Town Manager's Message:

A summer of change is upon us. As you probably have heard, I will be heading toward retirement with my last day in the office as an employee at the end of June. We also are searching for a new Finance Director, with Amanda Backhaus taking a similar position in neighboring Mansfield. Both of us are committed to assisting in the transition. The Town Council is handing the Town Manager's recruitment, and they are working with a consultant to screen appropriate candidates.

The new fiscal year will bring a new budget. We thank you for approving it. New COVRRA (trash) rates have been set for home pickup and the Transfer Station. The trash crisis is causing significant increases, and recycling disposal no longer generates income and costs almost as much as trash to process. Watch for the bills and rate information in the next several weeks. We continue to look at ways to reduce our tonnage (therefore cost) and are targeting food waste next.

Change also includes grant-funded improvements to the intersections of Rt. 44/Swamp, and South Street near the Homestead. We hope to get the first phase of the high school HVAC project out to bid in June. The Library will be close to being fully open by the end of June. The first softball field is waiting for grass to grow, and the second field is underway. On top of this, the summer road work is out of the gate at a full pace. For more information, please see the bimonthly Manager's project memo here.

Watch for news about election changes, too. For the November election, both districts will vote at the high school.

June is witness to another class graduating from high school. Congratulations to them. Change is part of our community's life.

COMING EVENTS: 

Sun 5/28: Memorial Sunday Services:  American Legion Post #52 Color Guard, Firing Squad, and Scout Troop 65 will render honors at St. Mary's Cemetery across from Miller Richardson Field starting at 2 PM; then proceed to New Coventry Cemetery at 2:30 PM; the Center Cemetery on Rt. 44 at 3 PM; then the North Coventry Cemetery on Grant Hill Road; the Silver Street Cemetery; the Wrights Mill Cemetery on South Street, and conclude at the Nathan Hale Cemetery on Lake Street. Email Manny Rodrigues for info.

Mon 5/29: Memorial Day Parade, 10 AM. Kicks off at Memorial Green on Lake Street with a ceremony and travels to Main Street, south to Bradbury Lane. Military flyover scheduled. Enjoy breakfast by the Lions Club prior to the parade at First Church, 1171 Main Street, from 7-10 AM. Sausage, pancakes, and eggs. $8 per person or $15 per family. Children under 5 are free. All proceeds go to benefit the Coventry Lions service projects.

Fri 6/2 & 6/16: 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 6/2: 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. Mask optional sign in/waiver required. Music by Wry Bread. Dances called by Steve Holland. Info, contact Dennis: knowdj@frontier.com. Website.

Sun 6/4: Coventry Farmers' Market, 10 AM - 1 PM, Nathan Hale Homestead, 2299 South Street. Opening day for the 20th anniversary season! Ribbon-cutting ceremony for new sidewalk and opening day celebration at 11 AM. Continuing the tradition of being one of the largest farmers’ markets in Connecticut, featuring some of the best of CT-grown, CT-made products around at one of the most unspoiled countryside settings in the state. Website.

Sun 6/4: Pet CPR  First Aid, 10 AM - 12:30 PM, or 1:30-4 PM, Coventry Fire & EMS Department Station 118, 1755 Main Street. $55 per person includes handbook, certificate, and emergency muzzle. Registering online saves $10 over regular $65 registration fee. Pre-registration required. Info: Tom Rinelli, 631-721-8129.

Weds 6/7: 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 6/9: Famous Baked Fish Dinner, 6 PM, First Congregational Church, 1171 Main Street. Featuring baked cod, baked potato, coleslaw, Italian bread and beverage. $15 per plate, takeout available. Hosted by First Congregational Church & American Legion Post 52. Info: 860-742-8487 or email.

Sat 6/10: Center Cemetery Walk & Talk, 10 AM, Center Cemetery 1405 Boston Turnpike. Join the Coventry Historical Society for a walking tour of the historic Center Cemetery. We will visit the monuments and memorials of Coventry notables such as Harlan Page - Sunday School Teacher, Eleazer Pomroy - Tavern Keeper, Frank Kamplain - Vaudevillian, and many more. Led by Town Historian John Holmy. Rain date 6/11. Email for info.

Sat 6/10: Pulled Pork Drive Thru/Take-out Dinner, Second Congregational Church of Coventry, 1746 Boston Turnpike. Menu: pulled pork on a roll, homemade coleslaw and macaroni salad, and strawberry shortcake, . $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.

Sun 6/11: Coventry Farmers' Market, 10 AM - 1 PM, Nathan Hale Homestead, 2299 South Street. Continuing the tradition of being one of the largest farmers’ markets in Connecticut, featuring some of the best of CT-grown, CT-made products around at one of the most unspoiled countryside settings in the state. Today's theme: Grow Your Garden.  Website.

Sat 6/17: Food Truck Fest, 11 AM - 3 PM, Capt. Nathan Hale Middle School, 1776 Main Street. Sponsored by Coventry CT Cares. 

Sun 6/18: Coventry Farmers' Market, 10 AM - 1 PM, Nathan Hale Homestead, 2299 South Street. Continuing the tradition of being one of the largest farmers’ markets in Connecticut, featuring some of the best of CT-grown, CT-made products around at one of the most unspoiled countryside settings in the state. Today's theme: Father's Day.  Website.

Sun 6/18: Sundae on a Sunday (Father's Day), 1-3 PM, Brick School, corner of Merrow Road and Goose Lane. Join the Coventry Historical Society to celebrate Father's Day at their annual Ice Cream Social. Fathers get a complimentary sundae, $3 donation requested from others. Reservations not required, first come, first served. Rain or shine, unless extreme weather. Email for info.

Weds 6/21: 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 6/24: $10 Stuff-a-Bag Sale, 9 AM - 1 PM, Noah's Closet, 1746 Boston Turnpike. Gently-used children's clothing (newborn to size 10), sandals, swim wear, games, books, DVDs, toys, and baby equipment. After the bag sale, Noah's Closet will close for two weeks and reopen on July 15th. Donations welcome on Tuesdays 9-11 AM and Saturdays 9 AM - 1 PM. Call Saturdays for info, 860-742-1616 or visit our Facebook page. 

Sun 6/25: Coventry Farmers' Market, 10 AM - 1 PM, Nathan Hale Homestead, 2299 South Street. Continuing the tradition of being one of the largest farmers’ markets in Connecticut, featuring some of the best of CT-grown, CT-made products around at one of the most unspoiled countryside settings in the state. Today's theme: Potter's Market.  Website.

Weds 6/28: 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. 

COVENTRY HUMAN SERVICES:

RENTER’S REBATE PROGRAM IS OPEN FROM
APRIL 1-OCTOBER 1, 2023

OFFERED FOR ELDERLY & DISABLED RENTERS
Connecticut’s Elderly Renters’ Rebate Program provides direct, partial reimbursement to lower income elderly or disabled renters to help offset a portion of their rent and utility expenses. The program, administered by Office of Policy and Management, provides for payments ranging from $50-$900 to qualified married persons and $50-$700 to qualifying single persons. The rebate amount is based on a graduated income scale and the amount of rent and utility payments (excluding telephone) made in the calendar year prior to the year in which the renter applies. In order to qualify, married persons must have an annual income not greater than $49,100 and single persons must have an annual income not greater than $40,300. Eligible person may apply between April 1^ST  and October 1^ST  each year and should contact the Coventry Human Services Office (860-742-5324) for questions and to schedule an appointment.  

FOOD BANK NEEDS
The Coventry Human Service Food Bank shelves are in need of restocking for the summer months.  We are in need of the following non-perishable and personal hygiene items: canned fruit, kid snacks/crackers, juice, jelly, peanut butter, pancake mix, syrup, canned chicken/tuna, mac and cheese, coffee, condiments, salad dressing, Chef Boyardee, applesauce, paper towels, dish soap, hand soap, razors, laundry detergent, cleaning supplies and shampoo/conditioner 

COVER PHOTO:

Family fun at the lake. Stock photo.

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