PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Over the objections of two senators representing Coventry, the state Senate on Thursday passed a bill that will allow the financially-troubled Central Coventry Fire District to collect taxes under the last voter-approved tax levy until Sept. 1, the end of its fiscal year.
The Senate vote was 29-7. The state's House of Representatives passed an identical bill last week.
Supporters of the bill said its purpose is to buy time for a few months until a plan can be developed that would provide fire and emergency services for the Central Coventry Fire District.
Senators Leonidas P. Raptakis, D-Coventry, and Nicholas Kettle, R-Coventry, said the bill would thwart the will of the voters who rejected a new budget for the district.