Johnson's Pond Association: No New Fees Coming Next Year

COVENTRY, RI — The Johnson's Pond Civic Association reassured Coventry residents late Monday night, saying major changes are not coming to the pond any time soon. Several days ago, a member of the community wrote a post on Facebook saying the pond and dam had been sold, saying that residents would have to pay to for swimming, docking and the annual Fourth of July fireworks.

In a message posted on the association's website and Facebook page, Ken Goodwin said he spoke with Marc Lemoi, the association's president, about community concerns, as well as conferred with the Quidneck Reservoir Authority and the Coventry Town Manager.

The original post was written by John Assalone, who said that the Quidneck Reservoir Authority entered a private sales agreement for the pond, dam, adjacent land and nearby streams and rivers.

"By this time next year pond residences and the public may have to pay a surcharge for swimming, docking rights, and additional fees for the fireworks show," Assalone wrote. "It is my belief that in years to come the purchase of this property by the town will amount to chump change compared to its long term benefit for the community at large."

The post included an open letter to the town manager denouncing the sale.

Goodwin said that Assalone's "dire tone" worried residents.

"I would like to correct a few items in John's post and provide more background on what I believe can and can’t happen going forward," Goodwin said.

Most importantly, Goodwin said, is that nothing can change until March 31, 2024, when the current lease expires.

"Contrary to John's concerns about fees next year in his post, there can be no fees imposed while the lease is in effect. Section 4, page 4 of the lease assigns all decisions related to fees, admissions, etc. to the sole authority of the Town of Coventry," Goodwin said, adding that the purchase is not final at this time, rather is still in the "due diligence" period, where it will remain until early October.

Goodwin continued that he worked with the buyers at the time of the purchase urging them not to fee residents directly and instead work out a lease with the Town of Coventry directly.

"At that time, [the buyers] indicated their understanding and commitment to proceed as I described," he said. "During that conversation, I indicated that they would face significant adversarial resistance by me and others if they did not follow a reasonable path of management and ownership."

Goodwin went on to say that he is "profoundly disappointed in the approach and rhetoric that the new owners have espoused," saying that the rumors about major changes such as fees came directly from one of the buyers.

"I am now one of their adversaries," he said, adding that a similar situation in the 1980s was resolved after all parties agreed to cooperate. "Today, we have even more tools in hand to influence and motivate the new owners toward reasonableness."

For now, residents can rest easy knowing that no changes can be made for several years. In the meantime, Goodwin said he hopes the people of Coventry can "force a reasonable and stable relationship with the new owners."