BEATTY -- Will Beatty get a new clinic?

That is one of the possibilities raised by Tom Chase, chief executive officer of Nevada Health Centers, at the Beatty Town Advisory Board's May 13 meeting.

Chase said NHC has been the recipient of almost a million dollars of federal stimulus money already and anticipates more in two more "waves" of grants.

He said it would be possible to apply for a new roof for the existing building in the next wave, but he didn't think the chances of getting it would be good, partly because NHC, which would apply for the money, does not own the building.

However, he thinks there is a better chance of getting the money for a new building in the third wave of grants, especially if the community and other entities show support. The town board plans to have the matter on the agenda at its next meeting.

Chase said some changes are coming at the clinic. He said the transfer to an electronic medical record system may create bigger crowds in the waiting room until the doctor and staff become accustomed to working with it.

He also said that there would soon be a female physician's assistant at the clinic one day a week. One has already been hired, but she is going through a six-month period working alongside a doctor, as required by NHC, before working on her own.

Chairman Mike Lasorsa wanted to know if NHC is aware of the current doctor's refusal to treat emergency cases.

Dr. Merutka, who is working for NHC as an outside contract employee, is trained as a family physician, and apparently does not feel qualified for emergency work.

Chase said he is aware of the situation and has discussed it with the doctor, who would be required to train and receive advanced cardiovascular life support certification.

Emergency patients from Beatty are transported by ambulance or helicopter to a hospital. Board member Teresa Sullivan said this puts additional stress on Beatty's EMS service.

The board made some changes to its storefront beautification program. The county recently granted $10,000 with the town matching it with an additional $10,000. The money will become available at the start of the fiscal year, July 1.

The grants will reimburse business owners 65 percent of the cost of materials up to $5,000.

In the previous round of grants reimbursement had been at 75 percent, and board member LaRene Younghans had wanted to lower it to 50 percent, so 65 percent was a compromise. Those receiving the grants will have 90 days from the date of approval to complete their projects.

The board followed the recommendation of the chamber of commerce in approving a $2,800 bid from Anthony Roofing for replacement on the chamber's building. This was $200 higher than the bid from Champion Roofing.

Ann Marchand said the company had provided good references and that their four-ply material was more appropriate for a flat roof than the two-ply material offered by Champion.

During board member comment, Lasorsa said he thought he might consult with the district attorney because of complaints he had received from "several people" because Teresa Sullivan's family had used the contractor who poured the cement and installed the park benches and receptacles to do work at their home at the same time.

Sullivan said the owner of J&M Concrete had actually "underbid" the town job because he liked Beatty and wanted to do something for the community. J&M's bid was $1,580; the only other bid came from H&S Concrete for $2,100.

Sullivan said the work her family hired J&M to do at their home was not done on the same day as the town job. The board had voted to accept J&M's bid, and in response to Lasorsa's statement that he felt he should go to the district attorney on the matter, she said, "Bring it on."