Town Manager's Message:

This is a busy and chaotic summer. Having a blue-green algae bloom on the summer project list was not anticipated. This is a first for our lake. We continue to test, monitor, and hope. While this information may be a bit repetitive after all of the alerts last week, blue-green algae is native to our lake, but has grown faster due to higher temperatures last winter, along with less rain and higher temperatures this summer. It was not brought in from other lakes, is not related to Hydrilla treatment, construction, or even fertilizer use (fertilizer use can be a normal cause, but phosphate levels in our lake are low right now). We are working with several lake scientists and testing labs to continue to analyze and hopefully lift the health advisory so that normal lake activities can resume, but that will be nature's decision. Sign up for lake alerts at Civic Ready.

This summer has been active with construction on buildings and facilities, too. Public Works is finishing up Woodbridge Road reconstruction. Carver and Loomis are set for work by outside contractors, and we are back to work in the lake region. The project at Swamp Road/Rt. 44 is waiting for a fall delivery of the signal poles. South Street near the Homestead is moving along (both projects are 100% grant-funded). Hop River Road Bridge is also now 100% grant-funded and scheduled for a fall bid to allow utility work and ordering time for summer 2023 construction.

Facility construction is underway for a new Transfer Station next to Public Works, which will allow the first girls' softball field construction to start. This should be out to bid soon for fall construction. Library construction should start within a week.

We also received favorable bids to allow roof projects to start in a few weeks at GH Robertson School and a portion of Coventry High School, anticipated to be completed prior to the arrival of students for the start of the school year. The balance of the work will be completed next summer in conjunction with high school ventilation improvements. We also are continuing to strengthen certain high school walls to meet wind codes this summer, and will finish this project over Christmas break.

The Council has also requested that staff prepare a project plan for their consideration for the next road bond, with a concentration on the Pilgrim Hills subdivision and lake roads which have sewer lines on them. If the Council decides to proceed, it would be on the ballot for a November vote. We are also reviewing options for a new 100%-funded bridge program offered by the State in conjunction with Federal Infrastructure grants.

Finally, we have an outside engineer's plan for a minor repair to the Depot Road dam. We are getting prices.

Don't forget the Democratic and Republican primaries - vote on August 9. (See details below.)

UPCOMING TOWN MEETINGS:

• Mon, 8/1: Town Council, 7:30 PM
• Mon, 8/8:  Planning & Zoning Commission, 7 PM
• Mon, 8/15: Town Council, 7:30 PM
• Mon, 8/22:  Planning & Zoning Commission, 7 PM 
• Thurs, 8/25: Board of Education, 7:30 PM

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

COMING EVENTS: 

Weds 8/3: Summer Full of Life Blood Drive, 9 AM - 2:30 PM, the Lodge at Patriots Park, 172 Lake Street. For an appointment, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Weds 8/3: 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 8/6: Farmstand Days, 11 AM - 3 PM, Creative Living Community of Connecticut, 2645 Boston Turnpike. Theme: Buy Local. Website.

Sun 8/7: Coventry Farmers' Market, 10 AM - 1 PM, 2299 South Street. The 19th season continues the tradition of carrying the best of CT-grown and CT-made products on the scenic grounds of the Nathan Hale Homestead. Theme: Celebration of National Farmers' Market Week. Website.

Sun 8/7:Annual Waterski Show, ORIGINAL DATE OF 8/7 POSTPONED tentatively to Sept. 11 due to lake issues. Held by the Coventry Lake Waterski Club. Info.

Tues 8/9: Democratic and Republican primaries. See information below.

Sun 8/14: Coventry Farmers' Market, 10 AM - 1 PM, 2299 South Street. The 19th season continues the tradition of carrying the best of CT-grown and CT-made products on the scenic grounds of the Nathan Hale Homestead. Theme: Youth Market. Website.

Tues 8/16: 50% off summer clothes, 9 AM - 11 AM, Noah's Closet, 1746 Boston Turnpike. Donations of clean, gently-used items for children are welcome Tuesday and Saturday mornings. Also Saturday 8/20. Info: 860-742-1616 or see website.

Weds 8/17: 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.

Weds 8/17: Landmark Lunch & Learn: The Revolution in Coventry, 12 PM, virtual event. Join Administrator Anne Marie Charland and learn about the family that gave us Connecticut's State hero. It's 1776, and the Hale family is busy supporting the American Revolutionary War from their homestead in Coventry. FREE. Registrants will receive a Zoom link to view the program the day of the event. Register here. 

Fri 8/19: Food Truck event, 4-8 PM, Capt. Nathan Hale Middle School, 1776 Main Street. Sponsored by Coventry CT Cares, Inc. Website.

Sun 8/21: Coventry Farmers' Market, 10 AM - 1 PM, 2299 South Street. The 19th season continues the tradition of carrying the best of CT-grown and CT-made products on the scenic grounds of the Nathan Hale Homestead. Theme: Annual Corn Roast. Website.

Sat 8/27: Redcoats, Rebellion and the Nathan Hale Homestead, 11 AM - 4 PM, Nathan Hale Homestead, 2299 South Street. Visit the Revolutionary War encampments of both the Continental Army and the British Army as they reenact the daily lives of soldiers and perform tactical demonstrations with period weapons, including drilling, musket and cannon firing, and even a Revolutionary War battle! Visit 18th-centruy crafters and participate in hands-on activities including weaving and spinning, woodworking, soap making, hearth cooking, and play colonial-era games. $10. Get tickets here.

Sun 8/28: Coventry Farmers' Market, 10 AM - 1 PM, 2299 South Street. The 19th season continues the tradition of carrying the best of CT-grown and CT-made products on the scenic grounds of the Nathan Hale Homestead. Theme: Heirlooms & Imperfect Produce. Website.

Weds 8/31: 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.

Weds 8/31: Council Chair's office hours, 5-6 PM, Booth & Dimock Memorial Library, 1134 Main Street. Share your concerns or provide input to Lisa Thomas, Town Council Chairwoman. 

KEEPING IT GREEN - GENTLE HINTS FOR RECYCLING

Want to know about what’s IN and what’s OUT for recycling in Coventry? take a look at recyclect.com or www.scrrra.org.  These websites will let you ask about a specific item or material.  Or, download the free SCRRA app to your smart device, or contact Coventry Public Works at 860-742-6588.  Recycling saves our Town money and is good for the environment.  In general, all recycled items should be empty, rinsed out, clean, and open.  Do not shred, box, bag or bundle items.
 
August's Recycling Focus – Plastic (part #1): Green and red plastic plant pots and trays are all recyclable. If in good condition, sanitize them first to kill any plant pathogens to reuse them, or return them to a local participating nursery or garden center. Black plastic pots and trays are NOT recyclable and should be put in the trash.. 

This message is a public outreach effort by the Town of Coventry's Energy Conservation/Alternative Energy Advisory Committee. For more information about the committee, see this link.

CONNECTICUT PRIMARIES AUGUST 9:

On August 9, 2022, primaries will be held in both the Democratic and Republican parties. In Coventry, voting will be held in the fire stations. District 1 votes at Station 118, 1755 Main Street. District 2 votes at Station 211, 3427 Main Street. Polls are open from 6 AM - 8 PM. Only voters registered in the Democratic or Republican parties are eligible to vote in their party's primary. Absentee ballots are available in the Town Clerk's office.

Candidates in the Democratic primary are:

• Secretary of State: Maritza Bond, Stephanie Thomas
• Treasurer: Dita Bhargava, Karen DuBois-Walton, Erick Russell

• Secretary of State: Dominic Rapini, Terrie E. Wood
• United States Senator: Themis Klarides, Leora R. Levy, Peter Lumaj