Richard Lussier receives a plaque from Bob Fortunati. Photo by Randi Morse
COVENTRY — The day was due to start with elections for town officers, but before anyone other than a new moderator was elected, Viola Poirier took a few moments to thank Jerry St. Sauveur, who is leaving the school board. Michael Marcotte, chairman of the selectmen, thanked Selectman Barry Allen, who was also stepping down.
Finding a replacement for Mr. St. Sauveur came down to two nominees: Edmond Petit and Ned Lovejoy. Mr. Lovejoy, the self-proclaimed newcomer, proved that you don’t have to be a lifetime member of the community to get elected. He won on a paper ballot.
Richard Lussier was elected selectman, and both were sworn in to immediately begin serving their terms.
For the position of first constable, James Moulton was once again nominated, but answered the call with a loud “no thanks.” Donald “Pedro” Grondin moved up from second constable to take his place. The new second constable is Lincoln Brooks.
The school budget once again inspired the hottest debate of the day. This year the school board asked for a 3 percent increase.
Jackie Gallop immediately voiced concerns about one paraprofessional, Kelly Collins, who has worked for Coventry Village School for a number of years, making as much as two paraprofessionals who were recently hired.
Viola Poirier explained that the school board is trying to get all of the paraprofessionals at the same pay level. Principal Martha Perron added that Ms. Collins is compensated for her involvement in extracurricular activities through grants the school receives.
Board member Frank Carbonneau told the community members that the budget increase was mainly for the teachers’ salary, and that the board cut school supplies by 10 percent.
Eric Petit asked if there was any way the community members were able to have a say in how much salary the teachers received. “We’ve got a lot of teachers getting paid a good amount,” he said. “In this economy we need to cinch our belts a bit.”
While some debated the school’s ratio of students to teachers, others stood up for the school.
“I think we have a lot of topnotch teachers and I want to make sure that our teachers are valued,” resident Jennifer Mason said.
Despite the heated debate, the amount requested by the board was granted by the townspeople.
Longtime Coventry resident Fred Webster provided some insight, and a few laughs, when the discussion turned to the amount that the town sets aside to help subsidize 25 percent of the fee a Coventry resident pays to attend any bona fide health club.
“As you know, years previously I have rejected this. I wonder how many have read in Readers Digest that a number of these bona fide health clubs are involved in prostitution rings,” Mr. Webster exclaimed. Despite Mr. Webster’s objection — one that he made sure was put in the record — the motion was passed.
Leon Jaworski asked that the $500 requested for the Frontier Animal Society be raised to $750. “Especially in this economic time, lots of people have to give up their pets,” he said. The amended amount received unanimous approval.
There were two new monetary requests, including one from Maple Leaf Farm, an Alcoholic and Drug Rehabilitation Facility. When asked where the facility was, Fred Webster explained and added, “I been there.”
“Stay out of those prostitution rings and you wouldn’t be!” Pedro Grondin hollered.
The other request was for $4,095 to give every child in Coventry a year youth membership in IROC’s Kid Zone. Phil White, president of IROC, said that voting yes on the amount would make the town eligible for the 25 percent large-group discount. When added to the 25 percent subsidy, this meant that Coventry residents would only have to pay 50 percent for a membership. The motion passed.
Before closing, Bob Fortunati, president of the Coventry baseball league, presented a plaque to Richard Lussier, who helped the league become a nonprofit organization. Representative Duncan Kilmartin took the time to answer a few questions about what the Legislature has been up to.
