Here is a letter reprinted with permission from former Town Council member Greg Laboissonniere in support of Chris Piasczyk .
Voters of Coventry District 5;
I am asking for your support to elect Chris Piasczyk as your Council representative. Chris understands that being part of a cohesive team is imperative to achieving positive results. As head coach of a college women’s basketball team, Chris works each day to instill his players with qualities they will need for success; qualities like integrity, honesty and an outstanding work ethic to name a few! He applies these same principles as a supervisor for UPS, an ultimate group of team players! Being a great team player is how you get the job done! This is something that Chris’ opponent has yet to understand.
In my personal experience on the council with Ted Jendzejec, he was certainly not a team player and I found he didn’t work well with people of differing opinions, even those from within his own party.
In Mr Jendzejec’s first year as a Coventry Councilman, he conspired with two of his Democrat council colleagues to overthrow fellow Democrat Frank Hyde as president in an embarrassing public display of the ugliest kind of politics that included his co-conspirator’s resignation immediately following the ouster and resulted in a costly special election and a divided council unable to resolve even the most basic business issues under Mr. Jendzejec’s leadership!
Now his issue is that the “self insured” fund is depleted. The truth is Ted would have you believe the current council is responsible when in fact the fund had approximately $7.2 million when Ted took office in 2004 and only about $4.7 million when he was voted out of office in 2006. That’s a $2.5 million drop in two years. We are no longer self insured because the asset value is too low to sustain a catastrophic loss. We now have to pay insurance premiums from that fund.
Our Town Council is a five man body and once elected need to work as a team for all of Coventry. The voters recognized Ted was not a good teammate and DID NOT re-elect him!
Can the voters of District 5 and all of Coventry expect different results in the future?
Yes we can, by electing Chris Piasczyk to the Coventry Town Council District 5 seat.
Greg Laboissonniere
Coventry, RI
Friday, October 29, 2010
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Home Rule Charter Proposed Amendments
There was a size restriction on what could be submitted to the KC Times so I wasn't able to write at length about all seven of the proposed amendments to our Town Home Rule Charter, so here is the full summary.
There will be 11 referendum items on the ballot next Tuesday. Question numbers 1 through 4 are state of RI issues, questions 5 through 11 concern the Charter.
BTW - Here is a link that can be used to print a sample ballot - https://sos.ri.gov/vic/
I was a member of the Coventry Charter Review Commission that met from November 2009 to May 2010. We had a lot of discussion about many possible changes to our Home Rule Charter. In the end, the Town Council approved seven recommended changes that will be put before you, the voters, on November 2nd. There hasn’t been much information available about these proposed amendments, so here is a summary of them along with my recommendations:
QUESTION #5 TOWN COUNCIL APPROVAL OF COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS
Here is how the question will appear on the ballot - Shall Article III, Section 3.14 of the Town Charter be amended to provide that no collective bargaining agreement between the Town, including the School Committee, and any labor organization shall become effective unless and until ratified by the majority vote of the Town Council?
EXPLANATION: This amendment would require Town Council approval of all collective bargaining agreements, including those negotiated by the School Committee. Over 60% of the Town budget is allocated to paying for collective bargaining agreements negotiated by the School Committee. Presently, the Council approves all collective bargaining agreements, except those negotiated by the School Committee. The Council sets the tax rate necessary, however, to support all contracts and Town spending. A vote to APPROVE would provide the Council with authority to ratify School Committee collective bargaining agreements. A vote to REJECT would deny that power.
I recommend that this amendment be approved. The Town Council would not be involved in negotiations with any School collective bargaining unit. The School Committee would have the sole power to negotiate, but with the knowledge that any labor agreement would have to accommodate budget constraints as set by the Council.
** 10/27/10 Additional comment in response to a question - Article 16-2 of RI general laws gives the sole power to negotiate school contracts to school committees. The TC can't legally negotiate; what this amendment would do is give the power to approve or not appove a tentative labor agreement to the Council, they would have the final say. This has been the law in East Providence for several years and so far it has worked there.
QUESTION #6 ALL DAY REFERENDUM / CONCURRENT BUDGET APPROVAL
Here is how the question will appear on the ballot - Shall Article VIII, Section 8.18 of the Town Charter be amended to provide that an all day referendum shall be required when any changes to the capital improvement or operating budget at the financial town meeting exceed $180,000; and Section 8.10 be amended to provide that the capital improvement program and capital budget be approved by the Town Council concurrent with the operating budget?
EXPLANATION: This amendment would make any change to the capital improvement or operating budgets that total $180,000 or more subject to an all day referendum. Presently, only additions or subtractions alone or that net to this amount are subject to referendum. The amendment would also allow the capital improvement program and budget to be approved adopted at the same time as the Town operating budget, not thirty (30) days prior as presently provided. A vote to APPROVE, would make these changes. A vote to REJECT, would not.
I recommend that this amendment be approved. It is proposed to change the amount from $180,000 “net” to $180,000 “sum”, the total of all additions and reductions approved at the Financial Town Meeting, as the trigger for a referendum. Approving the capital budget at the same time as the operating is logical from a budget planning standpoint, and is something that is long overdue.
QUESTION #7 NONPARTISAN ELECTIONS
Here is how the question will appear on the ballot - Shall Article II of the Charter be amended to provide nonpartisan elections for all local offices?
EXPLANATION: This proposed amendment would, commencing in 2012, establish nonpartisan elections, where all candidates on the ballot for local offices appear without party designation. Presently, local elections are partisan -- meaning that party designation accompanies all candidates on the local ballot. Parties remain free to endorse candidates and candidates may use party labels. A vote to APPROVE means you support nonpartisan election of local officeholders. A vote to REJECT means you oppose this change.
I recommend that this amendment be approved. Four other communities in Rhode Island, and hundreds of cities and town across the country have nonpartisan elections. There is no Democratic way to pick up trash, no Republican way to plow snow. At the local level elections should be about voting for the most qualified candidates, period. Without the need to get approval from any political town committee, this may expand the pool of citizens who would consider running for elected office.
QUESTION #8 FOUR YEAR TOWN COUNCIL TERMS / LIMIT ON APPOINTMENT POWER
Here is how the question will appear on the ballot - Shall Article III, Section 3.01 of the Charter be amended to provide for staggered four (4) year terms for Council members, as presently served by School Committee members; and Article XVIII amended to eliminate Town Council appointments between general election day and the seating of new Council members commencing a new term?
EXPLANATION: This proposed amendment would provide staggered four (4) years terms for Council members commencing in 2012. The staggered four (4) year terms for Council members would complement the present staggered four (4) year terms for School Committee members. The amendment would also eliminate Council appointments in the period between the general election and the seating of newly-elected members of the Council. Presently, each Council member is elected for a two (2) year term, and there are no limits on the timing of Council appointments.
I recommend that this amendment be approved. The office of Council member is as important as the office of School Committee member. Lengthening the term of Town Council members puts them on a par with the School Committee, whose members currently serve four year terms. Running for office is a lot of work; making Council terms longer may expand the pool of citizens who would consider running for elected office. Eliminating “lame duck” Council appointments is common sense.
QUESTION #9 TOWN MANAGER QUALIFICATIONS / ACTING TOWN MANAGER
Here is how the question will appear on the ballot - Shall Article V of the Charter be amended to raise the minimum qualifications for serving as Town Manager to a master's degree in certain fields, five (5) years of actual experience as manager or assistant manager of a municipality, and residence within the Town within six (6) months of appointment; and shall any person serving as an interim Town Manager not meeting these requirements be eligible to serve no more than one hundred and eighty (180) days?
EXPLANATION: This amendment would increase the minimum qualifications necessary for an individual to be eligible for appointment as Town Manager by the Council. It would also prohibit an appointment of an interim Town Manager not meeting these requirements from exceeding one hundred and eighty (180) days. Presently, the Charter contains lesser qualifications for Town Manager and does not deal with the length of time an interim Town Manager may serve. A vote to APPROVE means that you support the proposed changes to the Charter. A vote to REJECT means you do not support these changes.
I recommend that this amendment be approved. The Charter Review Commission and the Town Council believe that the requirements for the Town Manager position were watered down two years ago. The higher standards have served our town well in the past, and have not kept the town from finding qualified candidates for the position. Limiting an interim Town Manager term to 180 days would give the Town Council some incentive to find a permanent person for the position.
QUESTION #10 DEPARTMENTAL FUNCTIONS / TECHNICAL CHANGES / VOTING DISTRICTS
Here is how the question will appear on the ballot - Shall Article XII of the Charter be amended to update titles and functions; Article XIII amended to provide for consistency review of the capital improvement program; Article II be amended to delete local district apportionment by voters rather than population; and should the charter be amended with punctuation and grammar corrections and to achieve gender neutral terminology?
EXPLANATION: This amendment would update the titles and functions within the Department of Safety and Welfare; provide the Planning Commission with responsibility for ensuring consistency of the Town's capital improvement program with the comprehensive community plan; delete apportionment of voting districts for Council and School Committee by the number of voters in favor of apportionment based upon population. The amendment would also make technical, punctuation and grammatical changes throughout the Charter as well as employ gender neutral terminology. A vote to APPROVE means you support the proposed changes. A vote to REJECT means you oppose them.
I recommend that this amendment be approved. The charter change would formalize what the Planning Commission has already been doing for years. The change in apportionment of voting districts is something that must be done to comply with Federal law. Antiquated title names/terms/phraseology would be replaced with modern language that would be gender-neutral.
QUESTION #11 MUNICIPAL COURT
Here is how the question will appear on the ballot - Shall the Charter be amended to provide for a Municipal Court, with its jurisdiction and operation governed by ordinance; provided, however, that if Court revenue does not sustain operation of the Court; the Council shall possess the power to abolish the Court.
EXPLANATION: This amendment would place the existence of the Municipal Court in the Charter. It would allow the Council to abolish the Court only if the Court was not self-sustaining. Presently, the Court is established by only by ordinance. This amendment would not place the jurisdiction and operation of the Court in the Charter. Those matters are presently governed by ordinance and this amendment would not change that. A vote to APPROVE would adopt this change. A vote to REJECT would not.
I recommend that this amendment be approved. There was no Municipal Court when our Home Rule Charter was implemented in the 1970s; had there been one at that time it certainly would have been included in the Charter. Bringing the Court within the Charter would also make it more difficult to remove this office for political reasons.
I hope this information will help you make an informed decision on Election Day.
There will be 11 referendum items on the ballot next Tuesday. Question numbers 1 through 4 are state of RI issues, questions 5 through 11 concern the Charter.
BTW - Here is a link that can be used to print a sample ballot - https://sos.ri.gov/vic/
I was a member of the Coventry Charter Review Commission that met from November 2009 to May 2010. We had a lot of discussion about many possible changes to our Home Rule Charter. In the end, the Town Council approved seven recommended changes that will be put before you, the voters, on November 2nd. There hasn’t been much information available about these proposed amendments, so here is a summary of them along with my recommendations:
QUESTION #5 TOWN COUNCIL APPROVAL OF COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS
Here is how the question will appear on the ballot - Shall Article III, Section 3.14 of the Town Charter be amended to provide that no collective bargaining agreement between the Town, including the School Committee, and any labor organization shall become effective unless and until ratified by the majority vote of the Town Council?
EXPLANATION: This amendment would require Town Council approval of all collective bargaining agreements, including those negotiated by the School Committee. Over 60% of the Town budget is allocated to paying for collective bargaining agreements negotiated by the School Committee. Presently, the Council approves all collective bargaining agreements, except those negotiated by the School Committee. The Council sets the tax rate necessary, however, to support all contracts and Town spending. A vote to APPROVE would provide the Council with authority to ratify School Committee collective bargaining agreements. A vote to REJECT would deny that power.
I recommend that this amendment be approved. The Town Council would not be involved in negotiations with any School collective bargaining unit. The School Committee would have the sole power to negotiate, but with the knowledge that any labor agreement would have to accommodate budget constraints as set by the Council.
** 10/27/10 Additional comment in response to a question - Article 16-2 of RI general laws gives the sole power to negotiate school contracts to school committees. The TC can't legally negotiate; what this amendment would do is give the power to approve or not appove a tentative labor agreement to the Council, they would have the final say. This has been the law in East Providence for several years and so far it has worked there.
QUESTION #6 ALL DAY REFERENDUM / CONCURRENT BUDGET APPROVAL
Here is how the question will appear on the ballot - Shall Article VIII, Section 8.18 of the Town Charter be amended to provide that an all day referendum shall be required when any changes to the capital improvement or operating budget at the financial town meeting exceed $180,000; and Section 8.10 be amended to provide that the capital improvement program and capital budget be approved by the Town Council concurrent with the operating budget?
EXPLANATION: This amendment would make any change to the capital improvement or operating budgets that total $180,000 or more subject to an all day referendum. Presently, only additions or subtractions alone or that net to this amount are subject to referendum. The amendment would also allow the capital improvement program and budget to be approved adopted at the same time as the Town operating budget, not thirty (30) days prior as presently provided. A vote to APPROVE, would make these changes. A vote to REJECT, would not.
I recommend that this amendment be approved. It is proposed to change the amount from $180,000 “net” to $180,000 “sum”, the total of all additions and reductions approved at the Financial Town Meeting, as the trigger for a referendum. Approving the capital budget at the same time as the operating is logical from a budget planning standpoint, and is something that is long overdue.
QUESTION #7 NONPARTISAN ELECTIONS
Here is how the question will appear on the ballot - Shall Article II of the Charter be amended to provide nonpartisan elections for all local offices?
EXPLANATION: This proposed amendment would, commencing in 2012, establish nonpartisan elections, where all candidates on the ballot for local offices appear without party designation. Presently, local elections are partisan -- meaning that party designation accompanies all candidates on the local ballot. Parties remain free to endorse candidates and candidates may use party labels. A vote to APPROVE means you support nonpartisan election of local officeholders. A vote to REJECT means you oppose this change.
I recommend that this amendment be approved. Four other communities in Rhode Island, and hundreds of cities and town across the country have nonpartisan elections. There is no Democratic way to pick up trash, no Republican way to plow snow. At the local level elections should be about voting for the most qualified candidates, period. Without the need to get approval from any political town committee, this may expand the pool of citizens who would consider running for elected office.
QUESTION #8 FOUR YEAR TOWN COUNCIL TERMS / LIMIT ON APPOINTMENT POWER
Here is how the question will appear on the ballot - Shall Article III, Section 3.01 of the Charter be amended to provide for staggered four (4) year terms for Council members, as presently served by School Committee members; and Article XVIII amended to eliminate Town Council appointments between general election day and the seating of new Council members commencing a new term?
EXPLANATION: This proposed amendment would provide staggered four (4) years terms for Council members commencing in 2012. The staggered four (4) year terms for Council members would complement the present staggered four (4) year terms for School Committee members. The amendment would also eliminate Council appointments in the period between the general election and the seating of newly-elected members of the Council. Presently, each Council member is elected for a two (2) year term, and there are no limits on the timing of Council appointments.
I recommend that this amendment be approved. The office of Council member is as important as the office of School Committee member. Lengthening the term of Town Council members puts them on a par with the School Committee, whose members currently serve four year terms. Running for office is a lot of work; making Council terms longer may expand the pool of citizens who would consider running for elected office. Eliminating “lame duck” Council appointments is common sense.
QUESTION #9 TOWN MANAGER QUALIFICATIONS / ACTING TOWN MANAGER
Here is how the question will appear on the ballot - Shall Article V of the Charter be amended to raise the minimum qualifications for serving as Town Manager to a master's degree in certain fields, five (5) years of actual experience as manager or assistant manager of a municipality, and residence within the Town within six (6) months of appointment; and shall any person serving as an interim Town Manager not meeting these requirements be eligible to serve no more than one hundred and eighty (180) days?
EXPLANATION: This amendment would increase the minimum qualifications necessary for an individual to be eligible for appointment as Town Manager by the Council. It would also prohibit an appointment of an interim Town Manager not meeting these requirements from exceeding one hundred and eighty (180) days. Presently, the Charter contains lesser qualifications for Town Manager and does not deal with the length of time an interim Town Manager may serve. A vote to APPROVE means that you support the proposed changes to the Charter. A vote to REJECT means you do not support these changes.
I recommend that this amendment be approved. The Charter Review Commission and the Town Council believe that the requirements for the Town Manager position were watered down two years ago. The higher standards have served our town well in the past, and have not kept the town from finding qualified candidates for the position. Limiting an interim Town Manager term to 180 days would give the Town Council some incentive to find a permanent person for the position.
QUESTION #10 DEPARTMENTAL FUNCTIONS / TECHNICAL CHANGES / VOTING DISTRICTS
Here is how the question will appear on the ballot - Shall Article XII of the Charter be amended to update titles and functions; Article XIII amended to provide for consistency review of the capital improvement program; Article II be amended to delete local district apportionment by voters rather than population; and should the charter be amended with punctuation and grammar corrections and to achieve gender neutral terminology?
EXPLANATION: This amendment would update the titles and functions within the Department of Safety and Welfare; provide the Planning Commission with responsibility for ensuring consistency of the Town's capital improvement program with the comprehensive community plan; delete apportionment of voting districts for Council and School Committee by the number of voters in favor of apportionment based upon population. The amendment would also make technical, punctuation and grammatical changes throughout the Charter as well as employ gender neutral terminology. A vote to APPROVE means you support the proposed changes. A vote to REJECT means you oppose them.
I recommend that this amendment be approved. The charter change would formalize what the Planning Commission has already been doing for years. The change in apportionment of voting districts is something that must be done to comply with Federal law. Antiquated title names/terms/phraseology would be replaced with modern language that would be gender-neutral.
QUESTION #11 MUNICIPAL COURT
Here is how the question will appear on the ballot - Shall the Charter be amended to provide for a Municipal Court, with its jurisdiction and operation governed by ordinance; provided, however, that if Court revenue does not sustain operation of the Court; the Council shall possess the power to abolish the Court.
EXPLANATION: This amendment would place the existence of the Municipal Court in the Charter. It would allow the Council to abolish the Court only if the Court was not self-sustaining. Presently, the Court is established by only by ordinance. This amendment would not place the jurisdiction and operation of the Court in the Charter. Those matters are presently governed by ordinance and this amendment would not change that. A vote to APPROVE would adopt this change. A vote to REJECT would not.
I recommend that this amendment be approved. There was no Municipal Court when our Home Rule Charter was implemented in the 1970s; had there been one at that time it certainly would have been included in the Charter. Bringing the Court within the Charter would also make it more difficult to remove this office for political reasons.
I hope this information will help you make an informed decision on Election Day.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
New Article - Town Budget
News article from Kent County Times:
Council passes bare bones budget
Tuesday, 18 May 2010
HANNAH PIECUCH
hpiecuch@ricentral.
COVENTRY — The town council passed a level-funded budget on Monday night.
Residents will have the opportunity to uphold or deny the budget at the financial town meeting, scheduled for June 8.
Council President Raymond Spear, Vice-President Laura Flanagan and Glen Shibley were in attendance at the meeting and all supported the budget. Kenneth Cloutier and Frank Hyde were absent.
The budget reflects cuts or level-funding in nearly every department, said Town Manager Thomas Hoover in his report. For the most part, residents won’t see many changes to their services, he said.
He also mentioned the cuts made by the school committee, which amount to $1.3 million and take into account a level-funded municipal budget, cuts in state aid, and a five-year debt reduction plan.
“The main message is that there will be no increase in the tax rate this year as we approach the financial town meeting.”
Flanagan wanted to know how much town services will change under this budget.
“I hope to provide the same level of services,” Hoover said in response. But one area that will change is the police department.
The approved budget removes a request for two replacement officers and the department may lose up to four officers this year, Hoover said. Public safety is one of his top priorities as manager, he said, but there isn’t much he can do about the reductions in the budget.
If state aid comes in higher than expected, the council will restore the police department as much as they can, the three council members agreed.
As public discussion of the budget began, resident Bruce Desrosiers asked where Hyde and Cloutier were. “Ken Cloutier represents me and I would like to know if he would have an opinion, were he here.”
Later, Ron Gizzarelli agreed. Noting that Hyde and Cloutier have been absent from many recent meetings, he suggested that the Charter Review Commission look at penalizing council members who have many unexcused absences. “I think they should look at members not attending meetings or skipping meetings. If they don’t like [what’s being voted on] I want to hear their reasons.” His comment was followed by applause.
Hyde was absent, he said, because of a recent illness, but he is not happy with the budget that was passed. “Ray Spear and Laura Flanagan and Glen Shibley have been voting together since they got on the council,” he said. “It just seems to me that what they’re doing is taking all the money from the programs for sports and kids programs and paying the lawyers with it.”
Cloutier could not be reached for comment.
Resident Gary Beaudoin, a retired teacher, said the council should consider asking for a $0.50 per $1,000 tax increase. Finance Director Warren West estimated that such an increase would give the town about $1.7 million more in revenues.
“I’m very disturbed that there is a freeze affecting the town,” Beaudoin said. “I totally disagree with your position on no increases. It’s a philosophical problem. There are two kinds of councils in this town that are very dangerous. There is the liberal council that gives the store away — they give the unions whatever they want. And there is council that is too conservative and it’s ‘no, no, no.’” His comments, as well, were followed by applause.
Resident Ron Flynn thanked the council for taking the position that they have. “Thank you for being bold enough to keep the taxes level-funded,” he said. “I volunteer to drive the bus during football season for the cheerleaders. I don’t get a stipend or anything. More people need to step up and do that.”
School Committee Chairwoman Katherine Patenaude said she did not agree with the cuts being made to keep the budget level-funded. “I thought we made it pretty clear how much we need the $500,000 to keep from cutting people. I also don’t agree with the structural deficit [you’re creating] by using one-time sources of revenue. That is philosophically a stance that I can’t agree with.”
Coventry has been one of the highest taxed communities in the state ever since he first moved here 30 years ago, said Spear. He doesn’t ever want Coventry to become the least taxed area, but to bring the taxes down it’s going to take time and cuts like the ones being made this year.
“Rhode Island is in trouble, if you haven’t noticed,” Flanagan said as the comments drew to a close, “because we’ve spent and we’ve spent and we’ve spent. Level funding the budget is the only way to correct overspending so that we can get back down to a place where we can grow again. I do not think this room is representative of all the taxpayers in this town. I represent those taxpayers. I stand by this budget just as I did last year and holding the line on the taxes for just one year doesn’t get us where we want to be.”
It’s not easy to refuse to give agencies the money that they are asking for, Shibley added. “But the taxpayers I’ve talked to tell us ‘no more taxes’ and I don’t think they’re represented here. If I’m wrong they can come out and say ‘tax us more’ at the financial town meeting.”
All three members of the council that were present voted to approve the budget.
Council passes bare bones budget
Tuesday, 18 May 2010
HANNAH PIECUCH
hpiecuch@ricentral.
COVENTRY — The town council passed a level-funded budget on Monday night.
Residents will have the opportunity to uphold or deny the budget at the financial town meeting, scheduled for June 8.
Council President Raymond Spear, Vice-President Laura Flanagan and Glen Shibley were in attendance at the meeting and all supported the budget. Kenneth Cloutier and Frank Hyde were absent.
The budget reflects cuts or level-funding in nearly every department, said Town Manager Thomas Hoover in his report. For the most part, residents won’t see many changes to their services, he said.
He also mentioned the cuts made by the school committee, which amount to $1.3 million and take into account a level-funded municipal budget, cuts in state aid, and a five-year debt reduction plan.
“The main message is that there will be no increase in the tax rate this year as we approach the financial town meeting.”
Flanagan wanted to know how much town services will change under this budget.
“I hope to provide the same level of services,” Hoover said in response. But one area that will change is the police department.
The approved budget removes a request for two replacement officers and the department may lose up to four officers this year, Hoover said. Public safety is one of his top priorities as manager, he said, but there isn’t much he can do about the reductions in the budget.
If state aid comes in higher than expected, the council will restore the police department as much as they can, the three council members agreed.
As public discussion of the budget began, resident Bruce Desrosiers asked where Hyde and Cloutier were. “Ken Cloutier represents me and I would like to know if he would have an opinion, were he here.”
Later, Ron Gizzarelli agreed. Noting that Hyde and Cloutier have been absent from many recent meetings, he suggested that the Charter Review Commission look at penalizing council members who have many unexcused absences. “I think they should look at members not attending meetings or skipping meetings. If they don’t like [what’s being voted on] I want to hear their reasons.” His comment was followed by applause.
Hyde was absent, he said, because of a recent illness, but he is not happy with the budget that was passed. “Ray Spear and Laura Flanagan and Glen Shibley have been voting together since they got on the council,” he said. “It just seems to me that what they’re doing is taking all the money from the programs for sports and kids programs and paying the lawyers with it.”
Cloutier could not be reached for comment.
Resident Gary Beaudoin, a retired teacher, said the council should consider asking for a $0.50 per $1,000 tax increase. Finance Director Warren West estimated that such an increase would give the town about $1.7 million more in revenues.
“I’m very disturbed that there is a freeze affecting the town,” Beaudoin said. “I totally disagree with your position on no increases. It’s a philosophical problem. There are two kinds of councils in this town that are very dangerous. There is the liberal council that gives the store away — they give the unions whatever they want. And there is council that is too conservative and it’s ‘no, no, no.’” His comments, as well, were followed by applause.
Resident Ron Flynn thanked the council for taking the position that they have. “Thank you for being bold enough to keep the taxes level-funded,” he said. “I volunteer to drive the bus during football season for the cheerleaders. I don’t get a stipend or anything. More people need to step up and do that.”
School Committee Chairwoman Katherine Patenaude said she did not agree with the cuts being made to keep the budget level-funded. “I thought we made it pretty clear how much we need the $500,000 to keep from cutting people. I also don’t agree with the structural deficit [you’re creating] by using one-time sources of revenue. That is philosophically a stance that I can’t agree with.”
Coventry has been one of the highest taxed communities in the state ever since he first moved here 30 years ago, said Spear. He doesn’t ever want Coventry to become the least taxed area, but to bring the taxes down it’s going to take time and cuts like the ones being made this year.
“Rhode Island is in trouble, if you haven’t noticed,” Flanagan said as the comments drew to a close, “because we’ve spent and we’ve spent and we’ve spent. Level funding the budget is the only way to correct overspending so that we can get back down to a place where we can grow again. I do not think this room is representative of all the taxpayers in this town. I represent those taxpayers. I stand by this budget just as I did last year and holding the line on the taxes for just one year doesn’t get us where we want to be.”
It’s not easy to refuse to give agencies the money that they are asking for, Shibley added. “But the taxpayers I’ve talked to tell us ‘no more taxes’ and I don’t think they’re represented here. If I’m wrong they can come out and say ‘tax us more’ at the financial town meeting.”
All three members of the council that were present voted to approve the budget.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
FINANCIAL TOWN MEETING JUNE 8TH VOTE YES ON A ZERO TAX INCREASE FOR COVENTRY
Forwarding an e-mail from Town Council member Laura Flanagan. The TC proposes a zero tax increase budge for the fiscal year begining 07/01/10. The meeting will be held 3 weeks from tonight. I hope many of you will attend and support a zero tax increase. Thanks.
-------------------------------------------
LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD..... >>>> MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
Time: 7:00 pm
Date: Tuesday, June 8th, 2010
Place: Coventry High School
EVERY REGISTERED VOTER IN COVENTRY MUST ATTEND TO VOTE AND ENSURE NO TAX INCREASE FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR.
Please note that a NO TAX INCREASE BUDGET is being forwarded to the Financial Town Meeting for approval by the voters of Coventry. As a community, we must once again join together and say:
1) NO to wasteful spending that jeopardizes our current senior tax freeze
2) NO to the "same old way of doing business"
2) NO to the greed of special interests
3) NO to even one more dime
3) YES to a no tax increase budget
We can do more with less. We can continue to provide services to our residents. We must continue to say enough. We must not allow the scare tactics of special interests groups to derail our community from spending tax dollars conservatively and responsibly.
Please come out and let your voice be heard on June 8th, 2010. This is your right and your time to weigh in. Every voter counts!
Sincerely,
--
Laura A. Flanagan
Vice President
Town Council, Town of Coventry
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."
- Margaret Mead
-------------------------------------------
LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD..... >>>> MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
Time: 7:00 pm
Date: Tuesday, June 8th, 2010
Place: Coventry High School
EVERY REGISTERED VOTER IN COVENTRY MUST ATTEND TO VOTE AND ENSURE NO TAX INCREASE FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR.
Please note that a NO TAX INCREASE BUDGET is being forwarded to the Financial Town Meeting for approval by the voters of Coventry. As a community, we must once again join together and say:
1) NO to wasteful spending that jeopardizes our current senior tax freeze
2) NO to the "same old way of doing business"
2) NO to the greed of special interests
3) NO to even one more dime
3) YES to a no tax increase budget
We can do more with less. We can continue to provide services to our residents. We must continue to say enough. We must not allow the scare tactics of special interests groups to derail our community from spending tax dollars conservatively and responsibly.
Please come out and let your voice be heard on June 8th, 2010. This is your right and your time to weigh in. Every voter counts!
Sincerely,
--
Laura A. Flanagan
Vice President
Town Council, Town of Coventry
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."
- Margaret Mead
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Congressional Reform Act of 2010
Here is an idea to reform our Congress. Please look this over, if you agree with it please consider signing a petition via this link:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/21/congressional-reform-act-of-2010
A friend sent this along to me. I can't think of a single reason to disagree.
Congressional Reform Act of 2010
Target: Congress
Sponsored by:
A Fed Up American
The following bill should be introduced in Congress. It would be called the Congressional Reform Act of 2010. It would contain eight provisions, all of which would probably be strongly endorsed by those who drafted the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. They believed that serving in Congress is an honor not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, who would serve their terms, then go home and back to work, Remember, Congress currently has the lowest approval of any entity in Government. Now is the time when Americans should join together to reform Congress - the entity that represents us.
1. Term Limits: 12 years only, one of the possible options below.
A. Two Six year Senate terms
B. Six Two year House terms
C. One Six year Senate term and three Two Year House terms
2. No Tenure / No Pension:
A congressman collects a salary while in office and receives no pay when they are out of office.
3. Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social Security:
All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the Social Security system immediately. All future funds flow into the Social Security system; Congress participates with the American people.
4. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan just as all Americans.
5. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise. Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.
6. Congress loses their current health care system and participates in the same health care system as the American people.
7. Congress must equally abide in all laws they impose on the American people.
8. All contracts with past and present congressmen are void effective one year after passage of the bill .
The American people did not make contracts with congressmen, congressmen made all these contracts for themselves.
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/21/congressional-reform-act-of-2010
A friend sent this along to me. I can't think of a single reason to disagree.
Congressional Reform Act of 2010
Target: Congress
Sponsored by:
A Fed Up American
The following bill should be introduced in Congress. It would be called the Congressional Reform Act of 2010. It would contain eight provisions, all of which would probably be strongly endorsed by those who drafted the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. They believed that serving in Congress is an honor not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, who would serve their terms, then go home and back to work, Remember, Congress currently has the lowest approval of any entity in Government. Now is the time when Americans should join together to reform Congress - the entity that represents us.
1. Term Limits: 12 years only, one of the possible options below.
A. Two Six year Senate terms
B. Six Two year House terms
C. One Six year Senate term and three Two Year House terms
2. No Tenure / No Pension:
A congressman collects a salary while in office and receives no pay when they are out of office.
3. Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social Security:
All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the Social Security system immediately. All future funds flow into the Social Security system; Congress participates with the American people.
4. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan just as all Americans.
5. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise. Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.
6. Congress loses their current health care system and participates in the same health care system as the American people.
7. Congress must equally abide in all laws they impose on the American people.
8. All contracts with past and present congressmen are void effective one year after passage of the bill .
The American people did not make contracts with congressmen, congressmen made all these contracts for themselves.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Heathcare Reform Info
Here is a website that provides a lot of information on the new healthcare law:
http://www.kff.org
Link to a summary of the law:
http://www.kff.org/healthreform/upload/finalhcr.pdf
http://www.kff.org
Link to a summary of the law:
http://www.kff.org/healthreform/upload/finalhcr.pdf
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Monday, February 1, 2010
Giant development proposed in Cov.
Article from KC Times about the proposed "Sherwood Village"
---------------------------------
Giant development proposed in Cov.
Sunday, 31 January 2010
HANNAH PIECUCH
COVENTRY — The biggest development since the Centre of New England has been proposed for Coventry.
An 192-unit, eight-building, three-story apartment complex with the working name of “Sherwood Valley” has been proposed for New London Turnpike at Tiffany Lane, just northeast of the intersection of Arnold Road.
The Cardi Corporation presented their master plan to the Coventry Planning Commission at a special meeting exclusively for this development on Thursday night, according to Chairman Russell Crossman. Former Chairman Cynthia Fagan and Crossman switched positions this week, making Fagan vice-chair.
Cardi brought nearly ten experts with them to present the development, Planning and Zoning Officer Jacob Peabody said. They had a planner, landscape architects, their architect, a wetlands biologist, an environmental scientist, a civil engineer, a real estate expert and a traffic engineer.
The only reason that Cardi was able to propose something like this is because they have a comprehensive permit with at least 25 percent affordable housing, Peabody said. Of the 192 units, 48 units are going to be low to moderate income. This project first came before the commission at a pre-application meeting about two years ago, he added.
The commission took no action on the request for master plan approval on Thursday, Crossman said, because they didn’t even get through all the elements of the meeting. The introduction of the plan took over two hours and because of the large number of residents who attended, Crossman waived usual sections of the meeting where the commission asks their questions. Residents spoke about the development for more than an hour, he said, and it was nearly 11 p.m. when the meeting closed, with the discussion continued to next month.
“We felt it was more important to allow the public to speak than to speak ourselves,” Crossman said.
Although many of the residents expressed concern and resistance to the development, Crossman reserves his opinion until he has had more time to review the proposal, he said. “I haven’t prepared my questions [for Cardi] yet and I want to digest everything. That was a lot of information just from the experts. Plus we received documents from the residents, some were hand written, others were e-mails, on top of the oral testimonies that were given.”
Next to the Centre of New England, this is probably the largest development that Coventry has seen in the last few years, Crossman said. “And I’m hoping it’s the largest thing we see for the next ten.”
Representing his district, Councilman Glenford Shibley attended the meeting to speak against the proposed development, he said.
“They’re trying to circumvent almost a dozen of our Coventry zoning ordinances under the premise of providing 48 low to moderate income housing units,” he said. “This is only on 12.4 acres of land. They’re using 50 percent of the land for the buildings; you might liken it packing them in like sardines.”
In Shibley’s opinion, the proposal doesn’t fit in with the neighborhood, and when school-aged children are taken into account and many of the other waivers Cardi seeks are added up, it could be a large loss for the town.
There are some places in town where housing units of this magnitude would be welcome, Shibley said, and that would be in one of the blighted areas in need of revitalization. “We have Anthony Mill where we would just love to have 48 low to moderate income units. We already have it. It’s already built. It’s already a few stories high. Why build something new?”
State Representative Patricia Serpa (D-27 Warwick, West Warwick, Coventry) also attended the meeting to represent her constituents, she said.
“While everyone understands the need for affordable housing, given every municipality’s current state of fiscal affairs, we’re hoping the commission considers the impact [of a development this large] on schools, services like trash pick up and traffic.”
New London Turnpike is busy as it is, Serpa said. “One will expect at least 192 additional cars traveling new London turnpike and there are very many practical concerns.”
Revitalizing a blighted area is an alternative that Serpa also encouraged Cardi to look into, she said.
In a prepared speech, Tiffany Lane resident Susan Falcone asked the planning commission to consider denying the application, based on a legal precedent.
In spite of the large number of affordable housing units, the planning commission does have the right to reject this application, Falcone said, drawing from a Rhode Island Supreme Court Case, The Housing Opportunities Corporation et al v. Zoning Board of Review of the Town of Johnston.
In that case, which Falcone believes is very similar to this situation, the state Supreme Court upheld Johnston’s decision to reject an application to build a low to moderate income housing facility that was three stories high and did not blend with the surrounding neighborhood.
“The main thing I got out of [the case] that related to us is that the judge ruled that the multi-unit apartment proposed in Johnston would have ‘deleterious effects on the character of the surrounding area’ and that it ‘wasn’t consistent with the local needs,’ which they said were a better site and building design,” she said.
Looking at the proposal submitted by Cardi, Falcone thinks “that this development, with 40-foot tall buildings, would just not fit in the single family area on half-acre lots in that part of town. The density of the dwellings is way over the limit of density for acre in that area,” she said.
Her other concern relates to wetlands near the site, Falcone added. “There is a stream in the back of this property that is a feeder to Tiogue Lake and that goes to the Pawtuxet River. Flat Top Pond is also nearby.” Area residents have also expressed concerns about drainage, if this project goes in, she said.
As an alternative, Falcone suggested that the developer take a tax deduction and donate half of the property to the town of Coventry for open space, she said. “There is no open space, or passive recreation in our area of town and this donation would definitely improve the character and morale of our neighborhood. There could be walking trails and benches, perhaps even fitness stations, as I have seen on similar property in Lincoln abutting the Twin River Reservoir.”
Also from the neighborhood, Wayne Asselin, who lives on Lorraine Avenue near Hopkins Hill Road, echoedconcerns about the zoning in the general area. “That area is zoned for single-family homes,” he said. “The proposal is for something other than that and something that to me is out of scope for the neighborhood. It will dwarf the homes nearby. That’s my concern.”
He hopes that the planning commission will hear out everyone who comes to speak on the matter as the process continues, Asselin said, “and ask their own questions and make a decision that’s in the best interest of the town.”
The meeting has been continued to Wednesday, Feb. 10, Crossman said, and at that time the planning commission will ask their questions and there will be more time for public comment.
Stephen Cardi Jr. of the Cardi Corporation did not return calls to comment.
---------------------------------
Giant development proposed in Cov.
Sunday, 31 January 2010
HANNAH PIECUCH
COVENTRY — The biggest development since the Centre of New England has been proposed for Coventry.
An 192-unit, eight-building, three-story apartment complex with the working name of “Sherwood Valley” has been proposed for New London Turnpike at Tiffany Lane, just northeast of the intersection of Arnold Road.
The Cardi Corporation presented their master plan to the Coventry Planning Commission at a special meeting exclusively for this development on Thursday night, according to Chairman Russell Crossman. Former Chairman Cynthia Fagan and Crossman switched positions this week, making Fagan vice-chair.
Cardi brought nearly ten experts with them to present the development, Planning and Zoning Officer Jacob Peabody said. They had a planner, landscape architects, their architect, a wetlands biologist, an environmental scientist, a civil engineer, a real estate expert and a traffic engineer.
The only reason that Cardi was able to propose something like this is because they have a comprehensive permit with at least 25 percent affordable housing, Peabody said. Of the 192 units, 48 units are going to be low to moderate income. This project first came before the commission at a pre-application meeting about two years ago, he added.
The commission took no action on the request for master plan approval on Thursday, Crossman said, because they didn’t even get through all the elements of the meeting. The introduction of the plan took over two hours and because of the large number of residents who attended, Crossman waived usual sections of the meeting where the commission asks their questions. Residents spoke about the development for more than an hour, he said, and it was nearly 11 p.m. when the meeting closed, with the discussion continued to next month.
“We felt it was more important to allow the public to speak than to speak ourselves,” Crossman said.
Although many of the residents expressed concern and resistance to the development, Crossman reserves his opinion until he has had more time to review the proposal, he said. “I haven’t prepared my questions [for Cardi] yet and I want to digest everything. That was a lot of information just from the experts. Plus we received documents from the residents, some were hand written, others were e-mails, on top of the oral testimonies that were given.”
Next to the Centre of New England, this is probably the largest development that Coventry has seen in the last few years, Crossman said. “And I’m hoping it’s the largest thing we see for the next ten.”
Representing his district, Councilman Glenford Shibley attended the meeting to speak against the proposed development, he said.
“They’re trying to circumvent almost a dozen of our Coventry zoning ordinances under the premise of providing 48 low to moderate income housing units,” he said. “This is only on 12.4 acres of land. They’re using 50 percent of the land for the buildings; you might liken it packing them in like sardines.”
In Shibley’s opinion, the proposal doesn’t fit in with the neighborhood, and when school-aged children are taken into account and many of the other waivers Cardi seeks are added up, it could be a large loss for the town.
There are some places in town where housing units of this magnitude would be welcome, Shibley said, and that would be in one of the blighted areas in need of revitalization. “We have Anthony Mill where we would just love to have 48 low to moderate income units. We already have it. It’s already built. It’s already a few stories high. Why build something new?”
State Representative Patricia Serpa (D-27 Warwick, West Warwick, Coventry) also attended the meeting to represent her constituents, she said.
“While everyone understands the need for affordable housing, given every municipality’s current state of fiscal affairs, we’re hoping the commission considers the impact [of a development this large] on schools, services like trash pick up and traffic.”
New London Turnpike is busy as it is, Serpa said. “One will expect at least 192 additional cars traveling new London turnpike and there are very many practical concerns.”
Revitalizing a blighted area is an alternative that Serpa also encouraged Cardi to look into, she said.
In a prepared speech, Tiffany Lane resident Susan Falcone asked the planning commission to consider denying the application, based on a legal precedent.
In spite of the large number of affordable housing units, the planning commission does have the right to reject this application, Falcone said, drawing from a Rhode Island Supreme Court Case, The Housing Opportunities Corporation et al v. Zoning Board of Review of the Town of Johnston.
In that case, which Falcone believes is very similar to this situation, the state Supreme Court upheld Johnston’s decision to reject an application to build a low to moderate income housing facility that was three stories high and did not blend with the surrounding neighborhood.
“The main thing I got out of [the case] that related to us is that the judge ruled that the multi-unit apartment proposed in Johnston would have ‘deleterious effects on the character of the surrounding area’ and that it ‘wasn’t consistent with the local needs,’ which they said were a better site and building design,” she said.
Looking at the proposal submitted by Cardi, Falcone thinks “that this development, with 40-foot tall buildings, would just not fit in the single family area on half-acre lots in that part of town. The density of the dwellings is way over the limit of density for acre in that area,” she said.
Her other concern relates to wetlands near the site, Falcone added. “There is a stream in the back of this property that is a feeder to Tiogue Lake and that goes to the Pawtuxet River. Flat Top Pond is also nearby.” Area residents have also expressed concerns about drainage, if this project goes in, she said.
As an alternative, Falcone suggested that the developer take a tax deduction and donate half of the property to the town of Coventry for open space, she said. “There is no open space, or passive recreation in our area of town and this donation would definitely improve the character and morale of our neighborhood. There could be walking trails and benches, perhaps even fitness stations, as I have seen on similar property in Lincoln abutting the Twin River Reservoir.”
Also from the neighborhood, Wayne Asselin, who lives on Lorraine Avenue near Hopkins Hill Road, echoed
He hopes that the planning commission will hear out everyone who comes to speak on the matter as the process continues, Asselin said, “and ask their own questions and make a decision that’s in the best interest of the town.”
The meeting has been continued to Wednesday, Feb. 10, Crossman said, and at that time the planning commission will ask their questions and there will be more time for public comment.
Stephen Cardi Jr. of the Cardi Corporation did not return calls to comment.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Meetings this week
Town Council Jan. 25
http://sos.ri.gov/documents/publicinfo/omdocs/notices/4232/2010/85148.pdf
School Committee Jan. 26
http://sos.ri.gov/documents/publicinfo/omdocs/notices/4248/2010/84966.pdf
Planning Commission - Jan. 27 regular monthly meeting
http://sos.ri.gov/documents/publicinfo/omdocs/notices/4233/2010/85090.pdf
Planning Commission - Jan. 28 special meeting regarding Sherwood Village
http://sos.ri.gov/documents/publicinfo/omdocs/notices/4233/2010/85087.pdf
Charter Review Commission - Jan. 28
As of 01/14/10 this meeting has not yet been posted on the Secretary of State website
http://sos.ri.gov/documents/publicinfo/omdocs/notices/4232/2010/85148.pdf
School Committee Jan. 26
http://sos.ri.gov/documents/publicinfo/omdocs/notices/4248/2010/84966.pdf
Planning Commission - Jan. 27 regular monthly meeting
http://sos.ri.gov/documents/publicinfo/omdocs/notices/4233/2010/85090.pdf
Planning Commission - Jan. 28 special meeting regarding Sherwood Village
http://sos.ri.gov/documents/publicinfo/omdocs/notices/4233/2010/85087.pdf
Charter Review Commission - Jan. 28
As of 01/14/10 this meeting has not yet been posted on the Secretary of State website
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Sherwood Village Public Hearing Planning Meeting Jan. 13
Hi All
Just wanted to make you aware of a Planning Commission meeting next Wednesday that has the following agenda item:
Wednesday January 13th 7:00 PM
PUBLIC INFORMATIONAL MEETING-Continued
Comprehensive Permit/Master Plan: “Sherwood Village”; Sherwood Development, LLC
Proposed 192 Multi-family Units Consisting of 8 Buildings with 24
Dwelling Units (on 8.2 acres - WA) Each with 25% Deemed to be Affordable
AP 16, Lot 3; Zone R-20
New London Turnpike
The location of the proposed development is at the corner of New London Turnpike and Tiffany Road. The current zone is R-20 which means each house must be on a lot that has at least 20,000 sq. ft of land. As it stands right now no more than 17 single family homes can be built at this site. Because this is a development that contains so-called "affordable housing" it has "fast track" status whereby instead of having to obtain a zoning variance from the Town Council, they can go directly to and possibly get approval from the Planning Commission to build the 192 living units on 8.2 acres instead of 17 single family homes.
Here is the link to the actual agenda:
http://sos.ri.gov/documents/publicinfo/omdocs/notices/4233/2010/84239.pdf
If you live on the Turnpike or Tiffany Road or nearby of even you have a home on Tiogue Lake I suggest that you attend this meeting. This is a "Master Plan" public hearing which basically is the only chance you will have to speak out on this project. If the public does not come out and voice their comments, questions or concerns then the Planning Commission could possibly approve the development as proposed that night.
The meeting takes place on Wednesday, Jan. 13th at 7 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers of the Town Hall, 1670 Flat River Road.
>
> A copy of the plans are available at the Department of Planning, Town Hall Annex, 1675 Flat River Road.
> If you cannot attend the meeting, please write a letter or send an e-mail ASAP stating you cannot attend the meeting and that you would like your statement to be part of the record. Send it to:
> Paul Sprague, Director of Planning and Development
Town of Coventry
> 1675 Flat River Road
> Coventry, RI 02816
> RE: Sherwood Village
Paul's e-mail address is psprague@town.coventry.ri.us
Just wanted to make you aware of a Planning Commission meeting next Wednesday that has the following agenda item:
Wednesday January 13th 7:00 PM
PUBLIC INFORMATIONAL MEETING-Continued
Comprehensive Permit/Master Plan: “Sherwood Village”; Sherwood Development, LLC
Proposed 192 Multi-family Units Consisting of 8 Buildings with 24
Dwelling Units (on 8.2 acres - WA) Each with 25% Deemed to be Affordable
AP 16, Lot 3; Zone R-20
New London Turnpike
The location of the proposed development is at the corner of New London Turnpike and Tiffany Road. The current zone is R-20 which means each house must be on a lot that has at least 20,000 sq. ft of land. As it stands right now no more than 17 single family homes can be built at this site. Because this is a development that contains so-called "affordable housing" it has "fast track" status whereby instead of having to obtain a zoning variance from the Town Council, they can go directly to and possibly get approval from the Planning Commission to build the 192 living units on 8.2 acres instead of 17 single family homes.
Here is the link to the actual agenda:
http://sos.ri.gov/documents/publicinfo/omdocs/notices/4233/2010/84239.pdf
If you live on the Turnpike or Tiffany Road or nearby of even you have a home on Tiogue Lake I suggest that you attend this meeting. This is a "Master Plan" public hearing which basically is the only chance you will have to speak out on this project. If the public does not come out and voice their comments, questions or concerns then the Planning Commission could possibly approve the development as proposed that night.
The meeting takes place on Wednesday, Jan. 13th at 7 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers of the Town Hall, 1670 Flat River Road.
>
> A copy of the plans are available at the Department of Planning, Town Hall Annex, 1675 Flat River Road.
> If you cannot attend the meeting, please write a letter or send an e-mail ASAP stating you cannot attend the meeting and that you would like your statement to be part of the record. Send it to:
> Paul Sprague, Director of Planning and Development
Town of Coventry
> 1675 Flat River Road
> Coventry, RI 02816
> RE: Sherwood Village
Paul's e-mail address is psprague@town.coventry.ri.us
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Merry Christmas
The reason for the season.
Luke 2:1-20
[1]And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.
[2] This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria.
[3] So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
[4]Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,
[5] to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.
[6] So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. [7] And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
[8] Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.
[9] And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.
[10] Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.
[11] For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
[12] And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger."
[13] And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
[14] "Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"
[15] So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us."
[16] And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.
[17] Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child.
[18] And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
[19] But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.
[20] Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.
I hope all of you have a great Christmas.
Luke 2:1-20
[1]And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.
[2] This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria.
[3] So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
[4]Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,
[5] to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.
[6] So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. [7] And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
[8] Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.
[9] And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.
[10] Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.
[11] For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
[12] And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger."
[13] And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
[14] "Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"
[15] So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us."
[16] And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.
[17] Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child.
[18] And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
[19] But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.
[20] Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.
I hope all of you have a great Christmas.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Dec. 9 Public Hearing Sherwood Village
Just wanted to make you aware of a Planning Commission meeting next Wednesday that has the following agenda item:
PUBLIC INFORMATIONAL MEETING
Comprehensive Permit/Master Plan: “Sherwood Village”; Sherwood
Development, LLC
Proposed 192 Multi-family Units Consisting of 8 Buildings with 24
Dwelling Units (on 8.2 acres WA) Each with 25% Deemed to be Affordable
AP 16, Lot 3; Zone R-20
New London Turnpike
The location of the proposed development is at the corner of New London Turnpike and Tiffany Road. The current zone is R-20 which means each house must be on a lot that has at least 20,000 sq. ft of land. As it stands right now no more than 17 single family homes can be built at this site. Because this is a development that contains so-called "affordable housing" it has "fast track" status whereby instead of having to obtain a zoning variance from the Town Council, they can go directly to and possibly get approval from the Planning Commission to build 192 living units on 8.2 acres instead of 17 single family homes.
Here is the link to the actual agenda:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4233/2009/82700.pdf
If you live on the Turnpike or Tiffany Road or nearby of even you have a home on Tiogue Lake I suggest that you attend this meeting. This is a Master Plan public hearing which basically is the only chance you will have to speak out on this project. If the public does not come out and voice their comments, questions or concerns then the Planning Commission could possibly approve the development as proposed that night.
The meeting takes place on Wednesday, December 9th at 7 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers of the Town Hall, 1670 Flat River Road.
>
> A copy of the plans are available at the Department of Planning, Town Hall Annex, 1675 Flat River Road.
> If you cannot attend the meeting, please write a letter (ASAP) stating you cannot attend the meeting and that you would like your statement to be part of the record. Send it to:
> Paul Sprague, Director
>Coventry Planning Dept.
> 1675 Flat River Road
> Coventry, RI 02816
> RE: Sherwood Village
>
>
PUBLIC INFORMATIONAL MEETING
Comprehensive Permit/Master Plan: “Sherwood Village”; Sherwood
Development, LLC
Proposed 192 Multi-family Units Consisting of 8 Buildings with 24
Dwelling Units (on 8.2 acres WA) Each with 25% Deemed to be Affordable
AP 16, Lot 3; Zone R-20
New London Turnpike
The location of the proposed development is at the corner of New London Turnpike and Tiffany Road. The current zone is R-20 which means each house must be on a lot that has at least 20,000 sq. ft of land. As it stands right now no more than 17 single family homes can be built at this site. Because this is a development that contains so-called "affordable housing" it has "fast track" status whereby instead of having to obtain a zoning variance from the Town Council, they can go directly to and possibly get approval from the Planning Commission to build 192 living units on 8.2 acres instead of 17 single family homes.
Here is the link to the actual agenda:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4233/2009/82700.pdf
If you live on the Turnpike or Tiffany Road or nearby of even you have a home on Tiogue Lake I suggest that you attend this meeting. This is a Master Plan public hearing which basically is the only chance you will have to speak out on this project. If the public does not come out and voice their comments, questions or concerns then the Planning Commission could possibly approve the development as proposed that night.
The meeting takes place on Wednesday, December 9th at 7 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers of the Town Hall, 1670 Flat River Road.
>
> A copy of the plans are available at the Department of Planning, Town Hall Annex, 1675 Flat River Road.
> If you cannot attend the meeting, please write a letter (ASAP) stating you cannot attend the meeting and that you would like your statement to be part of the record. Send it to:
> Paul Sprague, Director
>Coventry Planning Dept.
> 1675 Flat River Road
> Coventry, RI 02816
> RE: Sherwood Village
>
>
Monday, November 30, 2009
Charter Review Commission
I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving weekend. Below is an article from today's KC Times on the newly formed Charter Review Commission. I am honored to be named as one of the board members. The charter states that we have six months to conduct our work (section 15.20, p. 42), not nine as shown in the article. We will do our best to review the charter and recommend to the Town Council changes that will improve this document which we hope will improve the way our local government operates. The commission will hold meetings on a regular basis and these will be open to the public. I will advise what the meeting dates are as soon as I know them. I encourage you all to come to the meetings so we can get your input.
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Charter review group up and running
Sunday, 29 November 2009
HANNAH PIECUCH
hpiecuch@ricentral.com
COVENTRY — After a longer delay than the council would have liked, the charter review commission is ready to go, after all nine members were appointed at the Monday town council meeting.
The nine applicants display a broad range of capabilities and experience and Town Council President Raymond Spear said that he was very pleased to announce their appointment.
Joel Johnson, Harold Trafford Jr., Ann Dickson, Wayne Asselin, Robert Thibeault, James Sullivan, Gregory Laboissonniere, Joy Martin and William Wolfe were all sworn in on the spot in the town council chambers.
“I personally know most of these people,” said Councilman Glenford Shibley at the meeting, visibly pleased. “The town will be in good hands with them as the charter review commission.”
Town Manager Thomas Hoover will be an ex-officio member, added Town Solicitor Patrick Rogers, as well as a liaison to the council.
“I welcome you all,” Spear said. “You will have access to the building so you can meet — the manager will arrange that. And you are now eligible to proceed immediately, organize yourself, pick a chairperson and we’ll look forward to some nice work.”
The council has indicated that there are a few particular things that they would like to see the commission review, Spear added.
“We will be anxiously awaiting your progress.”
The Coventry Town Charter allows nine months for the review commission to meet and come up with recommendations for the town council.
“With nine months, I’m inclined to think you’ll have no problem,” Spear said.
Filling the commission did take longer than he thought it would, Spear admitted on Tuesday. While he was very pleased with the nine applicants for the commission, they were the only applicants who applied.
In the meantime, the council has been trying to keep other boards and commissions up to date, Spear added, and the number of open seats is creeping up again.
There are positions remaining on the redevelopment agency, the Pawtuxet River authority, the sewer assessment board, the tax assessment board of review and the Coventry land trust, and two new positions open due to resignations on the juvenile hearing board and the housing authority.
“It’s harder than I thought it would be,” he said. “It’s not that we’re necessarily neglecting people that applied — we’ve appointed everyone we could and now we’re looking for more applicants.”
For more information about the openings on boards and commissions as well as the applications visit the town Web site at http://town.coventry.ri.us/, or call the town clerk’s office at 822-9173.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Charter review group up and running
Sunday, 29 November 2009
HANNAH PIECUCH
hpiecuch@ricentral.com
COVENTRY — After a longer delay than the council would have liked, the charter review commission is ready to go, after all nine members were appointed at the Monday town council meeting.
The nine applicants display a broad range of capabilities and experience and Town Council President Raymond Spear said that he was very pleased to announce their appointment.
Joel Johnson, Harold Trafford Jr., Ann Dickson, Wayne Asselin, Robert Thibeault, James Sullivan, Gregory Laboissonniere, Joy Martin and William Wolfe were all sworn in on the spot in the town council chambers.
“I personally know most of these people,” said Councilman Glenford Shibley at the meeting, visibly pleased. “The town will be in good hands with them as the charter review commission.”
Town Manager Thomas Hoover will be an ex-officio member, added Town Solicitor Patrick Rogers, as well as a liaison to the council.
“I welcome you all,” Spear said. “You will have access to the building so you can meet — the manager will arrange that. And you are now eligible to proceed immediately, organize yourself, pick a chairperson and we’ll look forward to some nice work.”
The council has indicated that there are a few particular things that they would like to see the commission review, Spear added.
“We will be anxiously awaiting your progress.”
The Coventry Town Charter allows nine months for the review commission to meet and come up with recommendations for the town council.
“With nine months, I’m inclined to think you’ll have no problem,” Spear said.
Filling the commission did take longer than he thought it would, Spear admitted on Tuesday. While he was very pleased with the nine applicants for the commission, they were the only applicants who applied.
In the meantime, the council has been trying to keep other boards and commissions up to date, Spear added, and the number of open seats is creeping up again.
There are positions remaining on the redevelopment agency, the Pawtuxet River authority, the sewer assessment board, the tax assessment board of review and the Coventry land trust, and two new positions open due to resignations on the juvenile hearing board and the housing authority.
“It’s harder than I thought it would be,” he said. “It’s not that we’re necessarily neglecting people that applied — we’ve appointed everyone we could and now we’re looking for more applicants.”
For more information about the openings on boards and commissions as well as the applications visit the town Web site at http://town.coventry.ri.us/, or call the town clerk’s office at 822-9173.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Many Thanks
Many thanks to all who serve our town. Elected officials, municipal workers, police officers, fire fighters, teachers, the volunteers of all our youth and adult groups, and the citizens groups. Thanks to all the businesses that provide goods and services to our town. Without all of you there would be no community.
Following is a Thanksgiving proclamation from the U.S. Continental Congress in 1782:
Proclamation
State of New-Hampshire. In Committee of Safety, Exeter, November 1, 1782 : Ordered, that the following proclamation for a general thanksgiving on the twenty-eighth day of November instant, received from the honorable Continental Congress, be forthwith printed ...
STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE.IN COMMITTEE of SAFETY,EXETER, November 1, 1782.
ORDERED,THAT the following Proclamation for a general THANKSGIVING on the twenty-eighth day of November [instant?], received from the honorable Continental Congress, be forthwith printed, and sent to the several worshipping Assemblies in this State, to whom it is recommended religiously to observe said day, and to abstain from all servile labour thereon.M. WEARE, President.
By the United States in Congress assembled.
PROCLAMATION.
IT being the indispensable duty of all Nations, not only to offer up their supplications to ALMIGHTY GOD, the giver of all good, for his gracious assistance in a time of distress, but also in a solemn and public manner to give him praise for his goodness in general, and especially for great and signal interpositions of his providence in their behalf: Therefore the United States in Congress assembled, taking into their consideration the many instances of divine goodness to these States, in the course of the important conflict in which they have been so long engaged; the present happy and promising state of public affairs; and the events of the war, in the course of the year now drawing to a close; particularly the harmony of the public Councils, which is so necessary to the success of the public cause; the perfect union and good understanding which has hitherto subsisted between them and their Allies, notwithstanding the artful and unwearied attempts of the common enemy to divide them; the success of the arms of the United States, and those of their Allies, and the acknowledgment of their independence by another European power, whose friendship and commerce must be of great and lasting advantage to these States:----- Do hereby recommend to the inhabitants of these States in general, to observe, and request the several States to interpose their authority in appointing and commanding the observation of THURSDAY the twenty-eight day of NOVEMBER next, as a day of solemn THANKSGIVING to GOD for all his mercies: and they do further recommend to all ranks, to testify to their gratitude to GOD for his goodness, by a cheerful obedience of his laws, and by promoting, each in his station, and by his influence, the practice of true and undefiled religion, which is the great foundation of public prosperity and national happiness.
Done in Congress, at Philadelphia, the eleventh day of October, in the year of our LORD one thousand seven hundred and eighty-two, and of our Sovereignty and Independence, the seventh.JOHN HANSON, President.Charles Thomson, Secretary.
PRINTED AT EXETER.
Proclamation courtesy of The Library of Congress.
From Historychannel.com
Following is a Thanksgiving proclamation from the U.S. Continental Congress in 1782:
Proclamation
State of New-Hampshire. In Committee of Safety, Exeter, November 1, 1782 : Ordered, that the following proclamation for a general thanksgiving on the twenty-eighth day of November instant, received from the honorable Continental Congress, be forthwith printed ...
STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE.IN COMMITTEE of SAFETY,EXETER, November 1, 1782.
ORDERED,THAT the following Proclamation for a general THANKSGIVING on the twenty-eighth day of November [instant?], received from the honorable Continental Congress, be forthwith printed, and sent to the several worshipping Assemblies in this State, to whom it is recommended religiously to observe said day, and to abstain from all servile labour thereon.M. WEARE, President.
By the United States in Congress assembled.
PROCLAMATION.
IT being the indispensable duty of all Nations, not only to offer up their supplications to ALMIGHTY GOD, the giver of all good, for his gracious assistance in a time of distress, but also in a solemn and public manner to give him praise for his goodness in general, and especially for great and signal interpositions of his providence in their behalf: Therefore the United States in Congress assembled, taking into their consideration the many instances of divine goodness to these States, in the course of the important conflict in which they have been so long engaged; the present happy and promising state of public affairs; and the events of the war, in the course of the year now drawing to a close; particularly the harmony of the public Councils, which is so necessary to the success of the public cause; the perfect union and good understanding which has hitherto subsisted between them and their Allies, notwithstanding the artful and unwearied attempts of the common enemy to divide them; the success of the arms of the United States, and those of their Allies, and the acknowledgment of their independence by another European power, whose friendship and commerce must be of great and lasting advantage to these States:----- Do hereby recommend to the inhabitants of these States in general, to observe, and request the several States to interpose their authority in appointing and commanding the observation of THURSDAY the twenty-eight day of NOVEMBER next, as a day of solemn THANKSGIVING to GOD for all his mercies: and they do further recommend to all ranks, to testify to their gratitude to GOD for his goodness, by a cheerful obedience of his laws, and by promoting, each in his station, and by his influence, the practice of true and undefiled religion, which is the great foundation of public prosperity and national happiness.
Done in Congress, at Philadelphia, the eleventh day of October, in the year of our LORD one thousand seven hundred and eighty-two, and of our Sovereignty and Independence, the seventh.JOHN HANSON, President.Charles Thomson, Secretary.
PRINTED AT EXETER.
Proclamation courtesy of The Library of Congress.
From Historychannel.com
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Council looks to fill board seats
Article from Todays Kent County Times. Please consider applying for one of these board positions.
Council looks to fill board seats
Wednesday, 30 September 2009
HANNAH PIECUCH
COVENTRY — The Town Council is seeking applicants for the assessment board of review, the Pawtuxet River authority, the redevelopment agency, the sewer assessment board, the Coventry land trust, and the personnel board, as they announced at their Monday night council meeting.
In addition, they are seeking to fill remaining seats on the juvenile hearing board, the planning commission, and the charter review commission, said Council President Raymond Spear. There were not enough people to even establish the charter review commission, he said, which takes nine people, and there is one space left on both the juvenile hearing board and the planning commission.Applications are due by Oct. 7 to the Town Clerk. The application form is available at the town hall and also online at town.coventry.ri.us.
Assessment Board of Review
There is one opening on the assessment board, according to Chairperson James J. O’Connor, belonging to a resident from District 2. This board reviews appeals made after property is revaluated every three years, O’Connor said. They are the last resort of a resident who believes that his property has been over or under valued. Currently, the board has several members with experience in real estate, O’Connor said, “There is currently a real estate broker on the board and I’m a certified real estate appraiser.” But real estate experience isn’t as essential as common sense, he added. “By the same token you don’t have to have all those qualifications. A lot of times there’s a very practical thinking individual who is a home owner in the area who is very helpful on our board.”
Pawtuxet River Authority
Established by Rhode Island General Laws, Chapter 46-24, the authority is composed of residents from Coventry, West Warwick, Scituate, Warwick, and Cranston. As the advisory board to the non-profit agency, the board works with the Pawtuxet River authority and watershed council to strive to improve the land quality of the river and keep its waters safe for wildlife and recreation, according to the authority’s Web site. The board meets monthly within the participating communities through which the Pawtuxet River passes.No board member was reached for comment, however more information about the authority can be found at www.pawtuxet.org.
The Redevelopment Agency
This agency is tasked with overseeing tax incremental financing projects in Coventry, according to Town Planner Paul Sprague, who was acting town manager at the time that the agency was established by the previous town council.The town council established the redevelopment committee by resolution in September 2007, according to Resolution 115-07-2822.According to state law, if a town wants to establish a tax incremental financing area, then they need a redevelopment agency to oversee it, Sprague said. Part of what they do is locate blighted areas within a town that would be ideal for redevelopment.In 2007, both the Harris Mill area and the Brookside Center were established as tax incremental financing areas, Sprague said.Over the last year, the agency has been inactive, Sprague confirmed. The council is looking to fill one expired position on the five-member board.
Sewer Assessment Board
This three-member board hears appeals from taxpayers when they are charged a sewer assessment that they do not feel is equitable, according to Town Manager Thomas R. Hoover. The cost to hook up to a sewer in town is over $1,200, Hoover said, and the amount can be paid over time. If a homeowner feels that this fee is unwarranted, they can appear before the board and file their grievance. If the board does not feel that the appeal is warranted, the resident can appeal to the Rhode Island Superior Court.
Coventry Land Trust
The land trust was established in 1999 to “promote preservation of Coventry’s rural, rustic and historic character that defines the town,” according to the land trust Web site. The stated mission of the land trust is to acquire, preserve and protect Coventry’s open space for future generations, conserve and protect environmentally sensitive lands and natural resources, educate residents and the general public regarding the need for land and resource conservation, recommend to the town council those properties which meet the goals and objectives for land preservation.There are two openings on this seven-member board, according to the town clerk.The leadership of the trust could not be reached for comment, but more information is available at www.town.coventry.ri.us/landtrust.htm.
Personnel Board
This board only meets as needed, Hoover said. The three-member board was established in accordance with the town charter and they meet to recommend rules and regulations for practices and procedures in the administration of the personnel system of the town. “Members cannot be already elected officials or employees,” he said, “and there can be no more than two members of the same political party.”This board does not meet very often because the town has a set of rules right now, Hoover said, but the board needs to be in place in the case that a personnel disagreement comes up. At that time the board will meet, make a decision, submit it to the town manager, and subsequently to the council. All three positions on the board are currently open.
Council looks to fill board seats
Wednesday, 30 September 2009
HANNAH PIECUCH
COVENTRY — The Town Council is seeking applicants for the assessment board of review, the Pawtuxet River authority, the redevelopment agency, the sewer assessment board, the Coventry land trust, and the personnel board, as they announced at their Monday night council meeting.
In addition, they are seeking to fill remaining seats on the juvenile hearing board, the planning commission, and the charter review commission, said Council President Raymond Spear. There were not enough people to even establish the charter review commission, he said, which takes nine people, and there is one space left on both the juvenile hearing board and the planning commission.Applications are due by Oct. 7 to the Town Clerk. The application form is available at the town hall and also online at town.coventry.ri.us.
Assessment Board of Review
There is one opening on the assessment board, according to Chairperson James J. O’Connor, belonging to a resident from District 2. This board reviews appeals made after property is revaluated every three years, O’Connor said. They are the last resort of a resident who believes that his property has been over or under valued. Currently, the board has several members with experience in real estate, O’Connor said, “There is currently a real estate broker on the board and I’m a certified real estate appraiser.” But real estate experience isn’t as essential as common sense, he added. “By the same token you don’t have to have all those qualifications. A lot of times there’s a very practical thinking individual who is a home owner in the area who is very helpful on our board.”
Pawtuxet River Authority
Established by Rhode Island General Laws, Chapter 46-24, the authority is composed of residents from Coventry, West Warwick, Scituate, Warwick, and Cranston. As the advisory board to the non-profit agency, the board works with the Pawtuxet River authority and watershed council to strive to improve the land quality of the river and keep its waters safe for wildlife and recreation, according to the authority’s Web site. The board meets monthly within the participating communities through which the Pawtuxet River passes.No board member was reached for comment, however more information about the authority can be found at www.pawtuxet.org.
The Redevelopment Agency
This agency is tasked with overseeing tax incremental financing projects in Coventry, according to Town Planner Paul Sprague, who was acting town manager at the time that the agency was established by the previous town council.The town council established the redevelopment committee by resolution in September 2007, according to Resolution 115-07-2822.According to state law, if a town wants to establish a tax incremental financing area, then they need a redevelopment agency to oversee it, Sprague said. Part of what they do is locate blighted areas within a town that would be ideal for redevelopment.In 2007, both the Harris Mill area and the Brookside Center were established as tax incremental financing areas, Sprague said.Over the last year, the agency has been inactive, Sprague confirmed. The council is looking to fill one expired position on the five-member board.
Sewer Assessment Board
This three-member board hears appeals from taxpayers when they are charged a sewer assessment that they do not feel is equitable, according to Town Manager Thomas R. Hoover. The cost to hook up to a sewer in town is over $1,200, Hoover said, and the amount can be paid over time. If a homeowner feels that this fee is unwarranted, they can appear before the board and file their grievance. If the board does not feel that the appeal is warranted, the resident can appeal to the Rhode Island Superior Court.
Coventry Land Trust
The land trust was established in 1999 to “promote preservation of Coventry’s rural, rustic and historic character that defines the town,” according to the land trust Web site. The stated mission of the land trust is to acquire, preserve and protect Coventry’s open space for future generations, conserve and protect environmentally sensitive lands and natural resources, educate residents and the general public regarding the need for land and resource conservation, recommend to the town council those properties which meet the goals and objectives for land preservation.There are two openings on this seven-member board, according to the town clerk.The leadership of the trust could not be reached for comment, but more information is available at www.town.coventry.ri.us/landtrust.htm.
Personnel Board
This board only meets as needed, Hoover said. The three-member board was established in accordance with the town charter and they meet to recommend rules and regulations for practices and procedures in the administration of the personnel system of the town. “Members cannot be already elected officials or employees,” he said, “and there can be no more than two members of the same political party.”This board does not meet very often because the town has a set of rules right now, Hoover said, but the board needs to be in place in the case that a personnel disagreement comes up. At that time the board will meet, make a decision, submit it to the town manager, and subsequently to the council. All three positions on the board are currently open.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Meetings this week
Town Council 9/14 7:00 PM:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4232/2009/78927.pdf
Housing Authority 9/16 4:15 PM:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4242/2009/78946.pdf
Housing Authority 9/16 4:30 PM:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4242/2009/78947.pdf
Planning Commission 9/16 7:00 PM:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4233/2009/78820.pdf
Note some of the agenda items -
Pre-Application: “Stop and Shop Fuel Facility”; The Stop & Shop
Supermarket Company LLC
Proposed Installation of 4 Fuelling Pumps and Associated Tanks
AP 29, Lot 232; Zone GB
900 Tiogue Avenue
Pre-Application for Development Plan Review: “Coventry, RI Tower”;
Industrial Tower and Wireless, LLC
Construction of a Cell Tower and Accompanying Equipment Area
AP 320, Lot 81.001; Zone RR5
371 Rice City Road
PUBLIC HEARING
Preliminary Plan: “Heritage Estates”; Fred Schick, Heritage Homes
LLC
26-Lot Major Cluster Subdivision with Street Creation
AP 317, Lot(s) 66 and 67 and AP 323, Lot 250.1; Zone RR3
Bramble Bush Road & Ledge Road
PUBLIC HEARING
Major Land Development/Preliminary Plan: “CVS Pharmacy”; R.I. CVS
Pharmacy, LLC.
Proposed New Store
AP 38, Lots 105, 106 & 107; Zone GB
Tiogue Avenue & Wood Street
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4232/2009/78927.pdf
Housing Authority 9/16 4:15 PM:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4242/2009/78946.pdf
Housing Authority 9/16 4:30 PM:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4242/2009/78947.pdf
Planning Commission 9/16 7:00 PM:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4233/2009/78820.pdf
Note some of the agenda items -
Pre-Application: “Stop and Shop Fuel Facility”; The Stop & Shop
Supermarket Company LLC
Proposed Installation of 4 Fuelling Pumps and Associated Tanks
AP 29, Lot 232; Zone GB
900 Tiogue Avenue
Pre-Application for Development Plan Review: “Coventry, RI Tower”;
Industrial Tower and Wireless, LLC
Construction of a Cell Tower and Accompanying Equipment Area
AP 320, Lot 81.001; Zone RR5
371 Rice City Road
PUBLIC HEARING
Preliminary Plan: “Heritage Estates”; Fred Schick, Heritage Homes
LLC
26-Lot Major Cluster Subdivision with Street Creation
AP 317, Lot(s) 66 and 67 and AP 323, Lot 250.1; Zone RR3
Bramble Bush Road & Ledge Road
PUBLIC HEARING
Major Land Development/Preliminary Plan: “CVS Pharmacy”; R.I. CVS
Pharmacy, LLC.
Proposed New Store
AP 38, Lots 105, 106 & 107; Zone GB
Tiogue Avenue & Wood Street
Monday, September 7, 2009
Meeting - Coventry Conservation Commission Sept. 8th 6 pm
Here is the agenda for tomorrow night's CCC meeting showing Sherwood Village on it.
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4239/2009/78539.pdf
The meeting takes place at the Planning Dept office located in the former Flat River Middle School building. If you live on or near the New London Turnpike or Tiffany Road I suggest that you go there to find out what the Conservation Commission is discussing and also so you can ask questions and share your concerns with this proposed development. The developer does not need a variance or zone change approval from the Town Council if this is an affordable housing plan; but they do have to meet all other state and local zoning regs and need approval from the Planning Commission for their proposed project.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Meetings
Aug. 11 School Committee
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4248/2009/77386.pdf
Aug. 11 Conservation Comm.
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4239/2009/77506.pdf
There is an item that may be of interest on the agenda:
Comprehensive Permit Application: “Sherwood Village”;
Sherwood Development LLC /Stephen Cardi, II
192 Affordable Residential Units in 8 Buildings
AP 16, Lot 3; Zone R20
New London Turnpike
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4248/2009/77386.pdf
Aug. 11 Conservation Comm.
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4239/2009/77506.pdf
There is an item that may be of interest on the agenda:
Comprehensive Permit Application: “Sherwood Village”;
Sherwood Development LLC /Stephen Cardi, II
192 Affordable Residential Units in 8 Buildings
AP 16, Lot 3; Zone R20
New London Turnpike
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
News Article - FTM
Article from the KCT on last night's Financial Town Meeting:
Residents approve Coventry budget
Tuesday, 30 June 2009
HANNAH PIECUCH
hclarkin@ricentral.com
COVENTRY — With lines wrapping around Coventry High School and all legal parking spots taken well before 7 p.m., a crowd of 1392 residents showed up for the Financial Town Meeting to set the budget for fiscal year 2010, as counted by the Board of Canvassers.
Given the choice between no tax increase, as presented in the budget prepared by the town council, and increases presented in amendments, the residents chose no increase.Tax bills in 2010 will be identical to those that went out in 2009, according to figures projected on the screen at the meeting by Finance Director Warren West. Since it is not a revaluation year, there will be no change in property taxes. The school department was level-funded in the council’s recommended budget, coming in at $41,580,728 in local contributions and a total of $62,895,882 including state and federal aid, grants and other revenues.
Before the budget was adopted, resident Joel Johnson offered an amendment to add $750,000 to the total school budget, in order to preserve Oak Haven Elementary School, he said.That amendment, after discussion, was modified by resident Bruce Desrosiers to amount to $600,000 — the amount that Superintendent Kenneth DiPietro said the schools needed to keep the school open.Although there was a loud cheer when this amendment was proposed, not all residents wanted to add the amount into the budget. An even louder cheer and applause rose in the high school gymnasium when resident John Assalone commended the council for presenting a budget without an increase.“This is the first time in maybe 30 years that the council has brought before you a budget with no increase. Everyone is taking a hit — municipal workers, police, sports,” he listed. “I move we reject adding an increase for 2010.”
Since increasing the budget by more than $175,000 requires an all-day referendum, as mandated by the town charter, Moderator Gregory Laboissonniere called for a paper ballot to determine if the proposed amendment would pass.After an hour of voting with paper ballots, the amendment failed with 438 supporting the amendment and 836 voting against it, according to the Board of Canvassers.The school budget passed as presented by a voice vote.
The municipal budget was recommended at $20,580,728 by the council — 6.6 percent less than the 2009 budget. When it came up for discussion, resident Wayne Asselin presented an amendment to add $113,651 to the municipal budget, which would restore funding to charities and civics organizations. Local sport leagues, the Johnson’s Pond Association, Coventry Veterans associations and the Greene Library — among other organizations — would all have had their funding restored under this amendment. Desrosiers tried to amend the amendment to include $30,000 a year for Human Services, but as author of the amendment Asselin did not allow the change. Not everyone wanted funding restored, pointed out one resident. “I think there are a lot of people who are in this room because this is the time for a zero increase in the budget. I feel really bad that people have to make sacrifices,” she said. “If you want money for your little league team, then come to my house and I will give you a donation because I can afford it. Don’t put that burden on our tax bill.”After discussion the amendment was voted down by a voice vote.
The voice vote for the municipal budget as presented went to those in favor, but Laboissonniere made the call without taking a voice vote for those opposed.Resident Nicholas Gorham made a point of order and requested that those opposed have a chance to vote, but Laboissonniere said that his call held.
A school capital improvement budget of $250,000 to install new roofs at Alan Shawn Feinstein Middle School of Coventry and a municipal capital improvement budget of $109,138 to purchase a new recycling truck passed with few objections.
The finance director was authorized to collect taxes and the tax levy was set at no more and no less than $59,000,000. The meeting began at roughly 7:45 p.m. and lasted until 9:50 p.m. The paper ballot took nearly an hour and the rest of the meeting was discussion of amendments.
After the meeting the gymnasium emptied quickly as residents returned to their cars.This crowd was the biggest that Board of Canvassers Chairman Frank Perry had seen in years, he said. “Maybe the last time this many people showed up was 1992.”
Residents approve Coventry budget
Tuesday, 30 June 2009
HANNAH PIECUCH
hclarkin@ricentral.com
COVENTRY — With lines wrapping around Coventry High School and all legal parking spots taken well before 7 p.m., a crowd of 1392 residents showed up for the Financial Town Meeting to set the budget for fiscal year 2010, as counted by the Board of Canvassers.
Given the choice between no tax increase, as presented in the budget prepared by the town council, and increases presented in amendments, the residents chose no increase.Tax bills in 2010 will be identical to those that went out in 2009, according to figures projected on the screen at the meeting by Finance Director Warren West. Since it is not a revaluation year, there will be no change in property taxes. The school department was level-funded in the council’s recommended budget, coming in at $41,580,728 in local contributions and a total of $62,895,882 including state and federal aid, grants and other revenues.
Before the budget was adopted, resident Joel Johnson offered an amendment to add $750,000 to the total school budget, in order to preserve Oak Haven Elementary School, he said.That amendment, after discussion, was modified by resident Bruce Desrosiers to amount to $600,000 — the amount that Superintendent Kenneth DiPietro said the schools needed to keep the school open.Although there was a loud cheer when this amendment was proposed, not all residents wanted to add the amount into the budget. An even louder cheer and applause rose in the high school gymnasium when resident John Assalone commended the council for presenting a budget without an increase.“This is the first time in maybe 30 years that the council has brought before you a budget with no increase. Everyone is taking a hit — municipal workers, police, sports,” he listed. “I move we reject adding an increase for 2010.”
Since increasing the budget by more than $175,000 requires an all-day referendum, as mandated by the town charter, Moderator Gregory Laboissonniere called for a paper ballot to determine if the proposed amendment would pass.After an hour of voting with paper ballots, the amendment failed with 438 supporting the amendment and 836 voting against it, according to the Board of Canvassers.The school budget passed as presented by a voice vote.
The municipal budget was recommended at $20,580,728 by the council — 6.6 percent less than the 2009 budget. When it came up for discussion, resident Wayne Asselin presented an amendment to add $113,651 to the municipal budget, which would restore funding to charities and civics organizations. Local sport leagues, the Johnson’s Pond Association, Coventry Veterans associations and the Greene Library — among other organizations — would all have had their funding restored under this amendment. Desrosiers tried to amend the amendment to include $30,000 a year for Human Services, but as author of the amendment Asselin did not allow the change. Not everyone wanted funding restored, pointed out one resident. “I think there are a lot of people who are in this room because this is the time for a zero increase in the budget. I feel really bad that people have to make sacrifices,” she said. “If you want money for your little league team, then come to my house and I will give you a donation because I can afford it. Don’t put that burden on our tax bill.”After discussion the amendment was voted down by a voice vote.
The voice vote for the municipal budget as presented went to those in favor, but Laboissonniere made the call without taking a voice vote for those opposed.Resident Nicholas Gorham made a point of order and requested that those opposed have a chance to vote, but Laboissonniere said that his call held.
A school capital improvement budget of $250,000 to install new roofs at Alan Shawn Feinstein Middle School of Coventry and a municipal capital improvement budget of $109,138 to purchase a new recycling truck passed with few objections.
The finance director was authorized to collect taxes and the tax levy was set at no more and no less than $59,000,000. The meeting began at roughly 7:45 p.m. and lasted until 9:50 p.m. The paper ballot took nearly an hour and the rest of the meeting was discussion of amendments.
After the meeting the gymnasium emptied quickly as residents returned to their cars.This crowd was the biggest that Board of Canvassers Chairman Frank Perry had seen in years, he said. “Maybe the last time this many people showed up was 1992.”
Monday, June 29, 2009
News Article on Budget
Following is an article from today's KCT on the budget. The FTM is tomorrow night; if you want a zero tax increase suggest you attend tomorrow nigght's meeting at the high school GYMNASIUM (not the auditorium).
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Officials dispel budget ‘rumors’
Sunday, 28 June 2009
HANNAH PIECUCHhclarkin@ricentral.com This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it COVENTRY — A zero percent increase in taxes will be put before the voters of Coventry at the Financial Town Meeting on Tuesday, June 30, says Council Vice-President Laura Flanagan.“There is no other community in Rhode Island whose council has provided a 0 percent increase in their budget,” she said. “And this isn’t a revaluation year, so that means that taxpayers won’t see a cent difference on their tax bill.”In spite of the work that she, Council President Raymond Spear and the Coventry Finance Director Warren West have put into constructing a budget that gives tax relief, Flanagan feels that the budget has been misrepresented through rumors and incorrect statements, she said.
Rumors about the impact of the budget have been spread in a disingenuous manner, Flanagan said — that layoffs will topple town departments, that the council has forced the closing of Oak Haven Elementary School, is demanding huge fees to be paid by the sports league and to attend town summer camps, is depriving charities of operational expenses in the town and is spending thousands of unnecessary dollars on their recently contracted law firm Edwards Angell Palmer and Dodge. Most of these rumors do not have a factual basis, Flanagan and Spear said. The total budget comes in at $87,021,668, representing a 6.6 percent reduction in the operating costs, a more-than halved capital improvement budget and a level-funded school budget, according to figures provide by West.This budget is nearly $2 million less than the fiscal year 2009 budget, according to numbers provided by West, but it will not cripple town departments, Flanagan and Spear said. “I trust Warren [West],” Flanagan said. “I think he knows what he’s doing and knows this town enough that he would tell us if these cuts we’re making would prevent the town from operating.”
The department of public works will lose three employees, West said, but none of these positions are lost through layoffs. Over the course of the year two DPW employees passed away — one refuse courier and one roads and bridges driver — West said. One mechanic from vehicle maintenance left his position for medical reasons. These positions will not be filled, but the department has already been operating with them empty this fiscal year.The only layoffs that will occur in the municipal budget are the elimination of one part-time position in the tax collector’s office, that only cost the town $2,000 a year and the elimination of one part time position in the town clerk’s office for an employee who will keep their position in another town department, West said.
The hiring freeze leaves the town manager’s office down one clerk and the tax assessor’s office down one clerk because of layoffs, West continued. At the police department, the budget removes funding for an officer who was called up for the National Guard, Flanagan said — that officer will receive pay through the National Guard so it is unnecessary to budget for him — and two officers who would have been trained to replace a retirement and the officer called up for the National Guard will remain in their current position. In short, there will be three open positions at the police department.
The discussion surrounding the closing of Oak Haven has placed the blame for the decision on the town council. This is not fair, said Spear, speaking as a former superintendent and the chairman of the school committee. “Closing Oak Haven School has been on the docket for three years in a row,” he said. “The town council did not put it there, the school committee put it there.”Oak Haven is only an issue because it has been made an issue, Spear continued. The biggest impact is going to be in the Oak Haven neighborhood, but other areas will lose or gain 20 to 40 students.The way that Superintendent Kenneth DiPietro has presented it, Spear said, “you’d think that every kid in the town was getting turned upside down.”Handling the school closure this way is “very unprofessional on the part of the superintendent,” Spear said. “It’s been made a political issue when it doesn’t have to be a political issue. If you can educate kids well in five schools instead of six and save money, then you can do it.”
Many residents may forget, Spear added, that when he was superintendent in the 1980s, the town leadership found it expedient to close the Tiogue Elementary School for a time. “I don’t remember it being a great big mess back then.” The school department leadership, the school committee and the parents of elementary school students in the district need to stay calm, Spear said, and if they do, their children will get through the initial change and be just fine. The council does not decide to close a school or keep a school open, emphasized Flanagan, the school committee does. The school committee has had since January to reconcile the fact that they are being level-funded by the town council, she added.
Many complaints have circulated regarding cuts to the Parks and Recreation Department budget, Flanagan said. Ironically, this department is the only one where the department head was given a set budget and allowed to determine his own cuts. Recreation Director Guy Lefebvre was given a set amount, she said, “we told him that he could increase his revenues by increasing the fees to the summer camp — which was only $12 a week. I don’t know of anywhere in this state that you could send your kids to summer camp for $12 a week. It was $100 a week at the YMCA ten years ago. We told him that we need to get our fees to a place where they’re covering our costs so we strongly encouraged him to raise fees.”For families who cannot afford the increase, Flanagan added, there is assistance available through the Department of Human Services and they are welcome to apply for aid through the Waterman/Fiske Assistance Program.
The increase in fees to play on sports teams, such as the Ram’s Football team, was also Lefebvre’s own decision, Flanagan said. Now, instead of the town donating the money to pay for lights and field use, players will have to pay themselves.“What this amounts to is that every child pays $5 more — for the season,” Flanagan said. “It’s important to note that the way we are changing things makes our programs more user-oriented,” Flanagan said. “Rather than put the burden of paying for summer camp or recreation leagues on all the taxpayers in this town, we’re putting it on the people who want to use them.“We don’t think any of the user fees are exorbitant,” she added. “If I don’t see an increase in my taxes, I can put out $5 for my kid to play football or pay $25 a week this summer to send them to summer camp.”
Cutting out the charitable donations line-item has generated a lot of complaints, Flanagan said. Veterans programs, the Greene Library, the Good Samaritans and other organizations will not receive any money from the town this year.Charitable donations amounted to $90,775 in last year’s budget, West said and were proposed to amount to $95,775 in the town manager’s budget for this year. The council has zeroed out that amount. This does not mean that those charities will not be supported in the future, Flanagan said, “but in a year when we’re asking municipal employees to take no pay raises and asking them to increase their health-insurance contributions — it seems like a slap in the face to turn around and donate nearly $100,000 to charities.”When it came to looking at all the charities that the town has supported, Flanagan said, the council did not want to pick and choose which to keep and which to discontinue. They simply decided, “this year we’re not going to do it.”
Employing Law Firm Edwards, Angel, Palmer and Dodge has received a lot of public criticism when residents saw the amount that was budgeted, Flanagan said. This year’s legal budget is listed in one line item, West said, and it includes $175,000 for legal services, $200,000 budgeted for ongoing litigation, based on a recommendation from the firm, and $75,000 to cover legal expenses for the school department. The whole number this year is $449,000 for all legal items, West said. In prior years there was a line-item for legal services that was considerably smaller, but other legal expenses were worked into other sections of the budget and nothing was budgeted for ongoing litigation. When all these fees were compiled in one place, the council in Fiscal Year 2008 had budgeted $374,000 for legal services, West said.
Many of the rumors that Flanagan and Spear addressed were published in the Reminder this week, a copy of which was provided by Flanagan. The advertisement was paid for by Bruce Desrosiers acting as Treasurer of “Concerned Citizens for Coventry,” according to the ad. Desrosiers could not be reached for comment.Supporting the budget this fiscal year are Flanagan and Spear and Councilman Glenford Shibley. Both Councilman Frank Hyde and Councilman Kenneth Cloutier voted against the budget when it came before the council.
Although the budget passed the town council 3-2, Flanagan said, it’s not a done deal. Taxpayers in Coventry do have the power to add or subtract items from the budget or to defeat the budget altogether.People who are excited that there is no tax increase in the budget should not be thanking her now, Flanagan said. “It’s not a done deal. Don’t thank me, come out to the Financial Town Meeting and make it happen.”Now is the time to begin cutting taxes so that Coventry can cease being one of the highest-taxed communities in Rhode Island, Spear said. In order to do so, the town must start somewhere and “now is the time and now is the place to start.”Copies of the town council’s recommended budget are available on the Coventry town Web site: http://town.coventry.ri.us.
Residents can weigh in on the budget by voting at the Financial Town Meeting this Tuesday, June 30 at 7 p.m. at the high school auditorium.
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Officials dispel budget ‘rumors’
Sunday, 28 June 2009
HANNAH PIECUCHhclarkin@ricentral.com This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it COVENTRY — A zero percent increase in taxes will be put before the voters of Coventry at the Financial Town Meeting on Tuesday, June 30, says Council Vice-President Laura Flanagan.“There is no other community in Rhode Island whose council has provided a 0 percent increase in their budget,” she said. “And this isn’t a revaluation year, so that means that taxpayers won’t see a cent difference on their tax bill.”In spite of the work that she, Council President Raymond Spear and the Coventry Finance Director Warren West have put into constructing a budget that gives tax relief, Flanagan feels that the budget has been misrepresented through rumors and incorrect statements, she said.
Rumors about the impact of the budget have been spread in a disingenuous manner, Flanagan said — that layoffs will topple town departments, that the council has forced the closing of Oak Haven Elementary School, is demanding huge fees to be paid by the sports league and to attend town summer camps, is depriving charities of operational expenses in the town and is spending thousands of unnecessary dollars on their recently contracted law firm Edwards Angell Palmer and Dodge. Most of these rumors do not have a factual basis, Flanagan and Spear said. The total budget comes in at $87,021,668, representing a 6.6 percent reduction in the operating costs, a more-than halved capital improvement budget and a level-funded school budget, according to figures provide by West.This budget is nearly $2 million less than the fiscal year 2009 budget, according to numbers provided by West, but it will not cripple town departments, Flanagan and Spear said. “I trust Warren [West],” Flanagan said. “I think he knows what he’s doing and knows this town enough that he would tell us if these cuts we’re making would prevent the town from operating.”
The department of public works will lose three employees, West said, but none of these positions are lost through layoffs. Over the course of the year two DPW employees passed away — one refuse courier and one roads and bridges driver — West said. One mechanic from vehicle maintenance left his position for medical reasons. These positions will not be filled, but the department has already been operating with them empty this fiscal year.The only layoffs that will occur in the municipal budget are the elimination of one part-time position in the tax collector’s office, that only cost the town $2,000 a year and the elimination of one part time position in the town clerk’s office for an employee who will keep their position in another town department, West said.
The hiring freeze leaves the town manager’s office down one clerk and the tax assessor’s office down one clerk because of layoffs, West continued. At the police department, the budget removes funding for an officer who was called up for the National Guard, Flanagan said — that officer will receive pay through the National Guard so it is unnecessary to budget for him — and two officers who would have been trained to replace a retirement and the officer called up for the National Guard will remain in their current position. In short, there will be three open positions at the police department.
The discussion surrounding the closing of Oak Haven has placed the blame for the decision on the town council. This is not fair, said Spear, speaking as a former superintendent and the chairman of the school committee. “Closing Oak Haven School has been on the docket for three years in a row,” he said. “The town council did not put it there, the school committee put it there.”Oak Haven is only an issue because it has been made an issue, Spear continued. The biggest impact is going to be in the Oak Haven neighborhood, but other areas will lose or gain 20 to 40 students.The way that Superintendent Kenneth DiPietro has presented it, Spear said, “you’d think that every kid in the town was getting turned upside down.”Handling the school closure this way is “very unprofessional on the part of the superintendent,” Spear said. “It’s been made a political issue when it doesn’t have to be a political issue. If you can educate kids well in five schools instead of six and save money, then you can do it.”
Many residents may forget, Spear added, that when he was superintendent in the 1980s, the town leadership found it expedient to close the Tiogue Elementary School for a time. “I don’t remember it being a great big mess back then.” The school department leadership, the school committee and the parents of elementary school students in the district need to stay calm, Spear said, and if they do, their children will get through the initial change and be just fine. The council does not decide to close a school or keep a school open, emphasized Flanagan, the school committee does. The school committee has had since January to reconcile the fact that they are being level-funded by the town council, she added.
Many complaints have circulated regarding cuts to the Parks and Recreation Department budget, Flanagan said. Ironically, this department is the only one where the department head was given a set budget and allowed to determine his own cuts. Recreation Director Guy Lefebvre was given a set amount, she said, “we told him that he could increase his revenues by increasing the fees to the summer camp — which was only $12 a week. I don’t know of anywhere in this state that you could send your kids to summer camp for $12 a week. It was $100 a week at the YMCA ten years ago. We told him that we need to get our fees to a place where they’re covering our costs so we strongly encouraged him to raise fees.”For families who cannot afford the increase, Flanagan added, there is assistance available through the Department of Human Services and they are welcome to apply for aid through the Waterman/Fiske Assistance Program.
The increase in fees to play on sports teams, such as the Ram’s Football team, was also Lefebvre’s own decision, Flanagan said. Now, instead of the town donating the money to pay for lights and field use, players will have to pay themselves.“What this amounts to is that every child pays $5 more — for the season,” Flanagan said. “It’s important to note that the way we are changing things makes our programs more user-oriented,” Flanagan said. “Rather than put the burden of paying for summer camp or recreation leagues on all the taxpayers in this town, we’re putting it on the people who want to use them.“We don’t think any of the user fees are exorbitant,” she added. “If I don’t see an increase in my taxes, I can put out $5 for my kid to play football or pay $25 a week this summer to send them to summer camp.”
Cutting out the charitable donations line-item has generated a lot of complaints, Flanagan said. Veterans programs, the Greene Library, the Good Samaritans and other organizations will not receive any money from the town this year.Charitable donations amounted to $90,775 in last year’s budget, West said and were proposed to amount to $95,775 in the town manager’s budget for this year. The council has zeroed out that amount. This does not mean that those charities will not be supported in the future, Flanagan said, “but in a year when we’re asking municipal employees to take no pay raises and asking them to increase their health-insurance contributions — it seems like a slap in the face to turn around and donate nearly $100,000 to charities.”When it came to looking at all the charities that the town has supported, Flanagan said, the council did not want to pick and choose which to keep and which to discontinue. They simply decided, “this year we’re not going to do it.”
Employing Law Firm Edwards, Angel, Palmer and Dodge has received a lot of public criticism when residents saw the amount that was budgeted, Flanagan said. This year’s legal budget is listed in one line item, West said, and it includes $175,000 for legal services, $200,000 budgeted for ongoing litigation, based on a recommendation from the firm, and $75,000 to cover legal expenses for the school department. The whole number this year is $449,000 for all legal items, West said. In prior years there was a line-item for legal services that was considerably smaller, but other legal expenses were worked into other sections of the budget and nothing was budgeted for ongoing litigation. When all these fees were compiled in one place, the council in Fiscal Year 2008 had budgeted $374,000 for legal services, West said.
Many of the rumors that Flanagan and Spear addressed were published in the Reminder this week, a copy of which was provided by Flanagan. The advertisement was paid for by Bruce Desrosiers acting as Treasurer of “Concerned Citizens for Coventry,” according to the ad. Desrosiers could not be reached for comment.Supporting the budget this fiscal year are Flanagan and Spear and Councilman Glenford Shibley. Both Councilman Frank Hyde and Councilman Kenneth Cloutier voted against the budget when it came before the council.
Although the budget passed the town council 3-2, Flanagan said, it’s not a done deal. Taxpayers in Coventry do have the power to add or subtract items from the budget or to defeat the budget altogether.People who are excited that there is no tax increase in the budget should not be thanking her now, Flanagan said. “It’s not a done deal. Don’t thank me, come out to the Financial Town Meeting and make it happen.”Now is the time to begin cutting taxes so that Coventry can cease being one of the highest-taxed communities in Rhode Island, Spear said. In order to do so, the town must start somewhere and “now is the time and now is the place to start.”Copies of the town council’s recommended budget are available on the Coventry town Web site: http://town.coventry.ri.us.
Residents can weigh in on the budget by voting at the Financial Town Meeting this Tuesday, June 30 at 7 p.m. at the high school auditorium.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Financial Town Meeting June 30th
Posting a letter from Town Council Vice Pres. Laura Flanagan urging Coventry residents to attend next week's FTM. I have some comments on item numbers 3, 4, 7 and 8.
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Hi All,
I need to ask for your help in spreading the word on the IMPORTANCE of every registered voter attending the
Financial Town Meeting on Tuesday, June 30th, 2009 at 7 pm in the High School Auditorium.
Many people are under the false impression that the Council's adoption of a no tax increase budget, means that it is set in stone. This is NOT the case.
IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO SEE YOUR TAXES GO UP, YOU MUST ATTEND AND VOTE AT THE FINANCIAL TOWN MEETING
CAST YOUR VOTES AGAINST CHANGES TO THE BUDGET
CAST YOUR VOTES FOR PASSAGE OF A ZERO TAX INCREASE BUDGET AS PRESENTED BY A MAJORITY OF THE COUNCIL.
In Coventry, the PEOPLE adopt a budget at the annual financial town meeting, not the Council. This is mandated by our Town's Charter.
The Council only works to develop what is presented at this meeting. There will be a vote taken, and every registered voter has a right to weigh in.
There are many special interests groups lobbying against what the Council has adopted, and they will be at this meeting to add money, increasing taxes, with their votes.
You will hear many exaggerations of this budget's impact on Town Services - these are misleading, at best. Here are a few and the truth of these matters:
1) The summer camp program run through Parks and Recs is going up from some $80 to $175.
a. THE TRUTH IS THIS FEE REPRESENTS THE CHARGE FOR AN ENTIRE 7 WEEKS OF FULL DAY CAMP! WE HAVE BEEN CHARGING ONLY $12 per week for full day camp! We all know paying the employees and all other related expenses costs far far more than $12 - and there is no other organization around that offers this great of a deal. The fee has been increased to $25 per week in the proposed budget... Still a really discounted rate for full day camp. The program is 7 weeks long - for a total of $175.
2) Raising the rate on Day Camp will make it impossible for families to afford.
a. THE TRUTH is that if a family cannot afford $25 per week, and is in need of camp in order to work, they can apply for Assistance through the Department of Human Services Waterman Fiske Assistance Program, established earlier this year by this Council. If qualified, the program can pay for the entire fee on behalf of a family.
3) Outside Organizations losing funding.
a. THE TRUTH IS that the Town of Coventry gives away approximately $100,000 each year to help support outside organizations. When times are tough, and we are asking town employees to take salary freezes, it would seem appropriate to stop making charitable contributions. The majority of this council eliminated the entire contribution budget, and did not single out any particular organization. It is my hope that contributions can be restored when the economy improves, and as the taxpayers deem appropriate.
******** MY COMMENT - I hope some way will be found to restore funding to the all-volunteer civic groups. WA ************
4) Funding for private sports organizations that use the Parks and Recs fields has been eliminated.
a. THE TRUTH: The Parks and Recs department, through its own budget (and not the Town's "Contribution" budget noted in (3) above), has made donations in the past to support private youth leagues. The Council did not instruct that these contributions be cut. The director of this department was given a figure for his budget and he alone decided to eliminate these donations, rather than trim other expenditures, or increase fees on programs (such as the day camp, dance lessons, and other programs offered through Parks & Rec for a nominal fee). At the financial town meeting, every taxpayer has the opportunity to move funding from one line item to another by Motion, Second and a vote of all in attendance.
******** MY COMMENT - I hope some way will be found to restore funding to the all-volunteer sports organizations. WA **************
5) PAYING FOR TRASH PICKUP.
a. THE TRUTH: This budget does not include paying for trash pickup. This service will continue to be provided and supported by tax dollars.
6) CLOSURE OF OAK HAVEN SCHOOL.
a. THE TRUTH: The Town council does NOT have the authority to close schools. The Council sets the overall budget for the school department - this year, some $62,000,000. The school committee is the elected body who decides if a school will remain opened or closed.
7) SENIOR TAX FREEZE.
a. THE TRUTH: The Town council has worked diligently to cut expenses, rather than changing or eliminating the Senior Tax Freeze. If this budget fails, and the State continues to reduce its aid to cities/towns (as is likely), the Senior Tax Freeze may well be jeopardized, as there are very few places left to generate new revenue, if expenses cannot be cut. It is not the desire of this Council to change the Senior Tax Freeze, as evidenced by the budget now before the taxpayers. We prefer reducing expenditures and running more efficiently.
************ MY COMMENT - We probably all know some friends, neighbors or relatives who have benefited from the senior tax freeze. The tax freeze was implemented some years ago without having first been studied to understand what the effects would be. Some eligibility guidelines were amended a year or two ago but otherwise the freeze was not changed. Before the freeze is ever amended, I recommend that a comprehensive study of the freeze be done first to determine how it has affected all taxpayers in town. WA ************
8) ATTORNEY'S HAVE BEEN GIVEN A 159% INCREASE IN PAY
a. THE TRUTH. In prior years, the Solicitor's budget of $179,000 has been put before and approved by the taxpayers of this community. All the while, the reality of actual expenditures for these fees tells a much different story. For the past two years, we have continually run far over the solicitor budget and these expenses have been paid from a variety of other line items, outside of the solicitor account. In 2007, the town spent approximately $340,000 on legal expenses and in 2006, the number was closer to $400,000, but still the $179K figure was budgeted. The current Town Council has chosen to place all expected legal expenses in one account, as opposed to under budgeting and overspending, failing to disclose to the taxpayer the true cost. This year the council has additionally agreed to take over school legal expenses, for approximately $75,000, in an effort to help the schools achieve a level funded budget. In all reality, we are forecasting a true increase of about 7 percent over last year's expenditures, AND NOT 159% AS FALSELY STATED. The result of attempting to bring these costs into one budget has the appearance of a large increase, however, this is not reality.
************MY COMMENT - The the town has not been disclosing the actual amounts that were spent on legal at least in the previous two years in a manner that any ordinary resident would notice. Starting this year there will be some transparency with this expenditure. We finally have the specialized legal counsel that was badly needed to deal with a few lawsuits pending against the town. A judgment against the town from any of these suits could cost us millions of dollars. This is money well spent. WA **************
When I campaigned earlier this year, I heard each voice in my district. Overwhelmingly, people desired tax relief and seniors desired protection of the tax freeze. It was my desire to reduce taxes, but that was simply impossible due to the cuts Coventry sustained from the state. Holding taxes steady, with no change to the freeze is the best we are able to bring forward, without hurting essential services to our residents. Now, however, it is up to the each of you to approve or disapprove of our proposal. As your councilwoman, I have kept my commitment to you. Now, I would ask you to come out on June 30th and cast your vote. Let's join together and say enough to high taxes, enough to hurting property values, enough to business as usual, enough to the greed of the vocal minority. These are your tax dollars and this is your town. Please be present on June 30th and VOTE! Every one counts.
Warmest regards,
Laura
Laura A. Flanagan
Vice President
Coventry Town Council
District 2
----
Hi All,
I need to ask for your help in spreading the word on the IMPORTANCE of every registered voter attending the
Financial Town Meeting on Tuesday, June 30th, 2009 at 7 pm in the High School Auditorium.
Many people are under the false impression that the Council's adoption of a no tax increase budget, means that it is set in stone. This is NOT the case.
IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO SEE YOUR TAXES GO UP, YOU MUST ATTEND AND VOTE AT THE FINANCIAL TOWN MEETING
CAST YOUR VOTES AGAINST CHANGES TO THE BUDGET
CAST YOUR VOTES FOR PASSAGE OF A ZERO TAX INCREASE BUDGET AS PRESENTED BY A MAJORITY OF THE COUNCIL.
In Coventry, the PEOPLE adopt a budget at the annual financial town meeting, not the Council. This is mandated by our Town's Charter.
The Council only works to develop what is presented at this meeting. There will be a vote taken, and every registered voter has a right to weigh in.
There are many special interests groups lobbying against what the Council has adopted, and they will be at this meeting to add money, increasing taxes, with their votes.
You will hear many exaggerations of this budget's impact on Town Services - these are misleading, at best. Here are a few and the truth of these matters:
1) The summer camp program run through Parks and Recs is going up from some $80 to $175.
a. THE TRUTH IS THIS FEE REPRESENTS THE CHARGE FOR AN ENTIRE 7 WEEKS OF FULL DAY CAMP! WE HAVE BEEN CHARGING ONLY $12 per week for full day camp! We all know paying the employees and all other related expenses costs far far more than $12 - and there is no other organization around that offers this great of a deal. The fee has been increased to $25 per week in the proposed budget... Still a really discounted rate for full day camp. The program is 7 weeks long - for a total of $175.
2) Raising the rate on Day Camp will make it impossible for families to afford.
a. THE TRUTH is that if a family cannot afford $25 per week, and is in need of camp in order to work, they can apply for Assistance through the Department of Human Services Waterman Fiske Assistance Program, established earlier this year by this Council. If qualified, the program can pay for the entire fee on behalf of a family.
3) Outside Organizations losing funding.
a. THE TRUTH IS that the Town of Coventry gives away approximately $100,000 each year to help support outside organizations. When times are tough, and we are asking town employees to take salary freezes, it would seem appropriate to stop making charitable contributions. The majority of this council eliminated the entire contribution budget, and did not single out any particular organization. It is my hope that contributions can be restored when the economy improves, and as the taxpayers deem appropriate.
******** MY COMMENT - I hope some way will be found to restore funding to the all-volunteer civic groups. WA ************
4) Funding for private sports organizations that use the Parks and Recs fields has been eliminated.
a. THE TRUTH: The Parks and Recs department, through its own budget (and not the Town's "Contribution" budget noted in (3) above), has made donations in the past to support private youth leagues. The Council did not instruct that these contributions be cut. The director of this department was given a figure for his budget and he alone decided to eliminate these donations, rather than trim other expenditures, or increase fees on programs (such as the day camp, dance lessons, and other programs offered through Parks & Rec for a nominal fee). At the financial town meeting, every taxpayer has the opportunity to move funding from one line item to another by Motion, Second and a vote of all in attendance.
******** MY COMMENT - I hope some way will be found to restore funding to the all-volunteer sports organizations. WA **************
5) PAYING FOR TRASH PICKUP.
a. THE TRUTH: This budget does not include paying for trash pickup. This service will continue to be provided and supported by tax dollars.
6) CLOSURE OF OAK HAVEN SCHOOL.
a. THE TRUTH: The Town council does NOT have the authority to close schools. The Council sets the overall budget for the school department - this year, some $62,000,000. The school committee is the elected body who decides if a school will remain opened or closed.
7) SENIOR TAX FREEZE.
a. THE TRUTH: The Town council has worked diligently to cut expenses, rather than changing or eliminating the Senior Tax Freeze. If this budget fails, and the State continues to reduce its aid to cities/towns (as is likely), the Senior Tax Freeze may well be jeopardized, as there are very few places left to generate new revenue, if expenses cannot be cut. It is not the desire of this Council to change the Senior Tax Freeze, as evidenced by the budget now before the taxpayers. We prefer reducing expenditures and running more efficiently.
************ MY COMMENT - We probably all know some friends, neighbors or relatives who have benefited from the senior tax freeze. The tax freeze was implemented some years ago without having first been studied to understand what the effects would be. Some eligibility guidelines were amended a year or two ago but otherwise the freeze was not changed. Before the freeze is ever amended, I recommend that a comprehensive study of the freeze be done first to determine how it has affected all taxpayers in town. WA ************
8) ATTORNEY'S HAVE BEEN GIVEN A 159% INCREASE IN PAY
a. THE TRUTH. In prior years, the Solicitor's budget of $179,000 has been put before and approved by the taxpayers of this community. All the while, the reality of actual expenditures for these fees tells a much different story. For the past two years, we have continually run far over the solicitor budget and these expenses have been paid from a variety of other line items, outside of the solicitor account. In 2007, the town spent approximately $340,000 on legal expenses and in 2006, the number was closer to $400,000, but still the $179K figure was budgeted. The current Town Council has chosen to place all expected legal expenses in one account, as opposed to under budgeting and overspending, failing to disclose to the taxpayer the true cost. This year the council has additionally agreed to take over school legal expenses, for approximately $75,000, in an effort to help the schools achieve a level funded budget. In all reality, we are forecasting a true increase of about 7 percent over last year's expenditures, AND NOT 159% AS FALSELY STATED. The result of attempting to bring these costs into one budget has the appearance of a large increase, however, this is not reality.
************MY COMMENT - The the town has not been disclosing the actual amounts that were spent on legal at least in the previous two years in a manner that any ordinary resident would notice. Starting this year there will be some transparency with this expenditure. We finally have the specialized legal counsel that was badly needed to deal with a few lawsuits pending against the town. A judgment against the town from any of these suits could cost us millions of dollars. This is money well spent. WA **************
When I campaigned earlier this year, I heard each voice in my district. Overwhelmingly, people desired tax relief and seniors desired protection of the tax freeze. It was my desire to reduce taxes, but that was simply impossible due to the cuts Coventry sustained from the state. Holding taxes steady, with no change to the freeze is the best we are able to bring forward, without hurting essential services to our residents. Now, however, it is up to the each of you to approve or disapprove of our proposal. As your councilwoman, I have kept my commitment to you. Now, I would ask you to come out on June 30th and cast your vote. Let's join together and say enough to high taxes, enough to hurting property values, enough to business as usual, enough to the greed of the vocal minority. These are your tax dollars and this is your town. Please be present on June 30th and VOTE! Every one counts.
Warmest regards,
Laura
Laura A. Flanagan
Vice President
Coventry Town Council
District 2
Friday, June 19, 2009
Meetings next week
Town Council June 22: THIS MEETING HAS BEEN CANCELLED http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4232/2009/75664.pdf
School Committee June 23. Includes workshop on elementary school redistricting plan:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4248/2009/75721.pdf
Planning Commission June 24:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4233/2009/75741.pdf
Includes the following agenda items -
Pre-Application: “Coventry Asphalt Silos”; Coventry Asphalt Realty,
LLC
Installation of 4 Hot Mix Asphalt Storage Silos
AP 52, Lot 62.1; Zone I1
75 Airport Road
PUBLIC INFORMATIONAL MEETING-Continued
Master Plan: “Coventry Meadows”; Coventry Housing Associates
Corporation
Comprehensive Permit for Low/Mod Housing Land Development
Project
AP 38, Lot 100; Zone GB and AP 30, Lot 161; Zone R-20
Tiogue Avenue
PUBLIC INFORMATIONAL MEETING
Major Land Development/Master Plan: “CVS Pharmacy”; R.I CVS
Pharmacy, LLC.
Proposed New Store
AP 38, Lots 105, 106 & 107; Zone GB
Tiogue Avenue & Wood Street
Board of Canvassers June 25:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4237/2009/75609.pdf
Note: The annual Financial Town Meeting will take place on June 30th.
The next Zoning Board meeting is scheduled for July 1st.
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4234/2009/75585.pdf
School Committee June 23. Includes workshop on elementary school redistricting plan:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4248/2009/75721.pdf
Planning Commission June 24:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4233/2009/75741.pdf
Includes the following agenda items -
Pre-Application: “Coventry Asphalt Silos”; Coventry Asphalt Realty,
LLC
Installation of 4 Hot Mix Asphalt Storage Silos
AP 52, Lot 62.1; Zone I1
75 Airport Road
PUBLIC INFORMATIONAL MEETING-Continued
Master Plan: “Coventry Meadows”; Coventry Housing Associates
Corporation
Comprehensive Permit for Low/Mod Housing Land Development
Project
AP 38, Lot 100; Zone GB and AP 30, Lot 161; Zone R-20
Tiogue Avenue
PUBLIC INFORMATIONAL MEETING
Major Land Development/Master Plan: “CVS Pharmacy”; R.I CVS
Pharmacy, LLC.
Proposed New Store
AP 38, Lots 105, 106 & 107; Zone GB
Tiogue Avenue & Wood Street
Board of Canvassers June 25:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4237/2009/75609.pdf
Note: The annual Financial Town Meeting will take place on June 30th.
The next Zoning Board meeting is scheduled for July 1st.
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4234/2009/75585.pdf
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Our Greatest Deficit
Below is a letter sent by TC Vice President Laura Flanagan to all the members of the School Committee on May 31, 2009. In it she clearly states her reasons for objecting to the new 3-year contract that was ultimately approved last Tuesday night. It's very informative.
If any member of the School Committee would like to provide me with a serious analysis of the new agreement with the CTA from their perspective, I would be glad to post it here.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
May 31, 2009
Hand Delivered
Honorable Members of the Coventry
School Committee
Ms. Kathleen Patenaude, Chairperson
Mr. Andrew Perra, Vice Chairman
Mr. Thomas Heatherman
Ms. Lisa Tomasso
Ms. Nancy Sprengelmeyer
Dear Members of the School Committee:
The purpose of this letter is to state my position in a formal, written manner over the potential ratification and approval of a proposed new 3 year contract with the Coventry Teachers’ Alliance (“CTA”).
Let me begin by saying that I believe that all parties have been working very hard, and I want to recognize the value of those efforts. I also acknowledge that the School Committee, by virtue of our charter, has full authority to enter into contracts with the CTA, with or without the consent of the Town Council.
In late March, I received an e-mail from Ms. Kelly Erinakes, President of the CTA, requesting a meeting or telephone conversation. We did connect by telephone and talked for some time, in an effort to find common ground, regarding the tentative terms of an arrangement whereby the CTA would make some $700,000-$800,000 in salary concessions in exchange for a commitment from the Town Council to Levy $750,000 in new taxes as a show of its “commitment to education”. I firmly stated my belief was that a $62,000,000 budget was quite a commitment to education. I was also very clear in stating my fundamental disagreement to any union being allowed to bargain with a demand for tax increases.
On May 16th, Council President Spear indicated to me that Mr. DiPietro thought he could secure a “0-0-0” contract with the CTA, essentially freezing the 08-09 salary schedule. Mr. Spear and another member of the council met with Mr. DiPietro on Sunday, May 17th, to discuss the proposal. Mr. DiPietro indicated that if the Council adopted a budget that level funded the schools, as it was prepared to do on Monday, May 18th, the CTA would cut off all negotiations and he would be forced to close Oak Haven and cut the programs he had previously outlined to the public. Based upon this representation, the Council unanimously tabled the budget at its May 18th meeting to allow time for the school committee to finalize this agreement.
Last week, Mr. Spear and Mr. DiPietro met to review the final details of a tentative agreement reached with the CTA. I was provided with copies of a detailed analysis of the agreement. Rather than a “0-0-0”, the deal more accurately represents “0.23%-0.74%-2%” (weighted average increase to salary schedule in each of the next 3 years). The following weekend was spent reviewing, analyzing and discussing the new 3 year contract your committee now seeks to approve. My understanding is that the committee originally sought the “blessing” of the Council over this arrangement, and a commitment to increase taxes by $750,000. I contacted Mr. DiPietro by phone with concerns/questions, not entirely dismissing the proposal, but seeking clarification on a few points. We had several lengthy, detailed conversations. I also discussed the arrangement with 2 members of the School Committee, expressing my concerns over the agreement, and listening to their points of view.
The apparent unwillingness of the CTA, the Superintendent and School Committee to attempt to secure concessions in the remaining year of the current contract (rather than a 3 year contract), with true givebacks to the community to save children’s programs is disturbing and prevents the Town from ascertaining funding sources next year. Why are the parties closing their eyes to the potential risks associated with guarantees of salary increases 3 years out, in a time of such great uncertainty? RIPEC has publicly released information in its article appearing on the front page of the May 25, 2009 Providence Journal indicating its forecast for Rhode Island Towns/Cities. The forecast is bleak: expenses are expected to rise at a greater rate than revenues and the deficit we now face is projected to grow greater in the coming years. In addition, I was recently made aware by Mr. West, our finance director, that the State is considering reducing the Reimbursement of Auto Excise tax exemptions to Cities and Towns this year; this has the potential to represent up to $1,000,000 in lost revenue for Coventry. It is unclear whether or not we will be allowed relief from Senate Bill 3050 regarding any such reduction. Further, the leadership of the Council has been advised of additional liabilities likely payable in 09-10 exceeding $1,000,000, although we are not at liberty to publicly discuss the particulars, due to the sensitive ongoing nature of litigation discussions.
After having the opportunities described in the paragraphs above to listen, ask questions and analyze the tentative agreement, as well as the current economic climate and other issues the Town will face this year and next, it is clear to me that this proposal does not represent what was originally offered and contains risks that the Town should not responsibly assume.
My interpretation and understanding of some of the details contained in the proposal are as follows:
1) A reduction of the work year by 3 days, from 186 to 183, with a slight increase in salary.
2) The addition of 3 days in the form of “Professional Development”, at a cost of $150,000.
3) An increase in the longevity schedule of $250 at every level, with an estimated expense of $50,000 in the first year. This addition gives the majority of top step teachers a salary increase outside of the salary schedule and these numbers will be difficult to reduce in future negotiations.
4) The freezing of co-payments towards health insurance for the first 2 years at a fixed dollar amount that represents 15% of the cost today. I believe there is significant risk in this concession, the greatest being in year 2. Blue Cross has publicly stated its intentions to increase its rates by some 15-18%. Although we participate in the West Bay Collaborative, this increase could significantly affect the cost of the Stop Loss Policy, and would then be entirely borne by the school/town, having the potential to wipe out any savings achieved in that year. A significant increase in claims would also pose an added risk of increases. I believe this concession is a gamble we may not win.
5) The illustrations which I reviewed indicate that the proposal gives teachers not on top step a weighted average increase this year of 7.27%, next year of 7.07% and 8.27% in year three.
6) The proposal contains the option for the CTA to renegotiate another three year contract, in the event that funding is not available in later years.
I believe that the time allowed by tabling the budget has been used to finalize the terms of an agreement already in the works for months, as evidenced by Ms. Erinakes' email and telephone call, in late March, outlining and seeking support for the same.
If it is true, as represented to me by members of the School Committee, that Mr. Erinakes and Attorney Tobin took part in School Committee executive session discussions held on Tuesday, May 26th, 2009, over this proposal, then I find the negotiation process deeply disconcerting. The nepotism provisions of the Rhode Island Code of Ethics are quite clear on the prohibition of the involvement of public employees in contract negotiations, when in fact their spouses, or other immediate family members, are covered by the subject contract.
Where is our Courage? Why are we not standing together (the school committee and the Council) seeking a one year contract with concessions? Is it simply too difficult? Is the union unwilling? Is this the way it is always done? When are we going to start considering the consequences of the decisions we make today on our ability to pay tomorrow?
It is my belief that the end does not always justify the means. While I recognize that the salary schedule is slightly lower at the end of this new 3-year deal, than it would be in the 09-10 current contract (which would be fantastic in a prosperous, predictable economy), a new three year contract in the current climate is truly more beneficial to the union than the school/town. It offers protection for the union during difficult economic times and places all of the risk on the town/taxpayers. It is my belief that the School Committee would have a significant bargaining advantage and the ability to achieve greater, long-term results, most beneficial to the children and residents of our community, if the last year of the current contract were simply renegotiated.
Lastly, and most importantly, if this proposed contract is accepted, I believe it is highly probable the Town will not have the resources available next year or the year after to fund it, due to all of the aforementioned considerations. We may well find ourselves in the same position we are in today…. choosing between salaries and programs/services for children.
Perhaps our greatest deficit in Coventry is COURAGE.
Very truly yours,
Laura A. Flanagan
Vice President
Coventry Town Council
cc: Council President Raymond Spear
If any member of the School Committee would like to provide me with a serious analysis of the new agreement with the CTA from their perspective, I would be glad to post it here.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
May 31, 2009
Hand Delivered
Honorable Members of the Coventry
School Committee
Ms. Kathleen Patenaude, Chairperson
Mr. Andrew Perra, Vice Chairman
Mr. Thomas Heatherman
Ms. Lisa Tomasso
Ms. Nancy Sprengelmeyer
Dear Members of the School Committee:
The purpose of this letter is to state my position in a formal, written manner over the potential ratification and approval of a proposed new 3 year contract with the Coventry Teachers’ Alliance (“CTA”).
Let me begin by saying that I believe that all parties have been working very hard, and I want to recognize the value of those efforts. I also acknowledge that the School Committee, by virtue of our charter, has full authority to enter into contracts with the CTA, with or without the consent of the Town Council.
In late March, I received an e-mail from Ms. Kelly Erinakes, President of the CTA, requesting a meeting or telephone conversation. We did connect by telephone and talked for some time, in an effort to find common ground, regarding the tentative terms of an arrangement whereby the CTA would make some $700,000-$800,000 in salary concessions in exchange for a commitment from the Town Council to Levy $750,000 in new taxes as a show of its “commitment to education”. I firmly stated my belief was that a $62,000,000 budget was quite a commitment to education. I was also very clear in stating my fundamental disagreement to any union being allowed to bargain with a demand for tax increases.
On May 16th, Council President Spear indicated to me that Mr. DiPietro thought he could secure a “0-0-0” contract with the CTA, essentially freezing the 08-09 salary schedule. Mr. Spear and another member of the council met with Mr. DiPietro on Sunday, May 17th, to discuss the proposal. Mr. DiPietro indicated that if the Council adopted a budget that level funded the schools, as it was prepared to do on Monday, May 18th, the CTA would cut off all negotiations and he would be forced to close Oak Haven and cut the programs he had previously outlined to the public. Based upon this representation, the Council unanimously tabled the budget at its May 18th meeting to allow time for the school committee to finalize this agreement.
Last week, Mr. Spear and Mr. DiPietro met to review the final details of a tentative agreement reached with the CTA. I was provided with copies of a detailed analysis of the agreement. Rather than a “0-0-0”, the deal more accurately represents “0.23%-0.74%-2%” (weighted average increase to salary schedule in each of the next 3 years). The following weekend was spent reviewing, analyzing and discussing the new 3 year contract your committee now seeks to approve. My understanding is that the committee originally sought the “blessing” of the Council over this arrangement, and a commitment to increase taxes by $750,000. I contacted Mr. DiPietro by phone with concerns/questions, not entirely dismissing the proposal, but seeking clarification on a few points. We had several lengthy, detailed conversations. I also discussed the arrangement with 2 members of the School Committee, expressing my concerns over the agreement, and listening to their points of view.
The apparent unwillingness of the CTA, the Superintendent and School Committee to attempt to secure concessions in the remaining year of the current contract (rather than a 3 year contract), with true givebacks to the community to save children’s programs is disturbing and prevents the Town from ascertaining funding sources next year. Why are the parties closing their eyes to the potential risks associated with guarantees of salary increases 3 years out, in a time of such great uncertainty? RIPEC has publicly released information in its article appearing on the front page of the May 25, 2009 Providence Journal indicating its forecast for Rhode Island Towns/Cities. The forecast is bleak: expenses are expected to rise at a greater rate than revenues and the deficit we now face is projected to grow greater in the coming years. In addition, I was recently made aware by Mr. West, our finance director, that the State is considering reducing the Reimbursement of Auto Excise tax exemptions to Cities and Towns this year; this has the potential to represent up to $1,000,000 in lost revenue for Coventry. It is unclear whether or not we will be allowed relief from Senate Bill 3050 regarding any such reduction. Further, the leadership of the Council has been advised of additional liabilities likely payable in 09-10 exceeding $1,000,000, although we are not at liberty to publicly discuss the particulars, due to the sensitive ongoing nature of litigation discussions.
After having the opportunities described in the paragraphs above to listen, ask questions and analyze the tentative agreement, as well as the current economic climate and other issues the Town will face this year and next, it is clear to me that this proposal does not represent what was originally offered and contains risks that the Town should not responsibly assume.
My interpretation and understanding of some of the details contained in the proposal are as follows:
1) A reduction of the work year by 3 days, from 186 to 183, with a slight increase in salary.
2) The addition of 3 days in the form of “Professional Development”, at a cost of $150,000.
3) An increase in the longevity schedule of $250 at every level, with an estimated expense of $50,000 in the first year. This addition gives the majority of top step teachers a salary increase outside of the salary schedule and these numbers will be difficult to reduce in future negotiations.
4) The freezing of co-payments towards health insurance for the first 2 years at a fixed dollar amount that represents 15% of the cost today. I believe there is significant risk in this concession, the greatest being in year 2. Blue Cross has publicly stated its intentions to increase its rates by some 15-18%. Although we participate in the West Bay Collaborative, this increase could significantly affect the cost of the Stop Loss Policy, and would then be entirely borne by the school/town, having the potential to wipe out any savings achieved in that year. A significant increase in claims would also pose an added risk of increases. I believe this concession is a gamble we may not win.
5) The illustrations which I reviewed indicate that the proposal gives teachers not on top step a weighted average increase this year of 7.27%, next year of 7.07% and 8.27% in year three.
6) The proposal contains the option for the CTA to renegotiate another three year contract, in the event that funding is not available in later years.
I believe that the time allowed by tabling the budget has been used to finalize the terms of an agreement already in the works for months, as evidenced by Ms. Erinakes' email and telephone call, in late March, outlining and seeking support for the same.
If it is true, as represented to me by members of the School Committee, that Mr. Erinakes and Attorney Tobin took part in School Committee executive session discussions held on Tuesday, May 26th, 2009, over this proposal, then I find the negotiation process deeply disconcerting. The nepotism provisions of the Rhode Island Code of Ethics are quite clear on the prohibition of the involvement of public employees in contract negotiations, when in fact their spouses, or other immediate family members, are covered by the subject contract.
Where is our Courage? Why are we not standing together (the school committee and the Council) seeking a one year contract with concessions? Is it simply too difficult? Is the union unwilling? Is this the way it is always done? When are we going to start considering the consequences of the decisions we make today on our ability to pay tomorrow?
It is my belief that the end does not always justify the means. While I recognize that the salary schedule is slightly lower at the end of this new 3-year deal, than it would be in the 09-10 current contract (which would be fantastic in a prosperous, predictable economy), a new three year contract in the current climate is truly more beneficial to the union than the school/town. It offers protection for the union during difficult economic times and places all of the risk on the town/taxpayers. It is my belief that the School Committee would have a significant bargaining advantage and the ability to achieve greater, long-term results, most beneficial to the children and residents of our community, if the last year of the current contract were simply renegotiated.
Lastly, and most importantly, if this proposed contract is accepted, I believe it is highly probable the Town will not have the resources available next year or the year after to fund it, due to all of the aforementioned considerations. We may well find ourselves in the same position we are in today…. choosing between salaries and programs/services for children.
Perhaps our greatest deficit in Coventry is COURAGE.
Very truly yours,
Laura A. Flanagan
Vice President
Coventry Town Council
cc: Council President Raymond Spear
Thursday, June 11, 2009
News Articles, Town Budget, New Teacher Contract
Kent County Times article on Town Budget passage:
Cov. council narrowly passes budget
Tuesday, 09 June 2009
HANNAH CLARKIN
COVENTRY — On a council split two against two, Council President Raymond Spear had the deciding vote on the fiscal year 2010 budget Monday night.
The budget, which Spear prepared with Council Vice-President Laura Flanagan, Finance Director Warren West and acting Town Manager Paul Sprague, came in at a total of $87,021,668, representing a 6.6 percent reduction in the operating costs, a more-than halved capital improvement budget and a level-funded school budget.This budget, nearly $2 million less than the fiscal year 2009 budget, was vocally supported by Flanagan and Councilman Glenford Shibley at the meeting. Both Councilman Frank Hyde and Councilman Kenneth Cloutier said they were uncomfortable with the cuts in the budget and the way it would impact town services. Spear did not state his opinion until the other council members had discussed the budget.The idea of a 0 percent tax increase is an admirable one, Cloutier said, but he was cautious to pass the budget without residents realizing how their services would be impacted. “I fear people won’t know what the cuts are until they happen,” he said. In his personal experience, cuts to the recreation department will take a third of the budget from the local football team, the Rams, and put a $7,000 burden on the people who play.“There are 4,200 kids who play in the town leagues,” he said. “So cuts to recreation are a sore spot with me.”
Hyde was in agreement with Cloutier, he said. “I see the positive reasons for a 0 percent tax increase,” he said. “But we’re cutting a snow plow driver, we’re hurting the kids, and its hard for me to look at my consituents knowing that their children will have to pay to play on the town fields and their services won’t be what they used to be.”Taking money out of the reserves to sustain the 0 percent tax increase and soften the cuts was his suggestion, Hyde said.There is currently $4.9 million in the unrestricted fund balance, said West. Of that, the town has to keep at least $4.4 million in order to keep a good credit rating, this leaves approximately $400,000 that could be used to suppliment the budget this year, West said. There is already $140,000 from the fund balance in the budget to account for deficits in the upcoming fiscal year. She supported the budget, Flanagan said, not because she was elected by any special interest groups, but because she listened to folks as she walked door to door during her campaign season. The overwhelming request from her constituents was for a tax break, and she vowed to support that.“My position hasn’t changed,” Flanagan said. “We’re asking folks to do more with less money. But if we don’t make some major changes it’s going to get worse and worse. I feel badly about some of the things in the budget — in the past we’ve given money away as charitable donations — but we can’t do that this year.“The taxpayers in this town deserve to have leaders who will fight for them,” Flanagan continued, “no matter what pressure comes or how it comes to them.”
Shibley’s campaign promises were similar to Flanagan’s, he said. “This is not an easy budget,” he admitted. “People are making concessions, but they can make that work. We have to hold the line on taxes.”Spear recognized the two sides of the table, he said, and came to a decision after many hours of thought and prayer, bearing in mind his years of background and experience.“Our obligations for tomorrow are already extended beyond reasonable and responsible levels of expectation, resources and funding,” he said in a prepared address. “This requires the necessity to deal with all related factors on a short term of expanding commitment, more careful and responsible planning, and based on more stable assurance that the funding ability to meet such commitments can be reasonably and responsibly met.”Implicit in his remarks, Spear made clear later, was disapproval of the newly negotiated school contract that the school committee will consider this week.“Let us not reach beyond that which we can responsibly control and commit to, based on the facts of today, as we strive to meet our needs and wants of our tomorrows,” he continued.“With these thoughts in mind, I find it necessary, appropriate, and in the best interest of the taxpayers of the community of Coventry, to set forth the programs and services for fiscal 2010 as established in the budget that herewith presented.”
When Spear moved the question so the council could vote on the matter, a resident in the audience made a point of order. She wanted to comment on the budget before the council voted, she said.This was not the appropriate forum, said Spear. “We have had four to six workshops on this budget where you could have commented,” he said. “Now we are going to finish the council’s business and public comment will be after we vote.”The auditorium erupted with shouts, boos and attempts to speak. The auditorium at the Town Hall Annex, the old Flat River Road Middle School, was filled with at least 200 residents who had come to weigh in on the budget. Teachers, veterans, seniors, members of local sports associations, and residents of every political persuasion were there to have their say.But this was not the forum, insisted Spear, even as Hyde challenged him, yelling and waving his arms. Spear took a short recess and allowed the police and town sergeant to quiet the meeting attendees.When the meeting opened back up, the audience began to chant, “let us speak, let us speak, let us speak,” along with claps and stomps.“You have your opportunity to speak at the Financial Town Meeting,” Spear said. “You have had your time to speak at our work sessions. This is not a public hearing and there is no public comment on this item.”
Shibley made a motion to accept the budget, Flanagan seconded it, and the budget passed with a vote of 3-2, Hyde and Cloutier dissenting.In the public comment that followed, the council received both accolades and criticism. But, almost universally, taxpayers were disappointed that the council had not allowed them an opportunity to speak before the budget was voted on.
KCT article on School Committee's passage of new teacher contract:
New teacher contract passed
Wednesday, 10 June 2009
HANNAH CLARKIN
COVENTRY — The Coventry School Committee entered into a new three-year contract with the Coventry Teachers’ Alliance on Tuesday night with a vote of 5-0.
Passage of the contract was not originally the plan for the evening, Chairwoman Katherine Patenaude said, but after hearing from the public and gaining a consensus that the whole school committee was ready to vote, she was ready to take the vote.“Because there was public notice previously that we were having the discussion I think that people who really wanted to know more about it could have made it out to the meeting,” she said. “The people who were there had their say.”The contract, as outlined by Superintendent Kenneth DiPietro represents a cut of approximately $2,210 per teacher over the next year and will save roughly $1 million in the first year.
The first year of the contract is frozen at the 2008-2009 salary schedule, the second year gives every teacher a flat raise of $500 and the third year each step receives a 2 percent increase. When that 2 percent increase comes in, DiPietro said, salaries will still be lower than they would have been just in 2009-2010, had the previous contract continued through to the end of next year. In addition to salary concessions, DiPietro said, some other concessions in the contract included freezing advanced degree increments, curriculum coordinator stipends, coaches stipends, co-curricular club stipends, and hourly professional development rates at the 2007-2008 schedules, DiPietro said. These will be frozen until 2012. Longevity rates were increased, given a flat increase all three years, he added.Through negotiations, the contract also contains language to specify the appropriate uses of advisory, the acceptable uses of common planning time, and the protocol for closing a school. “People say that contracts never talk about students and making a school better,” DiPietro said. “This one does. It puts requirements and expectations on planning time for teachers. And it gives checklists for teachers monitoring their students’ graduation portfolio and capstone projects. I don’t think most districts have these things written into their contracts.”
The contract does give teachers a health insurance contribution freeze, DiPietro said. But the freeze is only in effect for Fiscal Years 2009/2010 and 2010/2011. In 2011/2012 the full 15 percent co-pay will be reinstated. Teachers will be given a $350 reimbursement for purchasing instructional materials, DiPietro said. This funding will come from the supplies lines in the budget.A major give-back that the school committee gave the teachers is a limited layoff provision, DiPietro said. “Tenured teachers with four years of service in Coventry are not subject to layoff,” he said in his presentation. Currently there are only 20 to 30 teachers in Coventry who would be eligible for layoff until the contract is ended. While several teachers and residents did speak in favor of the contract, several residents spoke against it.One resident who identified himself as Joe Brown was not satisfied with DiPietro’s presentation of the budget. “I have to be honest, I’m real confused,” he said. “That’s a lot of information. It looks to me like there is a lot of fluff in the teachers’ salaries with the step increases and I don’t think you’re giving us an accurate picture.”DiPietro did not explain the step increases. “You’re amazingly disrespectful, Mr. Brown,” he said. “You’re accusing me of giving you incorrect information and I am not, these are the numbers.”
The school committee was interested in questions, Patenaude added. “If you have a question, we’ll answer it. Your opinions are not what we are interested in. If you want to stay for public comment you may do so.”Brown requested that the school committee try one more time to go back and get further concessions from the union.“Mr. Brown,” Patenaude responded. “We have met with the unions and we have done our job.”“So you’re satisfied?” Brown asked.“Yes,” Patenaude responded. The answer to the request of more concessions would be “no,” said President of the Coventry Teachers’ Alliance Kelly Erinakas after Brown’s question.“The school committee did what they were asked to and negotiated,” she said. “So did the Coventry Teachers’ Alliance. Members are giving up $2,700 each next year. That’s a lot out of anyone’s pocket and no, you cannot get more.”
Town Republican Committee Chair Charles Vacca asked for a figure of the cost of this contract over the next few years.Coming up with a specific number of the cost involves too many factors, DiPietro told him. The contract will cost an additional $1 million more in health care alone, and many other things will weigh in. Entering a contract without knowing the financial forecast of the town concerned him, Vacca said. “This whole system has a pitfall where we enter into contracts before we know what funds we will have.”
Having closed discussion, the school committee voted unanimously to accept the contract. Yesterday morning, Patenaude was still satisfied with the new contract, she said. “The people who really have their ear to the ground so to speak on what’s going on with contracts in the town knew the details already because we had shared them with the town council the day before,” she said. “[Council President Raymond Spear] showed up and didn’t have any questions, we certainly didn’t get any other calls from people saying ‘what are you thinking?’ And [Councilman] Frank Hyde came to the meeting and commended us for signing the contract.”
Cov. council narrowly passes budget
Tuesday, 09 June 2009
HANNAH CLARKIN
COVENTRY — On a council split two against two, Council President Raymond Spear had the deciding vote on the fiscal year 2010 budget Monday night.
The budget, which Spear prepared with Council Vice-President Laura Flanagan, Finance Director Warren West and acting Town Manager Paul Sprague, came in at a total of $87,021,668, representing a 6.6 percent reduction in the operating costs, a more-than halved capital improvement budget and a level-funded school budget.This budget, nearly $2 million less than the fiscal year 2009 budget, was vocally supported by Flanagan and Councilman Glenford Shibley at the meeting. Both Councilman Frank Hyde and Councilman Kenneth Cloutier said they were uncomfortable with the cuts in the budget and the way it would impact town services. Spear did not state his opinion until the other council members had discussed the budget.The idea of a 0 percent tax increase is an admirable one, Cloutier said, but he was cautious to pass the budget without residents realizing how their services would be impacted. “I fear people won’t know what the cuts are until they happen,” he said. In his personal experience, cuts to the recreation department will take a third of the budget from the local football team, the Rams, and put a $7,000 burden on the people who play.“There are 4,200 kids who play in the town leagues,” he said. “So cuts to recreation are a sore spot with me.”
Hyde was in agreement with Cloutier, he said. “I see the positive reasons for a 0 percent tax increase,” he said. “But we’re cutting a snow plow driver, we’re hurting the kids, and its hard for me to look at my consituents knowing that their children will have to pay to play on the town fields and their services won’t be what they used to be.”Taking money out of the reserves to sustain the 0 percent tax increase and soften the cuts was his suggestion, Hyde said.There is currently $4.9 million in the unrestricted fund balance, said West. Of that, the town has to keep at least $4.4 million in order to keep a good credit rating, this leaves approximately $400,000 that could be used to suppliment the budget this year, West said. There is already $140,000 from the fund balance in the budget to account for deficits in the upcoming fiscal year. She supported the budget, Flanagan said, not because she was elected by any special interest groups, but because she listened to folks as she walked door to door during her campaign season. The overwhelming request from her constituents was for a tax break, and she vowed to support that.“My position hasn’t changed,” Flanagan said. “We’re asking folks to do more with less money. But if we don’t make some major changes it’s going to get worse and worse. I feel badly about some of the things in the budget — in the past we’ve given money away as charitable donations — but we can’t do that this year.“The taxpayers in this town deserve to have leaders who will fight for them,” Flanagan continued, “no matter what pressure comes or how it comes to them.”
Shibley’s campaign promises were similar to Flanagan’s, he said. “This is not an easy budget,” he admitted. “People are making concessions, but they can make that work. We have to hold the line on taxes.”Spear recognized the two sides of the table, he said, and came to a decision after many hours of thought and prayer, bearing in mind his years of background and experience.“Our obligations for tomorrow are already extended beyond reasonable and responsible levels of expectation, resources and funding,” he said in a prepared address. “This requires the necessity to deal with all related factors on a short term of expanding commitment, more careful and responsible planning, and based on more stable assurance that the funding ability to meet such commitments can be reasonably and responsibly met.”Implicit in his remarks, Spear made clear later, was disapproval of the newly negotiated school contract that the school committee will consider this week.“Let us not reach beyond that which we can responsibly control and commit to, based on the facts of today, as we strive to meet our needs and wants of our tomorrows,” he continued.“With these thoughts in mind, I find it necessary, appropriate, and in the best interest of the taxpayers of the community of Coventry, to set forth the programs and services for fiscal 2010 as established in the budget that herewith presented.”
When Spear moved the question so the council could vote on the matter, a resident in the audience made a point of order. She wanted to comment on the budget before the council voted, she said.This was not the appropriate forum, said Spear. “We have had four to six workshops on this budget where you could have commented,” he said. “Now we are going to finish the council’s business and public comment will be after we vote.”The auditorium erupted with shouts, boos and attempts to speak. The auditorium at the Town Hall Annex, the old Flat River Road Middle School, was filled with at least 200 residents who had come to weigh in on the budget. Teachers, veterans, seniors, members of local sports associations, and residents of every political persuasion were there to have their say.But this was not the forum, insisted Spear, even as Hyde challenged him, yelling and waving his arms. Spear took a short recess and allowed the police and town sergeant to quiet the meeting attendees.When the meeting opened back up, the audience began to chant, “let us speak, let us speak, let us speak,” along with claps and stomps.“You have your opportunity to speak at the Financial Town Meeting,” Spear said. “You have had your time to speak at our work sessions. This is not a public hearing and there is no public comment on this item.”
Shibley made a motion to accept the budget, Flanagan seconded it, and the budget passed with a vote of 3-2, Hyde and Cloutier dissenting.In the public comment that followed, the council received both accolades and criticism. But, almost universally, taxpayers were disappointed that the council had not allowed them an opportunity to speak before the budget was voted on.
KCT article on School Committee's passage of new teacher contract:
New teacher contract passed
Wednesday, 10 June 2009
HANNAH CLARKIN
COVENTRY — The Coventry School Committee entered into a new three-year contract with the Coventry Teachers’ Alliance on Tuesday night with a vote of 5-0.
Passage of the contract was not originally the plan for the evening, Chairwoman Katherine Patenaude said, but after hearing from the public and gaining a consensus that the whole school committee was ready to vote, she was ready to take the vote.“Because there was public notice previously that we were having the discussion I think that people who really wanted to know more about it could have made it out to the meeting,” she said. “The people who were there had their say.”The contract, as outlined by Superintendent Kenneth DiPietro represents a cut of approximately $2,210 per teacher over the next year and will save roughly $1 million in the first year.
The first year of the contract is frozen at the 2008-2009 salary schedule, the second year gives every teacher a flat raise of $500 and the third year each step receives a 2 percent increase. When that 2 percent increase comes in, DiPietro said, salaries will still be lower than they would have been just in 2009-2010, had the previous contract continued through to the end of next year. In addition to salary concessions, DiPietro said, some other concessions in the contract included freezing advanced degree increments, curriculum coordinator stipends, coaches stipends, co-curricular club stipends, and hourly professional development rates at the 2007-2008 schedules, DiPietro said. These will be frozen until 2012. Longevity rates were increased, given a flat increase all three years, he added.Through negotiations, the contract also contains language to specify the appropriate uses of advisory, the acceptable uses of common planning time, and the protocol for closing a school. “People say that contracts never talk about students and making a school better,” DiPietro said. “This one does. It puts requirements and expectations on planning time for teachers. And it gives checklists for teachers monitoring their students’ graduation portfolio and capstone projects. I don’t think most districts have these things written into their contracts.”
The contract does give teachers a health insurance contribution freeze, DiPietro said. But the freeze is only in effect for Fiscal Years 2009/2010 and 2010/2011. In 2011/2012 the full 15 percent co-pay will be reinstated. Teachers will be given a $350 reimbursement for purchasing instructional materials, DiPietro said. This funding will come from the supplies lines in the budget.A major give-back that the school committee gave the teachers is a limited layoff provision, DiPietro said. “Tenured teachers with four years of service in Coventry are not subject to layoff,” he said in his presentation. Currently there are only 20 to 30 teachers in Coventry who would be eligible for layoff until the contract is ended. While several teachers and residents did speak in favor of the contract, several residents spoke against it.One resident who identified himself as Joe Brown was not satisfied with DiPietro’s presentation of the budget. “I have to be honest, I’m real confused,” he said. “That’s a lot of information. It looks to me like there is a lot of fluff in the teachers’ salaries with the step increases and I don’t think you’re giving us an accurate picture.”DiPietro did not explain the step increases. “You’re amazingly disrespectful, Mr. Brown,” he said. “You’re accusing me of giving you incorrect information and I am not, these are the numbers.”
The school committee was interested in questions, Patenaude added. “If you have a question, we’ll answer it. Your opinions are not what we are interested in. If you want to stay for public comment you may do so.”Brown requested that the school committee try one more time to go back and get further concessions from the union.“Mr. Brown,” Patenaude responded. “We have met with the unions and we have done our job.”“So you’re satisfied?” Brown asked.“Yes,” Patenaude responded. The answer to the request of more concessions would be “no,” said President of the Coventry Teachers’ Alliance Kelly Erinakas after Brown’s question.“The school committee did what they were asked to and negotiated,” she said. “So did the Coventry Teachers’ Alliance. Members are giving up $2,700 each next year. That’s a lot out of anyone’s pocket and no, you cannot get more.”
Town Republican Committee Chair Charles Vacca asked for a figure of the cost of this contract over the next few years.Coming up with a specific number of the cost involves too many factors, DiPietro told him. The contract will cost an additional $1 million more in health care alone, and many other things will weigh in. Entering a contract without knowing the financial forecast of the town concerned him, Vacca said. “This whole system has a pitfall where we enter into contracts before we know what funds we will have.”
Having closed discussion, the school committee voted unanimously to accept the contract. Yesterday morning, Patenaude was still satisfied with the new contract, she said. “The people who really have their ear to the ground so to speak on what’s going on with contracts in the town knew the details already because we had shared them with the town council the day before,” she said. “[Council President Raymond Spear] showed up and didn’t have any questions, we certainly didn’t get any other calls from people saying ‘what are you thinking?’ And [Councilman] Frank Hyde came to the meeting and commended us for signing the contract.”
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