Coventry finance committee reports $25.1 million in property-related collections; several funds show timing pressures

Interim Finance Director Cherie Trahan told the Coventry Finance Committee on Jan. 12 that total property tax, interest and lien fees collected from July through Dec. 31 amount to $25,075,183, or about 65.7% of the anticipated receipts for the year. Trahan said she is still reconciling historical data before converting the reports into a new format requested by the committee.

Trahan summarized fund-level positions: the Recreation fund collected about $368,000 and its balance rose to $481,438; COVRRA revenues were $1,565,323 with a fund balance of $890,017; Sewer collections were reported at $109,000 and the Sewer fund balance fell to $597,614, which Trahan attributed to timing differences in revenue postings; EMS had revenues of $298,000 and expenditures of $407,000, leaving an interim fund balance near $90,000. Trahan said transfers to capital and EMS still need to be booked.

Committee members pressed for explanations of specific line items. Julie Blanchard asked about a $2,000 probate court assessment; Town Manager James Drumm said the probate court assessed Coventry for its share of newly purchased fire‑safe cabinets after historical records were transferred from Town Hall. Trahan acknowledged other ledger issues — including an apparent mis-posted workers' compensation line and a police vehicle claim that was charged to the wrong object — and said she will make corrections and return with details.

Chairwoman Robyn Gallagher thanked Fire Chief Bud Meyers for his work keeping EMS finances on track and noted the EMS fund’s recent drawdown. The committee requested that Trahan provide corrected reports and follow up on timing for sewer assessment collections.

Votes at a glance: the committee unanimously approved the Dec. 8, 2025, Finance Committee minutes and later unanimously voted to adjourn at 8:37 p.m.