R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-48.1-5

Current through 2024 Public Law 457

Section 45-48.1-5 - Powers

The board shall have all the rights and powers necessary or convenient to carry out and effectuate this chapter, including, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the rights and powers:

(1) To adopt bylaws for the regulation of its affairs and the conduct of its business, to promulgate rules, regulations and procedures in connection with the performance of its functions and duties and to fix, enforce and collect penalties for the violation thereof;

(2) To adopt an official seal and alter the same at pleasure;

(3) To maintain an office at such place or places as it may determine;

(4) To apply for, receive, accept, administer, expend and comply with the conditions, obligations and requirements respecting any grant, gift, loan, including without limitation any grant, gift or loan from agencies of local, state and federal governments, donation or appropriation of any property or money in aid of the purposes of the district and to accept contributions of money, property, labor or other things of value;

(5) To acquire by purchase, lease, lease-purchase, sale and leaseback, gift or devise, or to obtain options for the acquisition of any water or water rights and any other property, real or personal, tangible or intangible, or any interest therein, in the exercise of its powers and the performance of its duties;

(6) To sell, lease, mortgage, exchange, transfer to otherwise dispose of, or to grant options for any such purposes with respect to, any water, water rights, and any other property, real or personal, tangible or intangible, or any interest therein;

(7) To enter onto any land to make surveys, borings, soundings and examinations thereon, provided that said district shall make reimbursements for any injury or actual damage resulting to such lands and premises caused by any act of its authorized agents or employees and shall so far as possible restore the land to the same condition as prior to the making of such surveys, borings, soundings and examinations; and to acquire by eminent domain any interest in real property within the district in the name of the district in accordance with the provisions of this chapter;

(8) To purchase water in bulk or by volume, and to sell water to, any person, private or public corporation or public instrumentality or municipality, the state and the federal government;

(9) To plan, construct, improve, extend, enlarge, maintain and repair the water works system;

(10) To pledge or assign any money, fees, charges, or other revenues of the district and any proceeds derived by the district from the sale of property, insurance or condemnation awards;

(11) To borrow money and incur indebtedness and issue its bonds and notes as hereinafter provided;

(12) To make contracts of every name and nature and to execute and deliver all instruments necessary or convenient for carrying out any of its purposes;

(13) To establish public hydrants in public places as it may see fit and prescribe for what purposes the public hydrants are used, all of which it may change in its discretion;

(14) To enter into contracts and agreements with the town in all matters necessary, convenient or desirable for carrying out the purposes of this chapter including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, collection of revenue, data processing, and other matters of management, administration and operation;

(15) To sue and be sued and to prosecute and defend actions relating to is properties and affairs; provided that only property of the district other than revenues pledged to the payment of bonds and notes shall be subject to attachment or levied upon execution or otherwise;

(16) To lend money for its purposes, invest and reinvest its funds and at its option to take and hold real and personal property as security for the funds so loaned or invested;

(17) To do all things necessary, convenient or desirable for carrying out the purposes of this chapter or the powers expressly granted or necessarily implied in this chapter, including entering into agreements with other cities, towns or districts to provide for the joint operation of water supply activities;

(18) Consistent with the constitution and laws of the state, the district shall have such other powers, including all powers pertaining to the water works system not inconsistent herewith, as may be necessary for or incident to carrying out the foregoing powers and the accomplishment of the purposes of this chapter; provided, however, that nothing in this chapter shall impose any duty on the district to maintain groundwater levels within or without the boundaries of the district.

R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-48.1-5

P.L. 2003, ch. 270, § 1; P.L. 2003, ch. 364, § 1.