Upcoming Meetings

Town Council 6:00 pm 10/27 -- last meeting before Election Day:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4232/2008/64496.pdf

School Committee 7:00 pm 10/28:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4248/2008/64394.pdf

Site Walk Nov. 8 - Low Income Housing Project

I attended the 10/22 Planning Commission meeting and took notes on the following agenda item:
Pre-Application: “Coventry Housing Associates Corp.”; Director Julie Leddy Comprehensive Permit for Low/Mod Housing Project
AP 38, Lot 100; Zone GB and AP 30, Lot 161; Zone R-20 Tiogue Avenue

Coventry Housing was represented by atty Arthur Capaldi. There are some plans available for review for this development. The applicant had a pre-hearing meeting with the Planning Director. Mr. Capaldi stated that the proposed project is 44 units of low/moderate income housing, similar to the Crossroads development near Old North Rd. A site walk is planned for Saturday Nov. 8 at 10:00 am. Meet to the left of the Hollywood Video store. Rain date is Nov. 15, 10 am same meeting spot.

Are You Better Off Now Than You Were Two Years Ago?

A letter on the need for better access to public records:
http://www.projo.com/opinion/contributors/content/CT_lloyd22_10-22-08_O4BSLEN_v13.3e28305.html

I fully support the need for complete transparency in government and the public's ability to easily and cheaply obtain public information. Converting all public records to electronic documents is the way to go.


On Ending the Nightmare after Halloween (vote for new representation)
http://www.projo.com/opinion/columnists/content/CL_achorn21_10-21-08_O4BV0MM_v16.3e2a968.html

Before you vote on Nov. 4, please ask yourself these questions (borrowed from President Reagan) "Are you better off than you were two years ago?" and "Is our state better off then it was two years ago?" If the answer to either of these is "no", then please vote for all new people at the Federal, State and Local level to represent you. We need some new faces and fresh ideas in the US Senate, US Congress, State government and on our Town Council & School Committee. Remember, in a democracy the people get the government they deserve. I think we deserve better, so vote for change.

Meetings This Week

Sewer Subcommittee 10/20:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4247/2008/64089.pdf

Tax Assessment Review Board 10/20:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4236/2008/64124.pdf

Planning Comm. 10/22:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4233/2008/64260.pdf

Under "SITE WALKS TO BE SCHEDULED" one of the agenda items is called:
Pre-Application: “Coventry Housing Associates Corp.”; Director Julie
Leddy
Comprehensive Permit for Low/Mod Housing Project
AP 38, Lot 100; Zone GB and AP 30, Lot 161; Zone R-20
Tiogue Avenue
-- My comments --
1. Plat 30 lot 161 is a 6.5 acre lot at the western end of Overview Drive and near Haywood Dr., Hilltop Ave., Larchwood Dr., Oak Rd. and Pine Rd., off of Arnold Road just north of Little Tiogue Lake. Per the Town of Coventry web site the owner is listed as Arnold Kaufman.
2. Plat 38 lot 100 is a 6 acre parcel on the south side of Tiogue Ave. just to the west of the intersection of Tiogue and Arnold Road. Currently there is a commercial building on the site that houses several businesses including Hollywood Video and the Dollar Store. Per the Town of Coventry web site the owner is listed as Arnold Kaufman. This lot is adjacent to P-30 L-161 which is just to the south, so these two parcels together would total over 12 acres of potential low and moderate housing.
3. These properties are in District 4; it's unfortunate that there is no TC member in this district right now to represent the neighbors in this situation. I hope that both D4 TC candidates will take notice of this and plan to attend the site walk.

A Prayer for the Nation

A Prayer for Our Nation

We ask you to join with us wherever you are, for prayer and meditation for the future of your nation, with the following prayer:

May we as nation be guided by the Divine to rediscover the sacred flame of our national heritage, which so many have given their lives to safeguard;
Let the wounds of separation and division be healed by opening our hearts to listen to the truth on all sides, allowing us to find a higher truth that includes us all;
May we learn to honor and enjoy our diversity and differences as a people, even as we more deeply touch our fundamental unity;
May we, as a people, undergo a transformation that will draw forth individuals to lead our nation who embody courage, compassion and a higher vision;
May our leaders inspire us, and we so inspire each other with our potential as individuals and as a nation, that a new spirit of forgiveness, caring and honesty be born in our nation;
May we, as a united people, move with clear, directed purpose to take our place within the community of nations to help build a better future for all humankind;
May we as a nation rededicate ourselves to truly living as one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all;
And may God's Will be done for the United States, as we, the people, align with that Will.

By Gordon Davidson and Corinne McLaughlin

from http://www.visionarylead.org/sp/prayer_nation.htm

More Meetings

Town Council Thursday Oct. 17th at 1:00 PM:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4232/2008/64054.pdf

Sewer Subcommittee Monday 10/20:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4247/2008/64089.pdf

Coventry Assessment Review Board - October 20, 2008 at 06:30 PM
The link to the meeting agenda is not working on the S of S web site nor the town web site (at least for me it's not working).

Town meetings this week

As posted on the Sec'ty of State web site:

School Committee 10/14/08:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4248/2008/63779.pdf

Housing Authority 10/15/08:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4242/2008/63927.pdf

A Prayer for Help with Our Country's Financial Crises

No time today for finger-pointing or the blame game for our country's financial crises. Let's all unite in a prayer to only One who can help us out of this mess:

For a Better Economy

O God, I pray in the Name of Your Son, Jesus, for our country's economy. I know that even more than a strong military, a strong economy helps keep a nation powerful. Father, I ask that You would raise up people of skill and wisdom who will affect our financial future. Give them inspired ideas and a voice with the powers that be. Cause Congress to vote aright in these matters. Give them foresight so that provision might be made for our nation's future, not just its present. Father, as the people continue to finance the spread of Your Word and help the poor all over the world, I pray that You would continue to prosper us more and more so that we may continue to assist others less fortunate, in this country and across the globe. Amen.

-- from http://www.2heartsnetwork.org

Political Science 101

In case you haven't seen this e-mail being passed around...


Political Science 101 --

DEMOCRAT
> You have two cows.
> Your neighbor has none.
> You feel guilty for being successful.
> You push for higher taxes so the government can provide cows for
everyone.
>
> REPUBLICAN
> You have two cows.
> Your neighbor has none.
> So?
>
> SOCIALIST
> You have two cows.
> The government takes one and gives it to your neighbor.
> You form a cooperative to tell him how to manage his cow.
>
> COMMUNIST
> You have two cows.
> The government seizes both and provides you with milk.
> You wait in line for hours to get it. It is expensive and sour.
>
> CAPITALISM, AMERICAN STYLE
> You have two cows.
> You sell one, buy a bull, and build a herd of cows.
>
> BUREAUCRACY, AMERICAN STYLE
> You have two cows.
> Under the new farm program the government pays you to shoot one,
milk the other, and then pours the
> milk down the drain.
>
> AMERICAN CORPORATION
> You have two cows.
> You sell one, lease it back to yourself and do an IPO on the
second one. You force the two cows to
> produce the milk of four cows. You are surprised when one cow
drops dead. You spin an announcement
> to the analysts stating you have downsized and are reducing
expenses. Your stock goes up.
>
> FRENCH CORPORATION
> You have two cows.
> You go on strike because you want three cows. You go to lunch
and drink wine.
> Life is good.
>
> JAPANESE CORPORATION
> You have two cows.
> You redesign them so they are one-tenth the size of an ordinary
cow and produce twenty times the milk.
> They learn to travel on unbelievably crowded trains.
> Most are at the top of their class at cow school.
>
> GERMAN CORPORATION
> You have two cows.
> You engineer them so they are all blond, drink lots of beer,
give excellent quality milk, and run a hundred
> miles an hour. Unfortunately they also demand 13 weeks of
vacation per year.
>
> ITALIAN CORPORATION
> You have two cows but you don't know where they are.
> You break for lunch.
> Life is good.
>
> RUSSIAN CORPORATION
> You have two cows.
> You have some vodka. You count them and learn you have five
cows.
> You have some more vodka. You count them again and learn you
have 42 cows.
> The Mafia shows up and takes over however many cows you really
have.
>
> TALIBAN CORPORATION
> You have all the cows in Afghanistan, which are two.
> You don't milk them because you cannot touch any creature's
private parts. You get a $40 million grant
> from the U.S. government to find alternatives to milk production
but use the money to buy weapons.
>
AL-QAEDA CORPORATION
> You have two cows.
> They go into hiding.
> They send radio tapes of their mooing.
>
> POLISH CORPORATION
> You have two bulls.
> Employees are regularly maimed and killed attempting to milk
them.
>
> BELGIAN CORPORATION
> You have one cow.
> The cow is schizophrenic.
> Sometimes the cow thinks he's French, other times he's Flemish.
> The Flemish cow won't share with the French cow. The French cow
wants control of the Flemish cow's milk.
> The cow asks permission to be cut in half. The cow dies happy.
>
> FLORIDA CORPORATION
> You have a black cow and a brown cow.
> Everyone votes for the best looking one.
> Some of the people who actually like the brown one best
accidentally vote for the black one.
> Some people vote for both. Some people vote for neither.
> Some people can't figure out how to vote at all.
> Finally, a bunch of guys from out-of-state tell you which one
you think is the best-looking cow.
>
> CALIFORNIA CORPORATION
> You have millions of cows.
> They make real California cheese.
> Only five speak English. Most are illegal.
> Arnold likes the ones with the big udders.
>

Coventry - Residents Opinion Survey

I received an email from a TC candidate today, asking Coventry residents to take a survey being conducted by the CRTC:

http://www.bizgrader.com/

At the website, in the upper right hand side box type in the code word "opinion" to take the survey. I did not have to provide my name, address or any other identifying information in order to take the survey.

I did the survey, which consisted of a series of questions asking about the performance of the Town Council, with a few about the School Committee, Schools, TIF and some ideas on some changes to terms of elected office. I don't think some of the questions could be answered with a straight yes or no, and would have liked an option for "sometimes".

I asked the candidate to advise if the results of the survey would be made public, no matter what the outcome. I hope to be able to share results with you.
***** Update 10/03/08 I was told by the candidate that the results of the survey will be made public, no matter what the outcome is.

It can't hurt to do the survey; at least someone is asking what Cov. residents think about certain local issues.

If the CDTC sets up a survey or already has one setup, I would be glad to post about it on this blog, just forward the info about it to me.

Public Servant

In the second reading at Mass this evening, as the Apostle Paul explains how a Christian should to act he also provides a definition of a public servant:

Philippians 2, 3-4 (New Revised Standard Version)
"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. "

News Article - DEM, CONE Agreement

From the projo:

http://www.projo.com/ri/coventry/content/WB_cambio_again_09-26-08_GHBNIN3_v15.160fb48.html

Thanks to DEM and the developer for getting this agreement done. Kudos to Jeff Hakanson and Ron Gizzarelli of Tiogue Lake Assocation. They worked tirelessly for at least 10 years on this issue. Thanks to them, the residents living on Tiogue Lake, its tributaries and the neighborhoods between CONE and the lake may finally get some relief from siltation and flooding events they have had to endure.

The town of Coventry is not an official part of this agreement, but they will need to cooperate with DEM and the developer to control water levels at Tiogue Lake as mitigation work proceeds. The neighbors living along Tiogue Lake/Harrington Cove, Little Tiogue Lake, Ropewalk Pond, Lake George and the brooks running to & from them may be asked to to allow the developer access across their properties to the streams and lakes so sediment can be removed and they can be cleaned up.

********** I have this agreement saved as a pdf file. Anyone who would like a copy of the consent agreement can contact me at wdddasselin@hotmail.com and I will send it to you.

Brief Notes from Planning Meeting

Mentioning three things that occurred last night:

1. Per my conversation with Chairman Crossman, Mr. Nelson resigned from the Planning Commission.
2. The PC voted unanimously to approve the master plan for the proposed Western Coventry Fire District's new headquarters.
3. The PC voted 4-1 in favor of the proposal to amend the use of land at CONE near the Wal-Mart from a restaurant to a five building, 28-unit housing project. THE MEASURE DID NOT PASS. There were only 5 PC members present at the meeting, there had to be 5 votes in favor and there were only four. The developer can still put up a restaurant building, leave the land vacant, come back next month and re-submit the request or submit a new proposal.

News Article on the Trusts

http://www.projo.com/ri/coventry/content/wB_coventry-_charitable_trust_09-24-08_LVBM9N_v13.1898bc4.html

If you read the wills as posted on Cougar's blog, both of them state that the purpose of each fund is to help the poor of our town.

Cov. landmark threatened with razing

I don't have any answers to this situation. This is one of the last of the old-time storefronts in town. It would be great to save it, but I understand the current owner's dilemma.


From the KC Times --

Friday, 19 September 2008
Jessica Selby

COVENTRY — Local residents who make a habit of looking through the building permits listed in the newspaper might recently have noticed another Coventry building slated for demolition.

Read Commons, according to the list, had received a permit for demolition of a building at 700-706 Washington St. Some who read the list might not have recognized the name Read Commons. They might have recognized another name for the site — the Byron Read building.

The one and a half story mansard roofed commercial building with store fronts across the façade of the first floor was constructed in 1882. It is identified in the “Historic and Architectural Resources of Coventry, Rhode Island; a Preliminary Report,” created by the Rhode Island Historical Preservation Commission, as the largest store in the Town of Coventry at the turn-of-the-century. It is said to have sold furniture and hardware items. An undertaking business was also located in the building.

The building has ties to the funeral home located across the street, now the Gorton-Menard Funeral Home. The Gorton-Menard Funeral Home occupies the three-story late Victorian house that was built as a home for Byron Read, proprietor of the store and the town’s undertaker.

Today the building at 700-706 Washington St. is mostly vacant. The exception is a single small business, The Wood Floor Store. The building shows signs of age and vandalism.

The current owner of the Byron Read Building visited Coventry Town Hall earlier this month and requested a demolition permit, according to interim Town Manager Paul Sprague. He was entitled to that permit, Sprague said; there was nothing the town could do legally to refuse the request.

Despite the uproar when the historic building that formerly housed Coventry Seafood was torn down, another landmark in Coventry, just up the street from the first, is now slated for demolition.The difference, according to Sprague, is that the Byron Read Building still has a chance of surviving.

The building’s current owners are willing to give it that chance, he said.The town has scheduled a meeting with the current owners of the building and a prospective buyer who might be willing to salvage the building, Sprague said. “The owner of the property came in and spoke to me about the building so I called the Rhode Island Historic Commission to see if there was anything that they could do to help us, but, unfortunately, they told me that there is currently no money to assist us if we wanted to purchase it. But, right now, I am going back and forth with him [the current owner of the building] trying to see if there is something that we can do to save the building,” Sprague said.

“The owner is entitled to the demolition permit; he owns the building and he is getting taxed on a building. That is not helping his cause — to be taxed on it — you have to understand his situation, but we are talking with another right now about the possibility of another public entity that may have an interest in it.”

Sprague said the three parties have a meeting scheduled to discuss the matter on Oct. 2. The current owner said he was willing to wait until after that meeting to make plans for demolition. Sprague said.“He doesn’t want to see the building come down, but nothing has been decided yet,” he said. “Whoever takes over the building would have to do some renovations so, right now, the issue is of finding money and what source of money it can come from to do anything here,” Sprague said. “I guess we will just have to see what happens at the meeting.”

Meetings Next Week

**** 09/19/08 Just saw posting of Town Council meeting 09/22/08****
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4232/2008/63071.pdf

School Committee 09/23/08
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4248/2008/62921.pdf

Planning Commission 09/24/08
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4233/2008/62974.pdf

There are two public hearings, both scheduled towards the end of the meeting:

1. Development Plan Review: “Proposed Western Coventry Fire
Station”; Western Coventry Fire District
Proposed Plan for New Fire Station
AP 316, Lot 59.7; Zone RR3
Victory Highway

And a CONE a public hearing --

2. Amended Master Plan: “Centre of New England Phase 6”; Commerce
Park Realty, LLC
28 Additional Residential Condominium Units
AP 6, Lots; Zone BP
Centre of New England Blvd

Stress Relief

Parks & Rec Director Mr. Lefebvre has set up some nature walks. There are two more scheduled for this month:
http://www.projo.com/ri/coventry/content/WB_happy_trails_09-17-08_VRBK2IQ_v12.16e3633.html

Conspiracy Theory - A Definition

Thanks to Jack and Wikipedia for this definition:

A conspiracy theory attributes the ultimate cause of an event or chain of events (usually political, social or historical events), or the concealment of such causes from public knowledge, to a secret and often deceptive plot by a group of powerful or influential people or organizations. Many conspiracy theories state that major events in history have been dominated by conspirators who manipulate political happenings from behind the scenes.

To explore this topic further: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conspiracy_theory

Notes from Work Session on Proposed Charter Amendments

I want to first thank the Town Council for having this work session, and thanks to President Pomfret for allowing me to ask all of my questions.

Here are my notes from the Town Council's 09/08/08 work session about the proposed amendments to our town charter. Also using excerpts “in quotes” from the 08/05/08 Kent County Times article on the charter issues that were discussed at the 07/28/08 Town Council meeting.

“1. Redistricting – relating to Article II, Section 2.05 At the request of the Coventry Board of Canvassers, the Charter Review Commission recommended a charter change to provide for redrawing of district boundary lines every four years —within a year of the gubernatorial election — instead of every two years, as it currently stands. “The board of canvassers’ chairman [Francis J. Perry Jr.] said it was a real difficult thing to do it every two years,” Capaldi said. “A lot of times it doesn’t change a lot in two years; in every four years there may be a change.”

My notes – Per Mr. Perry of the Board of Canvassers, the current time requirement for boundary changes is every two years. Mr. P said that this creates problems for certain voters who live near district boundaries, since each election many people are moved to a different district and then back again the following election. It appears that by approving this amendment, voters would remain in a given district for at least four consecutive years. If approved by the voters, this amendment would take effect on 01/01/2009.

“2. Town council – relating to Article III, Section 3.01 Former Coventry Town Council President Jendzejec recommended that the structure of the town council be changed to add two additional members who would be elected at-large from across the town, Capaldi said.” It gives more of a help to the council and it gives two people the ability to see the big picture. It also helps the voters; it gives people not only their own district person to go to, but also these two people,” he said. The additional members would be elected across the town. The two candidates with the most votes would take the positions. Until the charter was created in 1972, all council members were elected at large, Capaldi said.”

My notes – Since this amendment would take effect on Jan. 1, 2009 if approved, I asked how this change would be implemented. Charter Review Commission Mr. Capaldi did not know, he deferred to the Board of Canvassers. Mr. Perry of the BOC also did not know how this would be implemented. Would there be a special election right away for the two positions or would this not happen until the next scheduled regular election in 2010? Again, no one could explain how this would work.

“3. School Committee – relating to Article IV, Section 4.03The commission recommended the charter be changed such that, if a vacancy occurs on the school committee 12 or fewer months before the next regular election, the vacancy will be filled for the unexpired term by the town council. The current limit for the council to appoint to fill a vacancy on the school committee is six or fewer months before the next election.” The board of canvassers said this would make more sense to have a long period of time instead of a short period of time,” Capaldi said. “It’s less costly than running another election.”

My notes – Some reasons given for this proposed amendment were to lessen confusion among the voters, to give candidates more time to run for office and this move might also lessen the need and hence the cost of a special election.

“4. Town Manager – relating to Article V, Section 5.01 The current charter requires a candidate for town manager to hold, at minimum, a master’s degree in business administration from an accredited college or university and to have spent at least three years as the manager of some city, town, or county; or, that the candidate have a minimum degree in public administration from an accredited college or university with special preference to actual experience in respect to the duties of the office. The commission recommended allowing consideration of town manager candidates who have Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degrees and at least three years experience in administration, not specifically management, in some city, town, or county.” I cannot remember who suggested it,” Capaldi said. “But I personally am in favor of changing — not lessening — the standards, but giving the council more leeway in selection. It’s wise to have a degree [requirement] that is more open — [a candidate] still needs the experience in town government, but it gives the council more freedom.”

My notes – I asked if the standards were being lowered, and the answer was yes. Current standard is a master’s degree in public administration is required; the new standard is a Bachelor of Arts degree plus at least 3 years experience in city, town or county government or a minimum degree in public administration. The reasoning here is that lowering the standards would enlarge the pool of possible candidates for the Town Manager position. I was surprised that the proposed new requirements did not state 3 years experience in city, town or county government AS A MANAGER OR ADMINISTRATOR.

“5. Probate court – relating to Article VI, Section 6.04This change would allow the probate judge to be represented in his absence by the municipal court judge as well as the town solicitor, Capaldi said. The charter currently limits the duties to the town solicitor.”

My notes – there weren’t many questions about this proposed amendment. The handout I obtained at the meeting states “Shall Article VI Section 6.04 of the Town Charter be amended to state that in the absence, disability or disqualification of the judge, the duties of the judge shall be performed by the Town Solicitor or Municipal Court Judge?” I should have asked why it this amendment was necessary. If the judge can’t make a meeting, couldn’t the item on that day’s agenda just be move to the next meeting when the judge was in attendance? If the judge were to be absent for a long period of time, couldn’t the Town Council just appoint a replacement? Couldn’t the TC appoint two persons to act as probate court judges concurrently to address the absence issue?

“6. Financial Provision – relating to Article VIII, Section 8.18The commission suggested a change to the charter such that amendments to the capital or operating budgets that raise them by $175,000 would require all-day referendums. Currently, amendments that raise or lower the budgets by $100,000 require a referendum — an amount that is not as large as it was in 1972 when the charter was passed, Capaldi said. The recommended change also includes a clause that would adjust the amount requiring a referendum yearly according to the change in the Consumer Price Index.”

My notes – I asked why the amount that would require an all-day referendum is being tied to an automatic index like the Consumer Price Index. Mr. C said that the $100,000 is a low amount by today’s standards (I agree) and that a higher amount makes sense (I agree). The Charter Commission thought that a COLA adjustment for automatically increasing the referendum threshold would make sense. I don’t favor any automatic increases; this should be an item that should be reviewed and conscious deliberation taken by future charter review boards.

“7&8. Department of Finance – relating to Article X, Section 10.02 and Section 10.11 The recommended changes in this section were put forth by Moffitt, Capaldi said. One relates to the director of finance and the other to the town treasurer. Under the proposed change, the director of finance shall have knowledge of municipal accounting, finance, taxation, budgeting, financial control and investments and shall have a minimum of a bachelor of arts or science degree in a financial area of study. The charter does not currently mention knowledge of investments or state a degree requirement.” Since the town manager depends on the finance director, the finance director should have some experience in that area — the position should require knowledge in investments,” Capaldi said. “These requirements [are] a little stricter.” The treasurer, under the proposed change, must have a minimum of a bachelor of arts or science degree in the financial area of study. The charter does not currently state a degree requirement for the position of town treasurer, saying only “The town treasurer shall have knowledge of accounting and shall have had experience in budgeting and financial control.”

My notes -- I asked if the current employees in these positions would be grandfathered. Neither the Charter Review Commission chairman, nor the Town Manager nor the Town Solicitor could give a definitive answer.

“9. Department of Public Works — relating to Article XI, Section 11.02 Currently, the director of public works must possess at least five years experience in municipal engineering. This proposed charter change would lessen the requirements to run the department of public works. The proposed change would allow a director who had a bachelor of arts or science degree and at least five year’s experience in public works. “Again, this is a lessening of the requirements to open [the position] up to people to run the department of public works that have a lot of experience,” Capaldi said. “Former contractors may have that kind of experience or people who have maybe worked for the department for 25 to 30 years, which is a good thing. I never really liked having just an engineer over everybody.”

My notes – Someone asked how lowering the standards benefits the town. The same answer was given as above.

“10. Department of Building Inspector – relating to Article XI.A The proposed change to this section of the charter would add language indicating that the building inspector is answerable only to the town manager. Currently, Capaldi said, the building inspector is answerable to several different departments. “Under the zoning law, he is the only one who can make decisions of zoning. In the present charter, he is under the town manager but also the town engineer and the planner. He has to make independent decisions, or else there are decisions that are not proper.” Placing the inspector exclusively under the town manager will allow him to be more independent, Capaldi said.”

My notes -- Mr. Capaldi gave a longer version of what he stated above, stressing independence of the Building official and less chance of interference from multiple supervisors.


“11. Municipal Court – addition to the charter. Currently, the town’s municipal court exists only by an ordinance, Capaldi said. This proposed change would make the municipal court more permanent. “I think this is really good and it helps the town,” he said. “A local judge has a better feeling for what comes before him because he lives in the town. No district court judge knows the Town of Coventry better than I do, or better than someone who lives here does.” Making the municipal court part of the charter will make it safe from the political whims of future councils, Capaldi said.”

My notes – Mr. C. again said that by incorporating the muni court into the Charter would be it much more difficult to do away with it.

I asked Chairman Capaldi if the CRC went into executive session and for what reason. Mr. C replied that they had one ES, the purpose was to discuss “personalities”.

The work session ended and the regular TC meeting began. Under public comment, I asked if the full written report to the town by the Charter Review Commission could be put up on the town website as a pdf form so everyone in town could have easy access to it. Interim TM Mr. Sprague indicated that this could be done.

Under meeting agenda item H.2, Councilman Cloutier made a motion to delete Charter Review question numbers 2, 8, 9, 10 and 11 from the November ballot. The councilman stated that he thought many of these questions were confusing to people, and he is not sure that these amendments would benefit the town.

Council President Pomfret stated that he did not favor question #2, it is very difficult now trying to get 5 council members to meetings, let alone seven members. He also stated his concerns of the possibility of having 3 council members all reside in one particular section of town. Councilman Hyde stated that he was not a fan of adding two new TC positions, adding “if it’s not broke don’t fix it”.

There was no further discussion. The vote was taken, 4-0 in favor of deleting Charter Review questions 2, 8, 9, 10 and 11 from the November Ballot. That leaves six questions for the voters to consider:
#1 Board of Canvassers and Registration/Redistricting
#3 School Committee – Filling Vacancy
#4 Town Manager – Qualifications
#5 Probate Court – Substitution
#6 Financial Provision – Referendum Amount
#7 Dept. of Finance – Town Treasurer, Qualifications

Resolution NOT Appointing Member to Town Council District 4 Vacancy

Some notes I made about this topic from tonight's meeting:

At the beginning of tonight's meeting there was a work session interviewing applicants for the interim appointment as Town Council Member representing District 4. The only person who was there for the interview was Bob Thibeault. Bob is a former and recent TC member from D4. Bob had his interview in front of the public. No other applicants were interviewed.

Later, during the meeting under Item H.1, Councilman Hyde made a motion to appoint David Florio as Council Member to represent District 4. There was no 2nd to the motion, so it could not be voted on. Council President Pomfret made a motion to appoint Robert Thibeault as a Council Member to represent District 4. Seconded by Councilman Cloutier. The vote was Councilmen Pomfret and Cloutier in favor, Councilman Colaluca against and Council Hyde abstaining, so the motion failed. There were no other motions made, so for now there are just four Council members.

Sept. 8 - Work Session Proposed Charter Amendments

Monday evening during the Town Council meeting there will be a work session on the 11 proposed amendments to our Home Rule Charter. I urge you all to attend the hearing; hopefully town officials will allow the public to ask as many questions as possible to help us understand the reasons for these suggested changes to the charter.

Here is the full TC meeting agenda:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4232/2008/62354.pdf

RIPEC Reading

Here is a link to the RIPEC report "A System at Capacity: Rhode Island's State and Local Tax System":
http://ripec.org/matriarch/d.asp?PageID=66&PageName2=pdfsdoc&p=&PageName=Executive+Summary+FINAL%2Epdf

Happy Labor Day

A brief history of Labor Day:
http://www.dol.gov/OPA/ABOUTDOL/LABORDAY.HTM

From the last paragraph in this article:
"The vital force of labor added materially to the highest standard of living and the greatest production the world has ever known and has brought us closer to the realization of our traditional ideals of economic and political democracy. It is appropriate, therefore, that the nation pay tribute on Labor Day to the creator of so much of the nation's strength, freedom, and leadership — the American worker. "

A prayer for Labor Day:
Almighty God, you have so linked our lives one with another that all we do affects, for good or ill, all other lives. So guide us in the work we do, that we may do it not for self alone, but for the common good. As we seek a proper return for our own labor, make us mindful of the rightful aspirations of other workers, and arouse our concern for those who are out of work; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.

Zoning Board Violation Hearing Sept. 3rd - Town Farm Road

To those of you who live in the Town Farm Road area, I thought you should be made aware of an appeal of a zoning violation hearing happening next Wednesday night:

APPEAL(S) OF VIOLATION OF ZONING ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
Applicant: Studley Brothers Inc.
Owner: Same Location of Property: AP 324; Lot 110; Town Farm Road
Zone: RR3 Existing Use: Gravel Bank Proposed Use: Same
Applicant is appealing a Notice of Violation/Cease and Desist from the Coventry Zoning Enforcement Officer.

This was the location of the proposed Boyd Brook development from a few years ago. Here is a link to the full Zoning board agenda:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4234/2008/61779.pdf

CONE Tax Treaty

I've received some requests to view the existing tax treaty agreement between CONE and the town of Coventry. Here is the link. Click on the document dated 01/15/1997.

http://www.coventrycitizensalliance.org/card_news.asp

Town Meetings Next Week

Town Council 8/25:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4232/2008/61736.pdf

School Committee 8/26:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4248/2008/61647.pdf

Planning Commission: 8/27:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4233/2008/61723.pdf

Candidates: KO charter proposals

Interesting Projo article:
http://www.projo.com/ri/coventry/content/wb_charter_review_08-15-08_3AB7NJN_v12.3e8587d.html

From the article: "Charter commission member Thaddeus Jendzejec, a Democrat and former council member, said Raptakis served on the town manager search committee and should remember how hard it was to find a candidate with the charter-mandated credentials."

My comments --
1. I think the reason it was hard then and almost impossible now to find qualified Town Manager candidates is that the town has scared them off. After seeing our 19-year TM "retire" and the Town Council hire & fire the next TM in little over one year's time (and then not follow our charter's requirement to search for a replacement), the word is out among the Public Administrator community that Coventry is not a place to build a career, it is inhospitable to TMs, it is to be avoided like the plague.

2. The voters will get a chance to say yes or no to each of the 11 proposed amendments. Please read everything you can about these proposals. Hopefully the town will post the exact wording of each amenment with an explanation for each. Even better, I hope that the town will hold at least one or two public forums on these proposed changes. Remember the bond issue from earlier this year? The town did not do very much to educate the public (except for the efforts of Council members Thompson & Cloutier to get the word out) and the bond issue was voted down. Lesson learned? I guess we'll have to wait and see.

Attorney general investigates use of longtime public trust funds

It will interesting to see how the AG's investigation turns out.

http://www.projo.com/ri/coventry/content/WB_charitable_trust_08-14-08_0SB79MQ_v9.3e840da.html

Proposed Town Charter Changes

From the KC Times:


Cov. charter changes ballot-bound

Tuesday, 05 August 2008
HANNAH CLARKIN
hclarkin@ricentral.com


COVENTRY — At its meeting on July 28, the Coventry Town Council unanimously approved 11 proposed charter changes to appear on the November ballot.
The proposed changes would affect voting districts, the number of council members, the procedure for filling a school committee vacancy, the qualifications for the position of town manager, probate court responsibilities, financial provisions, the qualifications of the director of finance, the qualifications of the town treasurer, the qualifications of the director of public works, the building inspector, and the municipal court. These changes were unanimously recommended by the Charter Review Commission, chaired by Arthur G. Capaldi, who also serves as the town’s municipal court judge. Leo R. Blais, Jean A. Boulanger, Esq., Kenneth DaSilva, Thaddeus Jendzejec, Victor G. Moffitt, James J. Spearman, Raymond J. Sullivan Jr., and Ronald Wood sat on the commission.

1. Redistricting – relating to Article II, Section 2.05 At the request of the Coventry Board of Canvassers, the Charter Review Commission recommended a charter change to provide for redrawing of district boundary lines every four years —within a year of the gubernatorial election — instead of every two years, as it currently stands. “The board of canvassers’ chairman [Francis J. Perry Jr.] said it was a real difficult thing to do it every two years,” Capaldi said. “A lot of times it doesn’t change a lot in two years; in every four years there may be a change.”

2. Town council – relating to Article III, Section 3.01 Former Coventry Town Council President Jendzejec recommended that the structure of the town council be changed to add two additional members who would be elected at-large from across the town, Capaldi said.“It gives more of a help to the council and it gives two people the ability to see the big picture. It also helps the voters; it gives people not only their own district person to go to, but also these two people,” he said.The additional members would be elected across the town. The two candidates with the most votes would take the positions. Until the charter was created in 1972, all council members were elected at large, Capaldi said.


3. School Committee – relating to Article IV, Section 4.03The commission recommended the charter be changed such that, if a vacancy occurs on the school committee 12 or fewer months before the next regular election, the vacancy will be filled for the unexpired term by the town council. The current limit for the council to appoint to fill a vacancy on the school committee is six or fewer months before the next election.“The board of canvassers said this would make more sense to have a long period of time instead of a short period of time,” Capaldi said. “It’s less costly than running another election.”

4. Town Manager – relating to Article V, Section 5.01 The current charter requires a candidate for town manager to hold, at minimum, a master’s degree in business administration from an accredited college or university and to have spent at least three years as the manager of some city, town, or county; or, that the candidate have a minimum degree in public administration from an accredited college or university with special preference to actual experience in respect to the duties of the office.The commission recommended allowing consideration of town manager candidates who have bachelor of arts or bachelor of science degrees and at least three years experience in administration, not specifically management, in some city, town, or county.“I cannot remember who suggested it,” Capaldi said. “But I personally am in favor of changing — not lessening — the standards, but giving the council more leeway in selection. It’s wise to have a degree [requirement] that is more open — [a candidate] still needs the experience in town government, but it gives the council more freedom.”


5. Probate court – relating to Article VI, Section 6.04This change would allow the probate judge to be represented in his absence by the municipal court judge as well as the town solicitor, Capaldi said. The charter currently limits the duties to the town solicitor.

6. Financial Provision – relating to Article VIII, Section 8.18The commission suggested a change to the charter such that amendments to the capital or operating budgets that raise them by $175,000 would require all-day referendums. Currently, amendments that raise or lower the budgets by $100,000 require a referendum — an amount that is not as large as it was in 1972 when the charter was passed, Capaldi said. The recommended change also includes a clause that would adjust the amount requiring a referendum yearly according to the change in the Consumer Price Index.


7&8. Department of Finance – relating to Article X, Section 10.02 and Section 10.11 The recommended changes in this section were put forth by Moffitt, Capaldi said. One relates to the director of finance and the other to the town treasurer. Under the proposed change, the director of finance shall have knowledge of municipal accounting, finance, taxation, budgeting, financial control and investments and shall have a minimum of a bachelor of arts or science degree in a financial area of study. The charter does not currently mention knowledge of investments or state a degree requirement.“Since the town manager depends on the finance director, the finance director should have some experience in that area — the position should require knowledge in investments,” Capaldi said. “These requirements [are] a little more strict.”The treasurer, under the proposed change, must have a minimum of a bachelor of arts or science degree in the financial area of study. The charter does not currently state a degree requirement for the position of town treasurer, saying only “The town treasurer shall have knowledge of accounting and shall have had experience in budgeting and financial control.”

9. Department of Public Works — relating to Article XI, Section 11.02 Currently, the director of public works must possess at least five years experience in municipal engineering. This proposed charter change would lessen the requirements to run the department of public works. The proposed change would allow a director who had a bachelor of arts or science degree and at least five year’s experience in public works. “Again, this is a lessening of the requirements to open [the position] up to people to run the department of public works that have a lot of experience,” Capaldi said. “Former contractors may have that kind of experience or people who have maybe worked for the department for 25 to 30 years, which is a good thing. I never really liked having just an engineer over everybody.”


10. Department of Building Inspector – relating to Article XI.A The proposed change to this section of the charter would add language indicating that the building inspector is answerable only to the town manager.Currently, Capaldi said, the building inspector is answerable to several different departments. “Under the zoning law, he is the only one who can make decisions of zoning. In the present charter, he is under the town manager but also the town engineer and the planner. He has to make independent decisions, or else there are decisions that are not proper.” Placing the inspector exclusively under the town manager will allow him to be more independent, Capaldi said.

11. Municipal Court – addition to the charter.Currently, the town’s municipal court exists only by an ordinance, Capaldi said. This proposed change would make the municipal court more permanent. “I think this is really good and it helps the town,” he said. “A local judge has a better feeling for what comes before him because he lives in the town. No district court judge knows the Town of Coventry better than I do, or better than someone who lives here does.”Making the municipal court part of the charter will make it safe from the political whims of future councils, Capaldi said.

TC Meeting 07/28/08 Notes

Brief notes from tonight's meeting:

Full Agenda:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4232/2008/60732.pdf

Items of interest: EXECUTIVE SESSION R.I.G.L. 42-46-5 (a) (1) Pertaining to Personnel
• Interviews for School Committee. The interviews were done in the public.

WORK SESSION -- Charter Review Committee recommendations -- I came to the meeting late and missed nearly all discussion.

H. CONSENT AGENDA
12. Resolution adopting Charter Review recommendations - The TC voted 5-0 to approve the 11 or 12 proposed amendments to our charter. I was not able to obtain a copy of the amendments; hopefully the town will make them available at its web site.

I. RESOLUTIONS 1. Resolution appointing member to serve on School Committee -- The TC voted 4-1 to appoint Michael Reeves to the open seat for District 5.

J. PUBLIC HEARINGS AND ENSUING ACTION
4. Amendment of Zoning Ordinance and Map, Assessor’s Plat 24, Lot 125 (The Woods at Red Brook) from Residential 20 to R-20 (Planned Development) -- The public hearing was opened but then immediately continued to the 08/25/08 TC meeting. Counsel for the applicant wanted to ensure that proper notice to abutters is sent out that meets the requirements of existing law.

5. Amendment of Zoning Ordinance and Map, Assessor’s Plat 55, Lot 77 (Anthony Mill) from Industrial 2 Residential with Mill Conversion District/floating zone. Sorry, I left before this public hearing began. Saving this historic building via a conversion to housing has the potential to be a good thing if done within the context of our existing land use ordinances.

Meetings Scheduled for This Coming Week

Town Council July 28:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4232/2008/60732.pdf

TC meeting -- Items of interest:

EXECUTIVE SESSION
R.I.G.L. 42-46-5 (a) (1)
Pertaining to Personnel
• Interviews for School Committee

WORK SESSION
• Charter Review Committee recommendations

H. CONSENT AGENDA
12. Resolution adopting Charter Review recommendations

I. RESOLUTIONS
1. Resolution appointing member to serve on School Committee

J. PUBLIC HEARINGS AND ENSUING ACTION
4. Amendment of Zoning Ordinance and Map, Assessor’s Plat 24, Lot 125 (The Woods at Red Brook) from Residential 20 to R-20 (Planned Development)
5. Amendment of Zoning Ordinance and Map, Assessor’s Plat 55, Lot 77 (Anthony Mill) from Industrial 2 Residential with Mill Conversion District/floating zone

School Committee July 29:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4248/2008/60638.pdf

Sewer Assessment Review Board July 29:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/5301/2008/60143.pdf

Coventry Seafood Building -- GONE

Another piece of our heritage was taken away from us yesterday. Was it really necessary to tear down a 136 year old building that had historical significance? I guess we'll have to wait and see how much of a net increase in tax revenue this ends up producing. And even if that happens in this case, the ends did not justify the means.

http://www.projo.com/ri/coventry/content/WB_historic_building_07-17-08_3TASUT4_v7.3bf1f70.html

It was alarming to me that the issuance of the demolition permit and the actual razing activity all happened in the same day. In my opinion, we need an ordinance that provides for a review process whenever it is proposed to tear down any habitational, mercantile, commercial or institutional structure that is 50 years old or older. A process that allows for input by historical organizations and the public.

Demolition Issue

I disagree with the idea that "progress" has to mean that viable, historic buildings must be eradicated and replaced with new mercantile/commercial buildings that look like they could be from anywhere in America. If the purpose of tearing down the Coventry Seafood building is to expand the parking lot for the shopping plaza next door, that certainly is not going to bring in more tax revenue. Structures like this, that define our sense of place, are what make our town unique.
http://www.projo.com/ri/coventry/content/WB_coventry_historic_building_07-15-08_HBARSU_v10.3f5d6c4.html

Town Council Executive Session 07/14/08

Here's the TC agenda:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4232/2008/60187.pdf

For other meeting agendas this week, go to this link and choose:
http://www.state.ri.us/govtracker/index.php?page=DetailMuni&eid=3763

Coventry must hold special election, solicitor advises

Thank you town officials for allowing the voters of District 5 to choose a new School Committee member (at least we can choose for the period Nov. '08 to Nov. 2010). Here is the link to Projo article:

http://www.projo.com/ri/coventry/content/WB_coventry_solicitor_07-11-08_EEAQO43_v17.3f60a04.html

RI Ironman 70.3 Competition in Coventry

This coming Sunday morning, July 13th, the Amica Ironman 70.3 Rhode Island is coming to Coventry. Actually, it is coming through our town. There are about 2,000 people who signed up for this event, are we ready for it?

The swim takes place in Narragansett, the cycling route comes through Coventry starting at Exit 7, north through Arnold Rd. to Sandy Bottom to Washington St. and north through Knotty Oak Rd. and into Scituate. The run part will be held in Providence. The event starts at 6 am at Roger Wheeler Beach, so the bike riders should be in town beginning after 8:30 am or so.

Here is the link to course maps:
http://ironman.com/events/ironman70.3/rhodeisland70.3/?show=maps

So, pull up a lawn chair at the Arnold Road causeway or at the CVS Clock Park at Tiogue Ave. @ Sandy Bottom and cheer on the participants.

Vacated school board seat leaves questions

I guess the Town Charter will need at least one amendment...

http://www.kentcountytimes.com/content/view/118750/1/

Candidate Information

Local Coventry candidate info:

http://www.sec.state.ri.us/candidates/search/?set_language=en&muni_id=06&citySearch=Search

KCT Article - Coventry ditches Route 102 rezone plan

Thank you Chairman Crossman and PC members for holding a successful public hearing

http://www.kentcountytimes.com/content/view/118279/1/

Ucoming Meetings

Town Council Monday June 23:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4232/2008/59446.pdf

School Committee Tuesday June 24:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4248/2008/59410.pdf

Planning Commission Wednesday June 25:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4248/2008/59410.pdf

Agenda item number 8 is --
"PUBLIC MEETING-Continued
Review and critique the Comprehensive Community Plan update in
accordance with RIGL 45-22.2-8."

I hope you folks from "western" can attend and let town officials know what you want your part of Coventry to look like 5, 10, 20 years from now.

News Article on FTM - Budget Approved

The meeting started at 7:00 pm and it was over by 7:50. And it wasn't too hot in the auditorium, either.

http://www.projo.com/ri/coventry/content/WB_coventry_ftm_06-11-08_BJAFGBC_v13.3735cf1.html

Financial Town Meeting June 10th

Here's the agenda:

http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4232/2008/58794.pdf

Hope to see many of you there.

June 3rd Public Hearing On Comprehensive Plan was Cancelled

There was a lack of a quorum:

Russell Crossman, Chairman - Present
Scott Nelson, Vice Chairman - Absent
George Caldow - Present
Paul Daggett - Absent
Cynthia Fagan - Present
David Florio - Absent
Ron Flynn - Present
Josh Nunes - Absent
Jason Osenkowski - Absent

There needs to be 5 members to constitute a quorum; only 4 were present. The meeting was cancelled at 7:30 pm with no business conducted. The public hearing on proposed changes to our Comprehensive Community Plan has been re-scheduled to the Planning Commission's Wednesday, June 25th. It will probably be one of several agenda items for that evening.

Thanks to all of the residents from western and central Cov (thanks PORA members) for coming tonight. I hope you will plan on attending the 6/25 meeting. Spread the word so more folks from western can be there next time.

Planning Commission Meeting June 3, 2008

Planning Commission Meeting
1670 Flat River Road
Coventry, RI 02816
June 03, 2008
7:00 pm

Here is a link to the agenda for next Tuesday’s meeting:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4233/2008/58371.pdf

The item of interest is:

PUBLIC MEETING-Continued
Review and critique the Comprehensive Community Plan update in
accordance with RIGL 45-22.2-8.

I hope many residents who live in “western” will attend. If lots of people show up and express their comments, questions and concerns the Planning Commission may modify some of the proposed changes to the Comp Plan. If no one comes to the meeting, it is likely that the PC would recommend the updated Comp Plan to the Town Council as suggested by the consultant.

Public hearing - Proposed Changes to our Comprehensive Community Plan - 6/3/08

I contacted the Planning Dept. today, and they said that the public hearing on Proposed Changes to our Comprehensive Community Plan is still scheduled for next Tuesday, June 3rd, 7:00 pm at town hall. I previously posted notes taken at the public hearing that was held on 04/09/08, go to that date to read them.

An important item discussed by the town's consultant was a proposal to change the land use designation of the area on both sides of Route 102 from Harkney Hill Road south the West Greenwich border from rural residential to BUSINESS PARK. For those of you who live in "Western", you might want to check article 6 of the town zoning regulations to see what types of uses are permitted in a business park zone.
Go to http://www.town.coventry.ri.us/zoningregs.pdf to see the list of uses that are permitted or could be allowed under a special use permit.

Here are just some of the uses that are a "by-right" or permitted in a Business Park zone:
Motel and Hotel
Metal Fabrication/Machine Shop
Storage of flammable or explosive materials above ground or underground
Equipment garage for the commercial storage of construction vehicles and heavy equipment over 4 ton carrying capacity
Manufacture of wood products and furniture
Printing, publishing and allied industries
Manufacture of pharmaceuticals
Manufacture of glass products
Motor freight terminal
Transmitters and towers for private use
Utility substation
Drive-in and fast food restaurants
Landscape supply (in bulk)
General warehousing and storage facilities
Self storage facilities
General automotive repair, body shop
Bowling alley, billiards, movie theater
Video, pinball arcades

Here are some just some of the uses that could be approved in a Business Park via a special use permit:
Multi-family housing project
Automobile junk yards
Open storage of solid fuel, sand or gravel
Commercial woodlots and firewood storage and sales
School bus parking and storage
Sewage treatment facilities
Gasoline service station
Fuel dealer, oil and bottled gas sale and service only

I urge those of you who live in western to attend this meeting to express your comments, concerns and questions.

News Articles on FY 2009 Budget

The TC approved the 2008-2009 budget last night.

Projo article:
http://www.projo.com/ri/coventry/content/wB_coventry_council_05-20-08_JEA6Q3V_v8.3813c9d.html

The Financial Town Meeting is scheduled for June 11. Hope to see many of you there.

Meetngs of Interest

Town Council 5/19:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4232/2008/57831.pdf

Sewer Subcommittee 5/20:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4247/2008/57708.pdf

Planning 5/21:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4233/2008/57754.pdf

Kudos to Chief DaSilva

http://www.projo.com/ri/coventry/content/WB_COVENTRY_SHOPLIFTING_05-01-08_ER9VH34_v16.34a0b57.html

http://www.kentcountytimes.com/content/view/110591/

Proposed New Statewide Formula for Aid to Schools

http://www.kentcountytimes.com/content/view/109352/

Nice Article on "Western"

Below is a link to a nice news article in today's Projo West Bay section on Western. The article states "Western Coventry is suited to people who like nature, open space, and animals". That could all change if the designated use of land on Route 102 south of Harkney Hill Rd. is amended as proposed on the town's comprehensive community plan from rural residential to business park.

http://www.projo.com/ri/coventry/content/HO_greene041308_04-13-08_8F9L22N_v14.28b0f69.html

Proposes Changes to Our Comprehensive Community Plan

Notes from Planning Commission Meeting of 04/09/08, 6:00 pm
Held at Town Council Chambers

Subject: Proposed update to our Comprehensive Community Plan.

Overview given by consultant Tony Lacawicz (not sure of last name spelling).

State law requires an update to a town’s comp plan every 5 years. Coventry initially approved its first comp plan 03/22/1999. There have been minor adjustments to the plan since then but this is the first major update. I glanced through the proposed revised comp plan book and there many, many changes in the text and maps so these notes only touch on the changes envisioned.

Mr. Lacawicz stated that his presentation would only touch on the major recommendations being made to the comp plan. He and his partner were hired by the town to work with the Planning Dept. on the update. It has taken two years to complete the project.

As a part of his work, the consultant interviewed the Town Manager, all dept. heads, local school officials, local boards & commissions, the various fire district leaders, Kent County Water, West Warwick Regional Sewer District, RI Economic Development, DEM and DOT.

The updated plan uses year 2000 census data and other federal and state data bases. There are 27 updated maps.

Proposed Significant Changes:
If you live in “Western” please note item 1:

1. Change the land use designation of the area on Route 102 from Harkney Hill Road south the West Greenwich border from rural residential to BUSINESS PARK. There was some discussion among Planning Commission members about why this change is being proposed. State officials told the consultant and Planning that they see the Route 102 corridor as a future growth area. Looking ahead 20 to 30 years in the future it is thought this part of town may be a good spot for business development. Questions arose about whether the recommendation should be for a Village Business District instead of a BP designation.
2. The town needs to devise a policy that integrates water supply management with land use and economic development so growth doesn’t outstrip the availability of water.
3. Add inclusionary zones – giving a density bonus to developers who add an affordable housing component to residential projects.
4. Recommend change in land use at businesses abutting CONE on Arnold Rd. and Hopkins Hill Road from general business to BUSINESS PARK.
5. South Main Street – Village Business District along the entire area.
6. Mill Conversion Zones – change the zoning to all of the old mills in town.

The process of amending our comp plan:
1) Agreement on changes to be made and recommendations by the Planning Commission to the Town Council.
2) Hopefully, some work sessions by Town Council, but a public hearing must be held on proposed changes to the comp plan.
3) Once the town approves the update, it gets sent to the state for review. This review process may take up to a year. This state review procedure does not preclude the town from implementing the revised comp plan.
4) What could also happen is that the town could change the zoning in areas that the comp plan calls for changing. State law requires the town to change zoning to match its comp plan within 18 months of adopting the comp plan. No penalty for not following the law, but the town exposes itself to litigation by not making the appropriate changes.

The public hearing was continued to Tuesday, June 3rd, 7:00 pm at Town Council chambers. If you live in Western and are concerned about the proposed land use changes along Route 102 you should contact your Town Council member immediately and also plan on attending the 06/03/08 PC public hearing. If you voice your comments, questions and concerns now the proposed changes might not happen. If you do nothing, these changes could definitely be made.

News Article - Budget

http://www.kentcountytimes.com/content/view/107716/

News Article - Town Budget

Projo article on yesterday's work session - Town Council and Dept. Heads. I wish the meeting had been held in the evening when most of the public could have attended if they wanted to:

http://www.projo.com/ri/coventry/content/WB_cov-budget_04-08-08_MR9M5JU_v10.373e2f9.html

Meetings This Week

Town Council 4/7 at 12 Noon!
http://www.state.ri.us/eTownCrier/index.php?page=meeting&id=55600

School Committee 4/8 7 pm:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/5472/2008/55582.pdf

Planning 4/9 6:00 pm Public review of update to comprehensive community plan:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4233/2008/55615.pdf

Student Research for Tiogue Lake

Nice article about CHS student environmental project:

http://www.projo.com/ri/coventry/content/WB_aquatics_robotics_04-02-08_119JTPM_v12.34b13c2.html

Public Hearings on School, Town Budgets

KC Times of 04/01/08 on page B-7 there is a legal notice of the pending budget hearings:

Proposed 2008-2009 Budget

Public Hearing Dates:

Municipal Budget -- April 15th, 6:00 pm, Town Council Chambers

School Budget -- April 17th, 6:00 pm, Town Council Chambers

Copies of the proposed budget can be viewed at the Town Library during its usual hours of operation.

Suggestion -- Could the budget be posted on the town web site, as it has done int past?

These are public hearings. Any person attending will be allowed to speak and question the TC, Town Manager and a representative of the School Committee.

Please attend the meeting of your choice.

Route 3 Upgrade Diminished

http://www.kentcountytimes.com/content/view/106767/

We're Number 6

RI has the 6th highest tax burden according to this survey:

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Taxes/Advice/TheBestAndWorstStatesForTaxes.aspx?page=2

Nice post, Duck

http://twopartysystem.blogspot.com/

See the post of 03/28/08.

Notes from CONE Master Plan Public Hearing

MY NOTES FROM PUBLIC INFORMATIONAL MEETING

Master Plan: Centre Of New England Phases 7B and 7C
Commerce Park Realty, LLC
Major Land Development Project Proposing 52 Residential Condominiums
AP 5, Lots 14.1 and 14.2; Zone BP
Centre of New England Boulevard

4.5 acre site on the west side of CONE across from Hertz Rental and near Mack Truck and Champion Windows. Adjacent to Amgen property, wetlands, existing detention basin.
Proposed 52 units, 26 duplexes. Not age-restricted, needs relief from age-restriction requirement. Needs relief from buffer zone requirement.
3 different models: 900 Square Feet $179,000; 1200 SF $189,000; 1500 SF $199,000. This site was originally planned as self-storage units, 90% impervious surfaces, now will be 42% impervious.
Intends to apply for Kent County Water, will be sewered. Well water for irrigation.
All units two bedroom or less.
DEM wants easement to wetlands to the south of the property.
Fiscal impact to be assessed a the preliminary hearing.
Master Plan voted on and approved 6-0 (3 members absent) with conditions. Age restriction and buffer variances granted.

Projo Article on H-7950

Here is the projo link to last night's hearing on the Massive Tax Increase Bill:
http://www.projo.com/news/content/BUDGET_PROTESTS_03-27-08_CB9H9AB_v17.774f00.html

Here is KC Times article on the same subject:
http://www.kentcountytimes.com/content/view/106045/

I was screaming at the TV when the sponsors were answering questions on the "fairness" of the bill. Over 100 people signed up to testify on this bill. There was a lot of opposition there as well some folks who were in favor of passage. In the end the bill was "held for further study" which means its chances of being enacted are slim. It also means that we need to watch this very closely, as a different version of the massive tax increase bill may re-submitted.

News Articles - Public Payroll Info, Solar Wind Farm

The top ten salaried people - municipal and school:
http://www.projo.com/ri/coventry/content/WB_cov_top_ten_03-25-08_R09CV54_v36.358da09.html

Possible solar wind farm at Picillo:
http://www.projo.com/ri/coventry/content/bz_solar_farm25_03-25-08_K19G9RN_v11.38e5188.html

Good luck Chief DaSilva:
http://www.projo.com/ri/coventry/content/WB_police_03-25-08_BU9GA1D_v12.3587b04.html

Upcoming Meetings

Town Council 03/24:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4232/2008/55050.pdf

School Committee 03/25:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4248/2008/54894.pdf

Planning Commission 03/26:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4233/2008/54982.pdf

Land Trust 04/01:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4244/2008/55011.pdf

Stop H-7950, Stop Our Taxes from Being Increased!

Here is a link to the wording of House bill H-7950:

http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText08/HouseText08/H7950.pdf

This bill would raise taxes by an estimated $300 MILLION PER YEAR by expanding the scope of what is subject to the sales tax and increasing several other taxes.

Bill Sponsors:

Rep. David A. Segal rep-segal@rilin.state.ri.us (401)432-7049
Rep. Anastasia Williams rep-williams@rilin.state.ri.us (401)272-8135
Rep. Grace Diaz rep-diaz@rilin.state.ri.us (401)467-8413
Rep. Joseph S. Almeida rep-almeida@rilin.state.ri.us (401)467-7033
Rep. Arthur Handy rep-handy@rilin.state.ri.us (401)785-8996

Here are our local elected officials in the House of Representatives:

Ray Sullivan rep-sullivan@rilin.state.ri.us
Victor Moffit rep-moffitt@rilin.state.ri.us
Nicholas Gorham rep-gorham@rilin.state.ri.us
Patricia Serpa rep-serpa@rilin.state.ri.us

If you agree that we are over-taxed as it is and are opposed to increasing taxes further, then please contact the sponsors and our local reps and let them that you are against passage of this bill. The hearing for this bill is scheduled for March 26th so please contact these officials immediately.

Legislative Alert

I received this info a couple of days ago. RI is the 5th highest taxed state in the USA. We're taxed out! Please read below and if you agree contact your state representative or senator and tell them no more additional or increased taxes!


Bill # H-7950 TAXES, TAXES AND MORE TAXES!
March 18, 2008 The House Finance Committee has rescheduled a hearing on anti-business and job development legislation to be heard on Wednesday, March 26, 2008 at approximately 4:30 P.M. in Room 35. The bill includes the following:
* Sales tax on virtually all services, including appliance repairs, landscaping, movie tickets, laundry, temp agencies, club membership, real estate services and so on except physicians and lawyers
* Reduction in sales tax from 7% to 4.5% over a number of years
* 2% gross revenue tax on lawyers and accountants
* Tax on clothing valued over $250
* Tax on the trade-in of motor vehicles
* Reinstate the capital gains tax back to 5%
* Tax non-resident S-Corporation owners at the corporate rate of 9%
* Repeal virtually all business tax credits
* Tax on the press and newspapers
* Impose a cap on historic tax credits with eligibility requirements
* Sales tax on all fuels including home heating oil
* Tax precious metal bullion
* Increase state income tax 2.5% in 2008
* Decrease many other tax credits
* Eliminate the research and development tax credit for employers of 30 or fewer employees
* Eliminate the alternative flat tax after 2008
* Tax on dietary supplements sold on prescriptions
* Institute a sales tax on bus/van/truck rentals
* Eliminate the capital investment in small business credit
* Repeal the Job Development Act
* Repeal the mill building and economic privatization act
* Repeal the exception from sales tax by writers, composers and artists

Increasing taxes are not the way to go to correct a serious budget problem. This legislation will surely stop economic development, job creation, and is just plain BAD LEGISLATION! Taxing services have been an abysmal failure in other states and falls heavily on small business and on those who cannot up and relocate. For your information, it is estimated this bill alone will increase taxes by over $300 million.

Address your letter to The Honorable (Representative's name), c/o Speaker of the House, 323 State House, Providence, RI 02903 and to the Honorable (Senator's name) c/o Senate President's Office, 318 State House, Providence, RI 02903. Also please send a copy of your letter to the address below. For Representative and/or Senator in your district refer to the links below.

http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/hofrep.html

http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/senate.html

School Article

Here is a link to projo article about the school budget:

http://www.projo.com/ri/coventry/content/WB_blunder_03-19-08_TU9E4IB_v11.372d0c9.html

The School Committee last week mistakenly adopted the original, uncut version of its 2009 spending request. It was just a glitch, said school officials. There is a rumor I've heard that the town wants to eliminate the Town Finance Director's position and have the School Business Administrator take over the books for both town and school. I have a better idea -- eliminate the school business adminstrator position and have our town finance director take over the books for both town and school -- and then have a forensic audit done of School Dept. finances.

‘Irregularities’ found at Resource Recovery Corp.

http://www.projo.com/news/content/Resource_Recovery_03-14-08_9E9C8E4_v17.3730064.html

Finalists for Town Engineering Work

http://www.projo.com/ri/coventry/content/WB_folo_firing_03-12-08_9E9BCF4_v11.2ae2.html

News Articles

Coventry's animal control ordinance updated:
http://www.projo.com/ri/coventry/content/WB_cov_council_03-11-08_PN9B48K_v14.3730435.html

State Open Government Forum held last night at CCRI:
http://www.projo.com/news/content/open_records_03-11-08_DT9B4DJ_v30.38e9d45.html

Town Council 03/10/07 Meeting Agenda

Thank you Council members for bringing Public Comment back!

http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4232/2008/54346.pdf

News Articles, Meetings

Articles --

CONE - Wells
http://www.projo.com/ri/coventry/content/WB_wells_03-07-08_SU98F61_v18.ad282d.html

Voter Disaffiliation
http://www.projo.com/ri/coventry/content/WB_vote7_03-07-08_CU99GTI_v8.ad329b.html


Upcoming Meetings --

School Committee 03/11/08:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4248/2008/54236.pdf

Conservation 03/11/08, includes proposed new condos for CONE:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4239/2008/54129.pdf

Planning 03/12/08, includes proposed new condos for CONE:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4233/2008/54116.pdf

What a Concept

Could this be done in RI?

http://www.sacbee.com/1098/story/738462.html

News Articles - Town & School Payrolls, CONE

http://www.projo.com/ri/coventry/content/WB_coventrypay_03-04-08_JA981RL_v12.372ed7b.html

http://www.kentcountytimes.com/content/view/103347/