2013 -- S 0829

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LC02319

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2013

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A N A C T

RELATING TO CITIES AND TOWNS - THE CENTRAL COVENTRY FIRE DISTRICT

     Introduced By: Senator Nicholas D. Kettle

     Date Introduced: April 04, 2013

     Referred To: Senate Finance

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. WHEREAS, The Central Coventry Fire District has been placed in

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receivership by the Kent County Superior Court in a civil action which is presently pending in

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said court; and

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     WHEREAS, The Court has ordered that the Central Coventry Fire District be liquidated;

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and

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     WHEREAS, It is necessary to protect the health and safety of the citizens residing in the

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Central Coventry Fire District; and

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     WHEREAS, The Court ordered that tax bills be mailed to the residents of the Central

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Coventry Fire District in order to fund the operation of the fire district for the period commencing

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September 1, 2012 and ending August 30, 2013, notwithstanding the fact that the residents of

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such fire district had not approved a tax levy for said period; and

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     WHEREAS, There remains uncollected amounts from said mailing; and

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     WHEREAS, The Central Coventry Fire District is located entirely in the town of

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Coventry; and

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     WHEREAS, It is in the best interests of the residents of the Central Coventry Fire District

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in the town of Coventry that the town collect the balance due on the tax bills mailed to the

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residents as ordered by the court, for the purpose of temporarily providing fire and EMT services

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for said residents, in order that a permanent plan can be put into effect for providing such

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services.

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     Now, therefore, it is hereby enacted as follows:

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     (1) The town of Coventry is hereby authorized and directed to collect the balance of all

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uncollected amounts resulting from the mailing of tax bills to the residents of the Central

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Coventry Fire District ordered by the Kent County Superior Court to fund the operation of the

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Central Coventry Fire District until such time as a permanent plan can be adopted providing fire

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and EMT services to the residents of the Central Coventry Fire District.

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     (2) Such mailing of tax bills ordered by the court shall constitute a tax levy upon the

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property located and taxable in the Central Coventry Fire District.

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     (3) The town of Coventry shall use any amounts collected under paragraph (1) of this Act

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to temporarily provide fire and EMT services to the residents of the Central Coventry Fire

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District. The town of Coventry may contract with any independent entities in order to provide

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said services.

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     (4) In no event shall the town of Coventry expend any sums in excess of the balance due

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with respect to the tax levy set forth in subsection (2) of this Act.

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     SECTION 2. Pursuant to Article XII, section 4 of the Rhode Island Constitution, the

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following question shall be submitted by the local board of canvassers to the qualified electors of

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the Central Coventry Fire District in the town of Coventry at a special election to be scheduled by

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the Coventry town council on or before June 1, 2013, and the results thereof shall be certified to

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the secretary of state:

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     "Shall an act be approved which would authorize the town of Coventry to levy and then

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collect the tax and/or the balance due of all uncollected amounts resulting from the mailing of tax

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bills to the residents of the Central Coventry Fire District for the tax year commencing September

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1, 2012 and ending August 30, 2013 for the purpose of funding the operation of the Central

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Coventry Fire District up to and including September 1, 2013?"

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     SECTION 3. Sections 1 and 3 of this act shall take effect upon passage. Section 2 shall

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take effect upon approval of the majority of the affected voters voting on said question.

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LC02319

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO CITIES AND TOWNS - THE CENTRAL COVENTRY FIRE DISTRICT

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     This act would authorize the Coventry town council to levy and collect taxes upon the

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residents of the Central Coventry Fire District for fire and EMT services up to and including

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September 1, 2013, subject to the approval of the qualified electors of the Central Coventry Fire

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District at a special election to be scheduled on or before June 1, 2013 by the Coventry town

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council.

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     Sections 1 and 3 of this act would take effect upon passage. Section 2 would take effect

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upon approval of the majority of the affected voters voting on said question.

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LC02319

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