TOWN MANAGER'S MESSAGE:

Spring is here!  The weather is warmer, flowers are starting to bloom, and it’s time again to go outside!   I encourage everyone to spend time on the Hop River Trail and our other trails, the Thornton Brook Preserve and elsewhere in our parks.  However, we may still have a few cool days or those rainy days ahead, and so then I would say make a trip to the Booth & Dimock Library.  Find a cozy corner and read a book.  Or, perhaps while at the library you could check into your family’s history and ancestry online with the help of Ancestry.com, which for those that don’t know, is a well-known computer application which is available to the public.  If you wish to combine exercise and community service, you can join us on April 20^th and 21^st, for the Town spring clean-up, “Rid Litter Day.”  See below for more information on how to get involved.  Maybe this spring you would rather stay home and clean out that garage or shed?  Remember if you are thinking about spring cleanup at home, you can use the Town’s transfer station to dump those unwanted items, including tires, old electronics, and paint.  Spring is a great time to get out and start new projects.

Town staff is planning and preparing for a spring-summer season of construction with new drainage projects in the Pilgrim Hills subdivision.  a bridge replacement over Hop River and more road resurfacing work throughout the Town.  Additionally, the Town is preparing for another season of treating Coventry Lake to eradicate the hydrilla that has taken root over the few years.  This invasive plant, if not kept under control, will damage the quality of the lake water and potentially be detrimental to fish, birds and other wildlife that depend on the lake. It could also negatively impact the recreational use of the lake.  Those visiting Lisicke Beach will see construction of a new retaining wall and repair to the old steps leading to the beach, making it easier and safer to access the cool waters of the lake on that hot summer day.  There are many other projects in design or being planned that you will hear about in the months ahead.

This month at Town Hall, the Town Council has completed the department budget presentations. They are preparing their final adjustments to the Town and Board of Education budgets. This month, we will be preparing to take our Town Council adopted budget to the Town Meeting for consideration. The Town Meeting is unique to traditional New England towns.  Instead of representative democracy which is used throughout the nation and is today often used in Connecticut, it is direct democracy where every Town registered voter or a non-resident in-town property owner, can vote. At this meeting everyone is invited to attend to see my presentation of the Town Budget and the Board of Education budget by School Superintendent David Petrone. The Town Meeting is scheduled for April 27, 2024, at 10:00 AM at the Coventry High School Veterans Auditorium. Votes may be taken at the Town Meeting, but historically, the community will be able to vote on the Town Council’s budget.  This year the vote will take place on May 7^th at the CVFA Fire House (across from Town Hall).  I hope everyone comes out to participate and that everyone that’s eligible comes out to vote.  

I hope to see you all around Town. Perhaps at the town Meeting or perhaps on a Sunday walk on the Hop River Trail. Should you wish to contact me, please email jdrumm@coventry-ct.gov or call the office at 860-742-6324. Frequent updates are also posted to the Town Manager’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/CoventryCTTownManager.

Sincerely,

James Drumm

COMING EVENTS:

Tues 4/2: Presidential Preference Primary, 6 AM - 8 PM, South Fire Station, 1755 Main Street. BOTH DISTRICTS 1 AND 2 will vote at the Fire House (located across the street from Captain Nathan Hale Middle School).  See below for information about early voting, or visit the Registrar of Voters webpage.

Tues 4/2-4/30: T.O.P.S. - TAKE OFF POUNDS SENSIBLY, 5:15-6:45 PM, Second Congregational Church, 1746 Boston Turnpike (Rt. 44).  A non-profit weight loss support group. See website or call 860-944-4945 for info concerning weekly dues (determined by each chapter) and yearly membership fee set by the TOPS organization.

Fri 4/5 & 4/19: 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 4/5: Quiet Corner Contra Dance, 7:30-10:30 PM, Patriots Park Lodge, 172 Lake Street. Newcomer workshop at 7:15.  Adults $13, Students $6. Partner not necessary. Live music by the First Time String Band and caller Jen Jasenski, all dances taught. Bring water, wear soft-soled shoes, and dress in layers. For more information contact Dennis: knowdj@frontier.com. or see website.

Weds 4/10: 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 4/12: Famous Baked Fish Dinner, 6 PM, 1171 Main Street. Presented by First Congregational Church & American Legion Post 52. Featuring baked cod, baked potato, coleslaw, Italian bread & drink. $15 per plate. Take-out available. Info: 860-742-8487 or email firstchurchcoventryct@gmail.com. 

Thurs 4/18: Coventry's Congregational Churches and its Splits, 7 PM, Second Congregational Church, 1746 Boston Turnpike (Rt. 44). The Puritan settlers of Coventry worshipped together in the Village. In time, there were two Congregational Churches, and then three, fluctuating between two and three over the years. Join the Coventry Historical Society for a free talk about our town's entwined early history with its Congregational Churches. More information on CHS Facebook page.

Sat 4/20 & Sun 4/21: Rid Litter Weekend. Coinciding with annual Earth Day celebrations, the Conservation Commission is encouraging residents to do roadside cleanups along their properties and neighborhoods. This is a great opportunity for civic groups and neighborhood organizations to organize cleanup crews. The spring season is a perfect time to remove some of the trash and litter that has accumulated on our streets and properties over the long winter season. The Commission will provide free garbage bags that can be picked up at the Land Use office at Town Hall. More info: 850-742-4062.

Sat 4/20: Drive-thru/take-out Dinner, Second Congregational Church of Coventry, 1746 Boston Turnpike. Roast pork, potatoes, carrots, bread, and dessert. $15. Place orders by calling 860-742-1616 or email and indicate pick up time of 5, 5:30 or 6 PM. Correct amount of cash or check is required. Drive down from church parking lot to the Community House located across from Highland Park.

Tues 4/23: 50% Off Spring Clothing (newborn to size 10), 9-11 AM, Noah's Closet, 1746 Boston Turnpike. Also on Saturday 4/27 from 9 AM - 1 PM. Noah's Closet is a children's second-hand resale shop, offering clothing, toys, books games, puzzles, DVDs, CDs and furniture. Donations of clean gently-used items for children are welcome on Tuesday & Saturday mornings.  Call for info 860-742-1616 on Saturday mornings. Website. 

Weds 4/24: 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 4/24: Office Hours with Town Council Chairwoman Lisa Thomas, 5:30-7:00 PM, Booth & Dimock Memorial Library, 1134 Main Street. Share a concern or ask questions at this monthly meeting. 

Sat 4/27: Family Kids' Walk, 10 AM - Noon, Coventry High School, 78 Ripley Hill Road. Sponsored by the American Legion District #4 in support of Connecticut Children's Medical Center. Donations encouraged - the goal is to raise $5,000. 100% of proceeds go directly to CCMC. Rain date: 4/28/24. For information contact Commander Frank Poirier, 860-929-9244 or email frank.poirier@outlook.com.  

Sun 4/28: Piano concert featuring Jason J. Castonguay, 3 PM, Second Congregational Church, 1746 Boston Turnpike. Jason, blind at birth, began studying classical piano at the age of 4. He has performed with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra and the New Britain Symphony Orchestra. In addition to the piano, Jason plays the harp and sings. He is truly a gifted musician. For more information on this free concert, call the Second Congregational Church office at 860-742-1616, open Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Or visit the church website: secondchurchcoventryucc.org The church is wheelchair accessible and open to everyone. 

BOOTH & DIMOCK MEMORIAL LIBRARY:

Library Mini Golf is returning to the newly renovated Booth & Dimock Memorial Library! Come play mini golf inside the library on Sunday April 7 from 10:00-4:00. The suggested donation is $5 per family, and includes 18 holes of mini golf, a slice of pizza, and a soft drink for each person. We'd like to thank Eversource for sponsoring this event, Wicked Slice Pizza for providing pizza, and Highland Park Market for providing soft drinks. 

For more information, visit www.coventrypl.org/minigolf2024 

The Booth & Dimock Memorial Library is open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 10:00-8:00, Friday from 10:00-6:00, and Saturday from 10:00-3:00. The Library offers an extensive collection of reading materials, one-on-one technology assistance, printing, copying, and faxing services, public computers and free wi-fi, reference assistance, and more!  

Please note that the library has a new email address! bdlibrary@coventry-ct.gov  

For the most up to date information on all of the wonderful programs offer at the Library, please visit www.coventrypl.org/events or www.facebook.com/BDLibrary.  

Booth & Dimock Memorial Library
1134 Main Street
Coventry, CT 06238
860-742-7606
www.coventrypl.org

bdlibrary@coventry-ct.gov 

DETOUR FOR HOP RIVER BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION PROJECT TO BEGIN:

Motorists are advised that the required project detour of Hop River Road is on schedule to begin on April 1, 2024, allowing for the eventual opening of the bridge to vehicular traffic by the end of the 2024 construction season (December). The detour is extensive and will utilize Route 6, Pucker Street, South Street and Bunker Hill Road.  

Detour map

COVER PHOTO:

Coventry Village in April. 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.