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Votes at a glance: Coventry council approves audit, neighborhood assistance applications and reserve transfers; authorizes grant application
Summary
On June 15 the Coventry Town Council unanimously accepted the FY2025 audit, approved Neighborhood Assistance Act applications, authorized FY25/26 budget transfers and reserve appropriations for snow response and OSHA costs, ratified a temporary deputy appointment, and authorized a grant application for a ladder truck contingent on a voter-approved match.
The Coventry Town Council handled a package of largely noncontroversial administrative and grant-authority items during its June 15 meeting.
Audit acceptance: The council voted to accept the FY2025 annual audit following the Finance Committee recommendation and an audit presentation from Leslie Zoll of CLA; the presentation noted one documentation discrepancy to correct moving forward. (Motion by Peter Larson, second Robyn Gallagher; unanimous approval.)
Neighborhood Assistance Act: The council approved 2026 Neighborhood Assistance Act applications for the Coventry Farmers’ Market and two Creative Living Community of CT projects (a solar array and energy-saving appliances). Councilors praised the Farmers’ Market’s regional draw. (Motion by Jonathan Hand, second Peter Larson; unanimous approval.)
FY25/26 transfers and reserve appropriations: The council approved FY25/26 budget transfers as recommended by the Finance Committee. It also appropriated $198,000 of General Fund reserves (1.5%) to cover excess snowstorm response costs and $33,865 for OSHA inspection-related costs; the finance committee had voted unanimously to recommend these transfers. Councilor Julie Blanchard asked whether the $198,000 transfer required voter approval under the town charter; Town Manager James Drumm explained the council treated it as a transfer of funds (not an individual purchase) and processed it administratively. (Motions moved and seconded; votes recorded as unanimous.)
Personnel and grant actions: The council ratified the Town Manager’s temporary appointment of Finance Director Cherie Trahan as Acting Deputy Town Manager for specified dates in late June and early July. The council also authorized applying for an Assistance to Firefighters Grant of up to $1 million toward a ladder/quint truck and pledged to go to referendum to seek up to $1.25 million in matching funds should the grant be awarded; the council clarified it will only pursue the match if voters approve. The grant authorization passed 5–1 with Councilor Blanchard opposed to the pledge requirement.
Next steps: The accepted audit will be finalized with the noted documentation correction; the approved Neighborhood Assistance Act applicants will move forward for council sponsorship; transfers and appropriations will be implemented administratively; and the town will submit the Assistance to Firefighters Grant application and await award notification, expected by October.
