Police Vehicle Purchase Approved by Council

At Monday night's meeting, Town Council members authorized the purchase of two detective/administrative vehicles and three patrol vehicles for the at a total general fund cost not to exceed $60,000.

Police Chief Bryan Volpe explained that funds from Byrne grants were pooled over several years to allow for only about $58,000 of the $114,600 total cost to be taken from the department's general fund.

"We're looking for about $60,000 in general funds to purchase and outfit the cars to get them up and running," said Volpe.

A bid invitation is currently out to see if the department can obtain the vehicles at a lower cost.

Senate Bill 2171

The Council approved a resolution to request that the Rhode Island General Assembly approve Senate Bill 2171, with amendments. The bill would allow mobile homes to be counted towards a town's state-mandated 10% low-to-moderate-income housing.

Coventry is currently at 5.29%.

"I think the reason why mobile homes haven't been counted in the past is because most of them weren't expected to last a long time, and now they are built better and last considerably longer," said Planning Director Paul Sprague.

"I would hope that the bill addresses what is needed so that we can meet the 10 percent that the state has required," said Town Manager Thomas Hoover.

The next Town Council meeting will be held on May 8 at 7 p.m.