Town Manager's Message:

The Annual Town Meeting forwarded the budget to an adjourned Town Meeting vote on Tuesday, May 3, between 6:00 AM and 8:00 PM. Contact the Town Clerk's office for absentee ballot information. The proposed budget is available on the Town's website, and the Budget in Brief was included in the spring newsletter a few weeks ago.

A reminder that the actual tax increase, especially possible revisions to car taxes, are unknown since the State has not, as of this writing, finalized their budget and amount of aid to the Town. The Town Council has stated that additional State aid over the Governor's plan will be considered prior to setting an annual mil rate.

UPCOMING TOWN MEETINGS:

• Mon, 5/2: Town Council, 7:30 PM
• Tues, 5/3: Budget Referendum, polls open 6 AM-8 PM
• Mon, 5/9:  Planning & Zoning Commission, 7 PM
• Thurs, 5/12: Board of Education, 7:30 PM
• Mon, 5/16: Town Council, 7:30 PM
• Mon, 5/23:  Planning & Zoning Commission, 7 PM
• Thurs, 5/26: Board of Education, 7:30 PM

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

HOLIDAYS:

Mon, 5/30: Memorial Day. Town offices closed.

COMING EVENTS: 

Thurs 5/5: Council Chair's office hours, 6:30-7:30 PM, Booth & Dimock Memorial Library, 1134 Main Street. Share your concerns or provide input to Lisa Thomas, Town Council Chairwoman. 

Fri 5/6: Quiet Corner Contra Dance, 8-11 PM, Patriots Park Lodge, 172 Lake Street. Intro session at 7:45 PM. Live music by Chimney Swift, dances called by Steve Holland. Partner not required; all dances taught. COVID restrictions apply - see website for details. $12 adults, $6 students. Email for Info or call 860-742-9498.

Sat 5/7: Town-wide Tag Sale, 9 AM - 4 PM. Map of sale locations available for FREE at Dunkin Donuts at the corner of Rt. 31 and Rt. 44 on Friday, May 6 at noon. More info.

Sat 5/7: Food Truck Fest, 12-4 PM, Capt. Nathan Hale Middle School, 1776 Main St. Featuring a veggie and plant sale. Sponsored by Coventry CT Cares. Info.

Weds 5/11. Museum Trip to New Britain Museum of American Art, 9:30 AM - 2:30 PM, Departs from Coventry Senior Center, 172 Main Street. Today's exhibit: Poetry of Nature, a show by Hudson River School artists. $10 admission, transportation is FREE. For more information and to register, contact Brenda Bennett, Senior Center Coordinator, 860-742-3525. More Senior Center news on Facebook.

Weds 5/11: Mobile Foodshare, 10-10:30 AM, First Congregational Church @ St. Mary's, 1600 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 5/14: Fresh Air Walk - Birds in Motion, 8-9 AM. Creaser Park, Case Road. Mid-May is an annual peak period of bird activity in our area. Join Coventry Conservation Commission Member Eric Thomas, appropriate for beginners and birders alike. Bring binoculars and field guides if you have them. Birding can open a new window to the natural world for many. 20 maximum group size. Register online or call 860-742-4068.

Sat 5/14: Celebrating 15 years of Noah's Closet, 9 AM - 11 AM, Noah's Closet, 1746 Boston Turnpike. Enjoy a special story time, raffle and refreshments. Shop for low-cost children's clothing and toys. Info: 860-742-1616 or see website.

Sat 5/21: Farmstand Days, 11 AM - 3 PM, Creative Living Community of Connecticut, 2645 Boston Turnpike. Grand opening for the 2022 season. Free admission. Shop the farmstand for locally-grown produce and support the programs greenhouse vocational program. More info.

Sat 5/21: Rabies Clinic, 1-3 PM, Capt. Nathan Hale Middle School, 1776 Main St. $20 per animal, cash only. Dogs must be on leashes; cats must be in carriers. If previously vaccinated for Rabies, bring written proof. Individuals presenting their ID cards for State assistance programs will receive ONE FREE vaccination for their own animal. More info.

Sat 5/21: Drive Thru/Take Out Dinner, Second Congregational Church, 1746 Boston Turnpike. Menu: pot roast, mashed potatoes. gravy, carrots and dessert. $15 adults, $7 children. Place orders by calling 860-742-1616 or email secondchurch@sbcglobal.net and indicate pick-up time of 5 PM, 5:30 PM, or 6:00 PM. Correct amount of cash or check required, Drive down from church parking lot to the Community House, located across from Highland Park.

Tues, 5/24: 50% off everything in the shop, 9 AM - 11 AM, Noah's Closet, 1746 Boston Turnpike. Also Sat, 5/28 from 9 AM - 1 PM. Donations of clean, gently-used items for children are welcome Tuesday and Saturday mornings. Info: 860-742-1616 or see website.

Sat, 5/28: Visitors' Center Reopens, 10 AM - 2 PM, Open weekends through October. Displays featuring Coventry's trolley history, a dollhouse replica of one of our historic homes, Coventry memorabilia for sale, and local tourism information is provided. The Visitors' Center is staffed by volunteers, and help is always welcomed and appreciated. For more information, contact Pat Pelkey at 860-742-7847.

Mon, 5/30: Lions Club Breakfast Sandwich Fundraiser, 7 - 10 AM, First Congregational Church, 1171 Main Street. Enjoy breakfast while you wait for the parade. $6 or two for $10. A sausage, egg, and cheese sandwich and choice of beverage will be provided. Raffle prizes. Proceeds benefit Lions' community projects. More info. 

Mon, 5/30: Memorial Day Parade, 10 AM. Kicks off at G.H. Robertson School and travels down Cross Street, stops for services at the Memorial Green, then travels on to Main Street, and finishes at Bradbury Lane. A military flyover is anticipated at approximately 10:15 AM.

Weds 5/25: Mobile Foodshare, 10-10:30 AM, First Congregational Church @ St. Mary's, 1600 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.

KEEPING IT GREEN - GENTLE HINTS FOR RECYCLING

Want to know about what’s IN and what’s OUT for recycling in Coventry? take a look at recyclect.com or www.scrrra.org.  Want to know about a specific item or material, these websites will let you ask about that item.  Or, download the free SCRRA app to your smart device, or contact Coventry Public Works at 860-742-6588.  Recycling saves our Town money and is good for the environment.  In general, all recycled items should be empty, rinsed out, clean, and open.  Do not shred, box, bag or bundle items.
 
May's Recycling Focus – Glass – Beverage bottles and jars, and food bottles and jars are all recyclable.  Ceramic mugs, plates, and dishes, and drinking glasses are not recyclable, consider reusing them or donating them to a local charity.  Otherwise, put them in the trash.  Any broken glass items, window panes, mirrors and the like should safely be put in the trash.

This message is a public outreach effort by the Town of Coventry's Energy Conservation/Alternative Energy Advisory Committee. For more information about the committee, see this link.