BOARDMAN Pellin to return to rotation list

The ambulance service reinstatement is for a 90 day 'cooling-off' period.
By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
BOARDMAN -- A banned ambulance company will once again be transporting patients in the township -- at least for a short while.
Township officials say Pellin Ambulance Service will be placed back on the rotation list for township service effective May 2 for a 90-day "cooling-off period."
What happened: The decision was made earlier this week when township officials met with Pellin personnel before U.S. District Judge Dan Aaron Polster of Akron.
Because of court restrictions, township Administrator Curt Seditz could not comment on whether the ambulance company would remain in rotation past the 90 days.
He did say the township would likely be negotiating contracts with EMS carriers, but could not say if Pellin would be one those companies.
Pellin was removed from the township's EMS rotation list in early December after a five-day suspension in November. The reasons given for the suspension were concerns in four instances involving ambulatory care. The removal followed a short time later.
The township handles emergency services and vehicle towing on a rotation system. Rural Metro Ambulance, Clemente Ambulance Services and Pellin were on call alternate days for service. Rural Metro and Clemente have remained in rotation picking up the days that would have been filled by Pellin.
Glad to be back: Richard Pellin Jr. said the court order prohibits him from commenting on the specifics of the case, but he added that the company is happy about being placed back on the rotation list and the move is good for the community.
"The judge wants us to work some things out with the township, but the lawsuit is still pending," he added.
The ambulance company was seeking $1 million in compensatory damages, unspecified punitive damages and reinstatement to the rotation list.