Coventry holds public hearing on provisional FY2026 budget as residents raise concerns over raises, staffing and services

Coventry Town Council opened a public hearing on the town’s provisional FY2026 budget, a roughly $127,000,000 spending plan that town staff said would raise the levy by about 2.7% and the tax rate around 1.6%, beginning July 1, 2025.

Manager Perillo said the budget “is a very responsible budget” that includes new personnel, road paving, funding for the school deficit and bond, purchases of vehicles and resources to open Briar Point. He estimated the proposed tax increase would amount to about $100 per year on a $400,000 home.

The hearing focused on several points of public and council concern: proposed raises for nonunion directors and specific staff, the source and accounting of one‑time funds for projects such as Johnson’s Pond and the annex, staffing and operations at the new Briar Point beach, municipal vehicle replacement and a five‑year corrective plan to address the school department deficit.

Why it matters: The provisional budget would set spending priorities and the tax rate for the coming fiscal year. Residents and council members pressed staff on how recurring operating costs and one‑time federal or state grants interact, and how personnel decisions could affect long‑term costs.

Manager’s overview and key figures Manager Perillo told the council the town’s provisional budget totals $127,000,000 and represents about a 2.7% increase to the levy, producing an estimated 1.6% increase in the tax rate. “It’ll be about a $100 increase for the year” on a $400,000 home, he said.

Perillo and other staff described several budgeted actions: hiring additional positions, paving roads, funding the school deficit and bond, purchasing new garbage trucks and police cruisers, and funding operations for the Briar Point beach. The annex renovation is funded by pandemic recovery grants, and the town expects programming at the annex to be paid with those grant funds and partner contributions.

Personnel and pay questions Residents and some council members questioned proposed pay increases for nonunion department heads and certain staff members. Manager Burley (responding to outreach questions) said some increases exceed the proposed 3% because of added duties and retention concerns: Director McGee asked to take on general‑contractor duties for an estimated $5,000,000 annex project and the budget proposes an additional 7% (for a total 10% increase) to compensate for that extra responsibility. Planning Director Doug McLean is proposed to receive a 10% increase as he is to take on the zoning official duties and to retain him amid outside recruitment.

Resident Britney Boyer said the 3% general raise is understandable for parity but warned that even modest tax increases can push some families toward leaving town. She also pressed whether the clerk’s raise had already been paid; staff confirmed part of that raise was already given.

Impact fees, Johnson’s Pond and capital funding Staff described impact fees as changing monthly; the building department currently records approximately $6,800 per development, divided among seven categories for parks, schools, police, roads and other capital needs. On Johnson’s Pond, staff said the Coventry Redevelopment Association has $495,000 received through APA as an initial investment now that the town owns the pond; no other line item in the current budget is dedicated to Johnson’s Pond.

Briar Point operations and safety Council and residents discussed the planned opening of Briar Point and budgeted weekend and holiday staffing estimated at $17,000. Residents voiced concern about gate operations and crowds if passes are not sold at the gate, and whether staff would face confrontations. Parks staff said gate staffing covers monitoring and pass enforcement; porta‑potties and trash are regular DPW duties.

Fleet replacement and department staffing Staff said the budget includes at least one new police cruiser per year to maintain the fleet, and $120,000 per year is being set aside for trash truck replacement following prior shortfalls in fleet funding. The tax collector’s office will continue to budget for three positions (two clerks plus the tax collector) after decisions not to fill a deputy position in the prior year.

Library, parks, and other department questions Staff confirmed state library aid figures provided by the state and warned that changes at the state level could require future budget adjustments. The parks and recreation and DPW staffing and role differences were discussed; managers said some mechanics’ skills are not interchangeable because of equipment differences.

School deficit and five‑year corrective plan School department representative Mr. Coward said the district and town developed a five‑year projection and worked with municipal finance staff to align school requests with town allocations. Officials told the council they have shared five‑year projections and other documents with the Auditor General and municipal finance; a finalized audit is expected in May to give the “hard figure” for the school deficit. Staff estimated the cumulative deficit in the $5.0–$5.9 million range; once the audit yields a final number, the town and school plan to formalize a corrective action plan with assumptions and projections to present to the council.

Public comment highlights - Britney Boyer (Coventry) urged caution about raises and noted donations to local schools after reporting a teacher’s note about lack of supplies. She asked for clarity on whether some raises had already been paid. - Michael Madonna asked whether funds for poll workers and a contingency for a possible referendum were included; staff said the budget did not assume an election but the council could amend the provisional budget to add poll costs. - Jerry Norkowitz supported funding for Briar Point but warned staff about confrontations at the gate where passes are required. - Susan Morris asked about water testing at Briar Point; parks staff said the Department of Environmental Management and RI Analytical conducted tests during the beach season and the town is awaiting the 2025 testing schedule. - Tricia Hunt and other residents praised improved budget narratives and suggested the town publish clearer salary/position tables and separate one‑time grant funds from recurring operations so future councils can see which items are funded by nonrecurring sources.

Council process and next steps The council opened the public hearing and kept it open for a second hearing scheduled for Saturday (the council chair directed continued public input). Staff and council members said they will incorporate clarifications in the final provisional budget and that the council must later vote to accept any corrective action plan addressing the school deficit.

Votes at a glance - Motion to approve minutes of 02/25/2025 (open session): Motion by Councilman Capaldi; second by Vice President Verducci. Vote: Brown — yes; Capaldi — yes; Verducci — yes; Lima — yes. Outcome: approved. - Motion to open public hearing on provisional FY2026 budget (starting 07/01/2025): Motion by Councilman Capaldi; second by Councilman Brown. Vote: Brown — yes; Capaldi — yes; Verducci — yes; Lima — yes. Outcome: approved. - Motion to go into executive session under Rhode Island General Law Section 40 two‑forty 84 for investigatory proceedings related to allegations of misconduct: Motion by Councilman Capaldi; second by Councilman Brown. Vote: Brown — yes; Capaldi — yes; Verducci — yes; Lima — yes. Outcome: approved; no votes taken in executive session. - Motion to come out of executive session: Motion by Vice President Verducci; second by Councilwoman Capaldi. Vote: Brown — yes; Capaldi — yes; Verducci — yes; Lima — yes. Outcome: approved. - Motion to seal executive session minutes: Motion by Councillor McKeppelgdi; second by Vice President Verducci. Vote: Brown — yes; Capaldi — yes; Verducci — yes; Lima — yes. Outcome: approved. - Motion to adjourn: Motion by Councilman Capaldi; second by Vice President Verducci. Outcome: approved.

What’s next: The council left the public hearing open to a Saturday reconvening for additional public comment and scheduled formal budget votes at the council’s next meeting. Staff said they will refine line‑item detail, provide requested position counts and clarify which expenditures are funded by one‑time grants or impact fees.