Members of Town, School and State Join to Discuss Upcoming Fiscal Year

During a work session held at on Monday night, the Town Council and School Committee along with state delegates met to discuss topics pertaining to the FY 2012/2013 budget.

Upcoming legislative bills for the Town were considered including a $10 million Capital Bond Referendum that will possibly be divided between making fire code improvements and fixing roofs at Coventry High School and making improvements at the Town Hall Annex to eventually move the Town Hall to the building completely. When acted upon, the current building would allow an extension of the library. If approved by the RI General Assembly, the Town of Coventry would have seven years to use the funds.

A $5 million Energy Bond Referendum was discussed, one that Town Manager Tom Hoover explained is expected to be paid back with energy savings from school and town buildings.

Settlement Bond Limit

Council President Gary Cote described the landfill capping project that is currently being designed by DEM to halt the spreading of pollutants. The project is already authorized to use 5% of the town's General Fund, but another 5% is needed to pay Coventry's portion of capping the landfill. Cote explained that the $6-8 million project will essentially save the Town from the estimated $36 million cost of disposing and hauling away the polluted land.

All Day Kindergarten

The often-approached topic of changing Coventry kindergarten programs from half to full day was a topic of conversation part way through the evening. School Superintendent Mike Convery explained that the change would call for double the classroom space, double the teachers and double the furniture, supplies, etc. The currently vacant Oak Haven Elementary School would need to be re-opened, but not until changes and improvements were made to bring the building up to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards.

"All Day K is a very positive thing," said Convery. "We don't have it because it requires a lot of space and a lot of money. Yes, it would decrease the need for resources as kids get older, however at this time, it really is fiscally prohibitive."

Unfunded Mandates

Town Manager Hoover presented a list of existing mandates that the Director of the Department of Revenue, Rosemary Booth Gallogly, sent to town and city administrators across Rhode Island, asking that they each choose 15 from the 109 in order of priority. (See page 59 in attached PDF file.)

"Anything and everything that can be eliminated should be, or at least come up with a plan that the cities and towns can answer the unfunded mandates," said Representative Glen Shibley. "I hope that's the answer so that we don't have to even contemplate raising taxes."

Independent Pension Funds

Hoover explained that discussions are currently being had with the school department .  A report will be filed with the state by Feb. 15 so that the annual audit can be completed.

"When I said before that I didn't know the SRP plan existed, I meant it," said Cote in reference to the uncertainty of which group (school or town) is responsible for it. "The town doesn't administer that plan nor have we ever. This council has not educated itself on that plan because it was always on the school side."

The message of a close partnership between the Town administration and state legislators was repeatedly mentioned throughout the meeting, and emphasized when Rep. Lisa Tomasso suggested that she and her fellow representatives be used more frequently by the Town. "We can't wait for the state," she said. "If there's something you want relief from, let us know and we'll put a bill in for you. I can't promise it will go anywhere but it will get a hearing."

The next meeting of the Town Council will be held on Monday, Feb. 13 at 7 p.m.