Folly Lane Bridge is substantially complete and has reopened for the winter. Some temporary closures will be required in the spring for final paving.

March on!

March brings us to spring, great progress in Town projects, and a bit closer to taming COVID-19.

COVID has changed the way we do business, and this premier edition of our new monthly e-blast format is a product of us trying to share more information. Not only is it more graphical, it posts to Facebook at the same time. Please take time to review the important information about your town, and opportunities for the month. If you find the content helpful, you can click the sharing links at the bottom to forward this message to your own networks.

March is the month we work on the budget. A Public Hearing is scheduled for March 11, 2021 at 7 PM. The proposed budgets will be presented by John Elsesser, Town Manager, and David Petrone, School Superintendent. You can watch the presentation live on Spectrum Channel 194, and check the calendar on the Town's website for a ZOOM link as the date gets closer. (Click on the budget pie chart image below for a direct link to the calendar listing.) Questions can be sent in using ZOOM chat, and will be answered at the end of the presentation. Budget comments can also be emailed to the Town Council through Monday, March 29 at 4 PM. Address budget comments to budgetcomments@coventryct.org.The Council needs to finish the budget by April 5 for the Annual Town Meeting, scheduled for Saturday, April 24 at 10 AM. At this point we are hoping that the the Annual Meeting and May referendum can be in person, but COVID guidelines will need to be observed. We will provide an update on those meetings in our next e-blast.

State of CT COVID website.

COVID is a daily word and now a lifestyle. We appreciate the understanding shown by the public as we reinvent the way we provide public service. Please continue to adhere to safe practices as we get our population vaccinated. While we wish we had answers to everyone's questions, we don't. Please refer to our Alert Center for COVID updates and subscribe to receive them here. The good news is that as of this writing, around 70% of our age 75+ population has been vaccinated. People age 65+ can now schedule appointments, and we await word on the next group to be authorized.

Please watch for the April Town newsletter for a full listing of projects, but here are a couple of quick notes:

Folly Lane Bridge has reopened. Some minor finish work is planned for spring.
The Swamp Road/Rt. 44 intersection project is in final plan review prior to bidding, with anticipated start in June. Due to anticipated timelines to receive the traffic signal poles, it won't be able to be finished until spring 2022.
We still anticipate the South Street project near the Homestead, and sidewalks on Main Street heading north from Hemlock Point Road to be done this summer.
An architect has been hired for school roof replacement at CHS and GHR; but it is unclear whether State approvals will be timely enough for summer work.
An engineer has been hired for the heating ventilation project at CHS and the middle school.

We also welcome William Watkins (Bill) as our new Director of Public Works. He can be reached at 860-742-6588 or email wwatkins@coventryct.org. Bill joins us with years of experience in New London, and was most recently the Assistant Director of Public Works for the Town of Clinton.

Add a spring to your step and MARCH ON. But as we look forward with a cautious degree of optimism, the Town's accomplishments over the past year are also worthy of mention. The FY 2019-2020 Annual Report has just been published, and contains a great deal of information about Town goals and activities. You can view it on the Town website at this link.

UPCOMING TOWN MEETINGS:

Mon, 3/1: Town Council, 7:30 PM
Mon, 3/8: Planning & Zoning Commission, 7 PM
Thurs, 3/11: WPCA: 6 PM
Thurs, 3/11: Manager’s Budget Hearing, 7 PM
Thurs, 3/11: Board of Education, 7:30 PM
Mon, 3/15: Town Council, 7:30 PM
Mon, 3/22: Planning & Zoning Commission, 7 PM
Weds, 3/24: Inland Wetlands Agency, 7 PM
Thurs, 3/25, Board of Education, 7:30 PM

For a complete monthly calendar of other Board & Commission events, click here.

March 14 is the last Winter Market of the season, so stock up on all your local items! Watch for details coming soon about the Summer Market.

COMING EVENTS:

Weds 3/3: Mobile Foodshare, 10-10:30 AM, First Congregational Church, 1171 Main Street. An outdoor food distribution service for persons of low income. Text FOODSHARE to 85511 to receive the mobile schedule and cancellations directly on your phone. More info.

Weds 3/2 – 3/23: Virtual Cooking Classes for Kids, 4:30-5:30 PM. For kids grade 3-7. Join registered dietitians from Food Explorers for new sessions of Virtual Cooking Classes for Kids! Exploring food encourages children to learn through sensory experiences, hands-on activities and working together to create delicious results. Kids will learn how to make a brand nedw recipe each week and impress your family. Recipes include Broccoli Cheese Calzones, One-pot Pasta, Southwest Taquitos, and Mexican Tortilla Soup. A grocery list will be provided after registration. All recipes use simple and easy-to-find ingredients. $50. Details and registration information on the Parks & Recreation catalog here.

Sun 3/7: Coventry Winter Farmers’ Market, 10 AM – 1 PM, Community Center at Patriots Park, 124 Lake Street. November 15, 2020 – March 14, 2021. Roasts, steaks, turkey, chicken, pies, produce, baked goods, cheeses, sweet and savory choices and more. Website.

Fri 3/13: Take-out Corned Beef & Cabbage Dinner, 5:15 - 6:30 PM, St. Mary Church, 1600 Main St. Join the St. Jude Council for Corned beef & cabbage, Red Bliss potatoes, carrots, Irish soda bread & butter, dessert. No beverages provided. Orders taken from & delivered to your car in the parking lot. Masks required. $15 per person. Exact change or check to Knights of Columbus appreciated. Info: Dan Garafola, dgarafola.smpc@live.com, or Rick Parr, rick.parr@hotmail.com. Phone: 860-742-9818.

Sun 3/14: Coventry Winter Farmers’ Market, 10 AM – 1 PM, Community Center at Patriots Park, 124 Lake Street. Last winter market of the season – stock up! Roasts, steaks, turkey, chicken, pies, produce, baked goods, cheeses, sweet and savory choices and more. Website.

Weds 3/17: Mobile Foodshare, 10-10:30 AM, First Congregational Church, 1171 Main Street. An outdoor food distribution service for persons of low income. Text FOODSHARE to 85511 to receive the mobile schedule and cancellations directly on your phone. More info.

Sat 3/20: Keep Calm and Craft on! 11 AM – 12 PM. Join Coventry’s own Yasmine Forte as she leads kids in grades 3-5 in fun, easy, themed craft activities on Saturday mornings. Order your “craft kit” chock-full of materials needed to complete the projects, and join Yas for a ZOOM class as she walks you through how to complete each project. The $10 kits can be picked up at the Parks & Recreation office during regular office hours. March’s theme: Pastels. Register early – space is limited!

Sat 3/20: Drive Thru/Take-out Corned Beef & Cabbage Dinner, pick-up times of 5 PM, 5:30 PM, or 6 PM. Second Congregational Church of Coventry, 1746 Main Street. Each dinner $15. Place orders by calling 860-742-1616 or email to place an order and indicate your pick-up time. Correct amount of cash or check is required. Drive down from church parking lot to the Community House, located across from Highland Park.

Weds 3/31: Mobile Foodshare, 10-10:30 AM, First Congregational Church, 1171 Main Street. An outdoor food distribution service for persons of low income. Text FOODSHARE to 85511 to receive the mobile schedule and cancellations directly on your phone. More info.

Click on the flyer
and apply to become
a volunteer firefighter
or EMT.

VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS & EMTS NEEDED:

The Town of Coventry Fire and EMS is looking for a few good neighbors to become a volunteer firefighter or EMT. Members must be 18 years or older. Junior members 14-17 years old.

TAX FORMS AVAILABLE AT BOOTH & DIMOCK MEMORIAL LIBRARY:

The State Department of Revenue Services is not providing physical copies of the State tax forms to municipalities this year. To help our citizens, the Library is printing copies free of charge upon request, which can be picked up at curbside. Call 860-742-7606 to request the printed forms. Click here for more information about the Library's curbside pick-up services.

NEWS FROM THE HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT:

The Coventry Food Bank is operating out of Town Hall on an appointment-only basis. Pick-ups can be scheduled for Wednesday 9-4, or Friday 9-1, by calling Human Services at 860-742-5324. Foodshare and the Connecticut Food Bank have also announced three additional sites to replicate the Rentschler Field Drive-Thru Food Distribution model, with locations in Norwich, Norwalk, and New London. Click here for details.

NEWS FROM THE ASSESSOR’S OFFICE:

The Elderly or Totally Disabled Homeowner Program begins February 1, 2021, and applications are being accepted until May 17, 2021. Our office will be sending reminder letters by the end of January 2021 to those people who have to re-file this year. Remember that this program is income driven from the state and income guidelines are set by the state for both single and married individuals. Please call if your income is less than $45,800 if married, or less than $37,600 if single, both must include Social Security benefits and your adjusted gross income from your 2020 Federal Income tax return. If you qualify for the State program, the Town of Coventry also has either a tax credit or a tax deferral program which has the same income requirements.

The Additional Veterans Program also starts February 1, 2021 and applications are accepted until October 1, 2021. A DD214 must have been filed with the Town Clerk prior to October 1st, 2021 to be eligible for this additional exemption. If you have already filed and did not receive a letter from our office, you do not need to re-file. You will receive your exemption automatically. For additional veteran’s benefits, please call if your income is less than $45,800 if married, or less than $37,600 if single, both must include Social Security benefits and your adjusted gross income from your 2020 Federal Income Tax return.

You will be asked to provide proof of all the income documentation regarding both of the above-mentioned applications. Additional Veteran’s and Homeowner applications are taken biannually.

COVENTRY SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION - DOLLARS FOR SCHOLARS:

Due to COVID, the Scholarship Foundation will not be making phone calls to potential donors this year. For those on their mailing list, donation forms will be mailed out in mid-March. Residents can make donations on their website. Senior high school students who live in Coventry and are planning to continue their education may apply online for awards. The last day that students can submit applications is March 14, 2021. All seniors who apply will receive an award. Amounts will vary. Last year, over $54,000 was awarded to 67 students. For questions, email Stacie Simko.

NEWS FROM THE COVENTRY REGISTRAR OF VOTERS:

The Registrar of Voters have begun a town-wide canvass of voters. If you moved within Coventry, changed your name, changed your party affiliation, or changed your telephone number, please fill out a new voter registration card and mail it to the Registrar's office. You may also register on the Secretary of State's website. Also, if you no longer use a P.O. Box as your mailing address, or change your P.O. Box number, please let us know. Contact information for the Registrar of Voters.

COVER PHOTO:

An aerial photo of the Hop River Bridge and surrounding land. Photo by Konrad Mroczek.

To list your event in this bulletin, contact Laura Stone at LStone@coventryct.org by the 15^th of the previous month.