By Andy Smith
COVENTRY, R.I. -- The newly elected board of directors of the cash-strapped Central Coventry Fire District has voted to return a ladder truck which cost $860,724 in 2009. The district has been in receivership, a form of bankruptcy, since October.
Richard Land, court-appointed special master for the fire district, asked Superior Court Judge Brian P. Stern for permission to return the truck, saying the district has been unable to make the payments.
The firefighters union objected, saying the truck was necessary for the safety of the 18,000 residents of the district.
Stern had delayed ruling on the issue until after a new seven-member board was elected June 29. Land said he expects the court to revisit the issue July 25 or 26.