School Construction Bond Refinancing; Sewer Funding Authorization Approved at Council Meeting

On Monday night, the Town Council authorized the town to take the necessary measures to secure $550,912 in funding through the Interceptor Bond Fund Grants and/or Rhode Island Clean Water Finance Agency. The funds would be used as Coventry's matching share of a grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration in the amount of $2,170,811 for the extension of a sanitary sewer from the Community Center to Industrial Drive.

Council members are considering several options for securing the money, including working with a local company that is looking to do a significant build-out in town.

"We have to do our damndest to come up with the $500,000," said Councilman Kerry McGee. "We need to be creative in getting that money because it is going to be a major boost to our economy."

Bond Refinancing

The refinancing of two of the three outstanding school construction bonds that the town currently holds was approved by the Council. The bonds were issued in 2001 and 2002 and refinancing them will save the town $1 million over six years.

Mailing Equipment Agreement

The Council authorized a 60-month agreement with the Pitney Bowes company for rental of mailing equipment that allows the town to pay postage on a pro-rated basis. 

"We've had a successful five-year experience with this company and now have the opportunity to do five more at a reduced cost with better machine," explained Town Manager Tom Hoover.

Licenses Approved by Council

• Application by Kyle Losek for a fireworks permit on September 4; rain date September 10.
• Application by Cozy Grille Family Restaurant, 473 Tiogue Ave., for outside live show entertainment. (Passed with the agreement that only solo or duo acoustic acts without speakers can perform on the back deck of the building no later than 10 p.m.)
• Application by Maniben LLC (Subway #42061, 2405 Nooseneck Hill Rd.) for a new victualling license. (Pending Board of Health inspection certificate.)
• Application for the transfer of a Class B limited license (beer and wine) from C&S Corp. (Gentleman Farmer Restaurant, 2405 Nooseneck Hill Rd.) to the original Gentleman Farmer Restaurant, Inc., Edwin O'Grodnik. (Pending Department of Health inspection, alcohol training and food management certificate.)
• Application by Bruce Capwell for renewal of Private Detective license.
• Application by Butler Construction, 182 South Shore Ave., Warwick, for a new Sewer Contractor License.

9/11 Remembrance National Moment

The Council gave approval for the Town of Coventry to join the National Moment of Remembrance of the tenth anniversary of September 11th. 

During the Moment at 1 p.m. EST, firefighters, police, churches and other institutions are asked to sound sirens and ring bells for one minute as residents remember the lives lost on that day and the perseverance of the American spirit.

The next Town Council meeting will be held on Monday., September 12 at 7 p.m.