Town Manager's Message:

As we slide into September, we can look back on a very busy and productive summer. We survived the blue-green algae, but are keeping a watchful eye and have a forum set up to inform the public about what we know, and what we need to watch for. The date is September 20, 7 PM at CHS auditorium (see details below).

Construction and road work was active. We were able to squeeze in new roofs at G.H. Robertson School, and a large portion of Coventry High School. The high school project will allow a major solar installation project to progress this fall. The balance of the high school roof project is planned for next summer in conjunction with a ventilation improvement plan to increase fresh air into the classrooms. In the future we will be able to run chilled air if we get a grant or other funding source.

Two major grant-funded road projects are moving toward completion. The Swamp Rd./Rt. 44 intersection project is waiting for traffic signal poles slated for delivery at the end of September. We are seeking options for a temporary signalization change to open the 4-way intersection up sooner if these are delayed.

South Street, near the Homestead, is getting ready for the road reconstruction phase scheduled for the first several weeks in September.

The Hop River Bridge replacement (now 100% grand-funded) is scheduled to go out to bid the first week of September to allow order time and utility work over the winter, with a spring construction start.

The new transfer station is under construction with a mid-September opening planned. This will allow the start of the first softball field at Miller Richardson Park. We await word on a State STEAP grant for a second field on or about September 15, and are overjoyed that the State authorized funding of $500,000 for the full park concept, for equity and accessibility issues for baseball, softball, and other new sports opportunities.

The Council also is asking the public for consideration of a $4,865,000 road bond. A Special Town Meeting is scheduled on Tuesday, September 6 at 7 PM on the proposed project (televised on Spectrum channel 191 and live-streamed to YouTube). The presentation will also be available on the Town's video-on-demand service shortly afterwards. The vote on this proposal will be on the Tuesday, November 8, 2022 ballot.

We finally were able to obtain a replacement ambulance, which should be in service by mid-September. The supply chain issue caused great turmoil, and our second ambulance kept breaking down. We are on track due to efforts by Fire Chief Bud Meyers and Fire/EMS Administrator Jim McLoughlin.

Please also see the riches of our community in opportunities available to you, including Arts on Main, Shred-it Day, and church events.

UPCOMING TOWN MEETINGS:

• Tues, 9/6: Town Council meeting and Special Town Meeting on Road Bond 7:00 PM
• Thurs, 9/8: Board of Education, 7:00 PM
• Mon, 9/12:  Planning & Zoning Commission, 7 PM
• Mon, 9/19: Town Council, 7:30 PM
• Mon, 9/24:  Planning & Zoning Commission, 7 PM 
• Thurs, 9/29: Board of Education, 7:00 PM

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

COMING EVENTS: 

Fri 9/2: Quiet Corner Contra Dance, 8-11 PM, intro lesson at 7:45. Patriots Park Lodge, 172 Lake Street. Adults $12, students $6. Partner not necessary. Wear soft-soled shoes and light layered clothes. Music by Bill Walach & Gary Wikfors. Dances called by Billy Fischer. Just for this dance, bring a picnic meal and join us on the deck after 6:30 and enjoy the view of Coventry Lake. Mask optional & proof of vaccine or negative COVID test within 72 hours required. Email Dennis for info. 

Sat 9/3: Buy one, get one free books games or puzzles, 9 AM - 11 AM, Noah's Closet, 1746 Boston Turnpike. Higher price prevails. Noah's Closet is a unique children's resale shop. Donations of gently-used children's items are welcome on Tuesday and Saturday mornings. Info: 860-742-1616 or see website.

Sat 9/3: Farmstand Days, 11 AM - 3 PM, Creative Living Community of Connecticut, 2645 Boston Turnpike. Theme: Art Show. Rain date 9/4. Website.

Sun 9/4: 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: Dog Days. Website.

Sun 9/11: 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: Sweet Treats. Website.

Sun 9/11:Annual Waterski Show, 1 PM on Coventry Lake. View from Patriots Park Beach, 124 Lake Street. Held by the Coventry Lake Waterski Club. Info.

Weds 9/14: 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 9/17: Shred-it Day, 9 AM - noon, DPW facility at 100 Olsen Farm Road. Dispose of your paper documents securely. FREE. Coventry residents only, bring proof of residency. Limit: two boxes or bags per household. Info: 860-742-6588.

Sat 9/17: Arts on Main, 11 AM - 3 PM in historic Coventry Village. This FREE event is brought to you by the Town of Coventry, the Coventry Arts Guild, and Coventry Cares. Families will enjoy craft vendors, food trucks, music performances, art exhibits, kids' activities and MORE! Parking & shuttle service available from GH Robertson School, 227 Cross St. Handicapped accessible parking available in Coventry Village. Rain location: Coventry High School. More info.

Sat 9/17: Food Trucks & Mum Sale, 11 AM - 3 PM, First Congregational Church of Coventry, 1171 Main Street. Sponsored by Coventry CT Cares, Inc. Website.

Sat 9/17: Roast Pork Drive Thru/Take-out Dinner, Second Congregational Church of Coventry, 1746 Boston Turnpike. Roast pork, Shady Glen coleslaw, baked beans, apple sauce and dessert. $15 adults, $8 children. Place orders at 860-742-1616 or email and indicate pick-up time of 5 PM, 5:30 PM, or 6 PM. Correct amount of cash or check required. Drive down from church parking lot the the Community House located across from Highland Park.

Sun 9/18: 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: CT Farmstead Cheese Day. Website.

Sun 9/18: Eagleville Lake Guided Paddle, 1:30-3:30 PM. Bring your kayak or canoe and join a guided paddle along the Willimantic River to Eagleville Lake and back.  We will launch at the wheelchair-accessible canoe/kayak launch at River Park (44 Plains Road in Mansfield) and Hilary Kenyon Garovoy, Limnologist, Environmental Scientist, and Certified Lake Manager of Northeast Aquatic Research, will teach us how to identify aquatic invasive plants and how to prevent their spread. Directions: From the intersection of Rt. 44 and Rt. 32, follow Rt 32 south for 0.5 miles and take a right onto Plains Rd. The parking lot will be after the railroad tracks on the right. FREE Preregistration by 9/9 is required via Mansfield Parks and Recreation. Activity #: 211001-A

Tues 9/20: Buy one, get one half-price on all fall clothes, 9 AM - 11 AM, Noah's Closet, 1746 Boston Turnpike. Higher price prevails. Also Sat, 9/24 from 9 AM - 1 PM. Noah's Closet is a unique children's resale shop. Donations of gently-used children's items are welcome on Tuesday and Saturday mornings. Info: 860-742-1616 or see website.

Tues 9/20: State of the Lake Forum, 7 PM, CHS Veterans Auditorium, 78 Ripley Hill Road. This annual event will provide statistics and an overview of the health of Coventry Lake. A key topic will be the recent blue-green algae issue. Representatives from the Eastern Highlands Health District and State Department of Public Health and the Coventry Lake Advisory & Monitoring Committee will be present. Info: email Eric Trott, or call 860-742-4062. The forum will be broadcast live on the school's public access channel (194) on Spectrum cable, and available on the Town's video-on-demand site shortly after the event.

Sun 9/25: 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: Fiber Arts Fest. Website.

Weds 9/28: 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 9/28: 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.
 
September's Recycling Focus – Household Hazardous Waste: Most household hazardous waste, such as pesticides, paint, nail polish remover, and household cleaners are NOT recyclable and should NOT be placed in the trash. Unwanted, leftover hazardous products must be disposed of properly, such as at a local household hazardous waste collection. There is a seasonal regional facility in Willington that accepts many items. See also the SCRRRA website for more information. Unwanted latex or oil-based paints can be accepted by PaintCare retailers.

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.

GOLF TOURNAMENT SEEKING PLAYERS AND SPONSORS:

The Knights of Columbus from St Jude Council 4313 in Coventry will host the first Annual Autumn Classic Golf Tournament to be held on 11 AM on October 3, 2022 at Topstone Golf Course, South Windsor, CT.  The tournament will use a Shotgun Start and a Scramble scoring and is open to all. Deadline for registration is Sept. 19. For entry forms or additional information, contact Daniel Garafola at 860-742-1465, or email kofc.golf.tournament.10.03@gmail.com.

The St. Jude Council 4313 will donate proceeds to the Norwich Vocations Office, which promotes and supports seminarians and vocational life in the Catholic Diocese of Norwich.
The St Jude Council is seeking players and sponsors.  With more than (number) million members, the Knights of Columbus is the world’s largest Catholic lay organization. It provides members and their families with volunteer opportunities in service to the Catholic Church, the community, families, and young people. In 2020 the Knights of Columbus at all levels of the organization raised and distributed $150 million to charity and rendered 47 million hours of volunteer service.