WARWICK, R.I. -- In a court hearing Tuesday, Superior Court Judge Brian P. Stern said meaningful negotiations between the Central Coventry firefighters unions and a recently-elected board of directors are necessary if a realistic new budget proposal can be reached for the financially troubled district.
The district has been in receivership, a form of bankruptcy, since October, 2012. The board is scheduled to present a new budget to Central Coventry voters on Oct. 21. According to a status report submitted by the board, there have been two brief meetings with the union, but no substantive negotiations.
"There needs to be more than a couple of short meetings," Stern said. He offered to have the court appoint a mediator is the two sides needed one.
Both sides said Tuesday they are willing to talk, although they acknowledged time is short.