Lisbon councilors Tuesday expressed remorse for cutting $65,000 from Lisbon Emergency’s request for its 2027 budget, and now they hope to restore it.

But because the town’s budget has been approved, it’s unclear if that’s possible.

Lisbon Emergency Chief Amy Cailler made an appeal to councilors at Tuesday’s meeting, saying the reduction would force the nonprofit ambulance service, which serves Lisbon, Bowdoin and Bowdoinham, to reduce personnel to an unsafe level.

During budget deliberations earlier this month, councilors reduced Lisbon Emergency’s request for $565,636 to $500,000.

The move will result in a total reduction to the department’s budget of $108,000 after Bowdoin and Bowdoinham’s shares of the budget are readjusted, Cailler said. The funding ratio is a 60/40 split between Lisbon and the two towns. With Lisbon’s share going down, so will the other two towns’ shares.

In 2025 the department responded to roughly 1,700 calls, and one ambulance cannot reasonably cover that level of call volume, she said. Current staffing levels reflect what is necessary and it is not excessive, she said.

“Lisbon Emergency remains committed to working professionally, transparently and collaboratively with the town of Lisbon as we have always tried to do,” she said. “However, the town must also consider the minimum required financial obligation to operate an EMS system safely and effectively.”

Cailler said payroll makes up 75% of the department’s budget.

Councilor Roger Bickford was the first to express regret about his support to cut the department’s funding.

“I made a mistake and I hope you forgive me for it,” he started.

He talked about a serious medical issue he had, during which Lisbon Emergency responded and was able to get him to the hospital before further injury. He said he would likely not be sitting in council chambers that night if not for their quick response.

“You’re fast and you’re good,” he said.

He wanted the council to find cuts elsewhere in the budget and restore the department’s full request.

Councilor Charlie Turgeon was the next to take back his support of the funding cut. “We’re here to provide services, none are more important than public safety,” he said.

His children were revived by Lisbon Emergency, so he understands how important the service is, he said. He would also like to see funding restored, though he did not have any ideas Tuesday night how to replace it.

Lisbon Emergency also came to Councilor Dale Crafts’ aid when he became paralyzed several decades ago. He said he wished they had more time to sit with the budget before passing it in order to find other areas to cut instead of Lisbon Emergency.

It was not clear to Council Chair Chris Camire what exactly could be done to restore department funding now that the budget has been approved. He said he would meet with town staff to look at the charter and report back to councilors.

As of Thursday he was still working with Town Manager Sarah Bennett to determine what mechanisms within the charter may allow councilors to restore the funding.

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