Coventry charter revision panel cancels meeting after legal-notice error

The Town of Coventry Charter Revision Commission did not convene on Feb. 19 after Town Manager James Drumm informed members that an issue with the meeting’s legal notice prevented the scheduled session from proceeding, according to the commission’s unofficial minutes filed by Minutes Clerk Nicole Archambault.

Because of the notice problem, no charter-review discussion or formal actions took place. Commissioners instead reviewed upcoming meeting dates and assignments aimed at keeping the revision process on schedule.

Attending members listed in the minutes included Chairman Mike Petro, Vice Chairman Justin Murphy, Secretary Monica Gallegos-Ramirez, and members Jen Beausoleil and Cheryl Resha. Staff present included Town Manager James Drumm, Special Projects Coordinator Alex Taylor, Finance Director Cherie Trahan, and Collector of Revenue Kelly Lawer.

The commission confirmed these upcoming dates: Wednesday, March 4; Thursday, March 19 (when Finance Director Cherie Trahan and Collector of Revenue Kelly Lawer will attend); Wednesday, March 25 (special meeting); Wednesday, April 1 (deadline for the draft charter revision to be submitted to the attorney); Wednesday, April 8 (tentative special meeting, if needed); and Thursday, April 16 (planned work on a side-by-side comparison of changes and preparation for presentation to the Town Council).

According to the minutes, the commission’s goal is to have a finished draft by the last March meeting so the draft can be reviewed by the attorney prior to presentation to the Town Council by the May 15 deadline. There were no votes, motions, or charter-text discussions at the Feb. 19 session.

The commission’s next scheduled meeting is March 4; the March 19 meeting will include scheduled discussions with the finance director and collector of revenue.