Town Council Expands Solicitor Invoices Access to All Members

COVENTRY, RI — The Coventry Town Council voted April 22 to expand access to town solicitor invoices to the entire council and to mandate a review when departments threaten to exceed budgets by 5 percent.

The resolution effecting those changes, proposed by Councilman Jonathan Pascua, also included an amended Letter of Engagement for Town Solicitor Steven Angell, which had previously restricted access to un-redacted invoices to Town Council President Hilary Lima.

Solicitor Invoices Access resolution discussed

Pascua proposed the change last week.

During public comment prior to the vote and discussion, Stacie Nichols criticized Pascua’s resolution.

“While it may appear on the surface to address some of the transparency issues, completely misses the mark when it comes to real and lasting change with our  town council,” she said.

Nichols criticized the resolution’s lack of requirements for the council to respond  to financial concerns, saying that  while it gives council members the opportunity to look at the invoices it does not require them to do that. She said that without a formal process that requires council members to review documents when concerns are raised, “We’re simply crossing our fingers and hoping for the best.”

Nichols also criticized the town’s budget process, which she said included budget increases without justification.

Pascua read from his resolution, citing use of the word, “shall,” where it concerns councilors receiving solicitor invoices monthly. That word is a strong choice, he said, meaning the resolution requires councilors to receive the invoices.

“That’s not up for discussion,” Pascua said, it will happen.

Pascua said a proposed Letter of Engagement for the Solicitor has also been amended to reflect that the full council has access to un-redacted solicitor invoices.

A motion amending the letter of engagement passed 5-0.

Next, the Council voted on the resolution making the town solicitor invoices access change and mandating the budget monitoring.

The resolution passed 5-0.

The Council also voted 5-0 to request that the Coventry School Committee adopt the Council’s policies including an alert to the board and Town Finance Director if a department threatens to exceed their budget by 5 percent, quarterly.

Assistant Town Manager proposes water planning efforts

In other news, Assistant Town Manager Maria Broadbent said the town should pay better attention to its water resources.

“We’re a town defined by water,” said Broadbent, asking the council and the town to consider working water-oriented issues into regular planning. She noted there are 63 dams in town, and that the council is also frequently talking about Johnson’s Pond.

Broadbent noted flooding, drainage issues, and dam management and stormwater management among the water-centric issues the town ought to be looking at and planning around strategically.

She said Conservation Commission, and the Johnson’s Pond and Tiogue Lake community groups should be part of the discussion.