Rhode Island General Laws Title 45. Towns and Cities § 45-63-1. Legislative findings

(1) A stormwater control system which provides for the collection, treatment, storage and disposal of stormwater provides benefits and services to all property within a municipality.

(2) Such benefits include, but are not limited to, the provision of adequate systems of collection, conveyance, detention, treatment and release of stormwater, the reduction of hazards to property and life resulting from stormwater run off, improvement in general health and welfare through reduction of undesirable stormwater conditions and improvement to the water quality in the stormwater and surface water systems and their receiving waters.

(3) That portions of the town of Middletown do not have the benefit of stormwater control systems or the systems are antiquated and/or ineffective.

(4) That construction of adequate stormwater control systems in areas of the town of Middletown not presently served by stormwater control systems would further the goals of reducing hazards to life and property through reduction of undesirable stormwater conditions, improvement to the water quality and improvement in general health and welfare.

(5) That the town of Middletown desires to provide such stormwater control systems to areas in need of same.

(6) That in order to provide such facilities the town is in need of a funding mechanism to help defray the cost of installation of same.

(7) That it is the policy of the state of Rhode Island to empower and assist the local municipalities to meet the needs of residents, reduce hazards to life and property and improve water quality.