WPRO News and the Associated Press
Voters have decided to dissolve the financially beleaguered Coventry Fire District.
Residents voted 534-to-399 Wednesday to dissolve, and 553-to-427 against a supplemental tax to keep it afloat this year.
District board chairman Frank Palin had said if voters didn’t approve the tax, the district would run out of money in a few weeks.
“The town needs to step up, they need to give us the money now to at least make an orderly transition,” said Palin.
Palin said about $600,000 was needed. The proposed tax increase would have cost the owner of a $200,000 property about $155 more. He said the decision to dissolve the district without the funds only adds to what he calls the “anti-firefighter” tenor of the state.
Palin said the board will meet Monday to discuss its next move, including possibly seeking aid from the Town of Coventry. The legislature would have to approve a shutdown.
Firefighters had agreed to cut overtime, eliminate a clothing allowance and adjust medical insurance.
Coventry has the highest tax rate of any Rhode Island fire district.
