Chapter 405

2006 -- S 3189

Enacted 07/07/06

A N A C T

IN AMENDMENT OF THE INCORPORATION OF THE CENTRAL COVENTRY FIRE

DISTRICT IN FURTHERANCE OF THE "CONSOLIDATION PLAN" OF THE CENTRAL COVENTRY FIRE DISTRICT, THE WASHINGTON LIGHTING DISTRICT, THE HARRIS FIRE & LIGHTING DISTRICT AND THE TIOGUE FIRE DISTRICT, AS APPROVED BY THE QUALIFIED VOTERS OF SAID DISTRICTS, AT DULY CALLED MEETINGS HELD ON MARCH 28, 2006

Introduced By: Senators Blais, and Raptakis

Date Introduced: June 21, 2006

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

Section 1. BOUNDARIES OF CONSOLIDATED DISTRICT

All that part of the town of Coventry lying and being within the following lines and

bounds: Beginning at a point on the Coventry-West Greenwich town line six hundred (600) feet

easterly from the intersection of said town line with Weaver Hill road, so called; thence

continuing in a general northerly direction in a line which is at all times six hundred (600) feet

from and paralled with said Weaver Hill road to Harkney Hill road, so called; thence continuing

in a general northerly direction in a line which at all times is six hundred (600) feet from and

parallel with an old highway (formerly known as the Williams Crossing road) which leads from

the intersection of said Weaver Hill road and said Harkney Hill road to Rhode Island state

highway route 117 to a point six hundred (600) feet southerly from said route 117; thence turning

and running in general northeasterly and easterly direction in a line which at all times is six

hundred (600) feet southerly from and parallel with said route 117 to a point six hundred (600)

feet easterly from the point where County road or Hammit road, whichever called, if extended

would intersect this boundary line; thence turning and running northerly in a line which at all

times is six hundred (600) feet easterly from and parallel with said County or Hammit road so

extended; and said County or Hammit road to a point on the PottervilIe or Maple Valley road, so

called which point is 900 feet more or less, easterly from the Potterville or Maple Valley school

so called thence continuing in a general northerly direction in a line which at all times is six

hundred (600) feet easterly from and parallel with the Nipmuc trail so called, to the Scituate-

Coventry town line; (the above line is the eastern boundary of the Western Coventry fire district

and was taken from their act of incorporation of 1942), thence turning and running easterly on

said Scituate-Coventry town line to the northwest corner of lot 116 on AP-30 of the town of

Coventry records; thence turning and running southerly on a line 300 feet east of and parallel to

the east line of Read School House road until it comes to the intersection of said Read School

House road with said Rhode Island state highway 117; thence crossing said route 117 and

continuing in a straight line to the north end of the dam on Flat River reservoir thence running

across said dam to the south end of said dam; thence running southerly in a straight line to a point

on Rhode Island state highway, route 3, three hundred feet west of the intersection of Airport road

with said route 3; thence continuing southerly in a straight line to the intersection of Mishnock

river with the West Greenwich-Coventry town line; thence turning and running westerly along

said town line to the point of beginning.

In addition, all those parts of the Town of Coventry within the following boundaries of

the entities known as the Harris Fire & Lighting District and the Tiogue Fire District, and the

Washington Lighting District, all as further described as follows:

And, all that land beginning at a stone bound in the dividing line between the Towns of

Coventry and West Warwick, on the south side of the Woodside Avenue (said point being the

northeast corner of the Coventry fire district); thence running northerly on said town line to the

Cranston city line; thence turning and running westerly along the dividing line of the Town of

Coventry and the City of Cranston and continuing westerly along the dividing line of the Town of

Coventry and Scituate to the old New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad right-of-way;

thence turning and running in a southerly and easterly direction along said railroad to a point 250

feet west of the west line of Hill Street; thence running southerly on a line 250 feet west of and

parallel to the west side of said Hill Street until it comes to a point on the south line of lot 367 on

Coventry assessors plat 2, 250 feet west of the west line of said Hill Street; thence southerly in a

straight line to the northeast corner of lot 369 assessors plat 2, thence southerly on the east line of

said lot 369, to the southeast corner of said lot 369; thence turning and running westerly along the

south line of said lot 369 to the corner of lot 372 plat 2; thence turning and running southerly

along the west line of said lot 372 and continuing southerly on the west line of lot 265 of

assessors plat 3; to the northwest corner of lot 268 plat 3; from now on to the place of beginning

is the boundary line of the Coventry fire district; thence turning and running easterly along the

north line of said lot 268 to the west side of Blackrock Road; thence turning and running

southerly along the west side of said Blackrock Road to the so-called black rock; thence turning

and running in a northeasterly direction to the southwest corner of Greenwood Cemetery; thence

turning and running easterly along the southerly line of said Greenwood Cemetery to Fairview

Avenue; thence turning and running northeasterly to a point on said Fairview Avenue opposite

the south side of said Woodside Avenue; thence turning and running easterly along the south side

of said Woodside Avenue to the place of beginning, all such land formerly known as the Harris

Fire and Lighting District.

And, all that land beginning at a point in the boundary line between the Towns of

Coventry and West Warwick, 800 feet south of the southerly line of Tiogue Avenue (Route 3

state highway); thence turning and running westerly, bounded northerly by the Coventry fire

district, to the southeast corner of land now or formerly of George E. and Olive T. Bockstael,

(shown on assessors plat 7, lot 420 of the Town of Coventry records); thence turning and running

in a northwesterly direction to the Gate House at the outlet of Tiogue Reservoir, and continuing

along the westerly and southerly banks of the Pawtuxet River, until it comes to the eastern

boundary line of the Washington lighting district; thence turning and running southerly, bounded

westerly by said Washington lighting district, until it comes to the intersection of the center line

of Route 3, state highway and the west line of Arnold Road (Arnold Road is referred to in the

Washington lighting district charter as Balm of Gilead Road); thence turning and running

westerly, bounded northerly by said Washington lighting district, along the center line of Route 3,

until it comes to a point 100 feet east of the northeast corner of land now or formerly of Douglas

Jackson; thence turning and running in a southerly direction in a direct line to the northwest

corner of Tiogue Twin Lakes no. 2 plat; thence running to the southeast corner of Lake George

Plat; thence following along the eastern boundaries of properties now or formerly of Jerry

Johnson, et ux, Linwood Lace Works and William J. Beattie; thence in a direct line to a stone

bound in the boundary line between the Towns of Coventry and West Greenwich, this being the

northwest corner of the Town of East Greenwich; thence turning and running easterly on said

town line, bounded southerly by the Town of East Greenwich, until it comes to a point 300 feet

east of the southeasterly line of the New London Turnpike; thence turning and running in a

northeasterly direction, in a line parallel with and 300 feet east of the southeasterly line of said

New London Turnpike, until it comes to the boundary line between the Towns of West Warwick

and Coventry; thence turning and running northerly on said town line until it comes to a point 800

feet south of the southerly side of Tiogue Avenue and the point of beginning, all such land being

previously known as Tiogue Fire District.

And all that land beginning at the northeast abutment of the railroad bridge, called the

Knotty Oak Bridge, and running northerly to the southeast corner of the Rathbun Cemetery and

continuing in the same straight line until it comes to the seven and ten line, so called, thence

turning and running westerly following the seven and ten line until it comes to a point 500 feet

east of the east line of Station Street; thence turning and running northerly on a line 500 feet east

of and parallel to the east line of Station Street; thence turning and running northerly on a line 500

feet east of and parallel to the east line of Station Street, until it comes to a point at the southwest

corner of lot 4 as depicted on the Town of Coventry 1972 Assessor’s Plat 21, said point being on

the southerly line of Record Lot 8 (AP 69, Lot 49) as shown on that plat entitled

“SUBDIVISION PLAN OF HIGHWOOD SECTION NO. 4 SITUATED IN COVENTRY, R.I.

SCALE: 1” = 50’ MAY 31, 1978.” which is recorded in the Town of Coventry Land Evidence

Plat Book 7 at Page 22; thence westerly, bounded northerly by a portion of Record Lot 8 (AP 69,

Lot 49) and Record Lot 6 (AP 69, Lot 48) as shown on said plat, to a point at the southwesterly

corner of Record Lot 4 (AP 69, Lot 47) as shown on said plat; thence northwesterly, bounded

northeasterly by Record Lot 4 (AP 69, Lot 47) as shown on said plat, to a point at the

southwesterly corner of Record Lot 4 (AP 69, Lot 47) as shown on said plat; thence

northwesterly, bounded northeasterly by Record Lot 4 (AP 69, Lot 47) as shown on said plat, to a

point on the southerly line of Highwood Drive at the northwesterly corner of Record Lot 4 (AP

69, Lot 47) as shown on said plat; thence northwesterly and crossing Highwood Drive to a point

at the southwesterly corner of Record Lot 3 (AP 69, Lot 25) as shown on said plat; thence

northwesterly, bounded northeasterly by Record Lot 3 as shown on said plat, to a point at the

northwesterly corner of Record Lot 3 (AP 69, Lot 25) as shown on said plat;

Thence northeasterly, bounded southeasterly in part by Record Lot 3 (AP 69, Lot 25) and

in part by Record Lot 5 (AP 69, Lot 24) as shown on said plat, to a point at the southwesterly

corner of Record Lot 50 (AP 69, Lot 90) as shown on that plat entitled “RECORD PLAN PHASE

3 Highwood Subdivision A RESIDENTIAL SUBDIVISION LOCATED IN COVENTRY, R.I.

PREPARED BY DiPrete Engineering Associates, Inc. ENGINEERING, SURVEYING AND

PLANNING CONSULTANTS 75 SOCKANOSSET CROSSROAD, SUITE 300 CRANSTON,

R.I. 02920 (401) 943-1000 FAX: (401) 464-6006 JULY, 1995 Scale: 1” = 60’.” which plan is

recorded in the Town of Coventry Land Evidence Plat Book 14 at Page 66;

Thence northeasterly, bounded southeasterly by Record Lot 50 (AP 59, Lot 90) as shown

on said plat, to a point on the southerly line of Ginger Trail at the northwesterly corner of Record

Lot 50 (AP 69, Lot 90) as shown on said plat;

Thence northwesterly, crossing Ginger Trail, to a point at the southwesterly corner of

Record Lot 20 (AP 69, Lot 104) as shown on said plat;

Thence northwesterly, bounded northeasterly in part by Record Lot 20 (AP 69, Lot 104)

and crossing Record Lot 68 (AP 69, Lot 3.11), to a point at the southerly corner of Record Lot 11

(AP 69, Lot 116) as shown on that plat entitled “RECORD PLAN PHASE 4 Highwood

Subdivision A RESIDENTIAL SUBDIVISION LOCATED IN COVENTRY, R.I. PREPARED

BY DiPrete Engineering Associates, Inc. ENGINEERING, SURVEYING AND PLANNING

CONSULTANTS 75 SOCKANOSSET CROSSROAD, SUITE 300 CRANSTON, R.I. 02920

(401) 943-1000 FAX: (401) 464-6006 JULY, 1995 Scale: 1” = 60’.” which plan is recorded in

the Town of Coventry Land Evidence Plat Book 15 at Page 72;

Thence northeasterly, bounded northwesterly by Record Lot 11 (AP 69, Lot 116) as

shown on said plat, to a point at the northeasterly corner of Record Lot 11 (AP 69, Lot 116) as

shown on said plat;

Thence southeasterly, bounded northeasterly by AP 69 Lot 35, to a point at the

southeasterly corner of AP 69 Lot 35, said point also being on the existing charter line;

Thence northerly, bounded westerly by AP 69 Lots 35, 36, 37, 38, 39.01 and 39.02, and

running on the existing charter line to the northeasterly corner of AP 69 Lot 39.02;

Thence easterly, bounded northerly by AP 77 Lots 90 and 89, and running on the existing

charter line to the southwesterly corner of AP 70 Lot 35;

Thence northerly, bounded westerly by AP 77 Lot 89, and running on the existing charter

line to the northwesterly corner of AP 70 Lot 35;

Thence northwesterly, crossing OPEN SPACE D (AP 77, Lot 89) as shown on that plat

entitled “FINAL SUBDIVISION PLAN PHASE 2 A HUNTERS CROSSING COVENTRY, R.I.

Scale: 1” = 80’ Date: December 21, 1995 Revision A.” which plat is recorded in the Town of

Coventry Land Evidence Plat Book 13 at Pages 29-31, to the southeasterly corner of Record Lot

42 (AP 77, Lot 81) as shown on said plat;

Thence northwesterly, bounded northeasterly by Record Lot 41 (AP 77, Lot 82) as shown

on said plat, to a point on the southerly line of Hunters Crossing at the northwesterly corner of

said Record Lot 41 (AP 77, Lot 82);

Thence northwesterly and crossing Hunters Crossing to a point at the southwesterly

corner of Record Lot 77 (AP 77, Lot 46) as shown on said plat;

Thence northwesterly, bounded northeasterly by said Record Lot 77 (AP 77, Lot 46), to a

point at the northwesterly corner of said Record Lot 77 (AP 77, Lot 46);

Thence northwesterly, bounded northeasterly by a portion of Record Lot 121, Record

Lots 119, 117 and crossing a portion of OPEN SPACE lot (a portion of AP 77, Lot 117, AP 77,

Lots 116, 115 and crossing a portion of AP 77, Lot 174) as shown on that plat entitled “FINAL

SUBDIVISION PLAN PHASE 3 B HUNTERS CROSSING COVENTRY, R.I. Scale: 1” = 80’

Date: December 29, 1995 Revision A.” which plat is recorded in the Town of Coventry Land

Evidence Plat Book 13 at Pages 104-105, to a point at the southwesterly corner of Record Lot 116

(AP 77, Lot 114) as shown on said plat;

Thence northerly, bounded easterly by Record Lot 116, 114, 112 and 110 (AP 77, Lots

114, 113, 112 and 111) as shown on said plat, to a point at the northwesterly corner of Record Lot

110 (AP 77, Lot 111) as shown on said plat;

Thence easterly, bounded southerly by said Record Lot 110 (AP 77, Lot 111), to a point

at the southwesterly corner of Record Lot 108 (AP 77, Lot 110) as shown on said plat;

Thence northerly, bounded easterly by said Record Lot 108 (AP 77, Lot 110), to a point

on the southerly line of Remington Farm Drive at the northwesterly corner of said Record Lot

108 (AP 77, Lot 110);

Thence northeasterly and crossing Remington Farm Drive to the southwesterly corner of

Record Lot 106 as shown on said plat (AP 77, Lot 109);

Thence northerly, bounded easterly by said Record Lot 106 (AP 77, Lot 109), to a point

at the northwesterly corner of said Record Lot 106 (AP 77, Lot 109);

Thence easterly, bounded southerly by Record Lots 106, 105 and 103 (AP 77, Lots 109,

108 and 107), to a point at the northeasterly corner of said Record Lot 103 (AP 77, Lot 107);

Thence easterly, bounded southerly by Record Lots 101, 99 and 98 (AP 77, Lots 106, 105

and 104), to a point at the northeasterly corner of said Record Lot 98 (AP 77, Lot 104) as shown

on that plat entitled “FINAL SUBDIVISION PLAN PHASE 3 A HUNTERS CROSSING

COVENTRY, R.I. Scale: 1” = 80’ Date: December 29, 1995 Revision A.” which is recorded in

the Town of Coventry Plat Book 13 at Page 103;

Thence northwesterly, crossing Record Lot OPEN SPACE L(a) (AP 78, Lot 6.7) as

shown on said plat, to a point at the southeasterly corner of land now or formerly of Everett and

Susie Kingsborough shown as Lot 12.1 on the Town of Coventry Assessor’s Plat 85;

Thence northeasterly to the existing charter line between the Coventry fire District and

the Washington Lighting District at the northeasterly corner of Lot 28 as depicted on the 1972

Assessor’s Plat 20;

Thence northerly along Lot 6 Plat 20 to the corner of Lots 6 and 3 Plat 20, thence in a

straight line to the northeast corner of Lot 36 Plat 20 and the southwest corner of Lot 13 Plat 19;

northerly along the east line of Lot 1 Plat 19 to the northwest corner of Lot 25 Plat 19 at Scituate

town line; turning westerly along said Scituate town line to a point 300 feet east of Read School

House Road; turning southerly along a line 300 feet east of and parallel to Read School House

Road, crossing Route 117 and continuing to the north end of the dam of the Flat River Reservoir,

Thence running southerly across the dam to the south end of said dam; thence running

southerly in a straight line to a point on state highway, Route 3, 300 feet west of the intersection

of Reservoir Road and said Route 3;

Thence crossing said Route 3 and running southerly in a straight line to a point 500 feet

south of the south line of said Route 3;

Thence turning and running easterly on a line 500 feet south of and parallel to the south

line of said Route 3 until it comes to the westerly boundary of the former Tiogue Lighting

District;

Thence northerly along the western boundary line of said former Tiogue Lighting

District until it comes to the southern line of Route 3;

Thence turning and running in a northeasterly direction, crossing Route 3, to the

northeast corner of said Route 3 and Hopkins Hill Road; thence easterly in a straight line to the

intersection of said Route 3 and Arnold Road; thence turning and running northerly in a straight

line, across the Pawtuxet River, to the northeast abutment of the railroad bridge and the point of

beginning, all such land being previously known as the Washington Lighting District is hereby

incorporated into a consolidated district to be called the “Central Coventry fFire dDistrict.”

Said district may have a common seal, sue and be sued, and enjoy the other powers

generally incident to a corporation.

Sec 2. QUALIFIED VOTERS

The inhabitants of said district who are qualified voters in the town of Coventry shall be

eligible to vote and act in meetings of the corporation.

Sec. 3. FIRST CONSOLIDATED DISTRICT MEETING AND ANNUAL MEETINGS

OF THE CONSOLIDATED FIRE DISTRICT.

~~The first meeting of said fire district shall be holden on the third Monday in June next~~

~~ensuing, at a place in said district to be named in the notice of said meeting.~~

(a) 2006 - First consolidated meeting:

Commencing in the year 2006, a special meeting of the consolidated district shall be held

within thirty (30) days of the amendment of this Charter by and among the Boards of Directors of

Central Coventry Fire District, the Washington Lighting District, the Harris Fire & Lighting

District and the Tiogue Fire District for the purposes of constituting the first Board of Directors of

the consolidated district, in accordance with Section 5 herein and for adopting the initial by-laws

for the Consolidated District.

(b) Annual Meetings & Quorum:

Annual meetings of said fire district for the election of officers and the transaction of any

other business of the fire district shall be held. ~~Commencing in the year 1991 and annually~~

~~thereafter said annual meeting shall be held on the second Wednesday in April.~~ ~~Fifteen (15)~~

Twenty five (25) qualified voters shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any

meeting of the corporation.

Commencing in 2007 and continuing annually thereafter, the district shall hold an annual

meeting in a public place on the second Monday in September, at 7:00 P.M. at such place within

the District as the Board shall determine, for the purposes of: (1) electing a Board of Directors;

(2) authorizing the assessment of all the taxable personal and real property of the District; (3)

authorizing the collection of taxes, as further set forth in Section 6 hereunder; (4) authorizing an

annual budget to provide for the purchase and maintenance of equipment, apparatus, real and

personal property, the payment of wages and salaries, and for such other expenditures deemed

necessary by the qualified voters of the District; and (5) For such other lawful purposes deemed

necessary and proper by either the Board of Directors or qualified voters of the district.

~~Seven (7) days notice of said meeting, stating the time, place, and purpose thereof and~~

~~signed by five (5) or more of the qualified voters of said district, shall be given by posting the~~

~~same in three (3) or more public places in said district, at least one (l) week before said meeting,~~

~~and by publishing the same for at least one (1) week prior to said meeting, and by publishing the~~

~~same for at least one (1) week prior to said meeting in some newspaper published in the county of~~

~~Kent.~~

~~At said meeting the question "Shall the Central Coventry fire district be established~~

~~according to the act of incorporation passed by the general assembly of the state?" shall be~~

~~submitted. All persons possessing the qualifications set forth in section 2 of this act shall be~~

~~entitled to vote on said question. If a majority of the persons so voting shall vote "yes", then. said~~

~~Central Coventry fire district shall be established, according to the provisions of this act;~~

~~otherwise this act shall become null and void.~~

The Clerk of the District shall give notice of the annual meetings by causing a copy

thereof to be posted at least twice in some newspaper distributed in Kent County, and posted in

each fire station of the District not less than sixty (60) days prior to the meeting date.

The annual meeting and all other meetings of the District shall be held in a public place,

which shall be accessible to the handicapped, pursuant to the requirements of the Rhode Island

Constitution, Article 1 & 2 and applicable federal and state non-discrimination laws.

Sec. 4. SPECIAL MEETINGS

(a) Special meetings may be called upon written request of not less than twenty-five (25)

qualified voters, or may be called by a majority vote of the board of Directors. ~~Said qualified~~

~~voters may hold special meetings which, as well as the annual meetings, shall be called and notice~~

~~given in such a manner as the qualified voters may prescribe.~~ ~~It shall be the duty of the clerk to~~

~~call a special meeting upon written application signed by twelve (12) or more qualified voters.~~

Written application for a special meeting as well as the notice thereof, shall mention the reason

for such special meeting. Notice of the special meeting shall be given in the same manner as the

annual meeting not less than thirty (30) days prior to the date of the meeting. The purpose of the

meeting shall be stated in the notice and call for meeting and no other business shall be

transacted.

(b) Any special meeting called for the purpose of filling a vacancy among district officers

shall be advertised in the same manner as the annual meeting, as set forth in Section 3 (c) of this

Charter.

Sec. 5. DIRECTORS & OFFICERS OF THE CORPORATION –MODERATOR -

QUALIFICATIONS

(a) The consolidated district board shall be comprised of seven (7) directors, none of

whom shall be then serving as a Treasurer or Tax Collector of any individual district, appointed

by the respective Boards of each individual fire district and shall be constituted as follows: Two

(2) members shall be appointed by the Central Coventry Fire District; Two (2) members shall be

appointed by the Central Washington Fire District; One (1) member shall be appointed by the

Harris Fire District; One (1) member shall be appointed by the Tiogue Fire District; the final

member shall be appointed by the preceding six (6) members and may be from any of the

individual fire districts. The consolidated district Board of Directors shall elect a President and

Vice President, and all seven Directors shall be qualified to serve in office until at least the next

annual meeting. At the first meeting of the consolidated district, the Board shall determine by

some acceptable means, the order in which the members’ seats shall come up for election.

(b) Thereafter, three (3) Directors will be elected to a three (3) year term at the 2007

annual meeting and every third year thereafter. Two (2) directors shall be elected at the 2008

annual meeting and every third year thereafter. Two (2) Directors shall be elected at the 2009

annual meeting and every third year thereafter.

~~Said qualified voters, at each annual meeting, and at any other meetings when vacancies~~

~~occur, may elect such officers as are deemed necessary for the efficient operation of said fire~~

~~district. The duties of these officers shall be specified in the by-laws of the Fire District.~~

District office, provided such candidate submits to the District clerk the title of the elective office

sought, together with a petition signed by twenty (20) inhabitants qualified to vote at any District

meeting, at least sixty (60) days prior to the date of the meeting, This list of signatures is to be

certified by the clerk no later than thirty (30) days prior to an annual or special meeting of the

District.

(d) The clerk of the District shall post in a conspicuous place a list of all persons certified

to stand for election and the office to which each person seeks election in at least eight (8) public

places within the district, including all actively used District stations, at least twenty (20) days

prior to the annual meeting or any other special meeting called for the election of officers.

(e) The Board of Directors shall have the power to declare an office vacant if the person

filling that office fails to attend three (3) consecutive monthly meetings of the Board.

(f) In the event that a vacancy in any elective office of the District occurs, the president or

clerk shall call a meeting of the Board of Directors of the district within ten (10) working days

after such vacancy occurs. The Board of Directors shall select a qualified elector of the District to

fill the vacancy for a period of up to sixty (60) days.

(g) Upon the occurrence of any vacancy in any elective office of the District, the

president shall call a special meeting of the District for the purpose of electing a qualified elector

to fill the office vacated for the remainder of the original term of office. Said special meeting

shall be held within sixty-five (65) days from the date such original vacancy occurs.

Sec. 6 DUTIES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

(a) The Board of Directors shall hold monthly public meetings to conduct the business of

the District. The Board of Directors shall be empowered and responsible to: (1) Fix the amount

of the bond of the Treasurer and the Tax Collector; (2) Order payment of the district’s bills and

indebtedness; (3) Be in charge of and supervise the care of the district’s properties; (4) Cause

district property to be insured; (5) Purchase equipment, property and apparatus as required by the

District’s needs and budget; (6) Appoint an Administrative Fire Chief, Tax Collector and

Treasurer and other employees. No less than one half (1/2) of the members of the Board of

Directors shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Board.

(b) The foregoing list of duties shall not be deemed to be limiting and the directors shall

have all necessary authority to operate and conduct the business of the District as necessary, all

within the bounds of the laws of the State of Rhode Island. The Board of Directors shall have the

power to appoint and/or employ a tax assessor, tax collector, treasurer, clerk, and other

committees and/or positions deemed necessary for the efficient operation of the District.

Directors shall be subject to the Rhode Island Code of Ethics in Government, Chapter 14 of Title

36 of the Rhode Island General Laws.

(d) The president of said District shall preside at all annual and special meetings as

moderator; in his/her absence the vice president shall serve as moderator; in the absence of both,

a temporary moderator may be elected by a majority of voters present and voting.

(e) The administrative duties of these Directors shall be specified in the by-laws of the

fire district.

Sec. 6. 7. TAXING AUTHORITY - TAX ASSESSOR

(a) Said qualified voters at any of their legal meetings shall have the power to order such

taxes and provide for the assessing and collecting of the same on the taxable inhabitants and

property in said district as they shall deem necessary for purchasing fire engines, and all other

implements and apparatus for the extinguishing of fire; for the purchase of land and buildings for

keeping same; for the purchasing, installation, operation and maintenance of a suitable alarm

system; for making cisterns and reservoirs; for paying the salaries of district officers and

employees, ~~firemen.~~ as well as the members of the rescue unit known as Central Coventry

Rescue. And such taxes, so ordered, shall be assessed by the assessors of said district on the

taxable inhabitants and property therein according to the last valuation made by the assessors of

the town of Coventry next previous to said assessment, adding, however, any taxable property

which may have been omitted by said town assessors or afterwards acquired; and in assessing and

collecting said taxes such proceedings shall be had by the officers of said district, as near as may

be, as are required to be had by the corresponding officers of towns in assessing and collecting

taxes.~~; provided, however, that the tax assessed and payable in any one year under the provisions~~

~~of this section shall not exceed six (6) mills an each dollar of valuation.~~

(b) The qualified voters of the Central Coventry Ffire Ddistrict are also authorized to

raise money through taxes to purchase the necessary vehicles and equipment to operate and

maintain a rescue unit to be known as the Central Coventry Rescue.

There shall be at least one District Tax Assessor, who may also serve as District Clerk,

who shall be appointed or employed by the District. The tax assessor shall levy and assess taxes

at such rate as the district shall vote, on all taxable real and personal property in the district and

shall prepare and deposit the tax list with the tax collector and treasurer of the district; said board

shall assess property on the basis of the last valuation made by the assessors of the Town of

Coventry next previous to said assessment.

~~Sec. 7. Entire section deleted 1992~~

~~See. 8. Entire section 8 deleted 1992~~

Sec. 8 DISTRICT CLERK

There shall be a District Clerk who shall be appointed or employed by the District. The

clerk shall keep full, fair and accurate records and minutes of the meetings of the Board of

Directors and district meetings and shall make said minutes available to members of the public, in

accordance with the Rhode Island Public Records Act, Chapter 2 of Title 38 of the Rhode Island

General Laws. The Clerk shall be responsible to give notice of District meetings as set forth

under the provisions of this Charter and pursuant to the Rhode Island Open Meetings Laws,

Chapter 46 of Title 42 of the Rhode Island General Laws. The clerk shall maintain a current copy

of the District Charter and by–laws.

Sec . 9 DISTRICT TREASURER

There shall be a District Treasurer who shall be appointed or employed by the District.

The Treasurer shall receive all money paid to the District and deposit the same in such federally

insured bank or banking system as shall be designated by the Board of Directors to the credit of

the District, provided that in the event of a surplus of funds, the Board of Directors may direct

deposits to be made in a savings account in some federally insured banking institution. The

Treasurer shall sign all duly authorized distinct notes and bonds and shall be bonded in an amount

to be determined by the Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall pay all District obligations by

check, as approved by the Board of Directors and shall close the books as of the last day of each

fiscal year. The Treasurer shall submit a report to the Board of Directors monthly. The Treasurer

shall at every annual meeting, fully report the condition of the treasury of the District, showing

receipts and expenditures of the preceding year.

Sec. 10 TAX COLLECTOR

There shall be a District Tax Collector who shall be appointed or employed by the

District. The tax collector shall collect and pay to the District treasurer all taxes and interest

collected by him/her as and when received and shall be bonded in a sum fixed by the Board of

Directors; shall close his or her books as of the last day of each fiscal year and shall prepare and

present a written report to the annual meeting; shall submit a written report to the treasurer

monthly; shall consult an attorney approved by the Board when legal action is necessary for the

collection of unpaid taxes; shall be responsible for the preparation of the tax roll.

Sec. 9. 11 BY-LAWS

The qualified voters of said district may enact all by-laws by them adjudged necessary

and expedient for carrying the provisions of this act into effect, provided the same be not in

violation of or repugnant to the laws of this state.

The qualified voters may change any provision of the by-laws at any annual or special

meeting, provided the proposed change has been noticed in the call of the meeting.

Sec. 10. 12 AUTHORIZATION TO BORROW FUNDS

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The Central Coventry fire district is hereby authorized and empowered to borrow from

time to time such sums of money as may be necessary, not however, to exceed the sum of ~~three~~

~~hundred thousand ($300,000) dollars~~ one-half (1/2) of the annual operating budget, for the

purpose of procuring real and personal estate, the erection and maintenance of buildings, the

procuring of fire and water apparatus, for the payment of any legal indebtedness of said district,

or for the purpose of purchasing or procuring any other property, real or personal, that may be

legally acquired and held by said district.

Sec. ~~10A~~. 13 The Central Coventry fire district is authorized to install lighting on the

streets and highways of the district.

Sec. 14. PRESERVATION OF RIGHTS UNDER EXISTING LABOR CONTRACTS

In accordance with the provision of Section 19.1 of Chapter 7, Title 28 of the Rhode

Island General Laws, this act of consolidation shall not impair the provisions of any existing labor

contracts for persons employed by any of the individual fire districts. Notwithstanding this

consolidation, the labor contracts shall continue in full force and effect until their termination

dates or until otherwise agreed by the parties or their legal successors.

Sec. 11 15. This act shall take effect no later than sixty days after its enactment and all

acts or parts of acts inconsistent herewith or repugnant thereto, are hereby repealed.

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LC03565

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