Councilman: Borough should be money-wise

Wednesday, May 14, 2008 3:00 AM EDT
By Evan Brandt, Pottstown Mercury

POTTSTOWN - As Pottstown Borough Council Vice President Greg Berry sees it, there�s always room for one more thing with "Pottstown" in its name.
In an e-mail announcement to borough staff and council, Berry wrote "We have Wireless Pottstown, Bike Pottstown and talk of Kayak Pottstown, now we have Fiscal Responsibility Pottstown."

The chairman of the council's finance committee, Berry said his "new initiative" has several goals.

"I want to clearly represent how tax dollars are being spent in the borough; to increase efficiency and production; to provide cost savings and to look at items that can be put out to bid, or (request for proposals)" Berry said at the May 7 council work session.

According to his e-mail, Berry also wants the initiative to "develop a long-term financial plan and look to available programs or organizations that can assist us with this" and to "work with the grants team to explore grant possibilities."

"It is no secret that over the past two and a half years, I have been highly critical of the financial situation of the borough and, in my opinion, the lack of efficiency that has plagued borough hall" Berry wrote. "While certain areas have improved since I was elected to council two-plus years ago, such as the way financial data is presented, there is still significant room for improvement."

In his e-mail, Berry indicated that he wants the initiative to be kicked off in earnest in June.
"It is my opinion that someone needs to take a bold leadership role to point out, recognize and work to resolve, the financial issues Pottstown faces while also properly planning for the future financial requirements of the borough" Berry wrote.

"As the chairman of the finance sub-committee, I welcome this challenge. With the cooperation of staff, council and my fellow finance sub-committee members, I look forward to bringing Fiscal Responsibility to Pottstown" wrote Berry.

The initiative, Berry said, is part of a philosophy he expressed at the May 7 council meeting.
"We hear from a lot of people and constituents about things that are wrong in the borough, but when you bring one of those complaints to borough council, also try to bring along a potential solution" Berry said.
"Ultimately" said Berry, "we're the ones who have to implement a solution."