[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6116104,"mediaKeyId","2734536-e18f81b961d939b53e87ce9c6063c538","parentId",2734536,"title","Coventry council stalls proposal to give all members access to town solicitor invoices after heated debate","audioSeconds",3338,"startMs",3233000,"endMs",6571000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2734536-e18f81b961d939b53e87ce9c6063c538&start=3233&end=6571","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2734536-e18f81b961d939b53e87ce9c6063c538/thumbnail_3233000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6116104/Rhode-Island/Coventry-council-stalls-proposal-to-give-all-members-access-to-town-solicitor-invoices-after-heated-debate","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6116104-c40f9c36e1b8907036b81fdb4d0cda48/orig.mp4?Expires=1771122312&Signature=NM-5LYFf0~3v6tRBrU1NLDDrxcSnU-Lq9gDtyDwUTwZ3eKzr9Oyb4JtvWIDeX4aoNo7NqGLvZ6zUOyDvVBnfxcsRXVqthD5TZky3ofnvTIn~P2Jjg8ePGwUc-wkxJtmZVM98dlBn4BwgZ0zYreuaVgO0nW2RuL08uNdA-rbqTGCICmGu41cuD9Z5YdnJZ9mm4Le5FlI8qRp5aeT8My9RCtr-DG~rJiYjoAIYQQUyalBD-ATRhflB56kJSh0Nc4Bs73SggpKCKg6OlkA2eLioHM4-SenEd0GHgZboREVz~~DGZtv35v3GtlU3WzEDR1QuxLw5e8DLablTW2C3FUvhJQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Coventry Rhode Island","date","2025-03-11T00:00:00Z","article","The Coventry Town Council spent much of its meeting debating whether unredacted monthly invoices and time specifications from the town solicitor should be available to every council member.

The issue mattered because councilors said they wanted transparency over legal spending paid from the town budget, while the town solicitor warned that releasing detailed billing could waive attorney–client privilege and expose the town to legal risk. The council ultimately voted to table the resolution to expand access.

Resident Mark Hallis opened public comment on docketed items by urging broader access to legal billing. “Legal fees are paid with tax tax payer dollars, and every member of this council has an equal rate to review how those funds are spent,” Hallis told the council, saying that denying access undermined accountability.

Town Solicitor Angel responded at length during the council report, framing the question as a clash between transparency and the professional rules that govern lawyers. “Your charter is overruled in cases where the general assembly has ruled and the state supreme court has when the state supreme court makes law or when they make rules through the Administrative Procedures Act, those rules govern over any charter provision that you may have,” Angel said, adding repeatedly that detailed time entries and descriptions in ongoing matters are privileged and could create legal exposure if made public.

Several council members pushed back. Councilman LeBlanc asked bluntly, “Who is the client? Is it the president and vice president or is the entire town council?” Angel replied that the organizational client is the municipal corporation of Coventry and that, under the rules of professional conduct and authority he cited, time-by-time descriptions of legal work are not the same as the summary invoices the council already receives.

Vice President Verducci and others said they had drafted a resolution intended to add a layer of review and accountability by naming a second reviewer in addition to the president, not to publish privileged materials. Verducci described the draft as an effort to “add another layer of transparency” while preserving confidentiality of privileged details.

Councilman Copley said he had formally requested unredacted invoices and was dissatisfied by the finance director's response that the materials were not available, which helped spark the debate. Copley told the council he had obtained unredacted invoices from neighboring towns by public-record request and wanted the same access in Coventry.

After extended discussion, Councilman Brown moved to table the resolution (later identified in the meeting as Resolution 2025‑33). Councilman Capaldi seconded. The roll call vote to table was 7 in the affirmative, 0 opposed; the motion to table passed.

The council did not adopt a new access procedure during the meeting. Council members asked for additional legal research and for the town’s finance director and insurance/trust counsel to weigh in on whether broader internal review or distribution of redacted summaries would be permissible without creating liability. Council leadership and the solicitor said they would produce written legal memoranda and that the item would return to a future agenda.

Provenance: The council’s discussion of the solicitor contract, billing, and the draft resolution begins with the solicitor’s remarks to the council and continues through the motion to table (discussion and votes).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Coventry Town Council - 11 Mar 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Coventry Town Council spent much of its meeting debating whether unredacted monthly invoices and time specifications from the town solicitor should be available to every council member.","taxTitle","Coventry, Kent County, Rhode Island","taxId",79575,"location","Rhode Island","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6116089,"Coventry council: quick take — registrar ratified; project priority list and ARPA allocation approved",2297,857000,3154000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2734536-e18f81b961d939b53e87ce9c6063c538&start=857&end=3154","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2734536-e18f81b961d939b53e87ce9c6063c538/thumbnail_857000.jpg","/articles/6116089/Rhode-Island/Coventry-council-quick-take-registrar-ratified-project-priority-list-and-ARPA-allocation-approved","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6116089-a9414fc72c4a73d8a086b9c9a3232a77/orig.mp4?Expires=1771122312&Signature=eNbY7yp2UPsRnZkpClKmsMijv47arlJ4R7ifwJh9Fzqcm~qBWesSEXeUM2CekNTN-LQfGVU0yQxb~136wczOjL1eTF3AWexrL6~MoiSi2coqXXKRJByogQnVn9dq2Bhj2oNXhFLKZsSrfsxDwghHIw~HhztDszsngfdvAc5MLvRVFeNYBF2cZ-TxqFlgJKXUETdEDCqrHieqsFWn-vWkTiJrqYmTWRooEFDEEl7ptw7Lcl6ZE3x15VwZgbx5~CLGU4yPzKVTPj0gvwGNRy~0zTRZa2oOr3booi6V1EeaKBff-X2d6npOFPIbSwQJOTNOdh9KPweYhTlLasXcV87Huw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Coventry Town Council took several routine but consequential votes during the meeting.

The council ratified the Board of Canvassers’ appointment of Marcia (Marcy) Owls as registrar, following a recommendation letter from the canvassers that recorded a 3–0 board vote. Motion by Councilman Capaldi, second by Councilman Brown; roll call vote was 7 in the affirmative, 0 opposed.

The council accepted a package of projects onto the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank project priority list (project priority list entries A–L in the council packet). Assistant Town Manager Maria Broadbent described the PPL as the state mechanism to identify water‑quality and infrastructure projects eligible for loans and some grants. Council members moved to take the resolutions as a block and then approved the block; both votes passed by 7–0 roll calls.

The council then approved a block of resolutions (council described as 2025‑21 through 2025‑32) by roll call; the approval passed 7–0.

The council approved a one‑time allocation of $35,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for invasive weed management in the Flat River Reservoir. Motion by Councilman Pasqua, second by Councilman Brown; roll call vote was 7 in favor, 0 opposed.

Other procedural actions included ratifying the appointment and employment terms for the registrar (as above) and later sealing the minutes from the executive session; the council reported that it met in executive session on litigation matters and that no votes were taken there.

Votes at a glance

- Ratification: Appointment of Marcia Owls as registrar (per R.I. Gen. Laws § 17‑8‑5). Motion by Councilman Capaldi; second by Councilman Brown. Vote: 7–0, approved.
- Contract ratification: Fuss & O'Neil pretreatment design (see separate coverage). Motion by Councilman Pasqua; second by Councilman Brown. Vote: 7–0, approved.
- PPL resolutions (2025‑21 through 2025‑32): Motion to take as a block and motion to approve block. Votes: both 7–0, approved.
- ARPA allocation: $35,000 for Flat River Reservoir invasive weed management. Motion by Councilman Pasqua; second by Councilman Brown. Vote: 7–0, approved.
- Motion to table Resolution 2025‑33 (invoice access proposal): Motion by Councilman Brown; second by Councilman Capaldi. Vote: 7–0, tabled (see main article on solicitor billing debate).

Provenance: These votes and the registrar appointment are recorded in the meeting minutes and were taken during the appointment, manager’s report, and council business sections of the agenda.","At its meeting the Coventry Town Council ratified the appointment of Marcia Owls as registrar, approved a block of project priority list resolutions and other routine resolutions, and allocated $35,000 in ARPA funds for invasive weed control at Flat River Reservoir; votes were unanimous where recorded.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6116094,"Council directs staff to prepare reprofiling plan for Arnold Road after resident complaints about sewer‑cap damage",0,1188000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2734536-e18f81b961d939b53e87ce9c6063c538&start=1188&end=1188","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2734536-e18f81b961d939b53e87ce9c6063c538/thumbnail_1188000.jpg","/articles/6116094/Rhode-Island/Council-directs-staff-to-prepare-reprofiling-plan-for-Arnold-Road-after-resident-complaints-about-sewercap-damage","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6116094-aa5724f47defd4f1395885ad99a66214/orig.mp4?Expires=1771122312&Signature=ON8RAzTZFrslqfMfhFYCxiuGk7nXGD8kxbiY2-ZE0fEHMcnyET0uuCvHNho12A6ShyGsgFhNe70NMKdV1YdV8V1qobrruQ5IgdjVj7jyLVhf6N6soPO1R4AO2cWRlyXrFPC2BPArkp7UGM6ATvqbCI2k-alU8xBxhx3IS7ej3pmFwjCZgEZC9mTjBCFtLQHkRYUCkRZbzwbRjbPwn57ZijMci1kM2-12LCq9girRyslQzieTjKEn4dXJAVcbAgBMWgKPgsyBIH4AHS6HrN-E37lu1FlxjEUuQUmvEJqAcI-tshMcXhjo-tp9HMtxb-4GLiO6crqjUIlU4LMJ~01kpg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Coventry Town Council signaled consensus to pursue a restriping scheme on Arnold Road to reduce vehicles riding over sewer caps after a resident described years of damage and submitted photos and a petition.

Town Manager Dan Perillo told the council he and Director Kevin McGee inspected the roadway and proposed moving the white fog line (the bike‑lane line) about two feet closer to the curb, an in‑contract stripe job estimated at roughly $5,600. “Is it fail proof? No,” Perillo told the council, adding that the change is intended to encourage vehicles to track away from sewer caps but will not guarantee drivers’ behavior.

Resident Michael Riccio (identified as the resident who brought the petition and attachments) urged moving the yellow centerline to recreate a historic lane layout that provided a wider parking lane on the lake side. Riccio said historical imagery shows asymmetrical lanes previously in place and argued widening the parking lane would give people space to enter and exit vehicles when fishing on the causeway.

Several council members supported drafting a resolution. Councilman Capaldi and others said the change should be applied from Tioga Avenue across the causeway to maintain continuity and that the public fishing side should get a larger parking buffer.

Vice President Verducci clarified the cost estimate was for contracted striping; Perillo confirmed the town cannot perform the work in house. Council members asked for the staff resolution to include precise measurements so that residents (including Riccio) could verify the contractor’s work after completion.

The council accepted Riccio’s attachment into the record by motion: motion by Councilman Copley, second by Councilman Pasqua; the roll call vote was 7 in favor, 0 opposed. Councilman Perillo (manager) was asked to return a resolution with a fiscal note and exact measurements at the next meeting.

Provenance: The discussion began during public comment and continued during the town manager’s report about Arnold Road restriping; the council accepted resident attachments and directed staff to prepare a detailed restriping resolution.","After multiple residents reported vehicles hitting sewer caps on Arnold Road, the council instructed staff to draft a resolution and fiscal note to shift striping (move the bike lane white line toward the curb and consider shifting the center yellow line) and to include precise measurements for contractor oversight.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6116099,"Council ratifies Fuss & O'Neil contract for Coventry High School pretreatment design; project funding and timeline discussed",759,2031000,2790000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2734536-e18f81b961d939b53e87ce9c6063c538&start=2031&end=2790","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2734536-e18f81b961d939b53e87ce9c6063c538/thumbnail_2031000.jpg","/articles/6116099/Rhode-Island/Council-ratifies-Fuss-ONeil-contract-for-Coventry-High-School-pretreatment-design-project-funding-and-timeline-discussed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6116099-8db0ce69770bec0978e458c1b14e495b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771122312&Signature=SljxQZ2GGIdab8bgpCOUiy~0GAp6NqxFI-TM2UF6qPJATOq3Va8~Cm7DXzMVqHg~1u5kH4voPqJSwxbW8KHRGOgGjgASrFP10vyUg-Y--aD9QgHjwm1gjLdHPbFfSgPigVhrTlUt32KvAin1ujNsMdiuklzAhwSELSqr94w~VmEIq3AX2Sv~1KT~3lwLZ2qGMyLEFIv2dCxX0WbMwjEMW1t~usRgVowvzMxYBDC4c~WQVrK7QQoqQgH7oAd5UWr2bEtLgnLmLt7LgUPovxSSLWvvCGcQyDmlwVo3PGg7On99BoFCP6ig--d2PX3FOvCwP~9Do6pMQRLgL0oytN6Osg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Coventry Town Council voted 7–0 to ratify a contract with Fuss & O'Neil for pretreatment design work at Coventry High School, a key step toward connecting the school to a new sewer main.

The high‑school sewer project is the top priority on the town’s sewer facilities plan because the on‑site wastewater treatment system is no longer functioning and is being used as a holding tank that the town must pump out, Assistant Town Manager Maria Broadbent told the council.

Broadbent said the total project cost is estimated at about $4,200,000, with roughly $3.25 million coming from a state funding source and a bit more than $1 million proposed from the town bond. She said the town has already spent about $1 million pumping the failing system and that the construction itself could take up to a year; contractors might start at both ends to reduce schedule risks.

The ratified $50,000 contract with Fuss & O'Neil covers design work for pretreatment systems at the high school (for kitchens, an automotive shop, laundry facilities and similar dischargers). Broadbent said the original Fuss & O'Neil contract for the overall facilities design and engineering was $376,000, and that the town intends to use funds sitting with the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank (about $540,000 reserved since 2013) to pay for the pretreatment design.

Broadbent described a sequence of related tasks: the town will finalize pretreatment design, secure a West Warwick pretreatment permit, bring commercial connections before the sewer subcommittee, and send informed notices to roughly 35 properties that will be affected by the new sewer main.

Town Manager Dan Perillo and Broadbent said Kent County Water will replace aging water mains along Reservoir Road as part of the same bid package to satisfy separation requirements between drinking water and sewer work; the town will not pay for water‑line replacement costs.

Councilman Brown raised concerns about business owners who rent rather than own property and asked that the town reach out specifically to tenants as well as property owners; Broadbent said she would do door‑to‑door contacts and hold an additional open house before construction.

A motion to ratify the Fuss & O'Neil pretreatment contract carried by roll call: motion by Councilman Pasqua, second by Councilman Brown; roll call vote was 7 in favor, 0 opposed.

Provenance: Assistant Town Manager Maria Broadbent presented the project and the contract; the council ratified the contract later in the meeting.","The council ratified a $50,000 contract with Fuss & O'Neil for pretreatment design work needed for Coventry High School to connect to a new sewer line. Town officials said the overall sewer project is estimated at $4.2 million with state and bond funding expected; construction could take up to a year.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Coventry council stalls proposal to give all members access to town solicitor invoices after heated debate

Coventry council: quick take — registrar ratified; project priority list and ARPA allocation approved

Council directs staff to prepare reprofiling plan for Arnold Road after resident complaints about sewer‑cap damage

Council ratifies Fuss & O'Neil contract for Coventry High School pretreatment design; project funding and timeline discussed