[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6108285,"mediaKeyId","2769395-9392c16f3fe7a7300c591517e79bd853","parentId",2769395,"title","Solicitor: Johnson’s Pond to be full this summer; dam repairs for another reservoir will require bond funding","audioSeconds",302,"startMs",4706000,"endMs",5008000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2769395-9392c16f3fe7a7300c591517e79bd853&start=4706&end=5008","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2769395-9392c16f3fe7a7300c591517e79bd853/thumbnail_4706000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6108285/Rhode-Island/Solicitor-Johnsons-Pond-to-be-full-this-summer-dam-repairs-for-another-reservoir-will-require-bond-funding","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6108285-a17a46a2239455a581a3da0628632ac5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771086010&Signature=L8TD7R~1OiDpLXpl7Rq-6~UaNV4PU-SiyxgkjNTGdTTOIu-c52qzXTktzSFIsWD0-8QUc3j-1xU5yEjZCz29Ysuowa9ITO4AFTOOIFiem2J3hQONMZl8dCMpkm5Uahk~U6FDyg3FYJEjWRtUZkA4ToG2QMy8cJj-Wpo~zMuFPIS78jSzUZY2jADKU414vL9kJismh5cGeRdrg0rGjQB6k3TtzH7JYL5YG6o--zSlPDdbMZZpYhXYAyTZcjuOEaqI5OlNeTXIjRrUIW3v43WKw2xSyFM-fGqrW7pj~KuHyITiAhGhE42eR4pVxPLQhZP3m09rhjAJGFHCB7OccbyKZg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Coventry Rhode Island","date","2025-03-25T00:00:00Z","article","Solicitor Angel updated the council on two dam matters: he said the dam-operations permit for Johnson’s Pond (Dam No. 167) has been finalized and that the reservoir will be allowed to be full this summer. He said engineers will inspect the structure and that the town currently sits a few inches below the spillway.

On a nearby project, the solicitor warned that Dam No. 176 requires stabilization and that the town lacks construction funds for the repairs. He said the March 31 submission deadline to DEM for planning materials was met, but that construction funding will require a general obligation bond and that pursuing grant funding had become less likely. He framed the need as one of health, safety and welfare and urged the council to consider bonding for construction, saying failure to act could lead to a dam failure that would affect downstream assets including Johnson’s Pond.

Why it matters: The Johnson’s Pond permit will restore summer pond levels, important to residents and recreation planning. The Dam No. 176 condition presents a potential infrastructure and public-safety liability that the solicitor said will require capital funding beyond current appropriations.

What the council did: No vote on bonding occurred; the solicitor’s remarks were received and the council was advised to prioritize funding options and grants-writer work.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Coventry Town Council - 25 Mar 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Solicitor Angel reported the dam operations permit for Johnson’s Pond (Dam #167) was finalized, allowing a full pond this summer; the council heard that repairs to Dam #176 will require a general obligation bond because construction funds are lacking.","taxTitle","Coventry, Kent County, Rhode Island","taxId",79575,"location","Rhode Island","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6108290,"Council ratifies $300,000 design contract for Coventry High School fire-suppression work; town to seek consent agreement with state",434,3552000,3986000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2769395-9392c16f3fe7a7300c591517e79bd853&start=3552&end=3986","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2769395-9392c16f3fe7a7300c591517e79bd853/thumbnail_3552000.jpg","/articles/6108290/Rhode-Island/Council-ratifies-300000-design-contract-for-Coventry-High-School-fire-suppression-work-town-to-seek-consent-agreement-with-state","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6108290-929a4413f2398aefc2f72349b8de0314/orig.mp4?Expires=1771086010&Signature=l1DgS1~oSavO8aujv9MgcUEAPCXtkml~ybDclRMG~6fE-8aogPRvpQVLUJrbQUGrQwb6LXtc3EYE3xEY8oHOIyDdR6HGtVG~vT4QWwcnbFT1vpDn71Ou2OENf8i3-dM~A9EX1A~R2y7~JKj1xZu-pSyXayBULktXdgwLM9Hj689Btq335NlMQbjxBUD3sN3CBUonJPxn7dyZoRTPKg9Bb6aHPIeUAQaMo3mRGP1auqjKb4VPFfbX68a05a28Nzs7zIB3oTbWhwCo3LZgyougP1Un6FsZq~AAivXr-e0WnDf7bMFCu50mvI5MjRZ27QAX6o7T82dm7FkEjbUrDAYvTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Coventry Town Council voted 7-0 to ratify an initial $300,000 contract with Studio Jade for engineering and design work on a fire-suppression (sprinkler) system at Coventry High School, with the manager and solicitor describing the contract as the first design-phase payment to show good faith ahead of construction funding from the school bond.

Manager Perillo said the town and the Fire Marshal’s Office are pursuing a consent agreement that would allow the town approximately 16 to 18 months to complete engineering, design and construction of the sprinkler work rather than proceeding with repeated 30-day approvals. Perillo told the council that the contract is the “first step in showing some good faith that the town wants to get this accomplished and get this on the radar and push it forward.” He said the contract funding source is the school bond; the manager and council noted Studio Jade understands the timeline and the town’s cash-flow timing and did not expect immediate invoice billing before bond proceeds are available.

Council members asked about interim costs such as fire watch; staff and the school department said they do not expect additional fire-watch expenditures at this time but would return to the council if that changes. The council ratified the Studio Jade contract by roll-call vote, 7-0.

Why it matters: The work addresses code and life-safety requirements at the high school. Staff framed the engineering contract as a necessary early step to meet the Fire Marshal’s requirements and to proceed with a consent agreement that creates a feasible schedule for design and construction.

Votes at a glance: Ratify Studio Jade engineering/design contract for sprinkler system — passed 7-0.","The council ratified an initial $300,000 engineering and design contract with Studio Jade for Coventry High School fire-suppression work, to be funded from the school bond; council and town staff said they are pursuing a consent agreement with the Rhode Island Fire Marshal to allow a phased schedule for design and construction.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6108294,"Council fills vacancies: Capaldi to economic development commission; Verducci to school building committee; Edward Inman named to board of canvassers",438,2354000,2792000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2769395-9392c16f3fe7a7300c591517e79bd853&start=2354&end=2792","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2769395-9392c16f3fe7a7300c591517e79bd853/thumbnail_2354000.jpg","/articles/6108294/Rhode-Island/Council-fills-vacancies-Capaldi-to-economic-development-commission-Verducci-to-school-building-committee-Edward-Inman-named-to-board-of-canvassers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6108294-54eca4452a1cfbf38544923a3e38d6ca/orig.mp4?Expires=1771086010&Signature=LNjQZ1kmpJzp2YQeHUt2rCqThEX4V2haE34n6Cy2mltJ3i~Blj2IUQq8CM4cPecu1LI0D4emdJ9faJ0hUdOPvJI73xuVlWnoDx8PGetp9tXzZkZCwBYvEPYwyLpl02CqUlzoyHfVLfjROjzeXBDWXuOjTfiQICJ30u47WT-3fgUHtvWGQ3YxbNkMY9uzUUeBYomqcUO3jmTseafhyhB4F4FpvwhGcJf-6VC~F53IZL2mscR9Zhn-LsJgcwv8Nv~CXsLlyYhs3qvC0UKn40ehrYM7WqULukbRfrkcogzzMD0OBwhH6vVsON8~NUfMaFY9VbUtgM~Bqsg-GlhpkkWAXg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Coventry Town Council approved three appointments during the meeting.

Councilman Capaldi was appointed to the Economic Development Commission by a 7-0 roll-call vote. Vice President Verducci was appointed to the School Building Committee (the committee charged with oversight of school construction projects) by a 7-0 vote; council members noted the committee’s first reconvened meeting is scheduled for April 7.

Edward Inman III introduced himself at the meeting and described prior election- and government-related experience, including prior service as a state legislator and work in elections. The council appointed Inman to the Board of Canvassers. Council discussion confirmed that the appointment followed the process described in Title 17, Section 8-1 (party committees submit lists of nominees), and a roll-call vote approved Inman 7-0.

Why it matters: The Economic Development Commission vacancy followed a council resignation; the School Building Committee seat is a council liaison role tied to execution of the $25 million school bond projects discussed elsewhere in the meeting. The Board of Canvassers appointment follows state law procedures for filling canvasser seats from party-submitted lists.

What was not decided: The juvenile hearing board candidate was not present and that appointment was deferred.

Votes at a glance: Appointment of Councilman Capaldi to Economic Development Commission — passed 7-0. Appointment of Vice President Verducci to School Building Committee — passed 7-0. Appointment of Edward Inman III to Board of Canvassers — passed 7-0.","Coventry Council appointed Councilman Capaldi to the Economic Development Commission, Vice President Verducci to the School Building Committee and Edward Inman III to the Board of Canvassers; each appointment passed on roll-call votes.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6108298,"Town manager outlines FY26 budget; council discusses funding for school deficit reduction plan",551,2725000,3276000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2769395-9392c16f3fe7a7300c591517e79bd853&start=2725&end=3276","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2769395-9392c16f3fe7a7300c591517e79bd853/thumbnail_2725000.jpg","/articles/6108298/Rhode-Island/Town-manager-outlines-FY26-budget-council-discusses-funding-for-school-deficit-reduction-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6108298-33a492faa86928723d7901555cdfd7cf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771086010&Signature=mCteVZnAXeLN3MClDZLoHrlEFUy03t6jPozzQKpXB-4eqIUnUT8AwDdH7LVd8imORmy6y94P7ZF-kwgfjY7mgwFAqqLFmELB8TlhqkOk-J8WWX-HVpbzIxpA3czGs45iDV8jBluRFvGSMdf-H2CAMTmxKg4HsX5lRh7G1XuQQrpWmCY55ER2B9-vptylxm6y5ERquhNKTlECOkjDlIzL2jVVObEg8lh9TraInLQQnuTwvmuKIiGD6rPukzgtT3T6oBrLlv7hJ4BW2oUDe67DJmjoHZKNSDMVZ56Qk3NonOVyEhVIRztECjaJBfCzf00KcLmYP7Q4bZhJ56ir1EkQ4w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Town Manager Perillo presented the highlights of the proposed fiscal year 2026 budget and answered council questions about school deficit funding, capital projects and staffing additions.

Perillo said the proposed budget would increase the town’s general property tax levy by 2.69%, citing an increase from $81,513,326 to $83,708,001.25 in the levy figure included in his presentation. He said the tax rate itself had not yet been set and that additional adjustments would be made as valuation and new-construction information arrives.

The manager described personnel additions proposed in the operating budget (including Public Works hires and a deputy finance director), various capital items (solar array on the old landfill, a new sewer line for the high school, playground upgrades, and investments in parks and senior programming) and a proposed capital improvement budget of a little over $400,000.

On the school deficit: Perillo told the council the town plans to fund part of a multi-year deficit reduction plan. He listed the town’s contribution outside maintenance of effort as $472,000, alongside a local maintenance-of-effort line of $1,235,622 (the manager said the school department requested that maintenance-of-effort figure). He also said the school had projected roughly $900,000 in savings from a recent health-care RFP and had other reserve funds the superintendent expected to apply to the deficit. Members of the council and the manager repeatedly referred to a total school deficit figure of $5.8 million discussed previously by the school department; several council members said they wanted a corrective-action document that explains how the school and town arrived at the $5.8 million figure and how each party will meet its share of the plan.

Council direction and next steps: Several council members asked that a written corrective-action plan or letter formalizing the deficit-reduction steps be prepared and presented to both the council and the school committee before final budget approval. Manager Perillo said the town could prepare a document and bring it to the next meeting; council members said that if the audit for fiscal 2024 changes the numbers, they would revisit the plan.

Procedural timeline: Perillo listed the council’s provisional budget vote for April 8 and multiple public hearings scheduled during the budget season; the council discussed scheduling for finance-committee review of outstanding budget questions.

What was not decided: The town has not yet set a tax rate; Perillo said that work is ongoing and will be finalized after additional valuation data is obtained. The council did not take a final budget vote at the meeting.","Coventry’s town manager presented highlights of the proposed FY26 budget, including staffing additions, capital projects and a funding plan tied to the school department’s deficit-reduction effort; council members asked for a written corrective-action plan before budget adoption.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6108302,"Coventry council adopts 18 zoning and code amendments; planning changes to use table approved",1062,1202000,2264000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2769395-9392c16f3fe7a7300c591517e79bd853&start=1202&end=2264","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2769395-9392c16f3fe7a7300c591517e79bd853/thumbnail_1202000.jpg","/articles/6108302/Rhode-Island/Coventry-council-adopts-18-zoning-and-code-amendments-planning-changes-to-use-table-approved","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6108302-edd8e4a876c5dac9b7b6b6ed897cec70/orig.mp4?Expires=1771086010&Signature=nN9ZjwfH~iE~6OYmFB4BWdrd8Sk1VamBG0mNxiv~yBdnu8QylT5QIqA-o~apKvNPoIUlGwdF9ai0CfTP8WM9KnT-~~fd5fO3AdamPPbuJyRvoFHDPDPdH3K2q~PA3H1oc4wSNlmo5wDZ42Z45ZpF1oOO6qmy8-YUqAU0eAHNudsQbQ51gqZZYnoOjqaWl6rpsSIIVJ3yCBxvp7rAuF0v3mQQ7cXG6JuAkimupN~EOq~cVVHJO395aEzj~OcpYst6e93xDYFV~rfJFKc8sXNlFWh29~cpNoc8WkCxSBglZytFtDIvHa8Gtq6QwkvoMcaKqYGbPpNsaBiJ1UfWTNoH8g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Coventry Town Council voted unanimously to adopt 18 ordinances revising town code to align local zoning and use regulations with recent state law changes, and approved targeted amendments to ordinance 2025-10 to change entries in the zoning use table.

The measures were presented during a public hearing on the slate of ordinances. Solicitor Angel told the council the planning office recommended specific edits to ordinance 2025-10 (the town’s schedule of zoning district use regulations) and that the changes should be recorded in the meeting minutes to keep the legislative record clear. “There’s about 21 pages to this table,” the solicitor said while summarizing the proposed adjustments.

Why it matters: Planning and the solicitor said state law revisions made parts of Coventry’s code incongruous with the statewide regulatory framework, and the package is intended to remove conflicts and reduce legal risk. The planning office and the solicitor said additional ordinance changes may follow as the town’s e-code review continues.

Most important actions and changes: The council first voted to open the public hearing and later voted to take 17 of the ordinances as a block, approving that block 7-0. Ordinance 2025-10 was removed from the block so the council could adopt specific use-table edits recommended by the planning director and supported by Solicitor Angel. The council then approved ordinance 2025-10 as amended, 7-0.

The amendments to ordinance 2025-10 as adopted included removing the accessory dwelling unit entry in a residential block (identified in the packet as “Block 02” for accessory dwelling units) and preserving “n” (not permitted) designations in several commercial use categories where planning requested to retain the prohibition rather than change it to “p” (permitted). Solicitor Angel and Planning Director Doug McClain told the council those edits reflected either preemption by state definitions (in the case of accessory dwelling units) or planning’s policy judgment about local retail and institutional uses.

Public comment: During the hearing members of the public were allowed to speak; one resident asked a separate question about farms and cluster development referenced in a different agenda item, and planning staff indicated they would follow up.

What’s next: The council’s planning office said it expects further code alignments as the town’s e-code conversion continues and as planning continues to identify other incongruities between state law and local ordinances.

Votes at a glance: The council took the 17-ordinance block as presented (motion passed 7-0). Ordinance 2025-10, as amended per the planning office recommendations and read into the record by Solicitor Angel and Doug McClain, passed 7-0.","The Coventry Town Council voted 7-0 to adopt a package of 18 ordinances updating municipal code for congruence with recent state law; Council separately approved amendments to ordinance 2025-10 to modify the zoning use table at planning’s request.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Solicitor: Johnson’s Pond to be full this summer; dam repairs for another reservoir will require bond funding

Council ratifies $300,000 design contract for Coventry High School fire-suppression work; town to seek consent agreement with state

Council fills vacancies: Capaldi to economic development commission; Verducci to school building committee; Edward Inman named to board of canvassers

Town manager outlines FY26 budget; council discusses funding for school deficit reduction plan

Coventry council adopts 18 zoning and code amendments; planning changes to use table approved