on it.”

In a way, Zirpolo provided the upgrade. Funds used were those he would have been paid had he not retired, the money saved during the couple of months between his retirement and hiring Desrosiers, plus some other savings. “No added taxpayer money.”

A new station is needed, he said. The present one, built in 1974, is cramped. “We’ve reached capacity.” The building can’t be expanded because of the size of the lot, a little over two acres, and it is surrounded by wetlands.

“Our call volume has gone up, not much but steady. The population is growing and it is aging.”

An aging population requires more services.

“We’re in a unique situation,” he said. “The building is owned by the Ambulance Association, the ambulance by the town of Wilton, and contents are shared by the three towns served,” Wilton, Lyndeborough and Temple.

The Association acquired the building in the early 1980s.

The service became a Wilton town department several years ago because of insurance requirements. Workman’s Compensation can’t be paid to a private company.

A new station, he said, should have a three-bay garage, a diesel exhaust system, a training room, and sleeping accommodations for four people.

“We need to preserve the history (of the service)” he said, and founder Betty Stevens will be remembered. Her backboard has been kept and will be refinished for display in the refurbished station.

Desrosiers is the fourth new department head in the past few months. Fire Chief Ray Dick and Police Chief Brent Hautanen retired recently and Public Works Department head Steve Elliott was fired. The Public Works Director has not yet been replaced. The other departments promoted from within. “I think I can work with them, even if I’m the only outsider.” Cooperation between departments is required, he said.

Desrosiers was with the department for only a few months before being appointed chief.

“This department has a tremendous potential,” he said. “We have some really great people.” And those people have to be retained. Even with recent pay increases he has been having problems recruiting. All area services are looking for people.

“What is my mission statement?” he asked. “Why are we here? Why do we serve the community?” He was looking for a motto, something way to describe the service, something they didn’t have. What was chosen was “Wilton Ambulance, Here For Life.”

You can take that several ways, he said. “We will always be here, serving people, but we are for people’s health. We are the people’s ultimate health insurance. We are here on our best days for your worst days.”

He added, “You are going to see us more in the community.” He will be offering free CPR courses, and blood pressure clinics. He is continuing the apprenticeship program for those over 15, a program that leads to EMT classes. There is also a Scout Explorer program.

But what he needs is more people. “I have no volunteers. I have more per-diem people.” People, he said, just don’t volunteer any more for anything.

Finding a place for a new station will not be easy, he said. They have looked at all town-owned property and none is suitable. One problem is the river and the few bridges. The station should be accessible to all three towns.

But, he said, he wanted people to know, “In spite of the transition and the apparent turmoil in the department, if they call 911 they will get the service they need. I don’t want people to think it’s all upheaval because it’s not. I’m not here to change anything.”

Desrosiers said they will hold an open house when all the renovations are complete. “People are welcome to stop in anytime, Monday through Friday and see the station.”