Town Manager Report for the week ending January 9, 2026
On Tuesday we had a representative from the EPA visit to inspect the progress of our Coventry High School sewer line that is currently under construction with $3.25m of federal EPA funds paying for a majority of the project. We met with our engineer, Fuss and O’Neill, and our contractor, C. Brito, to review the plans, the permits, the materials, the storage facility, the signage, and all of the work that has been completed along Tiogue Ave and the high school property. She was very happy with the progress and provided some insight as to what she will be looking for when she returns at the close of the project sometime in June.
We also had our first Director’s meeting of the year and reviewed some tasks that need to be completed from 2025 along with new goals and benchmarks for 2026. We went over the Council’s request this year to have a discussion regarding each department’s budget prior to the formal budget meeting to get a sense of what each Director is looking to accomplish in this 2026-2027 budget year from increasing staffing, to capital projects, and technology upgrades. These department discussions with Directors will happen at the January 27 Council meeting.
On Wednesday we had a meeting with RIEMA and FEMA representatives to discuss the National Floodplain Insurance Program and particular areas in the Town on that list that we need to be aware of when residents apply for a building permit within an identified flood zone. RIEMA is a great partner and we look forward to working with them to insure we are protecting our residents.
On Wednesday the Town Council had a Special Meeting to interview two more solicitor candidates with the goal of appointing one of the five at this Tuesday’s Council meeting which will be at 500 for Executive Session matters and the regular meeting starting around 600pm. At that meeting Sup. Cowart will also be presenting new contracts for the Teachers and SRP union that have passed the School Committee.
On Thursday we had our monthly call with the Governor’s Office and in particular the Cannabis Control Commission who advised that the application period for new retail licenses closed December 31 and they will now be sent to their respective zones. Coventry is in Zone 3 which includes Foster, West Greenwich, and West Warwick and there are 6 applicants we are told. At this time, we do not know what that breakdown is. The Town will have 45 days to review the applications to insure it follows our new Town ordinance which is scheduled for a public hearing on Tuesday 1/13.