CORRECTION:
First Selectman Mary Ann Drayton-Rogers said the Oxford Board of Selectmen did not vote to prohibit Ambulance Association Executive Director Jerry Schwab from driving a town vehicle until his DUI charge is processed through the court system.
Instead, Drayton-Rogers said when elected officials came out of executive session Tuesday, she re-affirmed, verbally, a previous decision of the Board of Directors of the Ambulance Association prohibiting Schwab from operating a town vehicle until the Board of Directors sees fit to allow Schwab to drive again.
The Ambulance Association Board of Directors will determine when Schwab can use the vehicle again and notify the First Selectman of the decision, Drayton-Rogers said.
Despite a doctor’s note giving him a green light to drive, Ambulance Association Director Jerry Schwab cannot drive a town vehicle as of July 9.
Ansonia police charged Schwab with operating under the influence the morning of July 3 after he allegedly ran a red light in a town vehicle.
Schwab maintains he had a medical episode triggered by hypoglycemia.
He said his last memory from the night was going to bed at about 10 a.m. He was stopped by police three hours later.
Schwab, also a member of the town’s Board of Education, offered more explanation of his medical condition Tuesday, saying his body produces too much insulin, a side effect he acquired following a gastric bypass operation four years ago.
Schwab said he passed two breathalyzer tests.
Police said he failed a field sobriety test, which Schwab attributes to an injured knee.
Police said Schwab didn’t mention a medical condition at the time of his arrest. Schwab said Tuesday he was “confused and did not think to tell them” about his condition.
The results of a urine test are pending.
The Board of Selectmen, after meeting with the town lawyer in executive session — a session closed to the public — re-iterated a decision by the Oxford Ambulance Association Board of Directors prohibiting Schwab from driving a town vehicle.
The Board of Directors could allow Schwab to drive again before his court case is resolved. An Ambulance Association meeting is scheduled for July 9, Drayton-Rogers said.
Schwab, meanwhile, said he was evaluated by his physician Dr. Gerald Fette Monday. He brought a document from the doctor to the Board of Selectmen meeting saying Schwab “may resume all privileges and professional duties involving the operation of a motor vehicle without restriction.”
Schwab also said he is following doctor’s orders by testing his blood sugar regularly and to take medication as needed.
First Selectman Mary Ann Drayton-Rogers consulted with Karston Olsen, chairman of the Ambulance Association’s Board of Directors and determined that back-up ambulance personnel would assume driving duties to replace Schwab.
“Mr. Schwab is not to operate a town vehicle until the charges are cleared and the town is notified,” Drayton-Rogers said.
Selectman August Palmer noted that under the town’s current contract with the Ambulance Association, designated personnel are allowed unlimited use of emergency response vehicles. He requested that the town renegotiate its contract.
“We need to make sure things like this don’t happen with the people’s cars, the people’s fuel and the people’s maintenance,” he said. “We need to take another look at the contract.”
