Coventry Voters Reject Tax, Choose to Dissolve Fire District

Twelve percent of voters living in the Coventry Fire District came out for a nonbinding referendum Wednesday to either approve or reject a tax increase to save the district as well as an option to dissolve.

For the supplemental tax, the tally was 427 in favor and 553 against. For dissolution, the vote went 534 in favor and 399 against.

The district’s board will meet next week to discuss future options.

The vote, which calls for the dissolution by Dec. 31, is nonbinding and the board could end up deciding a totally different course of action depending on what happens in the coming weeks.

Earlier this week, the local fire union agreed to $350,000 in concessions in an effort to stave off dissolution. Board chairman Frank Palin, in a letter to residents, said that the supplemental tax of about $600,000 would spare the district what he said was imminent collapse.

It is not unclear what will happen next. The Rhode Island General Assembly would need to approve a the dissolution of the district.

Palin said that the district is expected to fully run out of money by mid-july.

Meanwhile, a petition for the formation of a town-wide fire department is making the rounds. Supporters of the idea were camped outside Club Jogues, where the voting took place.

There is still time for other options to be explored, officials said. The neighboring Central Coventry Fire District is currently under state receivership and that option has not been ruled out for the Coventry Fire District, also known as the Anthony Fire District.

This story will be updated.

Photo courtesy: Dave Gorman