MERRILLVILLE | The Town Council opened two proposals from outside ambulance services Tuesday, but a decision is yet to be made on the status of the town's Emergency Medical Services.

Prompt Ambulance Service and Superior Ambulance Service submitted proposals, but the Town Council didn't reveal much information about the proposals.

The councilmen decided to take the proposals under advisement, and will discuss them in a public safety committee meeting.

Town Council President Shawn Pettit said the proposals will be made available to the public after the council discusses them during the meeting.

Town Councilman David Uzelac was the only councilman who voted against taking the proposals under advisement. He was applauded by those who oppose privatizing the EMS.

Merrillville paramedics and other groups opposing the possibility of privatization once again protested outside Town Hall before the meeting.

They started gathering about noon, with some of the group members wearing anti-privatization shirts, and stayed outside until the meeting started at 6:30 p.m. Merrillville paramedic Mary Littrell said they only stopped during heavy rainfall in the afternoon.

She said she wasn't certain if their efforts would be used by the councilmen as they make their decision.

"We have to try," Littrell said.

Many people opposing privatizing the EMS also spoke during the meeting.

Clerk-Treasurer Rose Ann Antich-Carr said she was speaking as a resident as she asked the council to make sure they guarantee properly trained personnel will take care of the residents' loved ones.

Merrillville paramedics Amy Early and Jerry Sosbe asked the council if they could submit a proposal on ways to possibly save the EMS. Pettit said he welcomes the information and asked they provide the information in writing and discuss their proposal in a public safety meeting.

The Town Council received a petition signed by 151 Towne Square retirement community residents who don't want the town to privatize the EMS. A representative of the residents said they value the town's EMS.

Rachel Holland, whose husband is a Merrillville paramedic, said she fears the town won't receive a quality service with privatization.

"One life lost is one life too many," Holland said.

Another resident asked the town to work with the paramedics to find a way to keep the existing service.

Town Councilman Joseph Shudick has said he plans on meeting with town EMS officials to discuss ways to keep the EMS.

In other business, the Town Council unanimously approved adopting the 2008 budget of $18.4 million. The 2007 budget was $15.3 million.

They also accepted bids from Able Disposal, Waste Management and Allied Waste as they contemplate reducing waste haulers to a single provider. They also decided to take those bids under advisement.