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Coventry votes to join Connecticut Municipal Development Authority to access free advisory services
Summary
The council unanimously adopted Resolution 2026-03 to become a member municipality of the Connecticut Municipal Development Authority, with the town manager and chair stressing there is no fee to join and advising that any project recommendations would be evaluated before committing funds.
The Coventry Town Council voted on Feb. 17 to join the Connecticut Municipal Development Authority (CMDA), a state-funded body that offers free advisory services to municipalities.
Councilor Robyn Gallagher moved to adopt Resolution 2026-03, and Councilor Jon Hand seconded. During discussion, Town Manager James Drumm and Chairwoman Lisa Thomas emphasized that membership carries no upfront cost and that CMDA’s role is advisory: the authority can provide information and assist with project planning, but any project that requires funding would come with specific costs and further council review. Thomas said there is an "exit ramp" at each step of the process should the council choose not to proceed with a recommended project.
Councilor Hand said he was "strongly in favor" of joining to take advantage of free resources and information, while Gallagher said access to potential state dollars and planning support could help the town address infrastructure needs such as the sewer-plant upgrade. The council voted unanimously in favor of Resolution 2026-03.
The council recorded the vote in the meeting minutes as For: Kyer, Hand, Gallagher, Thomas, Larson, Wheaton, and Blanchard; no opposing votes or abstentions were recorded.
