R 303

2003 -- H 6539 AS AMENDED

Enacted 07/01/03

J O I N T R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A COMMISSION TO PROVIDE FOR THE DETERMINATION, RESOLUTION, AND SETTLEMENT OF THE BOUNDARY LINE BETWEEN THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT AND THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS FROM THE MOUTH OF THE ASHAWAY RIVER NORTH TO THE MASSACHUSETTS BORDER

Introduced By: Representatives Kennedy, and Lewiss

Date Introduced: June 18, 2003

     WHEREAS, Various differences and disputes have arisen among the inhabitants residing

near the boundary line dividing the State of Rhode Island and the State of Connecticut over the

legal location of the boundary line; and

     WHEREAS, Over time, various surveys and other techniques have been conducted which

have led to conflicting results over the location of the boundary line; and

     WHEREAS, These conflicts have led to uncertainty as to the proper legal residency of

those individuals residing along the line; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That a special temporary nine (9) member commission is hereby created

consisting of:

     (1) the Attorney General or designee;

     (2) the Director of the Department of Administration or designee;

     (3) the Director of the Department of Transportation or designee;

     (4) a member of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker;

     (5) a member of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate;

     (6) a member of the general public appointed by the Speaker of the House;

(7) a member of the general public appointed by the President of the Senate;

(8) a minority member of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the
House; and

(9) a minority member of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate.

     The purpose of the commission shall be to ascertain and determine the boundary line

between the State of Rhode Island and the State of Connecticut and designating such boundary

line by suitable monuments or buoys at such places as shall be deemed necessary.

     The work necessary to designate such a boundary line shall be performed by persons

connected with the State of Rhode Island Department of Transportation without additional

compensation.

     All officers, departments, and persons in the State of Rhode Island government are

hereby authorized and directed, at convenient times and upon the request of the commission, to

furnish the commission with information and data possessed by them and to aid the commission

consistent with this resolution.

     The commissioners from this state shall receive no compensation for their service to the

commission. The public members shall be reimbursed for their actual traveling and other

reasonable expenses necessarily incurred in the performance of such work.

     The commissioners from this state are authorized to enter into a memorandum agreement

establishing and settling the location of the boundary line between the two states from the mouth

of the Ashaway River north to the Massachusetts border. The Attorney General on behalf of the

commissioners is authorized to execute the agreement for the commissioners.

     The commissioners from this state shall report their findings and conclusions to the

general assembly in this state for its consideration and ratification. Any memorandum of

agreement establishing and settling the location of the boundary line between the two states shall

not be binding upon either state until ratified by both the State of Connecticut and the State of

Rhode Island.

     Upon ratification by both states, the commission shall expire.

     This resolution shall take effect upon passage.

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LC03457

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