Future of Coventry Fire District remains uncertain

The future of Coventry’s Fire District still remains uncertain. If nothing changes it will run out of money next month.

Last week voters did not approve a tax increase that would have saved the struggling district. 

Monday, town councilors took up the issue in executive session and the Coventry Fire Board held a meeting to figure out their next move.

Following the meeting there were still many questions left unanswered. The Board did schedule a meeting next Tuesday for the public to submit ideas on how to save the district. They also decided to begin to liquidate the fire department’s assets.

“I’m concerned. I don’t want the fire department to close. I would like to have fire service. But I don’t know. I don’t think they know where they are going,” said Mary Perry, of Coventry.

“It’s just one more step forward. There aren’t very many steps left because we’re going to run out of money in mid July, unless the town helps us,” said Frank Palin, of the Coventry Fire District.

Palin, the Board’s chairman, took quite a bit of criticism during the meeting. One board member even asking for him to step down.

“My reason for that is I feel he’s not doing the job…he’s running it like one taxpayer said today…like it’s a dictatorship,” said Board Member John Cook.

The residents’ no vote last week is not binding. The General Assembly would have to vote to dissolve the District. On Monday the Fire Board did not vote to send that decision to lawmakers.

“I’m not giving in. I want to save the district. I got 16 guys that are counting on me,” said Cook.

(C) WLNE 2015