PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - A plan to save the financially troubled Central Coventry Fire District from closing has cleared a state legislative committee.
The Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday approved legislation that would allow the state to appoint a receiver or other official to oversee the finances of fire districts. The state currently has that authority in the case of municipalities and has used it to fix financial problems with city budgets in Woonsocket, Central Falls and East Providence.
The House Finance Committee is now considering the bill.
The Central Coventry Fire District has been in bankruptcy receivership since October 2012. A state judge has ordered the liquidation and closure of the district by May 16, but local firefighters are trying to stop the closure.
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