2009 Rhode Island Code
Title 45 - Towns and cities
CHAPTER 45-61 - Stormwater Management Districts
§ 45-61-4 - Powers of councils.

SECTION 45-61-4

   § 45-61-4  Powers of councils. – The city or town council of any city or town in the state, by itself or with other cities and towns, pursuant to chapter 43 of this title, and in accordance with the purposes of this chapter, are hereby authorized to adopt ordinances creating stormwater management districts, which will be empowered, pursuant to such ordinance, to:

   (1) Establish a fee system and raise funds for administration and operation of the district. The fee system shall be reasonable and equitable so that each contributor of runoff to the system shall pay to the extent to which runoff is contributed and the state shall be exempted from the fee system. However, the state department of transportation shall cooperate with the municipalities in the planning and implementation of wastewater management ordinances, including the providing of funds, if available, to match the fees collected by the municipalities annually;

   (2) Prepare long range stormwater management master plans;

   (3) Implement a stormwater management district in accordance with regulations and model ordinances promulgated under this chapter;

   (4) Retrofit existing structures to improve water quality or alleviate downstream flooding or erosion;

   (5) Properly maintain existing structures within the district;

   (6) Borrow for capital improvement projects by issuing bonds or notes of the city or town;

   (7) Hire personnel to carry out the functions of the districts;

   (8) Receive grants, loans or funding from state and federal water quality programs;

   (9) Grant credits to property owners who maintain retention and detention basins or other filtration structures on their property;

   (10) Make grants for implementation of stormwater management district plans;

   (11) Purchase, acquire, sell, transfer, or lease real or personal property;

   (12) Impose liens;

   (13) Levy fines and sanctions for noncompliance;

   (14) Provide for an appeals process;

   (15) Contract for services in order to carry out the function of the district.