Town Manager's Message:

March madness is about more than basketball. The Town will be very busy with budget, construction, grants, and the process to hire a new Town Manager.

Let me start with the proposed budget. The Manager's proposed budget is scheduled for release on March 6, and a public presentation/hearing is scheduled for 7:00 PM on March 9 in the high school lecture hall. The Board of Education has already forwarded their requested operating budget at 3.89% ($1,111,869 increase). The full budget will be impacted by high inflationary increases, loss of State aid for education (projected), unresolved ambulance expenses, and the end of Federal aid for COVID impacts. We ask that you stay involved and learn about the issues and make suggestions on priorities.

The schedule calls for the Council to complete the budget no later than April 3 for an Annual Town Meeting on Saturday, April 22 at 10:00 AM in the high school Veterans Auditorium, and vote on Tuesday, May 2, 6 AM - 8 PM in the two fire houses.

We are also scurrying around on grants and capital projects. The warm weather has allowed work on softball field #1 to resume, and we just got the State's authorization to put softball field #2 out to bid. (We are still waiting on the State for the other Miller Richardson project.)

For detailed information about Town projects, see the bi-monthly Town Manager's Project Update memo on the Town website. Some key highlights:

• The Library renovation project is moving full steam ahead after staffing and supply chain delays. March will be very busy and the Library will be relocating their services to Mill Brook Place during March to avoid construction conflicts (see the Library section below.)
• CT Water will be working to get the Pilgrim Hills subdivision project started, with water mains first.
• Sewers will be extended from Bolton into Coventry along Rt. 44 with the receipt of a $1.2 million grant, allowing more opportunities for existing/new businesses, and housing. Design work this year.
• The Senior and Affordable Housing Committee will be kicking off to address areas of significant need.
• We welcomed two new business, Scrub Scraps and Woke Breakfast, to Coventry Village and many other businesses which will fill in existing spaces are in the pipeline.
• Many grant applications are in the works, including microgrid, HVAC for CHS, aerial ladder truck, safety/ADA, trails, road and sidewalk improvements, bridge repair/replacement, sewer expansion and more.

Kudos to Town staff: DPW employee Erik Johansen received a promotion to Mechanic 2, Police Officer Robert Dexter was promoted to Sergeant, and our Finance Office received a Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting from GFOA for the 13th year in a row.

Thanks for sharing your love of Coventry during our recent campaign. Responses can be viewed on the Town Manager's Facebook page.

So, a busy month is ahead, but despite the workload we expect great progress.

COMING EVENTS: 

Weds 3/1: 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.

Fri 3/3 & 3/17: BINGO Night, first and third Fridays of the month, doors open at 5 PM, BINGO starts at 6 PM. First Congregational Church, 1171 Main Street. Presented by the American Legion Post 52. 50¢ entry fee, must be 18 or older to play. Raffles, prizes and refreshments available. Email for info. 

Fri 3/3: 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. Mask optional sign in/waiver required. Music by the Wild Notes. Dances called by Don Heinold. Info, contact Dennis: knowdj@frontier.com. Website.

Sun 3/5: Coventry Winter Farmers' Market, 10 AM - 12:30 PM, Coventry High School, 78 Ripley Hill Road. Over 30 vendors featuring everything from locally-grown produce, freshly-baked goods, and hand-crafted items. Website. 

Tues 3/7, Sat 3/11: 50% off Sale - games, puzzles, toys, CDs and DVDs, 9 AM - 11 AM Tues, 9 AM - 1 PM Sat, Noah's Closet, 1746 Boston Turnpike. Children's clothing (newborn to size 10), coats, toys, puzzles, and games. Donations of children's clothing is welcome on Tuesdays 9-11 AM and Saturdays 9 AM-1 PM. Call Saturday for more information, 860-742-1616. Website.

Sat 3/11: Corned Beef & Cabbage Family Dinner, 5-6:30 PM, St. Mary Church Hall, 1600 Main Street. Join St. Jude Council for corned beef & cabbage, Red Bliss potatoes, carrots, bread and better, dessert, and coffee, tea, hot chocolate, or lemonade. $20. Tickets sold at the door. Take-out available. Reservations not required. More info: Rick Parr, rick.parr@hotmail.com or 860-742-9818 (before 3/11) or Dan Garafola at dgarafola.smpc@live.com. 

Sun 3/12: Coventry Winter Farmers' Market, 10 AM - 12:30 PM, Coventry High School, 78 Ripley Hill Road. Over 30 vendors featuring everything from locally-grown produce, freshly-baked goods, and hand-crafted items. Website.

Weds 3/15: 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 3/16: "A Walk Down Caprilands Memory Lane" - Coventry Historical Society's Stew & Story, 6:30 PM, Second Congregational Church Community House, 1746 Boston Turnpike. Join the CHS for this annual program, which will feature a variety of homemade soups and stews, appetizers, breads, desserts, and drinks. Some of the recipes will come from their collection of Adelma Grenier Simmons' Caprilands books. Enjoy conversations among former employees about what it was like to work at Caprilands Herb Farm during the golden years of that remarkable place. $5 for members, $15 non-members payable at the door. Registration required, RSVP with number attending by email or 860-712-4278. More info on Facebook.

Sat 3/18: Corned Beef & Cabbage Drive Thru/Take-out Dinner, Second Congregational Church of Coventry, 1746 Boston Turnpike. Menu: corned beef and cabbage, potatoes, carrots, and dessert. $16 adults, $9 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 3/19: Coventry Winter Farmers' Market, 10 AM - 12:30 PM, Coventry High School, 78 Ripley Hill Road. Over 30 vendors featuring everything from locally-grown produce, freshly-baked goods, and hand-crafted items LAST WINTER MARKET OF THE SEASON. STOCK UP ON YOUR FAVORITES UNTIL THE SUMMER MARKET BEGINS IN JUNE!. Website.

Tues 3/21 & Sat 3/25: 50% off winter clothing, 9 AM - 11 AM Tues, 9 AM - 1 PM Sat, Noah's Closet, 1746 Boston Turnpike. Children's clothing (newborn to size 10), coats, toys, puzzles, and games. Donations of children's clothing is welcome on Tuesdays 9-11 AM and Saturdays 9 AM-1 PM. Call Saturday for more information, 860-742-1616. Website.

Weds 3/29: 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 3/29: Council Chair's office hours, 5-6 PM, Town Hall Conference Room B, 1712 Main Street. Ask questions and share feedback with Town Council Chairwoman Lisa Thomas during this monthly session. 

Weds 3/29: National Vietnam War Veterans Day Ceremony, 5 - 5:30 PM, Veterans Memorial Green, 172 Lake Street. Join a ceremony to honor and remember our Vietnam War veterans at the CT Vietnam Memorial Monument. Guest speaker: Commissioner Thomas Saadi, CT Dept. of Veterans Affairs. Pay-as-you go refreshments immediately following at Lakeview Restaurant. If attending at the restaurant, please RSVP to Jamie by Monday, March 27 to secure appropriate seating. Email: VietnamWarVeteransDay@gmail.com, or call 860-985-2064. 

Fri 3/31: Drive-through Food Distribution, 10-11 AM, Coventry Town Hall, front driveway. For residents in need of food. Proof of residency required. Contact Human Services Department for more information, (860) 742-5324.

PROJECT GRADUATION SEEKING DONATIONS:

Coventry Project Graduation is a fun and safe event for our graduating seniors.  The goal is to provide an exciting, fast-paced, all-night party that is free of alcohol and drugs, where students can celebrate their achievement in a truly safe environment.  Additionally, this is an all-night event that keeps our students off the roads on an evening that traditionally has a higher risk of motor vehicle accidents.  

All expenses are covered by Coventry Project Graduation volunteer fundraIsing and community donations, and your generous support is appreciated!  Please mail checks payable to "Coventry Project Graduation", 78 Ripley Hill Rd, Coventry CT 06238. Donations also accepted through Venmo: @CHSProjectGraduationCT, and GoFundMe: “Coventry Project Graduation - Class of 2023”.  Contact Denise Twerdy at denni515@charter.net with questions.

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.
 
March Recycling Focus – Plastic (part #4): Cups, plates, bowls, utensils, bags, packaging from food delivery services, and other compostable or biodegradable plastic are NOT recyclable in Connecticut. Consider composting them with other organic materials. Otherwise, place these items 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.

NEWS FROM THE BOOTH & DIMOCK MEMORIAL LIBRARY:

The Booth & Dimock Memorial Library is moving to Mill Brook Place! The library will be closed March 2-7 while we move down the street to Mill Brook Place, 1267 Main Street (located in the stone building across the street from The Bidwell Tavern). The Library will be open March 8 - March 31 at Mill Brook Place Wednesday 10-3, Thursday 10-3, and Friday 1-6. We are offering a small selection of browsing materials, programs for all ages, full inter-library loan services, reference services, and general library assistance. Wi-fi will be available, but we will not be able to offer public computers, copying, faxing, or printing. Additionally, book returns can only be made at Mill Brook Place during our open hours, and not during construction times (8 AM - 3 PM) at the Library. Don't worry, there are no late fees.

Check out our March Programming Schedule! 
All programs happening at Mill Brook Place!

• March 9 at 11am - Sing, Stomp, & Story! Pre-School aged children and caregivers are invited to join Miss Christa for a monthly themed music and movement program.
• March 10 at 4pm - Friday Crafternoon! This all age program will be offered weekly on Fridays at 4pm. Join us for the first installment as we make Donut Magnets. 
• March 15 at 11am - Paws and Pages Story Time. Join us for a special story time program with the CT human Society. Sign up is required and can done by calling or visiting the library. 
• March 17 at 4pm - Friday Crafternoon, Fabric Collage
• March 23 at 11am - Book Banter! Adults are welcome to come and chat about what you've been reading. This may be the start of a new book club!
• March 24 at 4pm - Friday Crafternoon, Bird Feeders
• March 31 at 4pm - Friday Crafternoon, Sun Catchers 

Keep an eye out for more programs or take & make activities!

Booth & Dimock Memorial Library
Mailing Address: 1134 Main Street
March Physical Location: Mill Brook Place 1267 Main Street
Phone: 860-742-7606
Email: bdlibrary@coventryct.org
Website: www.coventrypl.org
Facebook @BDLibrary

COVER PHOTO:

Pedestrian safety improvements along South Street from the rotary to the Nathan Hale Homestead are complete and should look great this spring. Photo by Laura Stone.

To list your non-profit organization's event in this bulletin, contact Laura Stone by email by the 15th of the previous month.