Crime & Safety

CCFD Firefighters Appeal Liquidation Order

President of the firefighters union, David Gorman, said that the appeal is necessary for several reasons.

In an effort to stop the liquidation and closure of Rhode Island’s largest Fire District, the Coventry Fire Fighters Union has filed an appeal with the State Supreme Court.

President of the firefighters union, David Gorman, said that the appeal is necessary for several reasons. 

 “First and foremost, as of today, there is not a plan in place that would provide emergency services or fire protection to the community, secondly the liquidation is not necessary, the district has plenty of money, there is nearly two million dollars in the bank, cash on hand and an approved budget," Gorman said in a release. "If someone was willing to sit down with the firefighters and negotiate with us, we know that it can work, but no one is willing to do that, no one will give us the opportunity.  Lastly, there is no need to saddle the ratepayers with a liquidation assessment of nearly twenty million dollars when this can be resolved”. 

Find out what's happening in Coventrywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Gorman stated that the union filed the appeal on Friday but that the union did not request an injunction or a stay from the liquidation order. 

“If we need to request a stay we will do so, but we are hopeful that we can resolve this without any further legal action, as long as we are given the opportunity”. 

Find out what's happening in Coventrywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Fire District is set to close on May 16th at 11:59 p.m.

 


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