SMITHFIELD, R.I. -- Bryant University's president is expected Sunday evening to speak about what he calls the impact of a General Assembly-approved bill that that would compel the university to reimburse the town for costs of police, fire and rescue services.
President Ronald K. Machtley is scheduled to hold a news conference on the matter at 5 p.m.
The bill would require Bryant to start making payments beginning in March 2014. That is, the bill says, unless the town and university can reach an agreement.
The Senate version of the bill, whose prime sponsor is Sen. Stephen Archambault, D-Smithfield, was transmittwed to the governor on July 5, according to the General Assembly web site.
The Providence Journal reported July 3 that key sponsors of legislation are Rep. Gregory Costantino, Rep. Thomas Winfield and Archambault. Costantino said town officials want the university to reimburse $250,000 to $370,000 annually for police, fire and rescue services, the Journal reported, and Bryant has called for Governor Chafee to veto the bill.
But Elizabeth O'Neill, Bryant's executive director of university relations, said in a news release that the school is already contributing more than $800,000 anually in direct and in-kind support to Smithfield, including sponsorship of Fourth of July celebrations, use of university facilities, and awarding a four-year full scholarship to the top-ranked Smithfield High graduate each year.