RACHEL RAVINA/BAYSIDE GAZETTE
Representatives from the Berlin Fire Company address the Town of Berlin’s Mayor and Council during a meeting last Monday regarding a request for early processing of a final quarterly payment.

By Rachel Ravina, Staff Writer

(May 23, 2019) The Berlin Fire Company received unanimous approval for emergency medical services funding from the mayor and Town Council last Monday.

David Fitzgerald, president of the Berlin Fire Company’s board of directors, requested an $88,750 check from town officials and said it was needed by May 15 to cover payroll.

“We will have a negative cash balance when the next payroll is due to be processed on May 17,” Fitzgerald said in a memorandum. “We are also projecting negative cash balance at the end of [the] fiscal year.”

These discussions have continued from the two past quarterly reports that fire officials presented to Mayor Gee Williams and council members.

Fire officials estimated a nearly $7,600 deficit in the checking account as of May 17, according to fund balances as of May 6. Factoring in upcoming payroll, retirement and other expenses, fire officials anticipate the checking account balance to be a roughly $39,000 deficit.

As of June 30, the checking account balance is expected to plunge to a nearly $94,000 deficit, according to fund balances as of May 6.

Fire company officials are also slated to present a quarterly report to the mayor and council during a July 22 meeting.

“I personally think this is a reasonable request being made by the fire department, but going forward we all have to know what to expect,” said Councilman Dean Burrell. “I won’t be so agreeable if we come back next year after we agreed upon something and there needs to be more adjustments.”

“I agree with you wholeheartedly,” Fitzgerald replied.

Burrell moved to approve the final payment of the EMS Corporation made by Berlin Fire Company, and the motion was unanimously approved.