Coventry town council to consider future of Johnson’s Pond

COVENTRY, R.I. (WLNE) — The Coventry town council will hear first passage of an ordinance tonight that may decide the future of Johnson’s Pond.

Last Thursday, the council voted to approve a resolution with their intentions of acquiring the pond.

For years, the pond’s owner. Soscia Holdings, has been involved in litigation with the town. Last year, the owner of the pond was issued a cease and desist order after water levels were found to be historically low.

Last month, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management issued a safety concern.

The council now has to decide whether the pond should be privately owned, or if Town Solicitor Stephen Angell should condemn it.

If the pond is acquired officially by the town, Coventry will register it with the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, extend the town’s insurance to cover the area, bring everything up to code, and make other additional improvements.