COVENTRY, R.I. -
A judge in Kent County ruled Friday about the future of the Central
Coventry Fire District, and that it won't close at least not yet.
He
said based upon what he heard, he believes the safety of the residents
in central Coventry would be at risk if the fire department where to
close its doors within the next three weeks.
So now taxpayers will need to spend some money.
"The
judge in part of his order has ordered that first, second and third
quarter taxes be paid by the tax payers in the Central Coventry Fire
District when they are due the first quarter is past due the second
quarter is just becoming due up until now the tax payers were asked to
pay on a volunteer basis, now they are being ordered to pay by the
court," said Gary Cote of the Coventry Town Council.
And with Gary
Cote's help, a plan has been put in place which will be presented to
the court and eventually voters, a plan designed to save the department
and to conserve costs.
Part of that involves closing the Hill Farm
Station, re-assigning some men, having the town take over the
administration of tax collections and assessments in the central
district and ask the union to look for ways to save some money too.
They've agreed to find $250 thousand in savings this year.
"We put
that on the table that was part of our offer and we firmly believe that
if that's what it takes we will get them there," said David Gorman,
head of the firefighters union.
The fire chief responded on Friday.
"From
a professional standpoint I'm pleased with the position that we're
allowed to operate in because I don't think it will compromise
firefighters safety, taxpayers safety or occupant safety," Chief Andrew
Baynes of the Central Coventry Fire District.
