The schools still need to be repaired

http://www.kentcountytimes.com/content/view/99667/

Let's figure out how to get it done -- somehow.

Happy Thanksgiving

We Give Thanks Our Father in Heaven,
We give thanks for the pleasure
Of gathering together for this occasion.
We give thanks for this food
Prepared by loving hands.
We give thanks for life,
The freedom to enjoy it all
And all other blessings.
As we partake of this food,
We pray for health and strength
To carry on and try to live as You would have us.
This we ask in the name of Christ, Our Heavenly Father.


--Harry Jewell

Reserved for Future Permitted Use

Reserved for Future Permitted Use

Upcoming meetings

If you've got nothing to do next week, pick a meeting and attend it:
Town Council 10/22/07 agenda:http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4232/2007/47582.pdf

School Committee 10/23/07 agenda:http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4248/2007/47486.pdf

Planning Commission 10/24/07 agenda:http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4233/2007/47548.pdf

Charter Review Commission 10/25/07 agenda:http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/5347/2007/47182.pdf

In response to inquiries on how to find meetings, use this link and make a "favorite" on your browser:To find meeting agendas for the town of Coventry:http://www.state.ri.us/govtracker/index.php?page=DetailMuni&eid=3763

or use the link to the right on this blog.

Wayne

Hopkins Hill School -- Upcoming Events

Parents, please make a note of the following events at our school:

Friday September 14 -- "Noah's Ark" to build a bear night.

Thursday Sept. 27 -- Hopkins Hill School Open House.

Wednesday Oct. 3 -- International "Walk to School" Day.

Oct. 9 - 12 -- Art Week at HH School.

Friday Oct. 26 -- Fall Festival.

Any comments/questions: wdddasselin@hotmail.com

News Articles - Centre of New England

On Wednesday July 25th the Planning Commission granted approval of the proposed amendment to CONE phase 6. Here are links to news articles.

http://www.kentcountytimes.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=971

http://www.projo.com/ri/coventry/content/WB_CAMBIO_07-27-07_HR6H184.3304560.html

Reserved for Future Permitted Use

Reserved for Future Permitted Use.

Planning Commission meeting June 27 -- CONE Public Hearing

http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4233/2007/42759.pdf

CONE -- Meeting Summary

At last night's meeting the Planning Commission voted to continue the public hearing on CONE until their next meeting on June 27th. If you are an affected neighbor and weren't able to attend last night there will be at least one more opportunity to express your comments, questions and concerns.

Meetings This Week

Links to meeting agendas:

Town Council 5/21
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4232/2007/41241.pdf

School Committee 5/22
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4248/2007/41047.pdf

Planning Commssion 5/23. CONE is #4 on the agenda. http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4233/2007/41184.pdf

BTW -- The Annual Town Financial Meetting will be held on June 12th.

Please attend the meeting of your choice.

Some Meetings This Week

Town Council 5/7/07 agenda:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4232/2007/40413.pdf

School Committee 5/8/07 agenda:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4248/2007/40320.pdf

Planning Commission 5/9/07 agenda (CONE not on the agenda):
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4233/2007/40434.pdf

Go to the Secretary of State's web site (see my link to the right) for other meeting postings:

Runoff Event - April 26th

There was another runoff event yesterday. Coffee-colored water was observed in the streams that run to Little Tiogue Lake and Tiogue Lake. The Town needs to take action to protect the HH neighborhood and the lakes, which are town property.

News Article - Bonds

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18272497&BRD=1720&PAG=461&dept_id=74554&rfi=6

CONE Public Hearing April 25th - Meeting Summary

Last night's pubic hearing on CONE lasted over two hours. More neighbors talked about damage they've sustained from flooding. Representatives from the Pawtuxet River Authority and Coventry Conservation Commission expressed their concerns. The developer's attorney provided his own interpretation of our land use ordinances & consent agreements with the developer and suggested that it would be in the best interest of the town that the development proposal not be rejected.

There are open items -- DEM notice of violation to CONE, proposed fine of over $400,000. Flooding continues to occur in the HH neighborhood, siltation events are still happening at Tiogue Lake, safety issues for HH School children from Johnson Blvd. flooding. The developer's attorney said that approving this latest proposal would provide cash flow so that these open items could be addressed. Representatives from Tiogue Lake Assn expressed their concerns about continued damage being done to the lake. I suggested that the Planning Commission may want to hold off on approval or rejection until they've had a chance to consult with their own solicitor and get their own interpretation of our land use ordinances and consent agreements to determine what the PC's rights and responsibilities are. Perhaps the PC may want to go into executive session with the Town Manager, Town Council and the Town Solicitor, who used to be the PC's solicitor.

The Planning Commission decided to continue the public hearing until its next meeting on May 23rd. If you still have not been able to attend these past two meetings, you'll have at least one more chance to do so.

Another Busy Week of Meetings

Town Council 04/23:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4232/2007/39835.pdf

School Committee 04/24:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4248/2007/39688.pdf

Economic Development Commission 04/24:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4235/2007/39862.pdf

Planning Commission 04/25:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4233/2007/39781.pdf

Charter Review Commission 04/26:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/5347/2007/39582.pdf

Please attend the meeting of your choice.

News Articles - Coventry Budget

In case you couldn't be there last night:

From KCT:
http://www.kentcountytimes.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18237538&BRD=1718&PAG=461&dept_id=74409&rfi=6

From Projo:
http://www.projo.com/ri/coventry/content/WB_cvhearings20_04-20-07_5A5AOO0.34cb433.html

From KCT: "There will be two work sessions on the budget scheduled for April 23 (school) and May 7 (municipal). The town council will adopt the budget on May 21. The financial town meeting will be on June 12."

News Article - Coventry Budget

Hope you can be there tonight.

http://www.kentcountytimes.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18230597&BRD=1718&PAG=461&dept_id=74409&rfi=6

Budget Hearing April 19

From the Town of Coventry web site:

THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THE MUNICIPAL BUDGET SCHEDULED FOR 6:00 pm ON 4/17/07 HAS BEEN POSTPONED. A COMBINED MUNICIPAL AND SCHOOL BUDGET HEARING WILL BE HELD ON THURSDAY, 4/19/07 AT 6:00 pm IN THE TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBERS' AT TOWN HALL, 1670 FLAT RIVER RD.

Meeting -- Charter Review Commission April 12, 2007

This is a public meeting, though public comment is not on the agenda:

http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/5347/2007/39351.pdf

News Articles

New life for Flat River MS
http://www.projo.com/ri/coventry/content/WB_coventryskuls_04-11-07_GM56VTD.35fd78f.html

Oak Haven
http://www.kentcountytimes.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18193573&BRD=1718&PAG=461&dept_id=74409&rfi=6

Tiogue Lake
http://www.kentcountytimes.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18188241&BRD=1718&PAG=461&dept_id=74409&rfi=6

TC and SC Meeting Agendas

TC Meeting 04/09/07:

http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4232/2007/39073.pdf


SC Meeting 04/10/07:

http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4248/2007/39055.pdf

Happy Easter

A children's prayer:

Time for joy and time for giving
Time for remembering
Love while living.

Take this message Easter Day
Show kindness, care
At home and play.

It's in our very acts of giving
Easter's joy
Makes life worth living.

Children round the globe now hear
Keep Easter
In your heart all year.

May joy and love spread land to land
Linked heart to heart
And hand to hand!

from www.bellaonline.com

News Article - Coventry Budget

http://www.projo.com/ri/coventry/content/WB_cvmanagersbudget_04-03-07_BI53RTC.368fa52.html

Weekend Reading

In case you didn't read them, here are news articles about the state report on KCWA

From the Projo:
http://www.projo.com/ri/westwarwick/content/WB_waterreport_03-30-07_JB52KLQ.368f179.html

From the KC Times:
http://www.kentcountytimes.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18146882&BRD=1718&PAG=461&dept_id=74409&rfi=6

Thanks to State Senator Raptakis and to State Representative Sullivan (co-chair) who put a lot of time & effort in the commission. We look forward to reading the report.

Also, here is a news article about fixing up the Amgen water tower. There is a total ban on outdoor water use in KCWA's service area until June 1st.
http://www.projo.com/business/content/BZ_TOWER_03-30-07_5852E1C.28d28b6.html

Summary of 03/28/07 CONE Public Hearing

Thanks to all of you who were in attendance last night at the public hearing and to those of you who got up to express comments, questions or concerns. I also want to thank in particular Planning Commission Chair Crossman and all the other PC members for allowing extended time late into the evening so members of the public could speak.

The public hearing got underway at about 9:45 PM and ended at about 11:30 PM. Concerns were brought up about damage to Tiogue Lake, flooding to homes on Little Tiogue Lake, York Dr., West Lake Dr. & Johnson Blvd. near HH School, child safety and the environment. Someone got up and said she had lived on West Lake for over 20 years and had never seen flooding on Johnson Blvd. until last year. The town admitted that they have not enforced their own soil & erosion control ordinance. Someone asked that the town hire a hydro geologist to study the water flow issues for the entire area. Some public documents and photographs were submitted by the public to the Planning Commission for the members’ review. We wish that the Town Engineer or the Town Manager (who has an engineering degree) were at the meeting last night to listen to all testimony and to answer questions. Had it not been for Parent-Teacher conferences scheduled for yesterday there may have been even more people in attendance to provide input to the Planning Commission.

The public hearing on this phase of CONE has been continued until the next PC meeting on April 25th. Hopefully the public hearing will be scheduled for earlier in the evening than it was last night. We look forward to this next meeting; anyone who missed last night should take advantage of this next opportunity.

It's Going to be a Busy Week

March 26 Town Council meeting agenda:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4232/2007/38495.pdf

March 27 School Committee workshop/meeting agenda:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4248/2007/38454.pdf

March 28 Planning Commission meeting agenda, including public hearing on CONE, 13th agenda item:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4233/2007/38463.pdf

Public Hearing March 28 - Next Phase of CONE

Below is wording of the public hearing announcement for CONE found in the Kent County Daily Times, 03/14/07, Page A-3. If you live in the Hopkins Hill, Arnold Road or Tiogue Lake neighborhoods and have concerns about water, flooding, traffic, the environment, child safety or other issues please attend this public hearing to voice your comments and ask questions.

The public hearing will most likely be one agenda item out of several scheduled for that night. This item may be first or it may be last or somewhere in between. The applicant will make their presentation and then the public will be allowed to speak. It is possible that time may run out before the public can comment and the public hearing continued until the next meeting.

Once the official meeting agenda has been published I will post it on this blog. By law it must be available no later than next Monday 03/26.

____________________________

DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
195 MacArthur Blvd. Coventry RI 02816

TOWN OF COVENTRY – PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING
“THE CENTRE OF NEW ENGLAND, A LAND DEVELOPMENT PROJECT”

Notice is hereby given of a Public Hearing on the Preliminary Plan Submission for proposed “The Centre of New England, Phase 6A, 6I, 6J, & 6K”

The subject parcels are AP 6, Lots 1, 1.1; AP 7, Lots 2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3; AP 15, Lot 97.3 (portion); AP 6, Lot 3 (portion); AP 15, Lot Lot 21.1 (portion). This phase of the land development project is proposed as residential development located on Centre of New England Boulevard. It encompasses approximately 480 acres in the Town of Coventry, Rhode Island. The proposal is for the construction of 180 residential units with the appropriate parking areas.

At this public hearing the applicant and/or their representative(s) shall present the proposed development for the benefit of the Planning Commission and the general public.

The Public Hearing will be held on Wednesday, March 28, 2007 at 7:00 PM in the Town Council Chambers, 1670 Flat River Road, Coventry, RI 02816.

A copy of the proposed plan is available for examination at the Department of Planning & Development, 195 MacArthur Blvd., Coventry, RI 02816, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm.

All persons interested in the above are respectfully requested to be present at the time and place to be heard hereon. Individuals requesting interpreter services for the hearing impaired must notify the Office of the Town clerk at 822-9173, 72 hours in advance of the hearing date. Devices for the hearing impaired are available.

_____________________________

Projo News Article - School Budget Reconciliation

http://www.projo.com/ri/coventry/content/WB_covskuls_03-21-07_OP4UK4N.34d6d5a.html

School Committee 03/20/07 Meeting agenda

http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4248/2007/38085.pdf

BTW -- Johnson Blvd. did not get floooded last Friday's storm, but the High School was shut down today due to some type of "flooding" event.

News Articles - Oak Haven School, Budget

Here are links to KCT and Projo articles:

http://www.kentcountytimes.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18076149&BRD=1718&PAG=461&dept_id=74409&rfi=6

http://www.projo.com/ri/coventry/content/WB_convert_03-14-07_TD4RFUH.3445bc5.html

School Committee 03/13/07 Meeting Agenda

http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4248/2007/37714.pdf

School Spirit/Reading Week March 12-16

It's Spirit/Reading week at Hopkins Hill School:

Monday 3/12 -- Heritage Day; morning poetry led by Grade 5.

Tuesday 3/13 -- Sports Day; morning poetry led by Grade 4.

Wednesday 3/14 -- Literary Dress-up Day; morning poetry led by Grade 3

Thursday 3/15 -- Read My Shirt Day; morning poetry led by Grade 2. PJs and Books evening family event.

Friday 3/16 -- Red & White - Huskie Pride Day; morning poetry led by Grade 1. Family Night at the Providence Bruins.

Enjoy your week!!

Town Council Meeting Agenda March 12, 2007

http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4232/2007/37898.pdf

Photos -- Flooding Event at Johnson Blvd., Arnold Rd., Tiogue Lake, King St. 03/02/07

Town Council Meeting March 5, 2007 - Centre of New England

The TC is having a special meeting this Monday night. At 6 PM is a work session on CONE. This item may have something to do with the flooding that occurred in the HH neighborhood on Friday. Then an executive session is scheduled. See the link below to the meeting agenda.

I urge anyone who sustained water damage or could not access Johnson Blvd. to pick up your child from school yesterday to come to town hall Monday evening. Let your town officials know you are concerned about this issue and want them to get it resolved.

http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4232/2007/37380.pdf

Flooding Again at Johnson Boulevard

*** Update 03/03/07 -- Here is part of an email I received --
"I was attempting to go by there (Johnson Blvd) this evening around 6:00....they had it blocked off w/two Public Works trucks....I had to turn around and go out Hopkins Hill, down Tiogue, and then up Arnold. It's a mess over there...Something needs to be done...our high tax dollars at work..but are they really working?"

Today there were reports of flooding again on Johnson Blvd. and York Dr. Water apparently ran over Johnson, and the brook between York and Lake George backed up. Several neighbors had water in their basements. As this happened during a school day, some parents did not attempt to cross Johnson and had to drive around in order to pick up their children at HH School.

As you may recall, there was a flooding event in our neighborhood at the end of October 2006. At that time the town cleaned out the pipes under Johnson and York. As we can see, however, the runoff, environmental, flooding and child safety issues are still here. I urge town leaders and officials, in consultation with RI DEM, to find out the causes of the flooding, come up some various remediation options, choose and implement them, monitor results and adjust as necessary. The health, safety, welfare and quality of life that our neighborhood enjoys is at stake.

If you sustained any water damage or if you had problems trying to cross Johnson Blvd. to pick up your child please contact the Town Manager's office, your local Councilman and School Committee representative and let them know of your concern.

Photographs were taken of this event. I will post some of them when obtained.

Questions/comments? wdddasselin@hotmail.com

Video of Tiogue Lake

**** Update 02/28/07 -- You may not be able to open the video. We are working to resolve the problem. Check back in a day or two.

Here is a link to a video of an event that occurred at Tiogue Lake in March 2001.

http://www.foxandhedgehog.net/tioguelake/

There are many development projects being planned in town -- Near Hopkins Hill and Tiogue; one mill conversion in Anthony and two mill conversions in Harris. As they try to expand our tax base, town officials need to protect our neighborhoods and our natural resources by enforcing of all our land use laws.

News Article - KCWA Mishnock Wellhead

http://www.projo.com/ri/coventry/content/WB_cvmishnockwell_02-21-07_S04GOVH.d6ba70.html

School Committee Agenda for Feb. 20, 2007

http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4248/2007/36722.pdf

News Articles

From today's KCT about water.

http://www.kentcountytimes.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17843416&BRD=1718&PAG=461&dept_id=74409&rfi=6

Also from KCT, article on last night's meeting -- work session with TC, SC and our state delegation. The article does not state it, but during the meeting last night it was mentioned that the heating boiler at Hopkins Hill School is over 40 years old. They also spoke about the need to repair the parking lot at our school.

http://www.kentcountytimes.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17843424&BRD=1718&PAG=461&dept_id=74409&rfi=6

Town Council Meeting Agenda Feb. 12, 2007

http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4232/2007/36464.pdf

News Article - DEM Sends Violation

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17800884&BRD=1720&PAG=461&dept_id=74554&rfi=6

News Articles - RI DEM Sends Violation Notice to CONE

http://www.projo.com/ri/coventry/content/WB_cvtiogue_02-01-07_704739G.195dfff.html


http://www.kentcountytimes.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17792605&BRD=1718&PAG=461&dept_id=74409&rfi=6

News Article - Cov Schools Superintendent

Mr. DiPietro apparently not going to Barrington.

http://www.kentcountytimes.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17786714&BRD=1718&PAG=461&dept_id=74409&rfi=6

News Article on "3050"

This new state law will impact municipal and school budgets.

http://www.kentcountytimes.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17777262&BRD=1718&PAG=461&dept_id=74409&rfi=6

Coventry PTA Council Meeting Feb. 5

Received this from a PTA official:

The next meeting of the Coventry PTA Council is Monday February 5th, 2007 at Western Coventry Elementary School, 7pm in the library.

On the agenda will the Happenings and Best Practices of each local unit PTA's. Come share your activities and ideas. Also, we will be discussing the New England PTA Extravaganza to be held in Massachusetts on March 16th and 17th.

Town Council Meeting Agenda Jan. 22, 2007

http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4232/2007/35510.pdf

01/17/07 Planning Commission Meeting Agenda

Hope to see some of you there.

http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4233/2007/35128.pdf

Update on DEM Meeting: No Meeting Yet

I recently received an e-mail from Town Manager Rich Kerbel, who is still trying to arrange a public meeting on the HH runoff issues with DEM. No meeting date is set at this time. As soon as a date is determined will let you know. Let's hope it happens soon.

News Articles

Schools are open again. Here are some news articles about the health situation:

http://www.projo.com/news/content/bacteria07_01-07-07_JA3OQVK.2ec9b08.html

http://www.kentcountytimes.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17659356&BRD=1718&PAG=461&dept_id=74409&rfi=6

Special Meeting Tonight for Parents at Knotty Oak MS IS CANCELLED

There was an e-mail posted on the CovPac listserv:

>>Official word from the office of the super. The meeting tonight has >been CANCELLED. They do not have a venue large enough to house the >anticipated audience. At this point, it has not been rescheduled.>

This meeting was regarding the recent pneumonia/meningitis/illness issues in our schools. The public needs information, I hope that we can read something soon on the town's or school dept's web site.

Welcome to the Neighborhood

Here's an article from the 12/27/06 KC Times about CONE. We love all the new businesses that have located to CONE. Prediction of 5,000 new residents to live in CONE is noted. These 5,000 will live on approximately 200 acres. By comparison, West Greenwich has about 5,000 people living on 50 square miles. We need to plan NOW for the impact these new neighbors will have on our community.

http://www.kentcountytimes.com/site/index.cfm?newsid=17641357&BRD=1718&PAG=461&dept_id=74409&rfi=8

Tiogue Lake Association Gets Grant Money

Here is a link to KC Times article about our friends at Tiogue Lake Association and their efforts to mitigate the invasive weed problem. Jeff, Ron and TLA members we appreciate all that you have done to help keep the lake and Coventry's only public beach clean and safe.

http://www.kentcountytimes.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17603575&BRD=1718&PAG=461&dept_id=74409&rfi=6

Town of Coventry - Snowplowing Information

Here is a link that provides a lot of information and answers some questions about the town's snow clearing operations. Thanks to DPW Director Sheila Barrett for putting this information together and to MIS Director Ed Warzycha for getting this up on the town's web site.

http://www.town.coventry.ri.us/Winter_files/frame.htm

Coventry Rams are National Champions!

Congratulations to the players, coaches and families of our Midget team. The Rams won the Division 1AA National Championship yesterday, defeating their opponent by a score of 30-0.

Here is a link to the Rams website that provides more info.

http://www.coventryrams.com/

Rams Play in Championship Game Today 5:00 PM

The Rams are playing a team from Mexico today at 5:00 PM for the National Championship of their division. I'll post the results when known. No matter the outcome, we are all proud of this team and what they have accomplished. GO RAMS!

COVENTRY RAMS WILL PLAY FOR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Rams update: They won 22-0 yesterday in Florida. Our team will now play for the National Championship tomorrow! Let's all hope the players, coaches and family members will continue to have a great experience.

I am surprised that the news media aren't following the Rams (and the Edgewood Eagles team that is also in FL for the tournament). Whenever a local youth baseball team gets into regional tournaments the TV stations follow them everywhere. Why should it be any diferent in this case? If anyone has a contact with the TV, radio or print media please let them know about our Rams.

Go Rams!

Here's a link to Projo article about the Coventry Rams Midget Division football team and their trip to the American Youth Football national championship tournament in Florida. HH's own Town Council member, Ken Cloutier, is the Rams head coach. I hope that the players, coaches and family members have a great experience in FL.

http://www.projo.com/ri/coventry/content/WB_cvrams5_12-05-06_DD36FK0.2d66378.html

Holiday Happenings December 2 ** Update

Hopkins Hill School's "Holiday Happenings" will take place tomorrow, December 2nd, at the school (95 Johnson Blvd.) from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Fun for children and adults will include:
- Arts & Crafts
**Face painting
- Elf shop
- A visit from Santa and pictures with Santa
**Letter-writing station for letters to Santa
- Baked goods for sale
- Basket raffle ** The baskets are awesome!!
- Book fair **new books, games, etc. for sale by Scholastic Book Club

All kids, parents, family and friends are invited to attend.

Possible Meeting with RI DEM

Yesterday I was notified by State Representative Ray Sullivan and State Senator Lou Raptakis that a public workshop is being arranged with RI Dept. of Environmental Management regarding the water runoff issues facing the HH neighborhood and Tiogue Lake. Town Manager Rich Kerbel is also helping to make this event happen. We hope that CONE, RIDOT and the town will be represented at this meeting as well. No firm date has been set yet, but a meeting may happen during the week of December 18-22. I will post the actual date/time when this information becomes available.

Giving Thanks

Many thanks to all who serve our town. Elected officials, municipal workers, police officers, fire fighters, teachers, the volunteers of all our youth and adult groups, the citizens groups and the bloggers. Thanks to all the businesses that provide goods and services to our town. Without all of you there would be no community.

Following is a Thanksgiving proclamation from the U.S. Continental Congress in 1782:

Proclamation
State of New-Hampshire. In Committee of Safety, Exeter, November 1, 1782 : Ordered, that the following proclamation for a general thanksgiving on the twenty-eighth day of November instant, received from the honorable Continental Congress, be forthwith printed ...
STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE.IN COMMITTEE of SAFETY,EXETER, November 1, 1782.
ORDERED,THAT the following Proclamation for a general THANKSGIVING on the twenty-eighth day of November [instant?], received from the honorable Continental Congress, be forthwith printed, and sent to the several worshipping Assemblies in this State, to whom it is recommended religiously to observe said day, and to abstain from all servile labour thereon.M. WEARE, President.
By the United States in Congress assembled.

PROCLAMATION.
IT being the indispensable duty of all Nations, not only to offer up their supplications to ALMIGHTY GOD, the giver of all good, for his gracious assistance in a time of distress, but also in a solemn and public manner to give him praise for his goodness in general, and especially for great and signal interpositions of his providence in their behalf: Therefore the United States in Congress assembled, taking into their consideration the many instances of divine goodness to these States, in the course of the important conflict in which they have been so long engaged; the present happy and promising state of public affairs; and the events of the war, in the course of the year now drawing to a close; particularly the harmony of the public Councils, which is so necessary to the success of the public cause; the perfect union and good understanding which has hitherto subsisted between them and their Allies, notwithstanding the artful and unwearied attempts of the common enemy to divide them; the success of the arms of the United States, and those of their Allies, and the acknowledgment of their independence by another European power, whose friendship and commerce must be of great and lasting advantage to these States:----- Do hereby recommend to the inhabitants of these States in general, to observe, and request the several States to interpose their authority in appointing and commanding the observation of THURSDAY the twenty-eight day of NOVEMBER next, as a day of solemn THANKSGIVING to GOD for all his mercies: and they do further recommend to all ranks, to testify to their gratitude to GOD for his goodness, by a cheerful obedience of his laws, and by promoting, each in his station, and by his influence, the practice of true and undefiled religion, which is the great foundation of public prosperity and national happiness.
Done in Congress, at Philadelphia, the eleventh day of October, in the year of our LORD one thousand seven hundred and eighty-two, and of our Sovereignty and Independence, the seventh.JOHN HANSON, President.Charles Thomson, Secretary.
PRINTED AT EXETER.

Proclamation and image courtesy of The Library of Congress.
From Historychannel.com

Bump in the Road

I recently wrote to Town Manager Rich Kerbel about the utility cut in Hopkins Hill Road at the entrance to the Pine Ridge subdivision. This cut has settled and is now quite the bump in the road. Mr. Kerbel wrote back and advised that the cut should be paved and made smooth in the near future. The other cut on HH Road near the entrance to Highlands at HH condos is more recent, has not settled too much and will be monitored by the town. Thanks Mr. Kerbel for your attention to this issue.

Thank You Public Works Department

In the days following the 10/28/06 flooding event at Johnson Blvd., Dept. of Public Works employees were out on York Dr. and Johnson working to clear out the drain pipes under these roads. Thanks to all of you at DPW for this and all of the other services you provide to our community.

Hopkins Hill PTA Meeting Tonight

The HH PTA holds its monthly meeting 6:00 PM tonight at the HH School Library. All parents or guardians of children attending the school are cordially invited to attend. Please come and meet our awesome group of PTA volunteers!

Update: Johnson Blvd event

I recently received an e-mail from Coventry Town Manager Richard Kerbel. He met with officials from RI DEM, and they are interested in participating in a public workshop about the runoff issues facing the HH area. Hopefully RI DOT, the town and CONE will also be a part of this forum. Date and time of this event are yet to be determined. Will post this information as soon as it becomes available.

Comments/Questions? savehhs@hotmail.com

Johnson Blvd. Update After the Election

I'll have an update for you on the Johnson Blvd flood situation after the election.

Comments/Questions? savehhs@hotmail.com

Coventry Courier article on Johnson Blvd.

Here is a link to the Courier article about Johnson Blvd flooding. I want to provide some clarification on the article: I did not speak with residents on King St. or Johnson Blvd., just on York Dr. I was led to believe that some flooding of basements occurred on King, but a resident of that street wrote to me and stated that no one there sustained any water damage. I am glad to hear that there was no problem on King this time; but something needs to be done soon to address the water runoff issues the HH neighborhood faces before they get any worse.

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17418929&BRD=1720&PAG=461&dept_id=74554&rfi=6

Comments/Questions? savehhs@hotmail.com

News Article on Johnson Blvd. Flooding

Here is a link to KC Times stories about the recent flooding incident at Johnson Blvd. The Coventry Courier also has an article today about this event but I could not retrieve it from the paper's web site. As soon as it becomes available I will post it here.

http://www.kentcountytimes.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17416069&BRD=1718&PAG=461&dept_id=74409&rfi=6

Comments/questions? savehhs@hotmail.com

The Flooding of Johnson Boulevard

On Saturday Oct. 28th the brook that usually flows under Johnson decided to go OVER the road on its way to Lake George. This took place during the significant rainstorm about 3:00 PM. I took these photos of the road:
























Other than one resident who told me that this road was under water during the October 2005 rainstorms, none of the several long-time HH residents I spoke with could ever recall witnessing this type of flooding event.

Thankfully, this happened on a Saturday. What would have happened if the brook overflowed on a weekday? This would have presented a safety issue for the kids who usually walk home from school.

While a significant event in and of itself, this is a symptom of a larger issue: How do we control runoff water from south of the HH neighborhood in a manner that preserves the safety of our children, the quality of life our area enjoys and the environment -- clean water in Lake George, Little Tiogue Lake and Tiogue Lake.

***** 11/03/06 update *** Someone who lives on King St. notified me that no one on their street sustained any water damage from the 10/28/06 storm, which I am glad to hear.

Here are the contents of an email that I sent to town officials today:
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Public Officials

I am sending you some photographs of the flooding at Johnson Blvd. that occurred last Saturday October 28th. I spoke with several long-time residents of the area and none of them could ever recall the brook overflowing the road into Lake George. Homes on King St., Johnson, and York Dr. had water their basements. One resident on York said that in 12 years of residing there he has never been water in his cellar until that storm. If the rainstorm had occurred during a weekday there may have been safety issues with children trying to walk home from Hopkins Hill School. The sediment-laden water ran from the brook into Lake George, Little Tiogue Lake and Tiogue Lake causing yet another sedimentation event that affected flora and fauna in these waters.

The Town Manager, Town Engineer, Town Planner and DEM (including the Director) are aware of this event. The Town Engineer and DEM were on site the day of the flood. Since Johnson Blvd. may have never been flooded before, we need to determine what the causes are of this incident. Are the storm drains from I-95 that direct water onto Centre of New England property a factor? Are storm drains from Hopkins Hill Road a factor? Are all the new commercial and residential buildings that were constructed at CONE in the past year a factor? Should the I-95 storm drains direct water to Big River property instead of CONE? Should catch/retention/detention basins be constructed for HH Road? Should CONE's RIPDES permit be reviewed? Should CONE's local soil & erosion control plan be reviewed?

Since a lot more commercial and residential buildings are going to be built at CONE, we need to come up with a plan NOW to contain the flow of water to protect the environment, provide safety for our children and maintain the quality of life of the residents of the Hopkins Hill neighborhood. DOT, DEM, the town and the developer of CONE all need to get together and figure this out.

I ask that each you help in some way to begin this process. Thank you.
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Some officials contacted me today, advising that the Town Manager and Town Engineer are reviewing the incident. DEM will review this as well. I will provide more information to you as it becomes available.

Comments/Questions? savehhs@hotmail.com