Town Manager Report for the week ending May 16, 2025
On Tuesday afternoon from 100pm-200pm and every Tuesday afternoon Hannah from the Coventry Library visits the Senior Resource Center bringing books to be checked out and can assist with any special book requests along with signing up seniors for a library card. The library also hosted a watercolor painting class on Tuesday from 100am-1200pm. See the Center’s Facebook page or view their monthly calendar at www.coventryri.gov.
On Tuesday night the Town Council passed the FY 26 budget which includes a 1.48% tax increase and a total budget of $127,135, 068 There are many capital projects included in the budget along with purchasing 3 new garbage trucks, paving and reopening Briarpoint Beach, and hiring additional staff. The budget process began in early February and resulted in a responsible budget with input from all staff, partners, the public, and Council members. I thank everyone for their role in the process and look forward to putting these dollars into action for the residents of Coventry.
On Wednesday Town staff met with RIDOT Director Peter Alviti and his staff to discuss all of the work currently going on in Coventry and how we can partner with the state to identify areas of the Town that are under state control that need some attention immediately such as Rt 116, South Main St, and Wood St. We had great conversations around the future of development around the Centre of New England and how the state can partner with us moving forward to integrate all the necessary traffic changes that will be required to mitigate the new residential and commercial vehicle development.
On Thursday the Town and our contractor Fuss and O’Neill had a mandatory Pre-Bid meeting at Town Hall for all contractors interested in bidding to construct the new Coventry High School Sewer line and the new KCWA water main. There was a good amount of interest in the project and all bids will need to be received back by June 5, 2025. The successful bidder will need to meet all of the qualifications of the bid documents and be ready to start as soon as possible. The goal is to have this project begin in July 2025 and be complete by the Spring of 2026. Their will be anticipated obstacles regarding traffic around the high school and the effect on the businesses on Reservoir Ave, but we will be in constant communication with the contractor and will have oversight present on scene to address any concerns that come up.