Berlin Has Bills To Pay, Including Brush Fire Costs/New Vehicles

BERLIN, CT — Voters and local officials last week approved some bill-paying measures that included more than $1.3 million in new equipment and facility maintenance, as well as funds associated with last year's massive brush fire on Lamentation Mountain.

Berlin voters at a special town meeting last week, Jan. 7, approved two separate measures:

• A $1.33 million appropriation from the town general fund's "unassigned fund balance" for nine different renovation projects/new equipment purchases.

• A $264,212 appropriation of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) dollars to develop an alternative fuel site at the Timberlin Golf Course and to recoup town costs associated with last October's massive brush fire on Lamentation Mountain.

After voters approved both resolutions, the Berlin Town Council approved both expenditures, with the Berlin Board of Finance expected to stamp its approval at a regular meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 14, at 7 p.m.

Regarding the $1.33 million resolution, the following items are expected to be funded following the finance board meeting on Tuesday night:

• $400,000 for renovations to the driveway and parking lot of Sage Park in town.

• $166,320 for the installation of a fire suppression system at Berlin High School.

• $150,000 for new vans for the Berlin School System.

• $150,000 for new sidewalks at McGee Middle School.

• $150,000 to repair/replace nine air quality systems at the Berlin Community Center.

• $70,000 for a new van for the Berlin Animal Control Department.

• $55,000 for a new truck for the town's facilities department.

• $160,000 for a large rotary mower to be used by the town's building/grounds department.

• $30,000 to hire an engineer for the town-owned Timberlin Golf Course sand trap renovation project.

As for the second item approved, $40,000 would go toward the golf course alternative fuel site and $224,212 would be reimbursement for firefighting expenses associated with the brush fire.

For the minutes of the Jan. 7 Berlin Town Meeting, click on this link.

For the minutes of the Jan. 7 Berlin Town Council meeting, click on this link.

For the agenda of the Jan. 14 Berlin Board of Finance meeting, click on this link.