Central Coventry Fire District Bill Heads to Governor

STATE HOUSE – One week after it received approval in the House of Representatives, a bill to help the Central Coventry Fire District address its financial problems was passed today by the Senate and transmitted to the governor for his signature.

The bill, 2013-H 5176A, will keep the fire district in business using the previous year’s budget while the district works to develop a new budget, new tax assessment and collection of taxes by Sept. 1.

The bill specifically authorizes the fire district to continue to operate under the tax levy last authorized by the district’s voters. That authorization will expire on Sept. 1 if district voters have not approved a new budget by then.

The district is continuing to operate, at present, as a result of a . The district is in receivership because voters rejected proposed new budgets and is under the supervision of a Superior Court judge and court-appointed special master.

The district still faces liquidation if it cannot resolve its budget problems by the Sept. 1 cutoff date in the bill approved today.

“The bill will give the Central Coventry Fire District a little more time to work out its financial difficulties and, most importantly, will ensure that residents of the district can continue to receive the kind of fire and rescue protection they have come to depend on,” said Rep. Scott J. Guthrie (D-Dist. 28, Coventry), who introduced the legislation.

Co-sponsors of the bill are Rep. Lisa P. Tomasso (D-Dist. 29, Coventry, West Greenwich) and Rep. Patricia A. Serpa (D-Dist. 27, West Warwick, Coventry, Warwick).