Town Council Appoints Assistant Town Solictor; Approves Service Contracts

On Monday evening, the Council confirmed the appointment of Veronica Assalone, Esq. to the position of Assistant Town Solicitor for the Town of Coventry.

Assalone has been practicing law since 1997 at her law firm Assalone & Associates as well as Lawyers for Justice, LLC, a non-profit entity that provides legal assistance for people in need. She is replacing Chris Pucino who resigned from the position in September to attend the FBI Academy.

Service Contracts

• The Council approved a contract with Election Data Services, Inc. for the purpose of assisting the in the redistricting of Coventry Town Council districts. Board Chairperson Dottie Berube explained that the company will get the job done faster as they have worked for the state and already have the Town data.
• Contracts for the provision of winter sand for the 2011/2012 winter season were awarded to the Estate of John Koszela and D&D Construction.
• Council members approved a request that the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Transportation install left turn signals onto and off of Tiogue Ave. and Hopkins Hill Rd. in both directions. The decision was discussed at a past Traffic Calming Commission meeting because of the traffic backup that the lack of left turn signals causes in the area.
• A Temporary Use Agreement between the Town of Coventry and Abbotts Crossing Road property owner, Raymond L. Plante for the purposes of installing drainage along the Coventry Greenway.
• A contract was awarded to R.T. Nunes & Sons, Inc. at a cost of $89,975 for the repair of the Pawtuxet River bank and Sandy Bottom Rd.

Transportation Improvement Plan

The Council reviewed and approved the Town of Coventry's Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) for submission to the RI Department of Transportation. Town Manager Thomas Hoover referred to the plan as a "wishlist", as the projects are not guaranteed. Some problem areas are not on the list due to the fact that submissions can only be submitted for areas that are part of the Federal Aid System. Items included in the TIP were:

• Resurfacing of Rte. 117
• Resurfacing of Arnold Rd.
• Recommended safe school routes that would give students access to the Coventry Greenway from Alan Shawn Feinstein Middle School.
• A bike route signage project
• Repairing the
• Reparing sections of Weaver Hill Rd. and Hopkins Hollow Rd.

Code of Ordinances Amendment

After a lengthy discussion and much commentary from residents, Council members decided to table the previously discussed Amendment of Section 217-5, Chapter 217, Article III, of the Coventry Code of Ordinances regarding eligibility and termination of tax exemption. Council President Gary Cote said the decision would be "an opportunity to make it fair and equitable across the board for the residents of the town of coventry."

The next Town Council meeting will be held on Monday, Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers.