Coventry council weighs fire consolidation charter amendment, paving and signal contracts
The Coventry Town Council on June 23 considered four proposed charter amendments for the November 2026 ballot, including a measure to establish a town-run fire and EMS department, as well as staggered council terms, partisan elections, and reduced land trust funding. The council also took up resolutions totaling more than $993,000 for a police command post vehicle, field lighting upgrades, a traffic signal, and school paving.
Town Council
In addition to the charter amendment discussion, the council agenda included:
- Resolution 2026-62: $117,701.14 for a mobile command post vehicle for the police department.
- Resolution 2026-66: $429,439.20 for lighting upgrades at Paine Baseball Field, with a $66,428 rebate from Rhode Island Energy.
- Resolution 2026-71: A $413,940 bid award to D’Ambra Construction for a traffic signal at Hopkins Hill Road.
- Resolution 2026-65: $32,672 in impact fees for repaving the access road and adding basketball courts at Hopkins Hill School.
- A public hearing on a new Class B liquor license for Coventry Eats LLC, doing business as The Ham and Egger at 687 Washington Street.
Minutes from the meeting had not been published as of July 5.
Planning Commission
The Planning Commission held a public hearing June 22 on a master plan for “Residences on Mishnock,” a proposed 20-unit multifamily development at Mishnock and Hopkins Hill Roads that would set aside 25% of units as affordable. The commission also discussed a redevelopment plan for the Flat River Reservoir/Johnson’s Pond area, a letter from the Conservation Commission, and future zoning code updates for multi-family and two-family dwellings.
Coventry Redevelopment Agency
On June 24, the agency discussed and was scheduled to vote on using pond-designated American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to develop a lake management plan.
Coventry Land Trust
The trust held a public hearing June 29 on an open space budget funded by real estate conveyance taxes for trail maintenance and forest management. Members also discussed potential sales of development rights on three private properties—at 798 Nicholas Road, 120 Town Farm Road, and 0 Hammet Road—and reviewed a draft ordinance for land acquisition procedures.
Conservation Commission
The commission met July 1 to vote on advisory comments to the Town Council regarding Proposed Ordinance 2026-20. The panel also set future agenda items for a July 9 meeting.
Historic Preservation Commission
On July 2, the commission reviewed an update to the town’s driving tour map, goals for a bridge preservation study, display cases for historical artifacts, and a draft Town Council resolution for the First Coventry Town House Monument. Members also discussed space requirements for commission materials.
Coming up
Town Council – July 8
A public hearing is scheduled on designating the Johnson’s Pond area as a redevelopment zone and adopting the associated plan, including potential eminent domain authority. The council will consider a resolution to approve $413,940 for the Hopkins Hill Road traffic signal contract, an award of $49,797.72 for Senior Center HVAC condensers, and appointments to the Charter Review Committee.
Technical Review Committee – July 15
The committee will provide comments to the Planning Commission on two proposals: a two-bedroom accessory dwelling unit at 31 King Street requiring a dimensional variance for lot coverage, and Mishnock Woods, a 400-unit multifamily development at 1055 Tiogue Avenue with five five-story buildings, three amenity buildings, and 25% of units deed-restricted as affordable.
Generated from official meeting agendas and minutes — every underlying document is linked from the city page. Read the primary source before you rely on a detail.