Take the Watershed Health Pledge during Lake Awareness Month!

Town Manager's Message:

In July we celebrate Independence Day. This year, for those who are vaccinated against COVID-19, we can celebrate the freedom of not wearing masks and having life return to a more normal state. While CoventryFest fireworks will not happen, concerts are back at Patriots Park, summer camp is underway, and Town services, including the Senior Center and Library, continue to return closer to pre-pandemic levels. If you haven't been vaccinated, please consider doing so. As of this writing, 61% of residents have received the first dose. This is less than our neighboring towns of Andover, Bolton, Columbia, and Tolland by a few percent. This is below the level experts believe will protect us from community spread. If you have doubts, please reach out to credible medical sources for information, not news or internet rumor mills. Celebrate COVID independence.

A reminder that July is Lake Awareness Month. We are waiting for a date for Hydrilla treatment at Coventry Lake in early July and will post Facebook notices when we know. We were able to obtain a State grant to offset a portion of the costs of the program and also to study long-range issues with Fanwort at Eagleville Lake. Take the Watershed Health Pledge (see link above) and we will mail you a Wongy static cling decal to show your commitment to healthy lakes.

Tax bills will be mailed on time. COVRRA trash/recycling fees are being increased $10 this year due to much higher volume and loss of recycling revenue due to market conditions. The property tax rate had a modest decrease. Look for the COVRRA calendar and guidelines in your tax bill and keep it somewhere handy for easy reference.

Summer road work is underway, with High Meadow Lane, Ridgebrook Drive, and the northern section of North Farms Road almost ready for final paving. We are almost ready for cold-in-place recycling for Carpenter Road, Trowbridge and South River Road to be scheduled, hopefully in late July/early August. Prep work for chip sealing and crack sealing is also planned.

We are waiting for State approval for the Swamp Road/Rt. 44 intersection project to go out to bid, and final plan approval for South Street pedestrian improvements in the area of the Hale Homestead. We also await State approval for the Library and landfill methane venting projects.

We said goodbye to Wendy Rubin upon her retirement, and welcome to Lesley Munshower, our new Recreation Director, who starts on July 19.

Enjoy July and celebrate the freedom summer brings.

UPCOMING TOWN MEETINGS:

Tues, 7/6: Town Council, 7:30 PM
Thurs, 7/8: WPCA: 6 PM
Mon, 7/12: Planning & Zoning Commission, 7 PM
Mon, 7/19: Town Council, 7:30 PM
Mon, 6/26: Planning & Zoning Commission, 7 PM
Weds, 7/28: Inland Wetlands Agency, 7 PM
Thurs, 7/29: Board of Education, 7:30 PM

For a complete monthly calendar of other Board & Commission events, click here.

Mon, 7/5:
Independence Day holiday. Town offices closed. Trash pick-up on regular schedule.

Summer Stage at the Lake
Music & Movie Series

COMING EVENTS:

Sun 7/4: Coventry Farmers' Market, 10 AM - 1 PM, Hale Homestead, 2299 South Street. Back to an in-person market this season! For more info, visit our website or follow CFM on Facebook or Instagram. Every Sunday from June 6 - October 31, 2021.

Weds 7/7: Mobile Foodshare, 10-10:30 AM, First Congregational Church, 1171 Main Street. An outdoor food distribution service for persons of low income. Text FOODSHARE to 85511 to receive the mobile schedule and cancellations directly on your phone. More info.

Thurs 7/8: Summer Stage at the Lake, 6:30 PM, Patriots Park, 124 Lake Street. Music by Eight to the Bar. Bring your chair or blanket and listen to some live music. Raffles & refreshments available for purchase. Rain date: 7/29. All proceeds and donations benefit the Camp W Scholarship Fund. Sponsored by Coventry Youth Services and Coventry Parks & Recreation. Info: 860-742-5324 or 860-742-4068.

Sun 7/11: Coventry Farmers' Market, 10 AM - 1 PM, Hale Homestead, 2299 South Street. Back to an in-person market this season! For more info, visit our website or follow CFM on Facebook or Instagram. Every Sunday from June 6 - October 31, 2021.

Sun 7/18: Coventry Farmers' Market, 10 AM - 1 PM, Hale Homestead, 2299 South Street. Back to an in-person market this season! For more info, visit our website or follow CFM on Facebook or Instagram. Every Sunday from June 6 - October 31, 2021.

Mon-Fri 7/19-7/23: Splish Splash Art Blast Camp, 9 AM - 12 PM, Mill Brook Place, 1267 Main Street. For ages 5-12. An inspiring week of art-ventures sparks creativity, engagement, exploration and individual expression. Learn about the fascinating underwater world of seahorses, sea turtles and other wonderful creatures while exploring original art forms and techniques. Design beach hats, sunglasses, and t-shirts. Create ocean slime and discover the art of mosaics, clay sculpture, printmaking, stained glass, ceramics, collage, fabric art and more. $150 residents/$160 non-residents. Register and see more information online.

Weds 7/21: Mobile Foodshare, 10-10:30 AM, First Congregational Church, 1171 Main Street. An outdoor food distribution service for persons of low income. Text FOODSHARE to 85511 to receive the mobile schedule and cancellations directly on your phone. More info.

Thurs 7/22: Summer Stage at the Lake, 6:30 PM, Patriots Park, 124 Lake Street. Kids Night Performances by Song A Day and Magic by George. Bring your chair or blanket and experience live music and magic. Raffles & refreshments available for purchase. All proceeds and donations benefit the Camp W Scholarship Fund. Sponsored by Coventry Youth Services and Coventry Parks & Recreation. Info: 860-742-5324 or 860-742-4068.

Sun 7/25: Coventry Farmers' Market, 10 AM - 1 PM, Hale Homestead, 2299 South Street. Back to an in-person market this season! For more info, visit our website or follow CFM on Facebook or Instagram. Every Sunday from June 6 - October 31, 2021.

Resident parking passes
available now available.

COVENTRY BEACHES ARE OPEN:

Resident parking passes are available at the Parks & Recreation office during regular town hall hours, or from the gatekeeper at Patriots Park during open hours. Passes are also available by mail. For hours, instructions and application forms, visit the Parks & Recreation web page.

Please note: Due to a severe shortage of lifeguards, Lisicke Beach may not always have guards. Swimming under adult supervision will be allowed. Attendants will be present to monitor parking and facilities will be maintained. Coventry Recreation is seeking additional certified lifeguards ... if you know of someone who may be interested, please have them call 860-742-4068.

CEMETERY CLEAN-UP DAY:

The Coventry Cemetery Commission will be doing a clean up at Coventry Cemetery on Main Street. The scheduled date is August 1, 2021. They will remove damaged or badly-worn items, expired plants, and seasonal items. If you have decorations or personal items you would like to keep or reuse, please remove them prior to the clean-up date.

REFLECTIVE HOUSE NUMBER SIGNS AVAILABLE:

The Coventry Fire-EMS Department wants to find your home quickly in the event of an emergency. Reflective house number signs can help. Order form and more information available here - $10 per sign, $2 for mounting hardware. These signs make a great gift for family and friends.

FOOD BANK AND SCHOOL SUMMER MEAL PROGRAM:

The Coventry Food Bank is available to any individual or family experiencing difficult times and may need help with food. We have a variety of staple foods in stock, which include: cereal, pasta, soup, canned vegetables, peanut butter/jelly, and school snacks. We are solely a donor-funded program and appreciate the generous donations from many local residents, churches, schools, civic organizations, and groups. If you are interested in donating to Coventry Food Bank, please contact the Human Services Office for more information at 860-742-5324. If you are in need and wish to utilize the Food Bank, please call Coventry Human Services to set up an appointment.

Coventry Public Schools is again providing meals at no cost for families this summer. All children 18 and under may order breakfast and lunches during the summer, to be picked up on Wednesdays from 12-1 PM at Capt. Nathan Hale Middle School in front of the building. For more information and an online order form, click here.

RENTERS' REBATE PROGRAM AVAILABLE THROUGH OCT. 1:

Connecticut's Elderly Renters' Rebate Program provides direct, partial reimbursement to lower-income elderly or disable renters, to help offset a portion of their rent and utility expenses. The program, administered by the Office of Policy and Management, provides for payments ranging up to $900 for qualified married persons, and up to $700 for qualifying single persons. The rebate amount is based on a graduated-income scale and the amount of rent and utility payments (excluding telephone) made in the calendar year prior to the year in which the renter applies. Eligible residents should contact the Coventry Human Services Office at 860-742-5324 to schedule an appointment. The State of Connecticut Renters' Rebate Program Hotline is 860-418-6377.

THE BOOTH & DIMOCK MEMORIAL
LIBRARY IS OPEN!

We are open and continue to offer curbside services. Our current hours are Tuesday 10-3, Wednesday and Thursday 2-7, and Friday 10-3. The Library is open 10-1 on Saturdays for curbside pick-up and computer use only.

Summer Reading program! Special programs with fun activities and prizes will be offered for children, teens, and adults. Visit the Library website for details.

NATHAN HALE HOMESTEAD OPEN FOR THE SEASON:

The Hale Homestead grounds are open from dawn to dusk, daily. If you would like to book a tour, they are open Fridays and Saturdays 12-4 pm and Sundays 10 am - 2 pm or by appointment. To book your tour or for more information, please call 860-742-6917 or email hale@ctlandmarks.org. 2299 South Street. Website.

COVER PHOTO:

Aerial photo of Coventry's Lake Wangumbaug. Photo by Don Couture.

To list your event in this bulletin, contact Laura Stone at LStone@coventryct.org by the 15^th of the previous month.