Governor Visits NK Town Council, Talks Municipal Relief Package

Governor Lincoln Chafee made a special appearance at Monday night's North Kingstown Town Council meeting to talk about his newest piece of legislation.

The legislative package would help Rhode Island's four "highly distressed" municipalities – Woonsocket, Pawtucket, West Warwick and Providence. (The capital city recently just saw a three-notch downgrade in its bond rating while Woonsocket is struggling to make payroll.)

"We've seen Central Falls go into bankruptcy and others may be close behind," said Chafee.

The legislation would repeal certain state mandates for these troubled cities and towns, including suspension of cost of living adjustments (COLAs). The initiative aims to offset the $220 million in municipal aid from the state that was cut between 2008 and 2011.

The governor urged the council to support the measure and asked that state delegates support it in the General Assembly, as the state's legislature must approve the package.

The North Kingstown Town Council will consider the legislative package at its April 9 meeting.