Budget, says the town Mayor.

The Wor. Henry Hayward said an increase in fuel wharfage fees was needed for the Old Town, which has long complained it gets the short end of the stick when Government spends funds in Bermuda.

The Budget read on Monday by Finance Minister the Hon. David Saul set aside a $100,000 grant to the Corporation, $200,000 for a new fire truck, $310,000 for improvements to Town Cut, and $500,000 for a St. George's sewage plant.

Mr. Hayward said he "had an idea'' what would be in the Budget with respect to St. George's, and there were no surprises because the capital items included had been promised earlier.

"I fully expect that additional funds will have to be made available to the Corporation, over and above what's included in the Budget statement,'' Mr.

Hayward told The Royal Gazette .

"I've had ongoing discussions with the Finance department with regard to additional revenue.'' The town needed money to pave its streets, he said, adding he did not know how much of a $1.8-million road resurfacing programme would be dedicated to St.

George's.

The Corporation received fuel wharfage fees, but wanted an increase. If talks with the Finance Ministry were resolved, the increase could still take effect this year, he said.

Mr. Hayward would not say how much extra the town hoped to raise through a fee hike.

Talks were underway with an American company about a custom-built fire truck that could negotiate the narrow streets of St. George's, he said. He hoped the truck would be delivered in late summer.

The funds allocated to the Town Cut related to dredging of Chalk Wharf, he said.

And the sewage funds involved an allocation for a sewage treatment plant that could be needed in the future.

The Wor. Henry Hayward.