HARPSWELL — After town meeting voters in March authorized municipal officials to open negotiations for a daytime paramedic service contract with Mid Coast Hospital, the town and hospital have drafted contract terms that will be up for approval by the Board of Selectmen on Thursday.

The five-year contract totals $123,000 — approved at town meeting — for the first year’s service and equipment costs. For that price, the town would receive paramedic coverage from the hospital from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

A report compiled by representatives from Harpswell’s three volunteer fire departments found that it has become increasingly difficult to recruit volunteers to work shifts during those times, raising a concern about the volunteer firefighters and paramedics’ abilities to adequately take on all emergency calls.

As part of the contract, one paramedic would be on call at the town office or the Orr’s and Bailey Island Fire Department with a “fly car” that would provide on-site emergency medical care.

At the town’s annual meeting, voters also approved a $74,000 appropriation to fund the design and construction of a garage for the fly car that Town Manager Kristi Eiane said would be necessary in the winter to protect medications and equipment that are sensitive to temperature.

The town will continue to pay $15,000 annually for its existing regional emergency medical service.

The contract states that hospital transports would still be provided by existing volunteer fire department staff and that, whenever reasonable, a patient’s hospital choice would be respected.

The contract cost for the first year of service also includes payments on the purchase of a Chevrolet Tahoe sport utility vehicle, at $35,000, and emergency medical equipment for that truck, at $45,000, both to be paid over five years.

The Board of Selectmen will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Harpswell Town Office on Mountain Road.

dfishell@timesrecord.com