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Coventry council approves goals for 2020-21
By Olivia Regen
oregen@journalinquirer.com
COVENTRY — The Town Council on Monday unanimously approved its goals for 2020-21, which include working with the Board of Education to consider the hiring of a school resource officer to improve security in the schools and continuing treatments to contain and eradicate the invasive aquatic plant hydrilla in Coventry Lake.
School board member Eugene Marchand said there is a police presence already in Coventry schools, and that officers are there two to three times a week.
Councilman Jonathan Hand said today that he would be interested in studying school systems that use school resource officers and review the pros and cons of having one in the schools. But overall, he said the priority is the safety of students and staff.
Marchand said he's been pleased with the work the school system has done collaboratively working with the Police Department to increase safety measures at the schools.
"I think we have taken very reasonable measures and precautions and continue to look at these different elements," he said.
He said he's open to looking at the idea of having a school resource officer and wants to find out how the cost would be covered.
"Is the town going to pay for it?" he asked. "There is no way to 100 percent assure that there is not going to be a potential for violence, not only in our schools but anywhere."
The council's goals are separated into the categories of fiscal responsibility, infrastructure, the environment, public safety, government transparency, and economic development.
The town library renovation project is one of the goals listed under fiscal responsibility, but there's concern from some Democratic council members that the Republican majority may not support the full project.
The town will receive a matching grant from the state of up to $850,000 for the project. Some renovations include addressing a water leakage problem in the basement. The council must decide whether to match the grant.
A committee was tasked with recommending specifics for the renovation. Some of those renovations include relocating the elevator and increasing the utility of the building by making a large community room to seat 100 for events, Hand said.
Hand said he's now concerned there's been a change in the direction to support the full project.
The council's goal states: "Once we get firm costs, we will consider matching the $850,000 grant if we feel the proposal is warranted."
Councilwoman Lisa Thomas said it appears the council majority continues to be unwilling to commit to a project that fully supports the needs of the community.
Matthew O'Brien Sr., the council vice chairman, did not return calls or emails for comment.
Another goal is to continue treating the invasive aquatic plant hydrilla in Coventry Lake. This past year the town budgeted $130,000 to treat the lake. This is the fourth year the town has treated the lake and there will be more treatments needed in years to come, Town Manager John Elsesser said.
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