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Coventry council adopts goals, schedules parks hearing, approves appointments and senior transportation changes
Summary
At its Jan. 5 meeting the Coventry Town Council adopted 2025–2027 goals, approved multiple commission appointments, called a public hearing on a revised Parks & Recreation ordinance (hearing moved to Feb. 17), and updated the Senior Center van/bus driver job description; most motions passed unanimously.
Coventry — The Coventry Town Council’s Jan. 5 meeting covered a range of administrative and policy items including adoption of council goals, a slate of commission appointments, revisions to Parks & Recreation ordinance language with a public hearing set, and an update to the Senior Center van/bus driver position description.
Council business and appointments: The council adopted its 2025–2027 goals by unanimous vote (motion by Peter Larson; second by Mark Wheaton). Steering Committee Chair Jon Hand presented a package of recommended appointments that the council approved: Brian Coss (Conservation Commission); Elizabeth Bauch, Lisa Conant, and Richard Martin (Human Rights Commission); Sam Belsito (Pension & Retirement Committee); and several appointments to the Veterans Memorial & Events Commission (Jamie and Peter DePaola, William Glenney, Rick Nowsch). Two Veterans Commission appointments recorded Chairwoman Thomas as abstaining; other appointment motions passed.
Parks & Recreation ordinance: Councilors reviewed a proposed update to the Parks & Recreation Commission ordinance that shifts many day-to-day operational duties from the commission to the Parks & Rec Director and clarifies authority for permissions and budget review. Councilor Robyn Gallagher raised concern that the phrase “may choose to consult” in Section 70-70 could remove meaningful oversight; the council recommended changing it to “The Director shall apprise the Commission on proposed or new regulations” so the Commission receives notice while allowing staff to act on day-to-day items. The council agreed to call a public hearing on the ordinance and to move the hearing date to Feb. 17, 2026 to allow legal review and avoid crowding the Feb. 2 agenda.
Senior transportation job description: Town Manager James D. Drumm explained updates to the Senior Center Van/Bus Driver job description to reflect multiple drivers and a transportation coordinator, and to lower license requirements to expand the applicant pool. The council revised the Position Purpose to explicitly include transportation for medical appointments and enrichment activities, agreed to strike an essential-duty bullet deemed above the pay grade, and noted the positions are fully grant funded; Drumm said existing reserves could sustain the service for about a year if federal funds were lost.
Other items: Finance Committee minutes and COVRRA items were approved via consent agenda; the council entered executive session on personnel under Conn. Gen. Stat. §1-200(6)(A) and adjourned at 9:49 PM.
What comes next: The Parks & Recreation ordinance will be reviewed by legal counsel and placed on the Feb. 17 public hearing agenda; appointed members will begin serving per their listed terms. The Senior Center staffing changes are effective per the approved revised job description and funding status described at the meeting.
