(May 5, 2016) A week after Berlin unveiled its draft of the 2017 fiscal year general fund budget, the mayor and council released details of the town’s utilities fund at its Monday meeting.
As a whole, utilities were largely unchanged.
Electric fund spending and electric administration dropped one percent and four percent, respectively, while the power plant budget grew eight percent, largely because of costs associated with replacing a breaker that dates back to 1948.
Several in the meeting room at Town Hall suggested finding a proper museum for the relic.
The utility also asked for $28,000 to replace a 2003 Ford Ranger.
The water fund, water administration and treatment budgets all showed decreased amounts, with that department also asking for $28,000 for a replacement vehicle.
The wastewater fund and wastewater administration showed overall drops of five and 16 percent, respectively, offset somewhat by a 16 percent jump in wastewater collections and a three percent increase in treatment plant spending.
Capital requests for that department totaled $154,000 and included $50,000 for a Ford F350 and $75,000 for a new tractor and front loader attachment.
Stormwater showed a one percent increase and carried over $1.8 million in grant money from FEMA, the department of natural resources and Maryland’s Community Development Block Grant program.
That money was earmarked for improvements on Flower Street, Williams Street, and to the Nelson and Grice streets and Franklin Avenue area conveyance.
Water Resources Director Jane Kreiter said the Flower Street stormwater improvements would begin in either mid-June or August, so as not to interfere with school bus traffic during school or summer school programs.
“Folks have been very patient. I just want to make sure [they know] this is the summer it’s going to happen,” Mayor Gee Williams said.
The approved budget is due June 13.
As a whole, utilities were largely unchanged.
Electric fund spending and electric administration dropped one percent and four percent, respectively, while the power plant budget grew eight percent, largely because of costs associated with replacing a breaker that dates back to 1948.
Several in the meeting room at Town Hall suggested finding a proper museum for the relic.
The utility also asked for $28,000 to replace a 2003 Ford Ranger.
The water fund, water administration and treatment budgets all showed decreased amounts, with that department also asking for $28,000 for a replacement vehicle.
The wastewater fund and wastewater administration showed overall drops of five and 16 percent, respectively, offset somewhat by a 16 percent jump in wastewater collections and a three percent increase in treatment plant spending.
Capital requests for that department totaled $154,000 and included $50,000 for a Ford F350 and $75,000 for a new tractor and front loader attachment.
Stormwater showed a one percent increase and carried over $1.8 million in grant money from FEMA, the department of natural resources and Maryland’s Community Development Block Grant program.
That money was earmarked for improvements on Flower Street, Williams Street, and to the Nelson and Grice streets and Franklin Avenue area conveyance.
Water Resources Director Jane Kreiter said the Flower Street stormwater improvements would begin in either mid-June or August, so as not to interfere with school bus traffic during school or summer school programs.
“Folks have been very patient. I just want to make sure [they know] this is the summer it’s going to happen,” Mayor Gee Williams said.
The approved budget is due June 13.