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Council Oct. 2: New CPD Chief, Solicitors, President

[CREDIT: Rob Borkowski] Coventry's new CPD Chief Benjamin Witt, hired by unanimous vote at the Oct. 2, 2025 Coventry Town Council meeting.

[CREDIT: Rob Borkowski] Coventry's new CPD Chief Benjamin Witt, hired by unanimous vote at the Oct. 2, 2025 Coventry Town Council meeting.
[CREDIT: Rob Borkowski] Coventry’s new CPD Chief Benjamin Witt, hired by unanimous vote at the Oct. 2, 2025 Coventry Town Council meeting.
COVENTRY, RI — By the end of the Council’s meeting Thursday, the town had a new CPD Chief, new Council President, new solicitors and a new approach to those solicitors’ invoices.

New CPD Chief Witt Hired Unanimously

‘Chief Witt brings with him years of dedicated service, strong leadership skills, and a deep commitment to both the officers of the department and the residents of Coventry,’ — CPD

During the meeting, the Town Council unanimously approved the new CPD Chief appointment—Benjamin Witt—as the town’s next Chief of Police. He takes the post vacated by former Coventry Police Chief Frederick Heise, who retired July 1, according to Town Manager Dan Parillo.

“Chief Witt brings with him years of dedicated service, strong leadership skills, and a deep commitment to both the officers of the department and the residents of Coventry,” Coventry Police wrote on their Facebook page about the new CPD Chief. “We are excited to move forward under his leadership and look forward to working together to make Coventry an even stronger, safer community for everyone.”
“I think Coventry’s lucky to have you sir. Welcome aboard,” said Councilman Richard Houle to the new CPD Chief.
Witt began a vacation the following morning, and was not immediately available for an interview, though he did happily pose for a quick snapshot during the meeting.

Council Accepts Lima, Angell resignations

The Council also voted unanimously to accept the resignations of former Council President Hilary Lima and former Town Solicitor Stephen Angell, who resigned earlier that week ahead of the meeting the remaining Council members had planned to consider removing Lima from her leadership position and firing Angell.

The pair had been the focus of a push from members of the Council and local Facebook groups to share unredacted solicitor invoices for the Johnson’s Pond seizure by eminent domain in 2024 and the 2025 lawsuit by Socsia Holdings LLC challenging that. Angell argues the full versions of the invoices must be protected during the lawsuit to protect the town’s case to defend the 2024 seizure. Lima supported Angell’s assessment of the risk and handling of the information by redacting identifying details of the invoices, but not the line item amounts.

A resolution approving the appointment of John Verdecchia and David Igliozzi as Interim Town Solicitors until a full-time Solicitor is selected by the Town Council also passed the council unanimously, the first vote of the night, preceded by a similarly unanimous vote in executive session to make the appointments.

Verdecchia was at the Solicitor’s desk advising the Council as Council President JP Verducci called the body out of executive session. As the Council Vice President, Verducci was appointed Council President by charter upon Lima’s resignation. The Council, now down two members following Lima’s resignation and that of former Councilman Dist. 5 Town Councilman Robert DeLellis, has yet to elect a new Vice President.

“He’s earning his hourly wage right now, no flat fees,” Verducci said of Verdecchia.

Verdeccia Confident Unredacted Invoices Can Work

Verducci added, “We have also determined that we will will be receiving invoices for these gentlemen, unredacted,” Verducci said.

‘These people have a fiduciary duty to the town not to divulge confidential information,’ — John Verdecchia, interim town council solicitor

After the meeting, when asked if the town’s defense of the eminent domain taking of Johnson’s Pond from Soscia Holdings LLC would be compromised by granting full invoice access to the whole Council, Verdecchia prefaced his answer by acknowledging the question is a tough one.

Verdecchia said that while he agrees with the need to prevent that information from reaching the town’s legal opponents, “To prevent the opposing side to get an advantage by getting a peek into your mindset,” Council members are legally entrusted with that responsibility.

“These people have a fiduciary duty to the town not to divulge confidential information,” Verdecchia said. Also, he said, the full invoices must be handled properly to meet that responsibility, and that he has successfully coached elected members in doing that. When asked if he is confident he can convey the proper precautions to all the Council members,  “I think so,” Verdecchia said.

The Council also approved an audit of Angell’s invoices with the town.

 

Rob Borkowski
Author: Rob Borkowski

Rob has worked as reporter and editor for several publications, including The Kent County Daily Times and Coventry Courier, before working for Gatehouse in MA then moving home with Patch Media. Now he's publisher and editor of WarwickPost.com. Contact him at editor@warwickpost.com with tips, press releases, advertising inquiries, and concerns.

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