Berlin Fire Company President David Fitzgerald discusses a fiscal 2019 budget request with the Berlin Mayor and Council on Monday.

By Josh Davis, Associate Editor

(April 26, 2018) The Town of Berlin and Berlin Fire Company are far apart on budget numbers for fiscal year 2019, although both sides appear to be working together better than during recent years.

Last week, the town unveiled a general fund budget draft that included $250,000 for the Berlin Fire Company and $150,000 for EMS services. Town Administrator Laura Allen said that number is consistent with recent years and unlikely to change.

Fire company personnel, however, asked the Town Council on Monday for $410,000 for the fire company and $376,773 for EMS.

Part of the justification for increased funding was the recently released Matrix Consulting Group study, which concluded that “The Berlin Fire Company is not sufficiently funded for the level of services they have chosen to provide to Worcester County and the Town of Berlin. Worcester County has a funding formula that is used to determine the funding for the company. The Town of Berlin does not have a specific formula for the funding of services but rather provides a flat rate for the services.

“The Fire Company is not held accountable for how they allocate the funding provided from the county or the town. The company receives the funding and spends it as the they deem appropriate. There is a lack of dialogue between the town and fire company as it relates to the budget and funding for services. There is little to no discussion about the services being provided and the cost of those services.”

“There is no formal agreement between the town and the fire company that establishes the responsibilities for each party … These issues cut across both organizations and represent management risks for the Town of Berlin.”

Fire Company President David Fitzgerald on Monday said 42 percent of fire calls for service were in town limits, based on the study, and $410,000 represented 42 percent of the fire company budget.

“We’re trying to have our numbers come in line with the percentage of calls – we’re trying to match them up,” he said.

Mayor Gee Williams said several discussions with fire company representatives have been held since the report was released “to try and figure out how we get from where we are to where we all want to be.”

He said 17 of the recommendations in the report directly addressed the relationship between the town and fire company, adding the “Town of Berlin is very much interested in” recommendations that addressed financial controls, budgeting, and cash management.

“What we’re trying to do is get everything in line, so that we’re all working according to the same accounting standards and financial management standards,” Williams said. “Plus, we’re all answerable to the public … so that increases in the amounts that are budgeted over time [need to be] both accountable and very transparent.

“I know that wasn’t necessary years ago, but as the figures show here, the amount to provide these two services is significantly higher than it was 20-25 years ago, and I don’t see that changing,” he continued. “I think our goal is to have a contract for services this year.”

Williams said some things could be achieved by the fall, while others could be finished by winter or early spring. He indicated there would not be a funding increase in the fiscal 2019 budget approved in May.

“I think that way we’re not going to try to eat the elephant in one bite,” Williams said. “At the same time, I do think it’s important that we have that commitment in writing, so that we all know what we’re working for.

“I think our conversations today have been very productive and helpful, but I don’t think we’re going to be able to get from zero to full speed between now and the end of May,” he added.

Fitzgerald said the EMS budget was “as transparent as we can be.”

“If the funding isn’t there, it’s not there,” he said. “It’ll have to be, cut back some services in the EMS, just like we did last year … there’ll have to be further cutbacks,” he said.

Williams suggested one area where cutbacks could occur was capital investment, namely ongoing collections for a new fire station.

According to the report, the Station Three Building Fund includes $1.5 million. One of the report recommendations suggests, rather than construct a new building, “The second-floor area of Station One needs to be converted to house company offices and appropriate living quarters for station personnel.”

“Certainly, we want operations to be what it needs to be,” Williams said. “I was encouraged by the fact that, the report at least indicated, that the additional space you need for officers and EMS personnel … is available on the upper level [of Station One].

“I know you have some very strong ambitions about another firehouse,” he continued. “Let’s get Station One … up to snuff in every way that you and the Town of Berlin and our citizens need, and then we can go from there.”

“Nobody has the magic wand, but I think if we work cooperatively as we have this winter there’s a lot that can be accomplished,” Williams said.