Take the Watershed Health Pledge and receive a window cling sticker declaring your commitment to the health of Coventry lakes.

Town Manager's Message:

Welcome to the month of May. What an appropriate name for a month this year. "May" means "possible" or "permissible." That defines this month as we move toward a healthy reopening after a year-long cloud of COVID-19 rules, shut-downs, and regulations. We thank you for your efforts to keep people safe and urge that as we reopen more fully you still comply with safe practices; maybe not because you have to, but because it is helpful.

So we are reopening and having a Town referendum on May 4 on the annual budgets, with polls at both fire houses between 6 AM and 8 PM. Masks inside and distancing are still required. The Memorial Day parade is scheduled for Monday, May 31 with some scaling back since not everyone is yet vaccinated. Spring sports and summer camp are back. The Farmers' Market will be back to the market field on June 6. So May signals that is is both possible and permissible to enjoy spring in a safe manner.

For summer projects and additional information, please see the spring Town newsletter. Enjoy the Town-wide Tag Sale this weekend, visit the Adelma Simmons exhibit at the Strong Porter Museum. Enjoy all that is possible in our community.

UPCOMING TOWN MEETINGS:

Mon, 5/3: Town Council, 7:30 PM
Mon, 5/10: Planning & Zoning Commission, 7 PM
Thurs, 5/13: WPCA: 6 PM
Thurs, 5/13: Board of Education, 7:30 PM
Mon, 5/17: Town Council, 7:30 PM
Mon, 5/24: Planning & Zoning Commission, 7 PM
Weds, 5/26: Inland Wetlands Agency, 7 PM
Thurs, 5/27, Board of Education, 7:30 PM

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

Budget Referendum
May 4, 2021

HOLIDAYS:

Mon, 5/31: Memorial Day. Town offices closed. Trash pick-up on holiday schedule for remainder of the week.

Find a treasure at over
25 participating Coventry
tag sale locations.
Now a two-day event!

COMING EVENTS:

Sat & Sun 5/1 & 5/2: Town-wide Tag Sale, 8 AM - 4 PM. Contact Coventry Parks & Recreation for details or see the event Facebook page at the link on the left. Click here for a map of participating locations.

Tues 5/4: Referendum, FY 2021/22 Budget, 6 AM - 8 PM. Polls at the firehouses. District 1: 1755 Main Street, District 2: 3427 Main Street. See below for absentee ballot information. Registrar of Voters webpage.

Sat 5/8: Food Truck Festival, 11 AM - 4 PM, Coventry High School, 78 Ripley Hill road. Sponsored by Coventry CT Cares, Inc. See website or call 860-707-9577 for more information.

Weds 4/28 & 5/12: Mobile Foodshare, 10-10:30 AM, St. Mary's Church, 1600 Main Street. (Note location change for these two dates due to construction at First Congregational Church.) 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 5/15: Drive-thru/take-out Dinner, Second Congregational Church, 1746 Boston Turnpike. Menu: roast pork, baked beans, Shady Glen cole slaw and dessert. $13 adults, $6 child. Place orders at 860-742-1616, or email and indicate pick-up time of 5, 5:30, or 6 PM. Correct amount of cash or check is required. Drive down from church parking lot to the Community House located across from Highland Park.

Weds 5/26: 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.

Mon 5/31: Memorial Day Pancake Breakfast, 7 AM - 10 AM, First Congregational Church, 1171 Main Street. Enjoy a hearty breakfast before the parade. Proceeds benefit Coventry Lions Club service projects.

Mon 5/31: Memorial Day Parade, 10 AM, Main Street in Coventry Village. Enjoy this annual tradition of pride and patriotism. Please observe social distancing and mask protocols. A military flyover is anticipated at approximately 10:15 AM.

Resident parking passes
available starting May 10.

COVENTRY BEACHES TO OPEN WEEKENDS STARTING MAY 29:

Resident parking passes will be available at the Parks & Recreation office during regular town hall hours starting May 10, or from the gatekeeper at Patriots Park during open hours. Passes are also available by mail. For instructions and application forms, visit the Parks & Recreation web page. Seasonal resident beach parking stickers are $25 for first vehicle, $12 each additional vehicle. Senior citizens may receive a free hanging park pass for access on weekdays only to the Patriots Park and Lisicke Beach parking lots. The pass is not required for access to the Senior Center. Hours: Lisicke Beach, open weekends & holidays, May 29-Aug. 22, 11 AM - 7 PM. Patriots Park Beach, open weekdays May 31-Aug. 22, 11:45 AM - 7 PM, weekends & holidays, May 29-Aug. 22, 9 AM - 7 PM.

ABSENTEE BALLOTS AVAILABLE FOR MAY 4 BUDGET VOTE:

Absentee ballots, per Executive Order No. 10E, are available for eligible voters who wish not to appear in person due to COVID-19. Please be advised that the turnaround time on mailed absentee ballots is short. You can fill out an application now so that the Town Clerk's office can mail your ballot as soon as they are available. Please use the white drop box at the rear entrance of Town Hall for both applications and ballots. For more information, contact the Town Clerk's office.

FROM THE ASSESSOR'S OFFICE:

Income and Expense Forms are for commercial property owners only: In order to assess your real property equitably, information regarding the property income and expenses is required. Connecticut General Statutes 12-63c requires all owners of rental real property to annually file this report. The information filed and furnished with this report will remain confidential and is not open to public inspection. Any information related to the actual rental and operating expenses shall not be a public record and is not subject to the provisions of Section 1-19 (Freedom of Information) of the Connecticut General Statutes. Please complete and return the completed form to the Assessor’s Office on or before June 1, 2021. Forms are available online on the Assessor's webpage and in the Assessor’s Office. In accordance with Section 12-63c(d), of the Connecticut General Statutes, as amended, any owner of rental real property who fails to file this form or files an incomplete or false form with intent to defraud, shall be subject to a penalty assessment equal to a ten percent (10%) increase in the assessed value of such property.

NEWS FROM THE COVENTRY HISTORICAL SOCIETY:

The Strong-Porter Museum continues to accept visitors to view the exhibits Adelma Grenier Simmons and her Famous Caprilands Herb Farm, and Taverns of Coventry. The museum is open on Sundays from 11 AM - 3 PM by appointment only. Group size may be limited due to COVID-19. Email for an appointment or call Susan Way at 860-712-4278 for more information. The Historical Society may hold a tag sale on the grounds of the museum over Memorial Day weekend, with many books and treasures from the barns and gift shop at Caprilands for sale. Dates & times to be announced. CHS Website.

MOTHER'S DAY ROSES SALE:

There is still time to order roses for delivery on May 8 between 9 AM - noon, from the Coventry Lions Club. Order online by April 30 or call with questions, 860-742-5823. Red roses $20, mixed bouquets $25. All proceeds support Lions Club scholarships and other community service activities.

COVER PHOTO:

During the 1970s and 1980s, the Connecticut Historical Society placed signs in all of Connecticut's 169 municipalities to help tell the unique stories of the history of each town. Coventry's sign is located near the front entrance at Town Hall. Photo by Laura Stone.

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