By Greg Ellison

(April 7, 2022) Looking to address general cost increases and hire two additional staff, Berlin Fire Company leadership presented its FY23 budget request to the mayor and Town Council on Monday.

Berlin Fire President Dave Fitzgerald teamed with Fire Chief R.J. Rhode to complete the allocation requests.

“We just finished last night,” he said.

The Fire Company budget request runs from July 1 through June 30, 2023.

Fitzgerald said approximately 45 percent of fire responses were within town limits last year.

In terms of revenue streams, Fitzgerald said donations and fundraising profits have increased from prior years.

“Our donations have increased from what we’ve budgeted over the last several years,” he said. “The main fundraisers right now are the Friday night carry out dinner.”

Fitzgerald also noted Worcester County funding to compensate for out of area calls has remained steady.

“The county uses a tax-based formula, so it stays constant year to year,” he said.

On the expense side, utility costs are budgeted to jump by $5,000.

“We heat with natural gas and propane,” he said.

Other price spikes have been noted for repairs and materials costs, which are anticipated to jump by 5-7 percent.

“For insurance we’re being told to estimate about a 6 percent increase,” he said.

The fire companies FY23 budget request also bumps up apparatus maintenance costs by $10,000.

“Fees have gone up,” he said.

Rhodes said prices for fire protection gear is also on the rise.

“The company we deal with told us to budget a $60-$70 increase for next year,” he said. “That’s just for the coats and pants.”

Rhodes said since placing a boot order last month prices have gone up by $15 pair.

“Everything we have to have is going up in price,” he said.

Town Administrator Jeff Fleetwood asked if grant opportunities were being pursued.

Rhodes said grants are being sought for both air packs and other apparatus.

“We are actively seeking some grants,” he said.

Turning to EMS services, Fitzgerald said about 57 percent of responses were within town limits last year.

In a similar vein as fire services, Fitzgerald said community donations have recently increased for EMS providers.

“We hope the public continues to support us,” he said.

In hopes of providing better response times, fire officials are also looking to add two additional staff members to have four people on duty at all times.

“Right now four people are only there during the day,” he said.

Fitzgerald said last year Worcester County increased funding totals by $115,000 for additional staff, which they hope to repeat this year.

Based on salary increases, Fitzgerald estimated the same move would cost about $125,00 inclusive of salary and benefits.

“It allows the public quicker service and more accurate responses,” he said.

Fitzgerald said all staff are cross trained for both fire and medical responses.

Fire company officials are asking Berlin for roughly $718,000 in funding for FY23.

Council member Jack Orris said the total funding included in the most recent FY23 draft budget is about $525,000.

“Your internal budgets are higher,” he said.

Fitzgerald said funding levels have remained flat for several years.

“We have had to keep shifting more of the flat funding to EMS,” he said. “Nothing is being purchased, it’s all costs that are being passed onto us.”

Berlin Fire officials made a similar budget request before the Worcester Commissioners last week.

“All our costs are going up,” he said.

Fitzgerald also inquired with county leaders about future allocations of American Rescue Plan Funds.

“The commissioners have publicly stated broadband and fire/EMS is what their intentions are,” he said.

Mayor Zack Tyndall said the nearly $300,000 higher ask could be cut in half without raising tax rates from an estimated $143,000 in added revenues in FY23 based on  higher property values.

“We see your numbers are coming in at roughly $300,000 above what we gave last year,” he said. “We understand that’s been flat for a couple years.”

Fitzgerald said without the presence of volunteer members personnel costs would skyrocket.

“If we have to go to paid staff in the future that’s going to be a bigger ask,” he said.