Council Tables Pension Reform Vote; Redistricting Decision

At Monday night's Town Council meeting, Town Manager Thomas Hoover recommended a delay in the council vote for statewide pension reform in the state legislature, despite pending action at the State House as early as this week.

“I have testified on behalf of state pension reform, but have also urged the legislature to cover independent pension and retirement systems,” he said. “We have four pension systems in Coventry.”

“We need to send a message about supporting immediate pension reform,” urged Councilman Ray Spear. But after a brief discussion, the matter was tabled pending action and changes by the legislature.

“What they decide on might not be in our best interest at this time and might hurt us,” said Hoover.

Redistricting Presentation

Kimball Brace of Election Data Services, Inc. informed the council the town must comply with federal and state laws to equalize district boundaries for voters.

“The population was determined to be 35,014 from the 2010 census canvas,” he said. “Ideally, each district should then have 7,003 voters each, but that can be off by a small percent. That is to ensure the town is in compliance with federal and state law.”

Brace said the population shifted most in District 3 (+ 14 percent, or over 1,000) while District 5 is ‘underpopulated’ by eight percent. Members of the committee expressed reluctance to make suggestions or provide too much input on reformulating districts based on political bias. So they voted to table the measure.

“We would like you to continue to work on this,” said Cote. “Speaking for myself, I am not just working for district voters, but for every citizen in the town of Coventry so I do not care how the boundaries are changed.”

Licenses, Contracts and Grants

• The Council affirmed the award of a $101,920 contract to Crossman Engineering for final design plans, documents and construction monitoring services for drainage and infrastructure projects in the vicinity of Johnson’s Boulevard, Franklin Road, Maple Valley Road, Hammet Road and Industrial Drive under the Federal Emergency Management Agency Flood Hazard Mitigation Program.

• After a brief discussion, the transfer of a Class B liquor license from Strikers Bar & Grill, Inc., 17 Sandy Bottom Road to Black Stallion LLC, was approved. The new victualling license provides for live show entertainment, dancing and pool table licenses.

“I am concerned with the noise problem made in the past by the previous owner,” said Police Chief Bryan Volpe. “I would like to see that the windows and doors are closed whenever the noise gets loud.” Owner Barbara Giroux agreed to comply with that request and the council approved the license with that request as an addendum.

• The private detective license for Robert Conover, 2747 Flat River Road, was renewed by the council.

Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month

A proclamation issued by the Town Council designated the month of November as “Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month”. Steve Cayouette appeared on behalf of his sister, Karen Petty, who died of pancreatic cancer in 2010. “It is the fourth leading cause of death by cancer”, he said. “There is a 6 percent survival rate after five years.”

Fourth of July Fireworks Presentation

Rene Gaudet, President of the Johnson’s Pond Civic Association, made a plea to restore funds formerly donated to the group by the Town Council for police and fire safety details during their popular annual Fireworks Display. “I would like to reinstate the aid and support we received three years ago. It has been difficult to raise the funds.”

“We eliminated donations of a total of $100,000 for other groups then,” recalled Gary Cote. “This might open the door to everyone else.”

“The fireworks are a family-friendly event,” Cote went on to say. The Council then voted to make a determination at a future date for this request and possibly others.

Public Comment

Coventry resident David Florio expressed concern about School Committee member Lianne Russell, who he says has been living and working out of state.

“She has been working as campaign manager for Robert Gonsalves in Galveston, Texas,” he said. “Is it right that she has not been showing up, not voting and not living in town?”

School committee Chair Katherine Patenaude and Vice-Chair Nancy Spengelmeyer emphasized the fact that the Committee has addressed the issue with the member.

“Lianne Russell is indeed working as a campaign manger for Robert Gonsalves in Galveston, Texas. Her father lives there and she has been caring for him while he has been ill," said Patenaude.

"We talked to the Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent about this and asked whether she should resign. Her main residence is in Coventry. And we  like to have her input, but she should make a decision on whether or not she can represent her constituency going back and forth," continued Patenaude.

“There is nothing we can do about it,” said Cote on behalf of the Town Council.

"We have absolutely no authority to do anything about this," said Sprengelmeyer."

Patenaude explained that there can be a recall vote, however the estimated cost is at least $6,000.

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