Finance director: Costs at fire department under control
NORWICH – For over a year, the Norwich City Council has been discussing costs at the Fire Department and attempting to find ways to rein them in. Little by little, improvements have been made, and now the numbers are looking better than ever before.
At Thursday night’s meeting of the city Finance / Personnel Committee, City Finance Director William Roberts gave the council the preliminary totals for the fire department in the 2007 year. “Fire department costs have been brought under control to a degree I haven’t seen since I’ve been working here,” Roberts said. The finance director pointed out that, according to an informal financial synopsis, the total expenses for both hours and operational costs at the department were lower than they had been in years.
In 2007, Roberts estimated that the city spent approximately $1,013,000 on regular and over time hours, compared to $1,157,858 spent in 2006 and $1,059,888 in 2005. In addition the operational expenses for the fire department totaled approximately $124,000 in 2007, a decrease of $32,000 from the previous year.
“The operating overhead at the fire department has been brought under control,” Roberts said.
Fourth Ward Alderman Walter Schermerhorn added that communication between the fire department and the city council has also improved. The committee credited the work of dual Police and Fire Chief Joseph Angelino for the work he has done.
While hourly and operational costs were down this year, Roberts explained that due to some mechanical problems, maintenance costs at the fire department were going to be over budget for the 2007 year. Roberts explained that several repairs to older equipment were required over the year, including a new alternator for truck 253, at a cost of $1,200 and repairs to the pumper truck which totaled $5,000. Combined with other repairs and maintenance costs, Roberts estimated that the total maintenance costs would be approximately $24,300. Roberts asked the committee to approve a budget transfer of $7,249 from the laundry line to cover the expense. Alderman Robert Jeffrey made a motion recommending the transfer, seconded by Fifth Ward Alderman Paul Laughlin. The recommendation will go to the full council.
Since two older fire department vehicles were taken out of service in the past year and replaced, Roberts is hopeful that equipment maintenance will be within budget in 2008.
At Thursday night’s meeting of the city Finance / Personnel Committee, City Finance Director William Roberts gave the council the preliminary totals for the fire department in the 2007 year. “Fire department costs have been brought under control to a degree I haven’t seen since I’ve been working here,” Roberts said. The finance director pointed out that, according to an informal financial synopsis, the total expenses for both hours and operational costs at the department were lower than they had been in years.
In 2007, Roberts estimated that the city spent approximately $1,013,000 on regular and over time hours, compared to $1,157,858 spent in 2006 and $1,059,888 in 2005. In addition the operational expenses for the fire department totaled approximately $124,000 in 2007, a decrease of $32,000 from the previous year.
“The operating overhead at the fire department has been brought under control,” Roberts said.
Fourth Ward Alderman Walter Schermerhorn added that communication between the fire department and the city council has also improved. The committee credited the work of dual Police and Fire Chief Joseph Angelino for the work he has done.
While hourly and operational costs were down this year, Roberts explained that due to some mechanical problems, maintenance costs at the fire department were going to be over budget for the 2007 year. Roberts explained that several repairs to older equipment were required over the year, including a new alternator for truck 253, at a cost of $1,200 and repairs to the pumper truck which totaled $5,000. Combined with other repairs and maintenance costs, Roberts estimated that the total maintenance costs would be approximately $24,300. Roberts asked the committee to approve a budget transfer of $7,249 from the laundry line to cover the expense. Alderman Robert Jeffrey made a motion recommending the transfer, seconded by Fifth Ward Alderman Paul Laughlin. The recommendation will go to the full council.
Since two older fire department vehicles were taken out of service in the past year and replaced, Roberts is hopeful that equipment maintenance will be within budget in 2008.
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