Town Manager's Message:

We march into budget season with the Manager's Budget Hearing on Thursday, March 10th at 7:00 PM in the large lecture hall at Coventry High School. Dr. David Petrone, Superintendent of Schools, will present the Board of Education's budget request, and I will present the Town Manager's request, Capital Budget, Debt Service budget, and new this year, a discussion of the Ambulance Fund and impacts of going 24/7 with Vintech staffing due to COVID-19. Questions and comments are welcome at that time, or throughout the budget review. You can email your comments or concerns to budgetcomments@coventryct.org. The Town budgets will be available on the Town's website in early March, and the Town Council needs to complete their adjustments by April 4. Save the date of Saturday, April 23rd for the Annual Town Meeting and May 3rd for the budget vote. 

Please see the many other opportunities to participate in community activities offered in March.

Besides the budget, we have a lot of construction projects moving along. Plans are almost finalized for the first girls' softball field and relocated transfer station. The South Street Road and Sidewalk project near the Hale Homestead will soon be out to bid. We are expecting permission to hire an engineer to design the Swamp/South Street road improvement project soon (2023 construction anticipated). The Swamp and Rt. 44 project will restart as weather permits.

We await State permission to bid out school roof replacements for Coventry High School and a portion of G.H. Robertson School. The high school project still envisions some air quality enhancements, but we are looking at supply chain concerns. We appreciate the donation of Corsi-Rosenthal designed classroom air filters, constructed by UConn Engineering and Nursing students. We will receive enough for each school classroom.

We some Steven Prattson as our new Building Official, and congratulate Carrie Zahner and Ida Cabral on their promotions in the Tax Collector's office.

March is always a busy month, but spring is quickly approaching.

UPCOMING TOWN MEETINGS:

• Mon, 3/7: Town Council, 7:30 PM
• Thurs, 3/10: Manager's Budget Hearing, 7 PM
• Mon, 3/14:  Planning & Zoning Commission, 7 PM
• Mon, 3/21: Town Council, 7:30 PM
• Thurs, 3/24: Board of Education, 7:30 PM
• Mon, 3/28:  Planning & Zoning Commission, 7 PM

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

COMING EVENTS: 

Tues 3/1: Monthly Book Club, 11:30 AM, Coventry Senior Center, 172 Lake Street. If you love books and are often looking for people to discuss literature with, give this book club a try. March book selection: The Seven Sisters by Lucinda Riley. RSVP to 860-742-3525 and pick up your copy of the book at the Booth & Dimock Library. 

Weds 3/2: Mobile Foodshare, 10-10:30 AM, First Congregational Church @ St. Mary's, 1600 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 3/3: Council Chair's office hours, 6:30-7:30 PM, Booth & Dimock Memorial Library, 1134 Main Street. Share your concerns or provide input to Lisa Thomas, Town Council Chairwoman. 

Fri 3/4: Quiet Corner Contra Dance, 8-11 PM, Patriots Park Lodge, 172 Lake Street. Intro session at 7:45 PM. Live music by Dead Sea Squirrels, dances called by Rich Sbardella. Partner not required; all dances taught. COVID restrictions apply - see website for details. $12 adults, $6 students. Email for Info or call 860-742-9498.

Sat 3/5: $10 Stuff-a-bag Sale, 9 AM - 1 PM, Noah's Closet at Second Congregational Church, 1746 Boston Turnpike. Children's clothes, toys, games, baby equipment. For info call on Saturdays, 860-742-1616 or visit the website. Donations of gently-used children's items are also accepted during open store hours.

Sat 3/5: Fresh Air Walk, 10 AM, Thornton Brook Preserve (meet at Pucker Street entrance). A one-hour wooded trail walk led by the Protected Spaces Stewardship Committee.All ages welcome, along with well-behaved dogs on leashes. Heavy snow or rain cancels. Limited to 20 participants. Register with the Parks & Recreation Department.

Sun 3/6: Coventry Winter Farmers' Market, 10 AM - 12:30 PM, Patriots Park Lodge, 172 Lake Street. The vendors you know and love are keeping their tractor wheels rolling through the winter with Connecticut farm-fresh products, artisan specialty foods, handmade crafts and services. Website.

Sat 3/12: Take-Out Corned Beef & Cabbage Dinner, starting at 5 PM, St. Mary Church, 1600 Main Street. Join St. Jude Council for this annual favorite. Enjoy corned beef & cabbage, Red Bliss Potatoes, bread and butter, and dessert. Beverages not provided. Orders taken from your car in the parking lot, and food delivered to your card. Masks are required. $15 per person. Exact change or a check to K of C Council 4313 appreciated. No indoor seating. Reservations not required. More info: Dan Garafola, dgarafola.smpc@live.com, or Rick Parr, rick.parr@hotmail.com. Phone: 860-742-9818. 

Sun 3/13: Coventry Winter Farmers' Market, 10 AM - 12:30 PM, Patriots Park Lodge, 172 Lake Street. The vendors you know and love are keeping their tractor wheels rolling through the winter with Connecticut farm-fresh products, artisan specialty foods, handmade crafts and services. Website.

Weds 3/16: Mobile Foodshare, 10-10:30 AM, First Congregational Church @ St. Mary's, 1600 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.

Sat 3/19: Drive Thru/Take Out Dinner, Second Congregational Church, 1746 Boston Turnpike. Menu: corned beef & cabbage, boiled potatoes, carrots and dessert. $16 adults, $7 children. Place orders by calling 860-742-1616 or email secondchurch@sbcglobal.net and indicate pick-up time of 5 PM, 5:30 PM, or 6:00 PM. Correct amount of cash or check required, Drive down from church parking lot to the Community House, located across from Highland Park.

Sun 3/20: Coventry Winter Farmers' Market, 10 AM - 12:30 PM, Patriots Park Lodge, 172 Lake Street. The vendors you know and love are keeping their tractor wheels rolling through the winter with Connecticut farm-fresh products, artisan specialty foods,   handmade crafts and services. Website.

Sat 3/26: Spring Bottle and Can Drive, 9 AM - noon, South Coventry Firehouse, 1755 Main Street. Clean out your garages and basements, and benefit Coventry's Project Graduation, a safe graduation celebration for Coventry high school seniors. Email for more info.

Sun 3/27: Coventry Winter Farmers' Market, 10 AM - 12:30 PM, Patriots Park Lodge, 172 Lake Street. The vendors you know and love are keeping their tractor wheels rolling through the winter with Connecticut farm-fresh products, artisan specialty foods,   handmade crafts and services.  LAST WINTER MARKET OF THE '21/22 SEASON, SO STOCK UP ON YOUR FAVORITES!  Website.

Weds 3/30: Mobile Foodshare, 10-10:30 AM, First Congregational Church @ St. Mary's, 1600 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 3/31: Open House, 9:30 - 11 AM, Coventry Senior Center, 172 Lake Street. Come tour the Senior Center and learn all about our services and programs.

FITNESS AT THE SENIOR CENTER:

Call 860-742-3525 for more information.

Mondays at 10am – Chair Yoga with Angie, $5
Tuesdays at 9:15 – Free Exercise lead by Brenda
Wednesday at 9:30 – Tai Chi with Joe, $5
Thursdays at 10am – Strength & Balance with Angie, $5
New Fridays at 9:30 – Free Exercise lead by Brenda

BOOTH & DIMOCK MEMORIAL LIBRARY:

The Booth & Dimock Memorial Library is open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday 10-8, Friday 10-6, and Saturday 10-3. Curbside services remain available upon request.
 
For children's activities, we are offering Take & Make Craft Bags on Tuesdays, Science Thursday activity bags, and Video Storytimes on Fridays.
 
For adults, our monthly Spice Club and Tea Explorer groups continue to be offered. To join either or both, call or visit the library. Keep an eye on out for adult Take & Make bags, as well! 
 
For an up-to-date listing of all our programs, activities, and offerings, make sure to follow us on Facebook @BDLibrary or visit our website.

DOLLARS FOR SCHOLARS:

Coventry Scholarship Foundation Dollars for Scholars will be conducting its annual fund drive during the month of March.  Mailings will be made to Coventry residents to raise funds to be distributed to Coventry students who are graduating in June 2022. All applicants who complete the scholarship application process will receive monies to help them further their education. Last year more than $60,000 was awarded to graduates. More information can be found on their website.