Town Council Chair Report 4/20/2026
There are several important events this week so mark your calendars!
This Thursday night (April 23) the Charter Review Commission will hold a second public hearing on the Town Charter. The purpose of the hearing will be for the Commission to present their recommended revisions and hear feedback from the community. The meeting is at 7:00 p.m. in Veterans Auditorium at Coventry High School. The Commission’s recommendations are on the Town web site on the Charter Review Commission page. This is just the start of the process of reviewing the recommended changes. There will be additional discussions and opportunity for comment before finalized revisions are put forward for a vote on the November ballot.
This Saturday (April 25) is the Annual Town Meeting when the Town Council adopted budget will be presented by the Town Manager and the Superintendent of Schools. Their presentation will be followed by an opportunity for voters to ask questions about the proposed budget.The meeting takes place in Veterans Auditorium at the high school at 10 a.m. Many thanks to the high school for accommodating both the Thursday and Saturday meetings.
April is National Poetry Month and the Coventry Arts Guild has selected John L. Stanizzi as its first Poet Laureate. The Guild is hosting a Poet Laureate Celebration this Saturday from 1:00PM to 2:30 PM at the Booth and Dimock Memorial Library, in the Stave Family Community Room. Later on our agenda the Council will vote on issuing a proclamation in recognition of National Poetry Month and Mr. Stanizzi.
This Saturday is also opening day for Coventry Little League, which includes both the baseball and softball teams. Rain date is May 2. Opening ceremony is at 11:30 and festivities will continue until 2:00 p.m.
Attached to tonight’s agenda under correspondence is a set of emails between myself and resident Linda Blakesley. She asked about the process for attaching correspondence to the agenda. I want to share my response to her so that all residents have the information. I explained to Ms. Blakesley that the audience@coventry-ct.gov email on each agenda is for those who wish to submit their comments in lieu of attending audience of citizens in person. That process has a submission deadline. However, constituents often email the entire Council or individual councilors to ask questions or share concerns. I typically, and often, attach those emails as correspondence on the agenda so that all Councilors will see the thoughts expressed. And so that residents can see them as well. At times, other Councilors have shared emails that came to them individually, along with their response. Ms. Blakesley specifically referenced an email from a constituent asking, “Is there a way to attach maybe another version of the Gun Ordinance to our regular elections in the Fall so the entire town could more easily vote?” Ms. Blakesley and several other residents appear to be confused by what happened when Councilor Kyer removed the email from our Consent Agenda and asked that it be sent to Steering. The question was sent to Steering in order to better understand the procedures for putting forth an ordinance and whether that can be done via referendum. We have actually received a few emails asking this and they will be attached to the Steering agenda. So to be perfectly clear, the item on the Steering agenda will be to confirm and clarify the process — in a public forum — for enacting an ordinance, not to consider the specific ordinance that was repealed.
Attached under my Chair Report on the agenda is a response I sent to an inquiry about the former auction house (and before that roller skating rink) next to LakeView Restaurant. Because I have received several questions about this, I am sharing that note. I explain that the purchase of the building by UConn was a private transaction over which the Town has no authority. The University of Connecticut purchased the building and land from the owner over a year ago, as was reported in several news outlets. Prior to this purchase, UConn had been negotiating with the Town to improve the facility they have been renting in Patriots Park as well as to provide several upgrades to the park that would have benefitted the town. Unfortunately, those negotiations did not work out since UConn turned its attention to purchasing the neighboring private property instead. UConn has been an excellent partner in Coventry, providing many valuable community services. In a recent update to the Town Council, the Town Manager wrote: This building is over 100 years old and UConn does intend to tear it down to construct a new boathouse for the UConn Women’s Rowing Team. There has been some internet chatter about the loss of this historic structure. The building is not significant architecturally to the Town. It did house some historic gathering places for our community over the past 120 years. The Town’s codes require the owner wanting to demolish a historic structure must post the demolition notice for 60 days prior to taking it down. During this time, the Historic Society can take photos and prepare a history of the building.
Also attached under my Chair Report on the agenda is a letter signed by CRCOG Executive Director Matt Hart and by me to Gov. Lamont and both the majority and minority leadership in the CT Legislature. Matt, East Windsor First Selectman Jason Bowsza, Manchester Town Administratir Steve Stephanou, East Hartford Mayor Conor Martin and I will be meeting with House Speaker Ritter and House Majority Leader Rojas on Wednesday to discuss the priorities outlined in the letter and to continue our advocacy for increased education funding grants especially.