Town Manager's Message:

WOW! (Wicked October Wealth.) Every month I am just amazed at the wealth of activities in our small town. Enjoy the fall richness. We are fully engaged in many construction projects and have been very successful bringing grant money to our town for essential projects.

Just a tip that if you are interested in more information, I prepare a project memo for the Town Council for their agendas. You can read them at this link.

Here is some information on the larger key projects:

• Swamp/Rt. 44 intersection. The signal mast poles came in as promised in September, so we are still on track to finish this project up before winter, with touch-up work (mostly on landscaping) in spring.
• South Street (near Homestead). Paving and sidewalk work underway. Also should be completed this fall.
• South Street pavement and minor reconstruction (sections between the Homestead and South River Road). Waiting on contractor.
• Hop River Road Bridge Replacement. Bid notice posting very soon.
• Transfer Station. A new facility adjacent to our DPW facility is nearing completion. Watch for opening date in early October.
• Girls' Softball. The first girls' softball field is underway and we just got a $500,000 grant for upgrades for the balance of Miller Richardson Park focusing on equity and accessibility, and a $500,000 STEAP grant for a second softball field.
• School roofs. We were able to sneak in roof replacement work at G.H. Robertson School and the high roof section of Coventry High School over the summer. The balance of the high school roof is set for work next summer in conjunction with upgrades to the high school ventilation. We plan to seek State grants for enhanced treatment such as air conditioning.

UPCOMING TOWN MEETINGS:

• Mon, 10/3: Town Council meeting 7:30 PM
• Thurs, 10/13: Board of Education, 7:00 PM
• Tues, 10/11:  Planning & Zoning Commission,
  7 PM
• Mon,10/17: Town Council, 7:30 PM
• Mon, 10/24:  Planning & Zoning Commission,
  7 PM 
• Thurs, 10/27: Board of Education, 7:00 PM

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

HOLIDAYS AND CLOSINGS:

• Mon, Oct 10: Columbus Day. Town offices closed. Trash pick-up on regular schedule.

COMING EVENTS: 

Sept. 25-Oct 31: Pumpkins with a Purpose, First Congregational Church, 1171 Main Street. Weekdays 12-6 PM, weekends 10 AM - 6 PM. The church lawn transforms into a huge pumpkin patch with hundreds of different types of pumpkins and specialty gourds. All proceeds support community and local church missions. Info: 860-742-8487.

Sat 10/1: Fresh Air Walk, 10 AM - 12 PM, Laidlaw Park loop trail and new trail connector to Rolling Woods/Windy Hill trail. In partnership with the Protected Spaces Stewardship Committee and Coventry Parks and Recreation. Walk led by Eric Thomas. Heavy rain cancels. FREE. Register here.

Sat 10/1: Farmstand Days, 11 AM - 3 PM, Creative Living Community of Connecticut, 2645 Boston Turnpike. Free admission & parking, local crafts & produce, food trucks. Theme: Farmstand Fall Festival. Website.

Sat 10/1:  Food Trucks Event, 12-4 PM, Capt. Nathan Hale Middle School, 1776 Main Street. Sponsored by Coventry CT Cares, Inc. Website.

Sun 10/2: Coventry Farmers' Market, 10 AM - 1 PM, 2299 South Street. The 19th season continues the tradition of carrying the best of CT-grown and CT-made products on the scenic grounds of the Nathan Hale Homestead. Theme: Potters Market. Website.

Fri 10/7: Quiet Corner Contra Dance, 8-11 PM, intro lesson at 7:45. Patriots Park Lodge, 172 Lake Street. Adults $12, students $6. Partner not necessary. Wear soft-soled shoes and light layered clothes. Music by Kitsch 'n Sync. Dances called by Rich Sbardella. More info. 

Sun 10/9: Coventry Farmers' Market, 10 AM - 1 PM, 2299 South Street. The 19th season continues the tradition of carrying the best of CT-grown and CT-made products on the scenic grounds of the Nathan Hale Homestead. Theme: Fall Fruits for National Farmers Day. Website.

Tues 10/11: Ghosts & Legends presented by Jeff Belanger. 6:30 PM, Millbrook Place in Coventry Village, For over 20 years, Jeff Belanger has been exploring the unexplained. He seeks out history, folklore, ghosts, monsters, and legends all over the world and in your backyard. His talk presents highlights from his own adventures, a look at the investigation process, and compelling audio and visual paranormal evident. Not just focused on ghost stories, Belanger's presentation will delve into the reasons behind the legends. Zoom meeting link available to attend from home. Co-sponsored by the Booth & Dimock Memorial Library and Bloomfield Public Library. Registration required. More info: 860-742-7606.

Weds 10/12: Coventry Veterans Coffee House, 9:30 AM, Coventry Senior Center, 172 Lake Street. Join the Senior Center, American Legion Post 52, and VFW for coffee and conversation to promote info sharing, camaraderie, and benefits education and entitlements for veterans. Enrollment forms for VA healthcare will be available, as well as a representative from the Soldiers, Sailors, and Marine Fund to assist those who qualify. RSVPs appreciated to 860-742-3525. 

Weds 10/12: 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.

Thurs 10/13 & Fri 10/14: Things that go Bump in the Night, 7-9 PM, Nathan Hale Homestead, 2299 South Street. Get into the "sprit" of the season as you shiver and shudder through a special candlelight tour that will take you around the property and into the house - all the way up to the dark and eerie attic. The moonlit tour will feature the Hale staff's spooky encounters, as featured on the Syfy Channel's Ghost Hunters. Prepare to be scared while surrounded by the very history that spawned the stories. All tours begin at 7 PM, please arrive by 6:45 PM to check in. Appropriate footwear and reliable flashlights strongly recommended. The tour will include creaks and cold spots and is not recommended for young souls. $25, $20 for CTL members. Additional dates: 10/20, 10/21, 10/27, 10/28.  Reservations required. 

Fri 10/14: AARP Smart Driver Course, 9 AM - 1 PM, Coventry Senior Center, 172 Lake Street. $20 AARP members, $25 non-members. Registration and payment at front desk. Info: 860-742-3525.

Sat 10/15: Turkey Drive Thru/Take-out Dinner, Second Congregational Church of Coventry, 1746 Boston Turnpike. Turkey breast, dressing, cranberry sauce, potatoes, gravy, carrots and dessert. $15 adults, $8 children. Place orders at 860-742-1616 or email and indicate pick-up time of 5 PM, 5:30 PM, or 6 PM. Correct amount of cash or check required. Drive down from church parking lot the the Community House located across from Highland Park.

Sun 10/16: Coventry Farmers' Market, 10 AM - 1 PM, 2299 South Street. The 19th season continues the tradition of carrying the best of CT-grown and CT-made products on the scenic grounds of the Nathan Hale Homestead. Theme: Going Green. Website.

Sun 10/16: CROP Hunger Walk, 1:00 PM, Coventry Fire Station 208, 1645 South Street/Judd Road. This annual walk raises money for world hunger.  It’s a 2.4 mile circle starting and ending at the fire house or walk an alternate ½ mile route on South St.  Register and/or Donate online and join our team “First & Second Churches of Coventry Walk.”  Registration also available the day of the event at 12:30.  Your steps and your donations  will help to provide more meals for the growing number of hungry people in our community and in communities around the world.  For more info contact Laura Young at LBYoung1964@gmail.com.

Sat 10/22: Stuff-a-Bag Sale for $10, 9 AM - 11 AM, Noah's Closet, 1746 Boston Turnpike. Higher price prevails. Noah's Closet is a unique children's resale shop. Donations of gently-used children's items are welcome on Tuesday and Saturday mornings. Info: 860-742-1616 or see website.

Sat 10/22: Chilifest, 12-2 PM, Coventry High School, 78 Ripley Hill Road. Sponsored by the Lions Club of Coventry. Enter your chili for $25, or save the date to taste and vote! Questions: Sue Gagliardi, 860-888-5172. Register here. 

Sat 10/22: Halloween on Main, 1-3 PM, Main Street in historic Coventry Village. Sponsored by Coventry Parks & Recreation. FREE! Trick or treat your way through Coventry Village! Participating businesses will have treats at their locations, and other organizations and groups will be on  hand with Halloween-themed "trunks" as part of a "trick or trunk." Be sure to dress in costume and bring your treat bags/buckets to collect your treats! We need your help to make this community event happen! Parks and Rec is looking for trunks for Halloween on Main. Town business, organizations, and families can sign up online to have a trunk or table to celebrate the spooky season. Deadline to register 10/19. Want to host a trunk?  Register here!

Sun 10/23: Coventry Farmers' Market, 10 AM - 1 PM, 2299 South Street. The 19th season continues the tradition of carrying the best of CT-grown and CT-made products on the scenic grounds of the Nathan Hale Homestead. Theme: Holiday Market. Website.

Weds 10/26: 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.

Weds 10/26: Council Chair's office hours, 5-6 PM, Booth & Dimock Memorial Library, 1134 Main Street. Share your concerns or provide input to Lisa Thomas, Town Council Chairwoman. 

Sat 10/29: Project Graduation Bottle and  Can Drive, 9 AM - 1 PM, South Coventry fire house, 1755 Main Street. Proceeds support the Coventry High School Project Graduation event. Info: Carrie Houk, chouk0189@charter.net. 

Sun 10/30: Coventry Farmers' Market, 10 AM - 1 PM, 2299 South Street. The 19th season continues the tradition of carrying the best of CT-grown and CT-made products on the scenic grounds of the Nathan Hale Homestead. LAST MARKET OF THE 2022 SEASON! Theme: Pumpkin Harvest Celebration. Website.

TRANSFER STATION FALL/WINTER HOURS BEGIN OCT. 1 - AND NEW LOCATION
COMING SOON!

With the declining daylight, the Thursday hours at the Transfer Station change to 10 AM - 4 PM effective October 1, 2022 through March, 2023. The transfer station is relocating from its current site at 325 Main Street to the grounds of the Public Works facility, 100 Olsen Farm Road, later this month to make way for the construction of the new girls' softball field - watch for announcements for the transition date on the Town website and social media. 

Saturday hours remain the same year-round: 9 AM - 3 PM. Closed holidays. 

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.  These websites will let you ask about a specific item or material.  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.
 
October's Recycling Focus – Paper (part #2): Magazines, newsprint, newspaper inserts, junk mail, and office paper are all recyclable. Shredded paper, gift bags, and tissue paper are NOT recyclable and should be placed in the trash. CT materials recovery facilities that process our residential mixed recycling are not designed to separate shredded paper. Shredded paper sticks to and contaminates other curbside recyclables; blinds optical sorters; and contaminates other materials thereby degrading their value  .

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.

REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR THE CONNECTICUT VETERANS DAY RACE

Start training for the 2022 4-mile run or 3-mile ruck or walk! 

Race date: November 5, 2022. Patriots Park, 172 Lake Street. Opening ceremony 9:45 AM. Race start time 10 AM.

Registration fee of $30 increases to $35 after October 9.  Register early and save! 100% of proceeds supports CT veterans.

REGIONAL BRANDING EFFORT

The Towns of Bolton, Coventry, Mansfield and Tolland are in the process of creating a tourism brand for the four-towns region. The region has a significant opportunity to be seen as a desirable destination to dine, shop, work and play, based upon its distinctive combination of resources across the four towns. These resources include outdoor recreation, agriculture and agri-tourism, culture and entertainment, higher education institutions, and small businesses and entrepreneurs. The four towns are seeking community input on the draft branding options. A short survey is available online.  It will only take a few minutes to complete and your responses will remain anonymous. Your votes will help determine the final branding selection! The online survey is available through October 11, 2022 at this link.