Judge Grants CCFD Second Chance at Passing Budget, With Stipulations

Special Master Richard Land will begin planning for a possible liquidation, but will simultaneously work on a new, updated budget to present to taxpayers. Central Coventry residents will also be required to pay the first three quarters of this year's tax

  Members of the Central Coventry Fire Department wrapped up an eventful and unpredictable week on what most consider to be a positive note on Friday. At Thursday's emergency hearing, Superior Court Judge Brian P. Stern heard testimony from various members of the district, board, union, town and legal counsel in regards to a possible liquidation now being considered following the rejection of Land's proposed budget and tax rate on Monday night. After nearly three hours of deliberation, Judge Stern requested that any parties who had feasible ideas to keep the district afloat meet and formulate a solid plan to be presented to him in Superior Court for a final ruling at 1 p.m. on Friday - a mere 19 hours in the future.  After brainstorming …

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Superior Court Judge Stern Orders Final Hearing to Decide CCFD's Fate

After a 3-hour hearing on Thursday, Judge Brian Stern moved to allow CCFD and Town officials a final opportunity to suggest a plan that may save the fire district from liquidation.

  An emergency hearing was held at Kent County Superior Court on Thursday afternoon to address CCFD Special Master Richard Land's submission of an Emergency Petition to Authorize Liquidation of the foundering fire district following the rejection of his proposed 2012-2013 budget and tax levy on Monday. Dozens of Central Coventry Fire personnel were present in front of Superior Court Judge Brian P. Stern, along with taxpayers, fire officials from the town's additional three fire districts, Police Chief Bryan Volpe, Town Manager Tom Hoover, Town Council President Gary Cote, state legislators and legal representation for all entities involved.  After summarizing his progress as Special Master and the outcome of Monday's budget meeting, Land …

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CCFD Voters Reject Budget, Special Master Requests Authorization to Liquidate

An emergency hearing for Feb. 14 has been scheduled following the voter rejection of a proposed budget and tax levy.

NOTICE: CCFD Special Master's Emergency Petition to Authorize Liquidation

An emergency hearing for Feb. 14 has been scheduled following the voter rejection of a proposed budget and tax levy.

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Central Coventry Taxpayers Reject Proposed Budget 228-204

Special Master Richard Land will now meet with Judge Brian Stern to discuss shutting the district down if there are no other options.

  Residents of the Central Coventry Fire District gathered at Coventry High School Monday night to review and vote on the fiscal 2012-2013 budget and tax levy proposed by Special Master Richard Land. Following months of investigation and review of the district's finances, which included the discovery of a $217,285,200 assessment error in 2009 regarding a Commerce Park property, Land presented the $6,581,742 budget and resulting tax levy of $3.15 per $1,000 of value for all assessed property within the district. This rate shows a $1.33 per $1,000 increase for residential and tangible property and a 47 cent decrease per $1,000 for commercial property when compared to the old and incorrect rates used for fiscal years 2010-2011, 2011-2012, and…

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CCFD Public Meeting Sheds Light on Financial Issues

No votes were taken at the meeting that served as an informational forum for taxpayers.

  Hundreds of Central Coventry Fire District residents joined employees, board members and Special Master Richard Land at Monday night's public meeting held at Coventry High School. Land explained to the crowd that up until last week, he had intended on presenting budgetary information to be voted on by taxpayers, but as the much-anticipated meeting drew near, he decided that presenting his findings regarding the district's financial status would be the ultimate goal of the evening. Fire District and Personnel Land, accompanied by Chief Andrew Baynes and advisor John Murray, worked their way through a 53-slide presentation over the course of the nearly 4-hour meeting. The presentation (attached) began with a summary of the fire district's …

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Central Coventry Fire District Budget Meeting Agenda: Dec. 10, 2012

The following items will be on the agenda at Monday's meeting, starting at 7 p.m. at Coventry High School.

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