Coventry residents express anger over council leadership and transparency issues

The Coventry Town Council meeting held on April 8, 2025, began with a motion by Councilman Capaldi to limit public remarks to four minutes per person, which was unanimously approved by the council members present. Following this procedural step, members of the public were invited to address the council on undocketed items.

The first speaker, Britney Boyer, expressed her deep concern over the recent resignations of former council members Copley and Blank, attributing their departure to a lack of support from the council. Boyer criticized the council for its handling of redacted invoices, suggesting that the reasons for these redactions were inconsistent and questioning the integrity of the council's actions. She offered to provide HIPAA compliance training to council members at no cost, arguing that this could help resolve issues surrounding transparency. Boyer concluded her remarks by calling for accountability and expressing frustration over the council's perceived inaction.

Shay Scott, another resident, echoed Boyer's sentiments, highlighting a culture of corruption and mismanagement within the council. Scott questioned the rationale behind withholding information from both the public and fellow council members, urging the council to work collaboratively for the benefit of the community. She criticized council members for their lack of engagement and professionalism during meetings, particularly pointing out the inappropriate use of cell phones.

Brian Kiesling, representing Rhode Island Fucked Up News, shared his frustrations regarding communication issues with President Lima, stating that his attempts to reach out had been ignored. He emphasized the need for better responsiveness from council members to their constituents.

Linda Brown, a long-time resident, expressed disappointment over the town's financial management, particularly regarding its bond rating and ongoing deficits, which she believes hinder the council's ability to secure necessary funding for community projects.

The meeting highlighted significant public dissatisfaction with the council's performance and raised concerns about transparency, accountability, and effective governance. As residents voiced their frustrations, it became clear that calls for change and improved communication within the council are growing louder. The council's next steps in addressing these issues remain to be seen as the community awaits a response to the concerns raised.