The Tri-Town Ambulance service committee will recommend to the Chilmark selectmen on Tuesday that interim chief Paul (Zeke) Wilkins be permanently appointed chief, committee chairman and Aquinnah police chief Randhi Belain confirmed this week.

Mr. Wilkins has served as interim chief since February when Robert Bellinger resigned. The committee had offered the post to a candidate from Connecticut, who withdrew his application.

Acting over the objection of the director of the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital emergency room, Chilmark selectmen voted to appoint Paul (Zeke) Wilkins as permanent chief of the tri-town ambulance service on Tuesday night.

Dr. Jeffrey Zack expressed frank concerns about whether the new chief has enough experience to lead the rural ambulance squad that serves Chilmark, Aquinnah and West Tisbury.

The Tri-Town Ambulance Service agreement will get a complete overhaul for the first time in 33 years, up-Island selectmen and ambulance committee members decided this week.

The rural ambulance service serves Aquinnah, West Tisbury and Chilmark. The original agreement for the service was written in 1978. In 1991 a large governance committee was established for the service, which some feel is too unwieldy.

Acting over strong objections from the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital emergency room director, Chilmark selectmen voted unanimously to appoint Paul (Zeke) Wilkins as permanent chief of the Tri-Town Ambulance Service on Tuesday night.

Dr. Jeffrey Zack, director of the hospital ER, said he had reservations about whether the new chief had enough paramedic experience to be able to lead the squad that serves Chilmark, Aquinnah and West Tisbury.

“This is about providing quality care,” Dr. Zack told the selectmen.

The Tri-Town Ambulance service is requesting a 60 per cent increase for their budget next year due to a new state mandate that requires full-time paramedics for the service.

If all three towns — Chilmark, West Tisbury and Aquinnah — approve the hike, the cost of the service will go up $275,420, from an operating budget of $452,995 to one of $728,415.