Town Manager's Message:

Welcome to April! Please keep in mind that this is the month of our Annual Town Meeting, scheduled for Saturday, April 22nd at 10 AM in the CHS Veterans Auditorium, 78 Ripley Hill Road. Save the date for the annual budget vote on Tuesday, May 2nd at the firehouses. Polls open 6 AM - 8 PM. As of this writing, the Town Council is still reviewing the proposed budget, but information is available now (and will be updated) on the budget page of the Town website. 

If you are interested in the progress of Town projects, please see the bi-monthly Town Manager's project update memo in the Archives section of the Town website. Some key highlights include:

• Softball field #2 is out to bid, with work resuming at softball field #1 soon.
• Miller Richardson: The State bond agreement is almost finalized, so work on selected projects will start this summer.
• CT Water is starting water line replacement in the Pilgrim Hills subdivision.

A special event is being held to recognize Coventry's Vietnam War Veterans on Monday, April 24th at 5 PM in CHS Veterans Auditorium. The event is hosted by Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz and Commissioner of Veterans Affairs Thomas Saadi. Invitations are going out to Vietnam War veterans who have filed DD214 forms with the Town Clerk's office. If you are a Vietnam War veteran and have not filed, please contact the Town Clerk's office for documentation and to receive an invitation. Call 860-742-7966 or email Lori Tollmann, Town Clerk. RSVPs are requested by April 10th. 

As you are aware, the Library was serving you remotely at Mill Brook Place (1267 Main Street) in March during a key phase of construction. We have decided to continue this through April to have safer conditions for the public, and faster work by the contractor. Significant progress is being made. Check the Library's website or Facebook page for updates.

COMING EVENTS: 

Sat 4/1: Breakfast & pictures with the Easter Bunny, 8-11:30 AM, CHS old gym, 78 Ripley Hill Road. Pancakes, sausage, juice, milk, hot cocoa & coffee. Adults & children over age 10: $10. Children 2-9 & seniors: $5. Children under 2: free. Purchase raffle tickets for prizes. Proceeds support CHS Project Graduation & Coventry Youth Services. Info: Carrie Houk, email chouk189@charter.net. 

Sat 4/1: Comedy Night Fundraiser, 7 PM, Lakeview Restaurant, 50 Lake St. $40. Featured comedian: Doug Key. Doors open at 6:30 PM, buffet dinner at 7, comedy starts at 8. All proceeds go to community projects supported by the Coventry Lions Club. Deadline for ticket sales is March 30. For tickets or information, visit the Lions Club website, Facebook page, or contact any Lions Club member.

Fri 4/7 & 4/21: 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 4/7: 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 French Connection Band. Dances called by Sandy LaFleur. Info, contact Dennis: knowdj@frontier.com. Website.

Weds 4/12: 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 4/15: Pot Roast Drive Thru/Take-out Dinner, Second Congregational Church of Coventry, 1746 Boston Turnpike. Menu: pot roast, mashed potatoes, carrots, gravy, bread, and dessert. $15 adults, $7 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.

Fri 4/21: AARP Safe Driving Class, 9 AM - 1 PM, Coventry Senior Center, 172 Lake Street. $20 AARP members, $25 non-members. After completing the course you will receive a certificate of completion that can be presented to your insurance agent for a possible reduction in your auto insurance premiums. Sign-up is required. Call 860-742-3525. 

Mon 4/24: Coventry Vietnam War Veterans Award Ceremony, 5 PM, CHS Veterans Auditorium, 78 Ripley Hill Road. A ceremony to recognize Vietnam War-era veterans with Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz and Commissioner of Veterans Affairs Thomas Saadi. RSVP by Monday, April 10th to the Coventry Town Clerk's Office. Call 860-742-7966 or email ltollmann@coventryct.org. Transportation available if needed. Veterans please note: invitations were mailed for this event. If you did not receive one, it may be that the Town does not have your DD214 on file. Please stop by the Town Clerk's office to get this documentation and register for the event. Event flyer

Weds 4/26: 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 4/26: Council Chair's office hours, 5-6:30 PM, Booth & Dimock Memorial Library, 1134 Main Street. Ask questions and share feedback with Town Council Chairwoman Lisa Thomas during this monthly session. 

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.
 
April's Recycling Focus – Batteries: Car batteries can be returned to local battery retailers. Lithium ion and rechargeable batteries can be recycled through the Call2Recycle (1-877-273-2925) or www.call2recycle.org/locator, or local stores such as Staples and Home Depot. Batteries are also accepted at the Coventry Transfer Station at 100 Olsen Farm Road during normal operating hours.

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.

NOAH'S CLOSET SEEKING DONATIONS:

Noah's Closet, a children's re-sale shop, is in need of gently used, clean children's spring clothes (newborn to size 10), toy, and baby equipment donations. Drop off donations Tuesdays from 9 to 11 a.m. or Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 1746 Boston Turnpike in Coventry. Call Saturday for information, 860-742-1616.

EARTH DAY EVENTS: TOWNS OF BOLTON, COVENTRY, AND MANSFIELD

Connecticut’s Countryside towns will be hosting its first series of Earth Day events on April 22, 2023. Three member towns are hosting family oriented events in their respective communities. Come join the fun and visit each town for its Earth Day events as well as its restaurants, shops, and outdoor recreation. Events include:

• Bolton: Bike Run to Fish Family Farm, Fairy Box building at Freja Park.  Website. 
• Coventry: Creaser Park, Case Road - 11am to 2pm – Guided nature hike, Master Gardner seed planting activity, Adopt a Road sign-ups (safety vest and equipment give away), off-site roadside cleanup on Daly Road, tree dedication ceremony and tree talk with Town Tree Warden.  Website.
• Mansfield: Mansfield Community Center – 12 pm to 2 pm - Parking lot Picassos and Family Fun event at the Mansfield Community Center. Website.

Connecticut’s Countryside is a regional economic vitality initiative comprised of the towns of Bolton, Coventry, Mansfield, and Tolland. Connecticut’s Countryside’s goal is to help strengthen and promote the region’s economy through business retention and tourism expansion. To accomplish our goals, a plan was created in 2019 and focuses on the following themes: agriculture, culture & entertainment, higher education, outdoor recreation, small business & entrepreneurship, and visibility & marketing. A link to the plan can be found here. 

COVER PHOTO:

Coventry Village in the 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.