Council members suggest detailed financial figures should be shared with town

By Greg Ellison

(July 29, 2021) Town Council members raised concerns over scant details for future funding assessments during a quarterly update from Berlin Fire/EMS companies on Monday.

Berlin Fire President Dave Fitzgerald reviewed response times and budget highlights for Berlin’s emergency responders for this April through June.

Starting with fire statistics, Fitzgerald reported response times averaged 3.48 minutes, which is below the six-minute minimum standard required in Worcester County.

Fire response times have averaged 3.57 minutes during the current contract year beginning in June 2020.

Fire company responses in town during April to June totaled 31 or 40 percent of all calls.

Looking at EMS services, Fitzgerald said response times have averaged 1.27 minutes during the three-month interval, compared to 1.13 minutes for the year-to-date starting in June 2020.

EMS providers responded to 255 calls in town versus 195 out of town incidents from April to June.

Year-to-date dating to June 2020, EMS responses has totaled 979 in town and 740 out of town.

Turning to finances, Fitzgerald said fundraising endeavors have resumed in the wake of covid-19, with $1,100 sourced from a chicken barbeque and $5,000 netted from staging the Delmarva Fire Association event earlier this summer.

On the expense side, Fitzgerald noted $14,000 was invested to replace a 13-year-old computer server, along with $16,000 to replace a 16-year-old HVAC system, followed by a $10,000 tab for engine light tower repairs.

Looking ahead at capital budget expenditures, Fitzgerald said the fire company would need updated breathing apparatus, while EMS providers would need to replace end-of-life cardiac monitors at a cost of $85,000-$100,000.

Council member Jack Orris asked if covid-relief funding could cover the cost for cardiac monitors.

Fitzgerald said fire officials have researched the viability of qualifying for American Recovery Act funds, with both Berlin and Worcester County about to be contacted.

“The town will be getting a letter and the county will be getting a letter asking for some of those funds,” he said.

Council member Jay Knerr questioned the lack of detailed budget figures.

“Besides the highlights you’ve provided I’ve noticed there’s no financial report with this presentation,” he said.

Fitzgerald said precise ledger numbers would be forthcoming in September when the fire/ems annual contract is renewed.

“This is the last quarter report for the current contract,” he said.

Council Vice President Dean Burrell also probed for clarity.

“You’ve said some things I wonder about,” he said.

Among expense issues noted by Fitzgerald were increased fuel costs.

“I would like to see actuals as to what you have … spent for gas as compared to the same time last year,” he said.

Burrell also questioned staffing expenses.

“You talked about overtime and had a figure of $20,000,” he said. “I would like to see specifically what has been spent for overtime, when, how much and the related benefits associated.”

Burrell suggested moving forward exact dollar figures should be presented for the town to accurately gauge equitable funding for fire and ems services.

“We need to be specific as possible when it comes to allocating taxpayer money,” he said.